OPT Finance And Accounting Jobs
Finance and accounting OPT jobs span roles in financial analysis, audit, tax, and corporate finance at firms that actively sponsor F-1 students. Your STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your degree field, so CPA track and quantitative finance roles often align best with extended authorization periods.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
CLA is a top 10 national professional services firm whose purpose is to create opportunities every day, for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. Even with more than 8,500 people, 130 U.S. locations, and a global reach, we promise to know you and help you.
CLA is dedicated to building a culture that invites different beliefs and perspectives to the table, so we can truly know and help our clients, communities, and each other.
ABOUT THE ROLE
CLA is looking to hire Accounting Consultants (Engagement Senior) for our Client Accounting and Advisory Services (CAAS). CAAS provides customized accounting support for our clients (typically larger than $50M) on an interim and project basis. If flexibility, variety, and life balance are important to you…keep reading!
Responsibilities
- Serve as an interim or project-based accounting resource for clients in various industries on accounting, finance, tax, and audit roles.
- Design/improve accounting processes such as: monthly close, management and financial reporting, forecasting, consolidations, and system implementations to name a few.
- Take an active and hands-on approach in executing client engagements.
- Have the opportunity to travel – the more open you are to travel, the more opportunities we can present to you!
- Pick and choose your engagements – allow yourself to enjoy your career AND life.
- Have access to full benefits package as an hourly employee.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Four+ years relative work experience. Experience in Big Four or other similar public accounting preferred.
- A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience in a variety of accounting software.
- CPA certification is preferred but not required.
OUR PERKS
- Flexible PTO (designed to offer flexible time away for you!)
- Up to 12 weeks paid parental leave
- Paid Volunteer Time Off
- Mental health coverage
- Fertility benefits
COMPENSATION STRATEGY
Our approach to compensation emphasizes collaboration and career growth. We pay competitive wages and view compensation as an investment in our people. Factors such as geography, experience, education, skills, and knowledge may impact position of pay within the range. These same factors may cause starting pay to be below or above the posted range. The Minnesota posting range for this role is $30.00 - $60.00 per hour.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
WELLNESS AT CLA
To support our CLA family members, we focus on their physical, financial, social, and emotional well-being and offer comprehensive benefit options that include health, dental, vision, 401k and much more.
INTRODUCTION
CLA is a top 10 national professional services firm whose purpose is to create opportunities every day, for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. Even with more than 8,500 people, 130 U.S. locations, and a global reach, we promise to know you and help you.
CLA is dedicated to building a culture that invites different beliefs and perspectives to the table, so we can truly know and help our clients, communities, and each other.
ABOUT THE ROLE
CLA is looking to hire Accounting Consultants (Engagement Senior) for our Client Accounting and Advisory Services (CAAS). CAAS provides customized accounting support for our clients (typically larger than $50M) on an interim and project basis. If flexibility, variety, and life balance are important to you…keep reading!
Responsibilities
- Serve as an interim or project-based accounting resource for clients in various industries on accounting, finance, tax, and audit roles.
- Design/improve accounting processes such as: monthly close, management and financial reporting, forecasting, consolidations, and system implementations to name a few.
- Take an active and hands-on approach in executing client engagements.
- Have the opportunity to travel – the more open you are to travel, the more opportunities we can present to you!
- Pick and choose your engagements – allow yourself to enjoy your career AND life.
- Have access to full benefits package as an hourly employee.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Four+ years relative work experience. Experience in Big Four or other similar public accounting preferred.
- A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience in a variety of accounting software.
- CPA certification is preferred but not required.
OUR PERKS
- Flexible PTO (designed to offer flexible time away for you!)
