OPT Finance Jobs
Finance roles in investment banking, asset management, and corporate finance regularly sponsor OPT students, particularly those with quantitative or accounting backgrounds. Most employers expect STEM OPT students to file for the 24-month extension before their initial 12 months expire, so timing your job search early matters.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Type: Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary: Regular
End Date if Temporary:
Hours Per Week: 35
Standard Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Building: 617 West 168th Street, 2nd Flr
Salary Range: $79,500 - $91,700
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Associate Director of Human Resources and Staff Development, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), the Finance Coordinator provides financial management of all EH&S finance processes. This role ensures fiscal integrity, operational efficiency, and compliance with University policies while advancing the mission of EH&S.
The Finance Coordinator serves as the primary liaison to University Finance, represents departmental interests in institutional initiatives, and drives continuous improvement across business processes. The position oversees financial reporting and analysis to evaluate cost efficiency and ensures strong internal controls and audit readiness. Incumbent will work with the EVPR Associate Director of Finance to adhere to set budget parameters.
This role requires sound judgment, discretion in handling confidential matters, cross-functional collaboration, the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic environment, and a thorough understanding of/strict adherence to University finance policies.
SUBJECT TO BUSINESS NEEDS, WE MAY SUPPORT FLEXIBLE AND HYBRID WORK ARRANGEMENTS. OPTIONS WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS.
Responsibilities
- Manage budget planning, financial reporting, and day-to-day financial operations for the department.
- Ensure accurate, timely processing and oversight of Accounts Payable, procurement, vendor management, and reimbursement transactions.
- Review financial activity for compliance with University policies; provide guidance and clarification to staff on procedures and best practices.
- Serve as departmental subject matter expert for Columbia financial systems, including ARC, FDS, FINSYS PaymentWorks, CU Marketplace, and Concur.
- Produce detailed in-depth financial analyses and campus-level spending reports to inform leadership decision-making and identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Partner with program leaders and EVPR Associate Director of Finance to monitor and manage budgets; improve resource allocation and enhance accounting efficiency.
- Escalate complex financial matters appropriately and collaborate with University finance offices to ensure resolution.
- Design and implement process improvements, tracking tools, and internal guides to strengthen operational effectiveness and internal controls.
- Monitor and analyze internal University chargebacks and service-related expenses, ensuring billing accuracy, resolving discrepancies, and facilitating timely corrections to maintain fiscal accountability.
- Provide oversight of transactions processed by internal EH&S administrative team.
- Establish annual revenue invoicing process for entities retaining EH&S services and follow up on payments. (e.g. Barnard, NYSPI, Joint Ventures, etc.)
- Maintain complete, audit-ready financial records and documentation.
- Support senior leadership with special projects requiring discretion and analytical rigor.
- Support front end office with administrative back-up (phones, conference room IT prep, etc.)
- Serve as delegate for Executive leadership, processing expenses via the Concur platform.
- Department credit card (pcard and corporate card) administration and reconciliation.
- Other duties as assigned and related to this position.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required. A Master’s degree can may substitute in part for years of experience.
- Minimum of four to six (4-6) years of progressively responsible experience in business, financial, and/or operational/project management.
- Demonstrated expertise in financial analysis, compliance, and process improvements.
- Experience with Columbia University financial systems (ARC, FDS, FINSYS, PaymentWorks, CU Marketplace, Concur) strongly preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office required. Proficiency in Qualtrics and Drupal (or comparable web content management systems) a plus.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across EH&S Programs and organizational levels.
- Exceptional organizational and time management skills; ability to manage competing priorities independently and with minimal supervision.
- High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
- Proven ability to adapt in a fast-paced, evolving environment and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Preferred Qualifications
- Type preferred qualifications
Other Requirements
- Type other requirements and/or special indicators if CUIMC
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
Job Type: Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary: Regular
End Date if Temporary:
Hours Per Week: 35
Standard Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Building: 617 West 168th Street, 2nd Flr
Salary Range: $79,500 - $91,700
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Associate Director of Human Resources and Staff Development, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), the Finance Coordinator provides financial management of all EH&S finance processes. This role ensures fiscal integrity, operational efficiency, and compliance with University policies while advancing the mission of EH&S.
The Finance Coordinator serves as the primary liaison to University Finance, represents departmental interests in institutional initiatives, and drives continuous improvement across business processes. The position oversees financial reporting and analysis to evaluate cost efficiency and ensures strong internal controls and audit readiness. Incumbent will work with the EVPR Associate Director of Finance to adhere to set budget parameters.
This role requires sound judgment, discretion in handling confidential matters, cross-functional collaboration, the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic environment, and a thorough understanding of/strict adherence to University finance policies.
SUBJECT TO BUSINESS NEEDS, WE MAY SUPPORT FLEXIBLE AND HYBRID WORK ARRANGEMENTS. OPTIONS WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS.
Responsibilities
- Manage budget planning, financial reporting, and day-to-day financial operations for the department.
- Ensure accurate, timely processing and oversight of Accounts Payable, procurement, vendor management, and reimbursement transactions.
- Review financial activity for compliance with University policies; provide guidance and clarification to staff on procedures and best practices.
