OPT Payroll Manager Jobs
Payroll Manager jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in accounting, human resources, or business administration. Most roles qualify as STEM-adjacent under business operations, and employers in this field routinely file H-1B visa petitions, giving you a realistic path beyond your OPT window.
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Baker Tilly is a leading advisory, tax and assurance firm, providing clients with a genuine coast-to-coast and global advantage in major regions of the U.S. and in many of the world’s leading financial centers – New York, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP (Baker Tilly) provide professional services through an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable laws, regulations and professional standards. Baker Tilly US, LLP is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities provide tax and business advisory services to their clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities are not licensed CPA firms.
Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP, trading as Baker Tilly, are independent members of Baker Tilly International, a worldwide network of independent accounting and business advisory firms in 141 territories, with 43,000 professionals and a combined worldwide revenue of $5.2 billion. Visit bakertilly.com or join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
Please discuss the work location status with your Baker Tilly talent acquisition professional to understand the requirements for an opportunity you are exploring.
Baker Tilly is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable federal, state or local law.
Any unsolicited resumes submitted through our website or to Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, employee e-mail accounts are considered property of Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorized recruitment agency ("search firm") for Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by Baker Tilly's Talent Attraction team, to submit candidates for review via our applicant tracking system.
Job Description:
Responsibilities:
The main responsibilities of this role is to provide direct support and consulting to our payroll clients. This role is expected to understand payroll in depth and to maintain knowledge of payroll practices and laws so as to provide better service and information to our clients. Under the supervision of the Payroll Supervisor, this role is expected to be independently managing their client relationships, however, when needed, escalating issues or challenges for prompt resolution.
Client Service & Deliverables
- Ensure client payroll information is accurate within their specific payroll system and resolve any discrepancies
- Review and/or process payrolls in a timely manner to meet client deadlines to include updating employee records, calculating/paying bonuses or severance, reviewing accuracy of federal and state income related tax calculations, and reconciling payroll deposits, tax withholdings, wage garnishments, etc.
- Prepare reports of employee earnings, taxes, deductions, and employer’s contribution for social security and unemployment
Client Service
- Establish strong and trusted client relationships by effectively consulting with clients on all payroll related matters
- Maintain confidence of employee data by keeping all information confidential
- Accurately convey detailed information in both written and verbal format
- Provide technical software support to clients
- Identify and accurately capture out of scope work
- Identify new opportunities to expand services to clients
Implementation & Technology
- Be an additional resource to the implementation team when needed
- Interviews clients to gain understanding of payroll needs
- Manage new client implementation projects, ensuring timely completion and client satisfaction
- Train clients on payroll processes as necessary
Individual and Team Development
- Be a resource to new hires and/or less experienced staff as it relates to clients, software, payroll, and/or processes
- Provide honest feedback to new hires/less experienced staff in a timely manner
- Help build team capabilities and knowledge by sharing insights and lessons learned
- Research and maintain product knowledge on ADP software platforms
- Maintain current knowledge of local, state, and federal practices and laws
Qualifications:
- 2-year degree preferred or 2 years experience in lieu of degree
- Experience with ADP software platforms desirable
- Working knowledge of Outlook and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Highly detail oriented and focused on accuracy
- Strong organization and time management skills
- Strong adaptability and multi-tasking skills
- Ability to effectively work in a deadline driven environment serving multiple clients
- Ability to provide exceptional client service
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; appropriately and professionally communicates with all levels
- Ability to learn new technology and processes quickly
- Ability to learn from experiences and integrate new knowledge and skills into daily work and share with colleagues as appropriate
Compensation:
- The pay range for this position is $15.97 to $41.00. This range represents a good-faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation the firm expects to pay for this position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will depend on a variety of relevant factors, including an applicant’s skills, experience, qualifications, professional certifications, work arrangements, geographic location, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, and compensation decisions depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. Baker Tilly offers a compensation and benefits package to eligible employees.
Overview
Baker Tilly is a leading advisory, tax and assurance firm, providing clients with a genuine coast-to-coast and global advantage in major regions of the U.S. and in many of the world’s leading financial centers – New York, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP (Baker Tilly) provide professional services through an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable laws, regulations and professional standards. Baker Tilly US, LLP is a licensed independent CPA firm that provides attest services to its clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities provide tax and business advisory services to their clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities are not licensed CPA firms.
Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP, trading as Baker Tilly, are independent members of Baker Tilly International, a worldwide network of independent accounting and business advisory firms in 141 territories, with 43,000 professionals and a combined worldwide revenue of $5.2 billion. Visit bakertilly.com or join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
Please discuss the work location status with your Baker Tilly talent acquisition professional to understand the requirements for an opportunity you are exploring.
Baker Tilly is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable federal, state or local law.
Any unsolicited resumes submitted through our website or to Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, employee e-mail accounts are considered property of Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorized recruitment agency ("search firm") for Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by Baker Tilly's Talent Attraction team, to submit candidates for review via our applicant tracking system.
Job Description:
Responsibilities:
The main responsibilities of this role is to provide direct support and consulting to our payroll clients. This role is expected to understand payroll in depth and to maintain knowledge of payroll practices and laws so as to provide better service and information to our clients. Under the supervision of the Payroll Supervisor, this role is expected to be independently managing their client relationships, however, when needed, escalating issues or challenges for prompt resolution.
