OPT Finance Director Jobs
Finance Director roles are among the most demanding positions for F-1 OPT students to land, requiring both CPA credentials or an MBA and demonstrated leadership over financial planning, reporting, and compliance functions. Your 12-month OPT window (29 months with a STEM extension if your degree qualifies) means timing your job search to senior-level hiring cycles is critical.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Finance Manager
Location: Kalamazoo Office, some remote possible
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Finance & Administration
Reports To: Partners
Position Overview:
We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Accounting Administrator to manage and support our company’s financial operations. This role is critical to ensure the accuracy of our accounting records, the timeliness of financial transactions, and the seamless administration of payroll, and benefits. The ideal candidate will bring experience in small business accounting practices, a strong grasp of payroll and billing systems, and the ability to collaborate across departments to support financial and operational goals.
Key Responsibilities
Accounting & Finance
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Oversee accounts payable: manage vendor invoices and employee expense reimbursements, process payments timely and accurately.
-
Administer and track the vendor purchase order (PO) process.
-
Perform monthly bank reconciliations for multiple accounts, identifying and resolving discrepancies.
-
Reconcile general ledger accounts on a regular basis to ensure accuracy.
-
Monitor employee timesheet entry and ensure timely submission of all hours worked.
-
Administer semi-monthly payroll including new hire setup, terminations, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
-
Administer client billing, including the setup of billing rate tables, review of preprocessed invoices, and final submission to clients.
-
Collaborate with project managers to maintain accurate client project costs.
-
Maintain accounts receivable records, follow up on outstanding receivables.
-
Partner with leadership to forecast and maintain optimal cash flow.
-
Research and implement financial database best practices to ensure efficient and accurate data management.
-
Create and maintain financial process documentation to support transparency and internal controls.
-
Provide financial database training for new and existing staff as needed.
-
Ensure compliance with sales tax laws across applicable jurisdictions.
-
Work closely with the corporate accountant for W-2s, 1099s, and tax filings.
Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field preferred.
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3–5 years of experience in accounting, payroll administration, accounts payable, accounts receivable or related roles.
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Financial reporting and analysis.
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Strong computer literacy with experience in business management software.
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Proficiency with financial software (e.g., QuickBooks, Deltek, SAP, or similar platforms).
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Strong understanding of GAAP, sales and payroll tax regulations.
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Experience administering benefits and working with third-party benefits providers.
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Excellent organizational, communication, and time management skills.
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Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, professional environment.
-
High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and discretion with sensitive information.
Why Join Us?
At Unified Engineering, we are a collaborative and mission-driven team. We believe in empowering our employees with tools and autonomy to make impactful decisions. This role offers a unique opportunity to work across both accounting, human resources and IT, contributing directly to the stability and growth of our business.
To Apply:
Submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in this role to Careers@Unifiedeng.com
Job Type: Full-time
Work Location: In person
Job Title: Finance Manager
Location: Kalamazoo Office, some remote possible
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Finance & Administration
Reports To: Partners
Position Overview:
We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Accounting Administrator to manage and support our company’s financial operations. This role is critical to ensure the accuracy of our accounting records, the timeliness of financial transactions, and the seamless administration of payroll, and benefits. The ideal candidate will bring experience in small business accounting practices, a strong grasp of payroll and billing systems, and the ability to collaborate across departments to support financial and operational goals.
Key Responsibilities
Accounting & Finance
-
Oversee accounts payable: manage vendor invoices and employee expense reimbursements, process payments timely and accurately.
-
Administer and track the vendor purchase order (PO) process.
-
Perform monthly bank reconciliations for multiple accounts, identifying and resolving discrepancies.
-
Reconcile general ledger accounts on a regular basis to ensure accuracy.
-
Monitor employee timesheet entry and ensure timely submission of all hours worked.
-
Administer semi-monthly payroll including new hire setup, terminations, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
-
Administer client billing, including the setup of billing rate tables, review of preprocessed invoices, and final submission to clients.
-
Collaborate with project managers to maintain accurate client project costs.
-
Maintain accounts receivable records, follow up on outstanding receivables.
-
Partner with leadership to forecast and maintain optimal cash flow.
-
Research and implement financial database best practices to ensure efficient and accurate data management.
-
Create and maintain financial process documentation to support transparency and internal controls.
-
Provide financial database training for new and existing staff as needed.