- Serve as departmental subject matter expert for Columbia financial systems, including ARC, FDS, FINSYS PaymentWorks, CU Marketplace, and Concur.
- Produce detailed in-depth financial analyses and campus-level spending reports to inform leadership decision-making and identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Partner with program leaders and EVPR Associate Director of Finance to monitor and manage budgets; improve resource allocation and enhance accounting efficiency.
- Escalate complex financial matters appropriately and collaborate with University finance offices to ensure resolution.
- Design and implement process improvements, tracking tools, and internal guides to strengthen operational effectiveness and internal controls.
- Monitor and analyze internal University chargebacks and service-related expenses, ensuring billing accuracy, resolving discrepancies, and facilitating timely corrections to maintain fiscal accountability.
- Provide oversight of transactions processed by internal EH&S administrative team.
- Establish annual revenue invoicing process for entities retaining EH&S services and follow up on payments. (e.g. Barnard, NYSPI, Joint Ventures, etc.)
- Maintain complete, audit-ready financial records and documentation.
- Support senior leadership with special projects requiring discretion and analytical rigor.
- Support front end office with administrative back-up (phones, conference room IT prep, etc.)
- Serve as delegate for Executive leadership, processing expenses via the Concur platform.
- Department credit card (pcard and corporate card) administration and reconciliation.
- Other duties as assigned and related to this position.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required. A Master’s degree can may substitute in part for years of experience.
- Minimum of four to six (4-6) years of progressively responsible experience in business, financial, and/or operational/project management.
- Demonstrated expertise in financial analysis, compliance, and process improvements.
- Experience with Columbia University financial systems (ARC, FDS, FINSYS, PaymentWorks, CU Marketplace, Concur) strongly preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office required. Proficiency in Qualtrics and Drupal (or comparable web content management systems) a plus.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across EH&S Programs and organizational levels.
- Exceptional organizational and time management skills; ability to manage competing priorities independently and with minimal supervision.
- High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
- Proven ability to adapt in a fast-paced, evolving environment and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Preferred Qualifications
- Type preferred qualifications
Other Requirements
- Type other requirements and/or special indicators if CUIMC
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
See all 1,305+ OPT Finance Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Finance Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Finance
Target firms with established OPT hiring pipelines
Large banks, asset managers, and financial services firms hire OPT students regularly and have HR processes built around work authorization. Smaller boutiques may be open to sponsorship but require more education during the offer stage.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility upfront
Finance degrees from AACSB-accredited programs often qualify as STEM under CIP code 52.0801. Confirm with your DSO before interviewing so you can accurately tell employers you're eligible for the 24-month STEM extension.
Understand your OPT authorization timeline before applying
Your EAD card must arrive before your start date. Apply for OPT at least 90 days before graduation and account for USCIS processing times of three to five months when negotiating a start date with finance employers.
Frame H-1B sponsorship as a future step, not an immediate burden
You have up to three years of OPT work authorization before H-1B visa sponsorship is needed. Addressing this proactively in interviews, rather than waiting for employers to raise it, signals maturity and helps move conversations forward.
Pursue CFA or CPA credentials to strengthen your sponsorship case
Finance employers weigh long-term investment when deciding to sponsor. Candidates progressing through the CFA or CPA exams demonstrate commitment to the field, which makes the cost and effort of future H-1B sponsorship easier to justify internally.
Apply to rotational and analyst programs, not just open requisitions
Structured analyst and rotational programs at major financial institutions are designed for recent graduates and often have compliance teams already familiar with OPT and H-1B processes, making sponsorship conversations significantly smoother.
Finance OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work in finance roles in the United States?
Yes. F-1 students with an active EAD card can work in finance roles including investment banking, financial analysis, corporate finance, and asset management. Your employment must be directly related to your field of study. Finance and accounting degrees satisfy this requirement for most finance job titles, though your DSO can confirm eligibility for your specific situation.
Do finance employers commonly sponsor OPT students?
Many do, particularly large financial institutions, asset managers, and publicly traded corporations with established HR and legal teams. Firms that hire through structured analyst programs are especially familiar with OPT work authorization. You can browse finance roles from OPT-friendly employers on Migrate Mate, which filters for companies actively hiring international students.
Is a finance degree eligible for the STEM OPT 24-month extension?
It depends on your specific program's CIP code. Quantitative finance, financial mathematics, and financial engineering programs frequently qualify as STEM. General finance and business administration degrees may not. Check with your DSO and review your program's CIP code against the DHS STEM designated degree list before assuming you qualify for the extension.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I lose my finance job?
You have a 90-day unemployment buffer during your initial OPT period. STEM OPT extension holders get an additional 60 days, for a total of 150 days across the full OPT period. You must report any unemployment to your DSO through your SEVP portal. Exceeding the limit puts your F-1 status at risk, so re-entering the job search quickly is important.
Can I work as a contractor or consultant on OPT in finance?
Yes, but with conditions. OPT allows contract and consulting work as long as the work is directly related to your degree field and you are actively engaged in work that qualifies, not just on a roster. Self-employment is also permitted on OPT. STEM OPT extension holders must have a formal training plan in place with a qualifying employer, which limits pure independent contracting arrangements.