OPT Finance Associate Jobs
Finance Associate roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in finance, accounting, economics, or business. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B visa sponsorship, and many financial services firms have established OPT and STEM OPT hiring pipelines that extend your authorized work period.
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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 1,306+ OPT Finance Associate Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Finance Associate Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Finance Associate
Target firms with H-1B sponsorship history
Financial services firms, investment banks, and asset managers file H-1B visa petitions regularly. Prioritize employers with a documented sponsorship track record, since Finance Associate roles at these organizations are far more likely to convert from OPT to long-term status.
Confirm your degree qualifies the role
Finance Associate positions typically require a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field. Before applying, verify the job posting specifies a degree requirement in a relevant discipline, not just any bachelor's degree, to support a future H-1B specialty occupation filing.
Apply well before your OPT end date
H-1B petitions for October 1 start dates must be filed in April. If your OPT expires before October, you need a STEM OPT extension or a cap-exempt employer. Start conversations with hiring managers at least six months before your authorization expires.
Highlight CFA, CPA, or Series licenses in progress
Professional certifications signal long-term commitment to finance careers and strengthen specialty occupation arguments. Even partial progress toward CFA Level 1 or CPA exams demonstrates technical depth that supports both your candidacy and eventual H-1B petition documentation.
Understand STEM OPT eligibility for your degree
Finance degrees from programs classified under CIP codes like financial mathematics or financial analytics may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your specific program's CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer, since this adds two years of authorized work time.
Be direct about your OPT timeline in interviews
Avoid letting authorization questions surface late in the hiring process. Address your OPT status and timeline proactively with recruiters, framing it clearly and factually. Employers who sponsor visas expect this conversation and appreciate candidates who handle it without ambiguity.
Finance Associate OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Finance Associate on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Finance Associate roles are standard specialty occupations that align well with F-1 OPT authorization. Your OPT work must be directly related to your degree field, so a finance, economics, accounting, or business degree is typically required. Make sure the job description reflects a genuine degree requirement in your field of study before accepting an offer.
Do Finance Associate jobs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your specific degree program's CIP code, not just the job title. Standard finance or accounting degrees generally do not qualify. However, programs classified under financial mathematics, financial engineering, or data analytics may. Check with your Designated School Official to confirm your program's CIP code before assuming you're eligible for the 24-month extension.
How do I find Finance Associate jobs that sponsor OPT and H-1B?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by sponsorship willingness, so you're not wasting applications on employers who won't hire international students. Finance Associate roles at large banks, asset managers, and financial technology firms are among the most consistently sponsorship-friendly positions listed on the platform.
Will a Finance Associate role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?
Finance Associate positions generally meet the specialty occupation standard because they require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field like finance, accounting, or economics. The stronger the alignment between your degree and the job duties, the cleaner the H-1B petition. Roles with vague degree requirements or generalist responsibilities are harder to support and may draw a Request for Evidence.
What should I do if my OPT expires before the H-1B start date?
If your OPT expires before October 1 and you're waiting on an H-1B cap selection, you have limited options. A STEM OPT extension bridges many gaps if your degree qualifies. Otherwise, you'd need a cap-exempt employer, a different visa category, or to leave and reenter once your H-1B is approved. Plan your timeline early and discuss it directly with your employer's immigration counsel.