- Up to 12 weeks paid parental leave
- Paid Volunteer Time Off
- Mental health coverage
- Fertility benefits
COMPENSATION STRATEGY
Our approach to compensation emphasizes collaboration and career growth. We pay competitive wages and view compensation as an investment in our people. Factors such as geography, experience, education, skills, and knowledge may impact position of pay within the range. These same factors may cause starting pay to be below or above the posted range. The Minnesota posting range for this role is $30.00 - $60.00 per hour.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
WELLNESS AT CLA
To support our CLA family members, we focus on their physical, financial, social, and emotional well-being and offer comprehensive benefit options that include health, dental, vision, 401k and much more.
See all 95+ OPT Finance And Accounting Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Finance And Accounting Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Finance And Accounting
Prioritize employers with H-1B sponsorship history
Public accounting firms, investment banks, and Fortune 500 finance teams file H-1B visa petitions regularly. Target employers with documented sponsorship history, since OPT is often the first step toward a long-term visa pathway in finance.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility early
Finance and accounting degrees are not automatically STEM-designated. If your program is listed under CIP codes like financial mathematics or computational finance, you may qualify for 24 months of additional OPT work authorization.
Time your applications around OPT start dates
Accounting recruiting cycles run on strict timelines. Full-time offers for Big Four and regional firms are often extended in fall, so apply with your expected OPT start date clearly stated to avoid confusing hiring managers.
Lead with your CPA progress on every application
Passing CPA exam sections signals long-term commitment to U.S. accounting practice. Employers weighing sponsorship decisions often view active CPA candidates as lower-risk hires since licensure ties directly to continued U.S. employment.
Understand the difference between accounting and finance sponsorship norms
Public accounting firms sponsor at higher rates than most corporate finance teams. Internal audit, FP&A, and treasury roles at mid-size companies sponsor less predictably, so targeting the right firm type saves significant job search time.
Be direct about your authorization timeline in interviews
Finance hiring managers appreciate specificity. Know your OPT expiration date, CPT history if applicable, and gap-free employment requirement. Presenting a clear authorization timeline builds confidence and reduces the friction around sponsorship conversations.
Finance And Accounting OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do finance and accounting roles commonly sponsor F-1 OPT students?
Yes, particularly at large public accounting firms, financial services companies, and Fortune 500 corporate finance departments. Big Four firms including Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG have established OPT hiring pipelines and routinely file H-1B petitions for high-performing staff. Smaller regional firms and mid-size corporations sponsor less consistently, so targeting firm type matters. Browse OPT-eligible finance roles on Migrate Mate to identify employers actively hiring F-1 students.
Does a finance or accounting degree qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on how your specific program is classified. Traditional finance and accounting degrees are generally not STEM-designated, which limits you to 12 months of standard OPT. However, programs in financial engineering, computational finance, financial mathematics, or accounting information systems may qualify under approved STEM CIP codes. Check your program's CIP code with your DSO before assuming STEM eligibility, as it directly affects your available work authorization window.
Can I work in financial analysis on OPT if my degree is in a related but non-identical field?
Yes, but your employment must be directly related to your degree field. USCIS requires OPT work to be in a position that is related to your major area of study, not necessarily an exact match. A degree in economics or business administration can support a financial analyst role if the connection is clearly documented. If your DSO questions the match, a brief written explanation of the relationship between your coursework and the job duties usually resolves it.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I lose a finance job?
F-1 students on post-completion OPT are allowed up to 90 cumulative days of unemployment. If you lose a finance role, the unemployment clock starts immediately. You must track these days carefully and find new authorized employment before reaching the 90-day limit. Gaps between jobs are included in the count, so starting your next job search immediately is important. STEM OPT holders have a 150-day unemployment allowance, but the same urgency applies.
Are internships at accounting or finance firms valid for OPT work authorization?
Yes, paid internships in finance and accounting qualify as valid OPT employment as long as the role is directly related to your degree and you are compensated. Unpaid positions can count only in limited circumstances where the experience is formal, academic in nature, and meets specific USCIS criteria, which is rare in finance. Part-time roles of at least 20 hours per week also qualify during the authorized OPT period.