Finance Director Jobs for OPT Students
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 JobsINTRODUCTION
Assistant Finance Director/City Treasurer role in Evansville, WI. For immediate consideration please call Jon Wright at 608-338-1052! Robert Half is looking for a dedicated Assistant Finance Director/City Treasurer to help oversee financial operations for the city, including its utilities. This role requires strong expertise in accounting with a preference for public experience, compliance with Wisconsin state laws, and the ability to manage complex accounting and reporting tasks. The ideal candidate will bring initiative, sound judgment, and a deep understanding of public sector financial practices.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage and oversee the city's financial operations, including accounting and reporting for government activities and public utilities.
- Prepare and review financial reports to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations.
- Conduct month-end closing procedures, including journal entries and account reconciliations.
- Maintain the general ledger and ensure proper documentation of financial transactions.
- Develop and monitor the city’s budget and forecasting processes to support financial planning.
- Ensure compliance with Wisconsin state laws and municipal policies related to finance.
- Provide financial insights and recommendations to support decision-making by city leadership.
- Supervise and collaborate with accounting staff to ensure efficient operations.
- Address and resolve discrepancies in financial records and reporting.
- Support audits and ensure readiness for financial reviews.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or related field.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in accounting or finance, preferably within the public sector.
- Proficiency in month-end close, general ledger management, and account reconciliation.
- Strong knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
- Familiarity with Wisconsin state laws governing municipal finance.
- Experience with journal entries and maintaining accurate financial records.
- Background in public accounting is highly desirable.
- Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and initiative in a government setting.
Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles. Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more.
All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.
© 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking “Apply Now,” you’re agreeing to Robert Half’s Terms of Use and Privacy Notice.
INTRODUCTION
Assistant Finance Director/City Treasurer role in Evansville, WI. For immediate consideration please call Jon Wright at 608-338-1052! Robert Half is looking for a dedicated Assistant Finance Director/City Treasurer to help oversee financial operations for the city, including its utilities. This role requires strong expertise in accounting with a preference for public experience, compliance with Wisconsin state laws, and the ability to manage complex accounting and reporting tasks. The ideal candidate will bring initiative, sound judgment, and a deep understanding of public sector financial practices.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage and oversee the city's financial operations, including accounting and reporting for government activities and public utilities.
- Prepare and review financial reports to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations.
- Conduct month-end closing procedures, including journal entries and account reconciliations.
- Maintain the general ledger and ensure proper documentation of financial transactions.
- Develop and monitor the city’s budget and forecasting processes to support financial planning.
- Ensure compliance with Wisconsin state laws and municipal policies related to finance.
- Provide financial insights and recommendations to support decision-making by city leadership.
- Supervise and collaborate with accounting staff to ensure efficient operations.
- Address and resolve discrepancies in financial records and reporting.
- Support audits and ensure readiness for financial reviews.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or related field.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in accounting or finance, preferably within the public sector.
- Proficiency in month-end close, general ledger management, and account reconciliation.
- Strong knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
- Familiarity with Wisconsin state laws governing municipal finance.
- Experience with journal entries and maintaining accurate financial records.
- Background in public accounting is highly desirable.
- Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and initiative in a government setting.
Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles. Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more.
All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.
© 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking “Apply Now,” you’re agreeing to Robert Half’s Terms of Use and Privacy Notice.
How to Get Visa 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.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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