OPT Financial Accountant Jobs
Financial Accountant roles are a strong fit for OPT students with accounting or finance degrees. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations under STEM OPT extension criteria, giving you up to three years of authorized work. Employers in public accounting, corporate finance, and financial services regularly sponsor these roles.
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Get Access To All JobsEssential Duties and Responsibilities
Financial Reporting:
- Assist in the preparation of the University’s annual financial statements and related note disclosures.
- Prepare schedules and supporting documentation for annual external audits.
- Assist with the preparation of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A).
- Prepare cash flow statement schedules and supporting analyses.
- Perform variance analyses and prepare supporting explanations for significant financial statement fluctuations.
Technical Accounting and Compliance:
- Research and evaluate the impact of new GASB pronouncements and accounting guidance.
- Assist with implementation of accounting standards related to leases, subscription-based information technology arrangements (SBITAs), pensions, OPEB, and other complex accounting topics.
- Prepare technical accounting analyses and recommendations for management review.
- Assist with the development and maintenance of accounting policies and procedures.
- Monitor compliance with reporting requirements from federal, state, accreditation, and governing agencies.
Audit Coordination:
- Prepare audit schedules, reconciliations, and lead sheets.
- Coordinate requests among accounting staff and campus departments to ensure timely response to auditors.
- Assist with implementation of audit recommendations and process improvements.
General Accounting:
- Prepare and review journal entries and account reconciliations.
- Analyze general ledger activity and investigate unusual transactions.
- Assist with month-end and year-end closing processes.
- Support fixed asset, debt, lease, and other balance sheet accounting functions.
- Participate in special accounting projects and process improvement initiatives.
Internal Controls and Process Improvement:
- Assist in documenting and evaluating internal controls.
- Recommend process improvements to increase efficiency and strengthen financial reporting.
- Support efforts to improve data integrity and financial reporting accuracy.
- Participate in system implementations, upgrades, and testing efforts as needed.
Salary Range: $52,105-$67,736; Salary may be increased based off education, experience, and internal equity.
Salary Type: Salary
Time Type: Full-Time
Work Location: MU - Marshall University
Qualifications
Must be able to perform all essential job duties as outlined in the job description.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field.
Experience:
Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience, including experience in financial reporting, account analysis, reconciliations, and preparation of financial reports.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
CPA certification or progress toward obtaining CPA certification.
Experience:
Experience in higher education, governmental, nonprofit, or public accounting.
Experience with financial statement preparation and external audits.
Experience applying GAAP and/or GASB accounting standards.
Experience with Banner Finance, Argos, or similar financial reporting systems.
Experience with accounting for capital assets, debt, leases, grants, pensions, and OPEB.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number: MU1304E
Open Date: 11/05/2026
Close Date: Open Until Filled: Yes
Special Instructions Summary
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Financial Reporting:
- Assist in the preparation of the University’s annual financial statements and related note disclosures.
- Prepare schedules and supporting documentation for annual external audits.
- Assist with the preparation of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A).
- Prepare cash flow statement schedules and supporting analyses.
- Perform variance analyses and prepare supporting explanations for significant financial statement fluctuations.
Technical Accounting and Compliance:
- Research and evaluate the impact of new GASB pronouncements and accounting guidance.
- Assist with implementation of accounting standards related to leases, subscription-based information technology arrangements (SBITAs), pensions, OPEB, and other complex accounting topics.
- Prepare technical accounting analyses and recommendations for management review.
- Assist with the development and maintenance of accounting policies and procedures.
- Monitor compliance with reporting requirements from federal, state, accreditation, and governing agencies.
Audit Coordination:
- Prepare audit schedules, reconciliations, and lead sheets.
- Coordinate requests among accounting staff and campus departments to ensure timely response to auditors.
- Assist with implementation of audit recommendations and process improvements.
General Accounting:
- Prepare and review journal entries and account reconciliations.
- Analyze general ledger activity and investigate unusual transactions.
- Assist with month-end and year-end closing processes.
- Support fixed asset, debt, lease, and other balance sheet accounting functions.