-
Ensure compliance with sales tax laws across applicable jurisdictions.
-
Work closely with the corporate accountant for W-2s, 1099s, and tax filings.
Qualifications
-
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field preferred.
-
3–5 years of experience in accounting, payroll administration, accounts payable, accounts receivable or related roles.
-
Financial reporting and analysis.
-
Strong computer literacy with experience in business management software.
-
Proficiency with financial software (e.g., QuickBooks, Deltek, SAP, or similar platforms).
-
Strong understanding of GAAP, sales and payroll tax regulations.
-
Experience administering benefits and working with third-party benefits providers.
-
Excellent organizational, communication, and time management skills.
-
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, professional environment.
-
High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and discretion with sensitive information.
Why Join Us?
At Unified Engineering, we are a collaborative and mission-driven team. We believe in empowering our employees with tools and autonomy to make impactful decisions. This role offers a unique opportunity to work across both accounting, human resources and IT, contributing directly to the stability and growth of our business.
To Apply:
Submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in this role to Careers@Unifiedeng.com
Job Type: Full-time
Work Location: In person
See all 1,249+ OPT Finance Director Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Finance Director Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Finance Director
Lead with your OPT authorization upfront
Finance Director candidates who disclose OPT status early in outreach avoid wasted interviews. Confirm your exact OPT end date and whether you qualify for a STEM extension before your first conversation with any hiring team.
Target companies with established H-1B sponsorship history
Large financial institutions, publicly traded corporations, and multinational firms sponsor H-1B visas far more consistently than smaller companies. Focus your search on organizations that have filed H-1B petitions for senior finance roles in prior years.
Position your international financial experience as an asset
Finance Directors who understand cross-border tax structures, foreign currency reporting, or international consolidation are genuinely harder to find. Frame your international background as a competitive differentiator, not just biographical context, in every application.
Pursue CPA licensure or an advanced degree if you haven't already
A STEM-designated MBA or a master's in accounting extends your OPT to 29 months and strengthens your candidacy. CPA licensure signals the technical credibility that finance leadership roles demand and directly supports future H-1B specialty occupation classification.
Engage executive recruiters who specialize in finance leadership
Finance Director roles rarely appear on public boards before a recruiter has already worked a shortlist. Building relationships with CFO-level executive search professionals significantly expands your access to senior finance openings before they're publicly posted.
Prepare a clear visa transition narrative for interviews
Hiring managers evaluating Finance Directors consider long-term organizational continuity. Come ready to explain your OPT timeline, STEM extension eligibility, and H-1B sponsorship pathway concisely so immigration concerns don't derail an otherwise strong candidacy.
Finance Director OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as a Finance Director in the United States?
Yes. F-1 students authorized for OPT can work in Finance Director roles as long as the position directly relates to their field of study, typically finance, accounting, economics, or business administration. Your OPT work authorization is employer-general, meaning you're not tied to a specific employer, but your job must remain within your degree's field.
Does a Finance Director role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title itself. If you hold a STEM-designated degree such as a master's in finance, accounting analytics, or a quantitative MBA, and your Finance Director role involves applied STEM skills like financial modeling, data-driven forecasting, or quantitative risk analysis, you'll likely qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify.
How difficult is it for a Finance Director to find H-1B sponsorship after OPT?
Finance Director is a specialty occupation that clearly meets H-1B eligibility criteria, which makes the petition itself straightforward. The challenge is finding employers willing to sponsor, since H-1B is subject to an annual lottery. Large financial services firms, Fortune 500 companies, and multinationals sponsor most consistently. You can browse Finance Director roles at companies open to OPT sponsorship on Migrate Mate.
What academic backgrounds do Finance Director roles typically require?
Most Finance Director positions expect a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or economics at minimum, with an MBA or CPA preferred for senior-level roles. For OPT eligibility, your authorized field of study must correspond to the role. A STEM-designated MBA or master's in a quantitative field also unlocks the 29-month OPT window, giving you significantly more runway to secure long-term sponsorship.
How should an OPT student handle the Finance Director job search given the short authorization window?
Start your search at least three to four months before your OPT start date. Finance Director hiring cycles move slower than entry-level roles because they involve multiple rounds of interviews and board-level approvals. Focus on companies with proven H-1B sponsorship histories and prioritize roles where your STEM extension applies. Migrate Mate filters Finance Director openings by OPT-friendly employers, which cuts the research time significantly.