Client Service & Deliverables
- Ensure client payroll information is accurate within their specific payroll system and resolve any discrepancies
- Review and/or process payrolls in a timely manner to meet client deadlines to include updating employee records, calculating/paying bonuses or severance, reviewing accuracy of federal and state income related tax calculations, and reconciling payroll deposits, tax withholdings, wage garnishments, etc.
- Prepare reports of employee earnings, taxes, deductions, and employer’s contribution for social security and unemployment
Client Service
- Establish strong and trusted client relationships by effectively consulting with clients on all payroll related matters
- Maintain confidence of employee data by keeping all information confidential
- Accurately convey detailed information in both written and verbal format
- Provide technical software support to clients
- Identify and accurately capture out of scope work
- Identify new opportunities to expand services to clients
Implementation & Technology
- Be an additional resource to the implementation team when needed
- Interviews clients to gain understanding of payroll needs
- Manage new client implementation projects, ensuring timely completion and client satisfaction
- Train clients on payroll processes as necessary
Individual and Team Development
- Be a resource to new hires and/or less experienced staff as it relates to clients, software, payroll, and/or processes
- Provide honest feedback to new hires/less experienced staff in a timely manner
- Help build team capabilities and knowledge by sharing insights and lessons learned
- Research and maintain product knowledge on ADP software platforms
- Maintain current knowledge of local, state, and federal practices and laws
Qualifications:
- 2-year degree preferred or 2 years experience in lieu of degree
- Experience with ADP software platforms desirable
- Working knowledge of Outlook and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Highly detail oriented and focused on accuracy
- Strong organization and time management skills
- Strong adaptability and multi-tasking skills
- Ability to effectively work in a deadline driven environment serving multiple clients
- Ability to provide exceptional client service
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; appropriately and professionally communicates with all levels
- Ability to learn new technology and processes quickly
- Ability to learn from experiences and integrate new knowledge and skills into daily work and share with colleagues as appropriate
Compensation:
- The pay range for this position is $15.97 to $41.00. This range represents a good-faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation the firm expects to pay for this position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will depend on a variety of relevant factors, including an applicant’s skills, experience, qualifications, professional certifications, work arrangements, geographic location, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, and compensation decisions depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. Baker Tilly offers a compensation and benefits package to eligible employees.
See all 162+ OPT Payroll Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Payroll Manager
Lead with your payroll software credentials
Proficiency in ADP, Workday, or Ceridian is often the first filter employers use. Listing certifications or hands-on experience with these platforms upfront signals you can contribute immediately, which makes the sponsorship conversation easier to have.
Target companies with established HR infrastructure
Mid-size and enterprise employers with dedicated HR or finance departments are far more likely to have sponsored visas before. They already have immigration counsel on retainer, which removes the biggest barrier OPT candidates face when asking about sponsorship.
Time your job search around your OPT start date
Payroll roles often have 30 to 60 day onboarding periods before you touch live payroll cycles. Starting your search two to three months before your OPT begins gives employers enough lead time to hire you without timeline anxiety.
Emphasize compliance knowledge in your resume
Employers hiring Payroll Managers care deeply about tax law, wage and hour regulations, and multi-state payroll rules. Candidates who demonstrate this knowledge reduce perceived risk, which matters when an employer is weighing the added step of sponsoring a visa.
Pursue Fundamental Payroll Certification before applying
The FPC credential from the American Payroll Association is attainable without prior U.S. work experience and signals seriousness to hiring managers. It also distinguishes your application in a pool where most competitors have longer domestic work histories.
Address your work authorization status early and clearly
Bring up your OPT status before the offer stage, not after. Briefly explaining your timeline, including any STEM extension eligibility, gives employers room to plan and prevents last-minute complications that cause otherwise strong candidates to lose offers.
Payroll Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Payroll Managers in the United States?
Yes. Payroll Manager roles fall within business operations and human resources, both of which qualify as directly related to common F-1 degree fields such as accounting, finance, and business administration. As long as the role aligns with your degree, it meets the OPT employment requirement. You can browse verified OPT-eligible Payroll Manager positions on Migrate Mate.
Does a Payroll Manager role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as management information systems, data analytics, or computer information systems, and the Payroll Manager role uses those skills, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. Accounting and finance degrees are generally not STEM-designated, so confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before counting on the extension.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor Payroll Managers for H-1B visas?
Large employers across healthcare, technology, financial services, and professional services firms are the most consistent H-1B visa sponsors for Payroll Managers. These organizations process high payroll volumes across multiple states, justify the senior role, and have existing immigration infrastructure. Smaller companies without prior sponsorship history are less predictable, even when the role is otherwise a strong fit.
What should I do if my OPT authorization period ends before my employer files an H-1B petition?
If you have a STEM extension and your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires, you may be eligible for cap-gap protection, which bridges your status through September 30 of that year. Without a STEM extension, your options narrow significantly. Planning your timeline carefully and choosing employers who commit to sponsorship early reduces the risk of a gap in work authorization.
How competitive are Payroll Manager roles for OPT candidates compared to entry-level finance jobs?
Payroll Manager roles typically require three to five years of payroll-specific experience, which puts them out of reach for most recent graduates without prior internship or co-op experience in payroll functions. Candidates who interned in payroll, worked part-time in HR operations, or hold the FPC or CPP certification are meaningfully more competitive. Some employers also consider candidates with strong accounting backgrounds who are willing to specialize.