OPT Financial Planning Analysis Jobs
Financial Planning Analysis jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in finance, accounting, or economics. Most FP&A roles qualify as STEM-adjacent under business analytics designations, and many large employers in financial services and corporate finance have established OPT and H-1B visa sponsorship pipelines.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Summary:
MerchSource is a rapidly growing and fast-paced consumer packaged goods company with long-standing relationships with the world’s largest retailers. The FP&A Analyst partners with Finance, Supply Chain, Product Development, and Operations to turn complex business data into actionable insights that improve profitability, operational efficiency, and customer experience. This role reports to the Finance Manager and regularly partners with executive leadership, including the VP Finance, CFO, COO, and Chief Supply Chain Officer, to support strategic decision-making through financial analysis, forecasting, and process improvement.
Responsibilities:
Analytics & Reporting:
- Analyze customer, product, category, and operational data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Develop executive-level dashboards and reporting that communicate key business drivers and actionable insights.
- Present findings and recommendations to Finance.
- Perform ad hoc financial analysis and strategic projects for senior leadership.
Forecasting & Modeling:
- Build and maintain financial and operational models to support sales forecasting, OpEx forecasting, cost analysis, inventory planning, and logistics optimization.
- Identify opportunities to improve profitability through scenario analysis and operational cost modeling.
Treasury:
- Monitor cash inflows and outflows to optimize working capital and maintain adequate liquidity.
- Support rolling 13-week cash flow forecasts, identifying risks and opportunities.
- Preparing borrowing base certificates (BBCs), compliance certificates, and other lender reporting requirements.
- Assist in coordinated AP activities.
Continuous Improvement & AI:
- Identify and implement opportunities to leverage AI, automation, and advanced analytics to improve reporting, forecasting, and business processes.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, Statistics, Data Science, or a related field.
- 2–4 years of experience in finance, business analytics, operations finance, or supply chain analytics.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required; experience with Domo, Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or similar analytics tools is highly preferred.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable business recommendations.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present findings to executive leadership.
- Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment while managing multiple priorities.
- Self-starter with a continuous improvement mindset and strong cross-functional collaboration skills.
Job Summary:
MerchSource is a rapidly growing and fast-paced consumer packaged goods company with long-standing relationships with the world’s largest retailers. The FP&A Analyst partners with Finance, Supply Chain, Product Development, and Operations to turn complex business data into actionable insights that improve profitability, operational efficiency, and customer experience. This role reports to the Finance Manager and regularly partners with executive leadership, including the VP Finance, CFO, COO, and Chief Supply Chain Officer, to support strategic decision-making through financial analysis, forecasting, and process improvement.
Responsibilities:
Analytics & Reporting:
- Analyze customer, product, category, and operational data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Develop executive-level dashboards and reporting that communicate key business drivers and actionable insights.
- Present findings and recommendations to Finance.
- Perform ad hoc financial analysis and strategic projects for senior leadership.
Forecasting & Modeling:
- Build and maintain financial and operational models to support sales forecasting, OpEx forecasting, cost analysis, inventory planning, and logistics optimization.
- Identify opportunities to improve profitability through scenario analysis and operational cost modeling.
Treasury:
- Monitor cash inflows and outflows to optimize working capital and maintain adequate liquidity.
- Support rolling 13-week cash flow forecasts, identifying risks and opportunities.
- Preparing borrowing base certificates (BBCs), compliance certificates, and other lender reporting requirements.
- Assist in coordinated AP activities.
Continuous Improvement & AI:
- Identify and implement opportunities to leverage AI, automation, and advanced analytics to improve reporting, forecasting, and business processes.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, Statistics, Data Science, or a related field.
- 2–4 years of experience in finance, business analytics, operations finance, or supply chain analytics.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required; experience with Domo, Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or similar analytics tools is highly preferred.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable business recommendations.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present findings to executive leadership.
- Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment while managing multiple priorities.
- Self-starter with a continuous improvement mindset and strong cross-functional collaboration skills.
See all 42+ OPT Financial Planning Analysis Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Financial Planning Analysis Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Financial Planning Analysis
Target companies with dedicated finance rotational programs
Large corporations in manufacturing, tech, and financial services run FP&A rotational programs specifically designed for new graduates. These employers have structured sponsorship pipelines and are far more likely to file H-1B visa petitions than smaller firms.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront with recruiters
Let recruiters know your OPT authorization period and cap-out date early. FP&A hiring cycles can run three to four months, so a mismatch between your start date and OPT validity can quietly eliminate you before interviews begin.
Emphasize quantifiable financial modeling experience
FP&A hiring managers prioritize candidates who can build and maintain financial models independently. Specific experience with variance analysis, forecasting, and budget consolidation strengthens your case and signals you can contribute immediately without extended ramp-up time.
Pursue STEM OPT extension eligibility through related degree programs
Finance and business analytics degrees at many universities carry CIP codes that qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying, as this meaningfully expands your authorized work window.
Build proficiency in the tools FP&A teams actually use
Employers expect hands-on fluency with Excel, Adaptive Insights, Anaplan, or Hyperion depending on company size. Demonstrating tool-specific experience in your resume and interviews reduces employer concerns about training costs for an OPT-authorized hire.
Focus applications on public companies with H-1B filing history
Public companies file H-1B petitions regularly and maintain legal infrastructure to support international employees. Private equity-backed firms and early-stage startups rarely have established sponsorship processes, making long-term authorization much harder to secure after OPT expires.
Financial Planning Analysis OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Financial Planning Analysis jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. FP&A roles themselves are not automatically STEM-designated, but if your degree is in business analytics, management information systems, or a quantitative finance program with a qualifying CIP code, you may be eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility.
How do I find FP&A employers that are willing to sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters FP&A job listings specifically for OPT-friendly employers, saving you the work of screening out companies that won't engage international candidates. In general, large public corporations in tech, healthcare, and manufacturing sponsor most reliably. Look for companies with documented H-1B filing histories in prior years as a proxy for sponsorship willingness.
Can I work as a Financial Planning Analyst on OPT if my degree is in accounting rather than finance?
Yes. FP&A roles are open to candidates with degrees in accounting, finance, economics, and business analytics. USCIS evaluates OPT authorization based on whether your employment is directly related to your major field of study, and accounting is a recognized fit for FP&A work involving budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
What happens if my OPT expires before my employer files an H-1B petition?
If your OPT expires and an H-1B cap-subject petition has not been filed on your behalf, you lose work authorization and must stop working. The H-1B lottery opens each March for an October 1 start date, so timing matters significantly. Some employers file H-1B petitions during your first OPT year to ensure there's no gap, and it's worth asking about this during your offer negotiation.
Is a CPA license required for FP&A roles, and does it affect OPT eligibility?
A CPA license is not required for most FP&A analyst positions, particularly at the entry and mid-level. OPT eligibility is based on your degree field and the job's relationship to that field, not professional licensure. That said, employers hiring for senior FP&A roles may prefer CPA candidates, and pursuing licensure while on OPT can strengthen your long-term sponsorship case.