- Participate in special accounting projects and process improvement initiatives.
Internal Controls and Process Improvement:
- Assist in documenting and evaluating internal controls.
- Recommend process improvements to increase efficiency and strengthen financial reporting.
- Support efforts to improve data integrity and financial reporting accuracy.
- Participate in system implementations, upgrades, and testing efforts as needed.
Salary Range: $52,105-$67,736; Salary may be increased based off education, experience, and internal equity.
Salary Type: Salary
Time Type: Full-Time
Work Location: MU - Marshall University
Qualifications
Must be able to perform all essential job duties as outlined in the job description.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field.
Experience:
Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience, including experience in financial reporting, account analysis, reconciliations, and preparation of financial reports.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
CPA certification or progress toward obtaining CPA certification.
Experience:
Experience in higher education, governmental, nonprofit, or public accounting.
Experience with financial statement preparation and external audits.
Experience applying GAAP and/or GASB accounting standards.
Experience with Banner Finance, Argos, or similar financial reporting systems.
Experience with accounting for capital assets, debt, leases, grants, pensions, and OPEB.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number: MU1304E
Open Date: 11/05/2026
Close Date: Open Until Filled: Yes
Special Instructions Summary
See all 44+ OPT Financial Accountant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Financial Accountant
Highlight your CPA exam progress
Many employers prioritize candidates actively pursuing CPA licensure. Even passing one section signals commitment and long-term intent. Mention your exam progress explicitly on your resume and in interviews to stand out from other OPT candidates.
Target STEM OPT-eligible roles
A finance or accounting degree from a STEM-designated program qualifies you for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before applying, so you can honestly tell employers you have up to three years of work authorization.
Apply to firms with established OPT pipelines
Large public accounting firms and Fortune 500 finance teams hire OPT students regularly and have HR processes built for it. These employers understand reporting requirements and are far less likely to withdraw offers over work authorization concerns.
Emphasize EAD card dates clearly in applications
Include your OPT start and end dates in your cover letter or application notes. Employers often misread authorization timelines and pass on qualified candidates unnecessarily. Transparency upfront removes ambiguity and avoids the offer withdrawal risk later.
Prepare to explain the E-Verify reporting process
STEM OPT requires your employer to participate in E-Verify and submit a training plan. Many hiring managers in smaller firms are unfamiliar with this. Coming prepared with a clear one-paragraph explanation removes a common objection before it becomes a dealbreaker.
Align your job search with your OPT end date
Apply at least three to four months before your current OPT period expires. Financial Accountant hiring cycles can run six to eight weeks, and some employers begin H-1B visa sponsorship discussions before an offer is even extended. Starting early protects your timeline.
Financial Accountant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Financial Accountant role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree program. If you graduated from a STEM-designated accounting or finance program, specifically one with a qualifying CIP code, you're eligible to apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12 months. Confirm your program's designation with your DSO before assuming you qualify, as not all accounting degrees carry STEM status.
How do I find Financial Accountant employers who sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find Financial Accountant roles where employers are open to OPT and visa sponsorship. Beyond that, large public accounting firms and corporate finance teams at established companies tend to have the most experience hiring international students and understanding the compliance requirements involved.
Will my employer need to do anything differently if I'm on STEM OPT?
Yes. For STEM OPT, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and co-sign a formal training plan outlining your professional development goals. They'll also need to report any material changes to your role or work location to your DSO. Most large employers handle this routinely, but smaller firms may need guidance through the process.
Can I work for a public accounting firm on OPT and still meet the training requirement?
Yes. Client-facing roles at public accounting firms are considered valid OPT employment as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. Audit, tax, and advisory positions all qualify for accounting and finance graduates. Just ensure your DSO records the correct employer of record, especially if you're placed on client sites.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my Financial Accountant contract ends early?
You have a 60-day grace period after your employment ends during which you can remain in the U.S. and secure a new qualifying job. During that window, you'll need to update your employer information with your DSO. If you start a new position, your OPT authorization continues. If you can't secure new employment before the grace period ends, you'll need to depart or change status.