OPT Finance Manager Jobs
Finance Manager roles qualify as specialty occupations under OPT, making them straightforward for F-1 students to pursue. Most employers expect a degree in finance, accounting, or economics. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if your program qualifies) gives you time to prove your value and secure H-1B visa sponsorship.
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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 1,371+ OPT Finance Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Finance Manager
Target employers with H-1B filing history
Finance Manager roles are consistently sponsored by large financial institutions, consulting firms, and Fortune 500 companies. Focus your search on employers with a documented history of filing H-1B visa petitions for finance roles, not just those who claim to be open to sponsorship.
Highlight your CPA or CFA progress
Employers weighing sponsorship costs want candidates who are building long-term value. Passing CPA or CFA exams during OPT signals commitment to the field and strengthens the specialty occupation argument, which matters when your employer files your H-1B petition.
Connect your degree directly to the role
Finance Manager is a specialty occupation, but only when the role requires a specific degree. Make sure your resume and cover letter explicitly connect your finance or accounting degree to the job duties. Vague degree-to-role alignment creates H-1B petition risk later.
Start the H-1B conversation early
H-1B registration opens in March for an October 1 start date. If you start a Finance Manager role in mid-OPT, you may have only one lottery cycle before your authorization expires. Raise sponsorship intent during the offer stage, not after your first performance review.
Check whether your degree qualifies for the STEM extension
Finance degrees from STEM-designated programs, including some quantitative finance and financial engineering programs, qualify for the 24-month OPT extension. That extension buys two additional H-1B lottery attempts, which significantly improves your odds of securing long-term status.
Treat internship roles as sponsorship auditions
Many Finance Manager hires are internal promotions from analyst or associate roles. Getting into a sponsoring employer at a junior level during CPT or early OPT positions you for promotion and sponsored status before your OPT window closes.
Finance Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can an F-1 student on OPT work as a Finance Manager?
Yes. Finance Manager qualifies as a specialty occupation under OPT because it typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field. Your OPT work authorization must be in a role directly related to your degree program. A finance or business degree aligns cleanly with this title, so most Finance Manager positions satisfy that requirement.
Do Finance Manager roles commonly come with H-1B sponsorship?
Finance Manager is one of the more consistently sponsored titles in the H-1B program. Large banks, asset managers, consulting firms, and corporate finance departments at major companies regularly file H-1B petitions for this role. Smaller firms and startups are less predictable. Migrate Mate filters for OPT-friendly and sponsoring employers, so you can focus your search on roles with a realistic path to long-term status.
Does a Finance Manager role qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is from a STEM-designated program, such as financial engineering, quantitative finance, or a data-focused economics program, you likely qualify for the extension. A standard finance or accounting degree typically does not qualify. Check your program's CIP code against the DHS STEM list to confirm before assuming you have the extra 24 months.
What should I do if my OPT expires before I secure H-1B sponsorship?
If you miss the H-1B lottery or your OPT expires before an approval, your options include applying in the next lottery cycle if you can maintain status, pursuing a cap-exempt employer such as a university or nonprofit research organization, or exploring other visa categories like the O-1A for individuals with extraordinary ability in finance. Talk to an immigration attorney as early as possible, not after your status expires.
How do I find Finance Manager jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Most general job postings don't specify OPT eligibility, which makes it difficult to know which employers will actually sponsor you. Migrate Mate focuses specifically on jobs open to F-1 OPT students, so you're not wasting applications on roles where sponsorship isn't on the table. Filtering by OPT-friendly employers at the Finance Manager level significantly shortens the search.