OPT Project Accountant Jobs
Project Accountant jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in accounting, finance, or construction management. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT-eligible under CIP codes tied to accounting and finance, giving you up to three years of authorized work experience to build a U.S. career.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We’re a growing electrical contractor supporting high-impact projects across the region and we’re hiring a Project Accountant who is Excel-strong, detail-driven, and ready to build a solid foundation in project-based accounting.
If you’re the person who loves clean data, organized workflows, and making sure the numbers tell the truth this role is for you.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
You’ll support key project accounting functions, including:
Client Billing & Project Support:
- Prepare and process customer billings (cost-plus, fixed fee, etc.)
- Maintain schedules of values (SOVs) and supporting documentation
- Assist with project closeout financial tasks and final billing support
Accounts Payable + Job Costing:
- Match invoices to POs and receivers (qty, pricing, tax/freight approvals)
- Help ensure costs are coded correctly and job costing stays accurate
- Support resolution of short pays, deductions, and billing questions
Excel-Based Reporting & Reconciliation:
- Use Excel daily to track, verify, and organize project financial data
- Build and maintain spreadsheets that improve visibility and accuracy
- Support reconciliations and help identify trends, issues, or variances
- Assist with basic dashboards or reporting using Excel (required) and Power BI (nice to have)
Vendor Coordination:
- Support vendor set-up and required documentation (W-9s, etc.)
- Assist with lien releases when needed to support timely payments
- Help resolve invoice/payment issues with professionalism and follow-through
Process Improvement (Supportive Focus):
- Support workflow improvements and documentation
- Help troubleshoot user issues and escalate system-level items to the right team
What Success Looks Like
You’ll be successful here if you:
- Keep billing accurate, on time, and contract-aligned
- Catch discrepancies early and resolve issues quickly
- Keep spreadsheets clean, structured, and easy to audit
- Build strong working relationships across Accounting and Operations
- Improve the team’s speed and accuracy through better tracking and reporting
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- 2+ years of accounting or finance experience (project accounting preferred)
- Strong Excel skills (this role uses Excel daily)
Examples: SUMPRODUCT, SUMIFS, XLOOKUP, INDIRECT, PowerQuerry, VBA
- High attention to detail + ability to manage deadlines
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- Comfortable working in accounting systems/ERPs
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- Experience supporting reporting/analytics (Power BI a plus)
- Construction, electrical, or project-based industry experience
WHY JOIN US
- A team that values accuracy, ownership, and professionalism
- A role with real growth runway (not just repetitive tasks)
- A company that believes strong internal service = strong project outcomes
COMPENSATION
- Pay: $60,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
BENEFITS
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- On-site gym
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
LOCATION
Nashville, TN (Metro Area)
WORK LOCATION
In person
INTRODUCTION
We’re a growing electrical contractor supporting high-impact projects across the region and we’re hiring a Project Accountant who is Excel-strong, detail-driven, and ready to build a solid foundation in project-based accounting.
If you’re the person who loves clean data, organized workflows, and making sure the numbers tell the truth this role is for you.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
You’ll support key project accounting functions, including:
Client Billing & Project Support:
- Prepare and process customer billings (cost-plus, fixed fee, etc.)
- Maintain schedules of values (SOVs) and supporting documentation
- Assist with project closeout financial tasks and final billing support
Accounts Payable + Job Costing:
- Match invoices to POs and receivers (qty, pricing, tax/freight approvals)
- Help ensure costs are coded correctly and job costing stays accurate
- Support resolution of short pays, deductions, and billing questions
Excel-Based Reporting & Reconciliation:
- Use Excel daily to track, verify, and organize project financial data
- Build and maintain spreadsheets that improve visibility and accuracy
- Support reconciliations and help identify trends, issues, or variances
- Assist with basic dashboards or reporting using Excel (required) and Power BI (nice to have)
Vendor Coordination:
- Support vendor set-up and required documentation (W-9s, etc.)
- Assist with lien releases when needed to support timely payments
- Help resolve invoice/payment issues with professionalism and follow-through
Process Improvement (Supportive Focus):
- Support workflow improvements and documentation
- Help troubleshoot user issues and escalate system-level items to the right team
What Success Looks Like
You’ll be successful here if you:
- Keep billing accurate, on time, and contract-aligned
- Catch discrepancies early and resolve issues quickly
- Keep spreadsheets clean, structured, and easy to audit
- Build strong working relationships across Accounting and Operations
- Improve the team’s speed and accuracy through better tracking and reporting
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- 2+ years of accounting or finance experience (project accounting preferred)
- Strong Excel skills (this role uses Excel daily)
Examples: SUMPRODUCT, SUMIFS, XLOOKUP, INDIRECT, PowerQuerry, VBA
- High attention to detail + ability to manage deadlines
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- Comfortable working in accounting systems/ERPs
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- Experience supporting reporting/analytics (Power BI a plus)
- Construction, electrical, or project-based industry experience
WHY JOIN US
- A team that values accuracy, ownership, and professionalism
- A role with real growth runway (not just repetitive tasks)
- A company that believes strong internal service = strong project outcomes
COMPENSATION
- Pay: $60,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year
BENEFITS
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- On-site gym
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
LOCATION
Nashville, TN (Metro Area)
WORK LOCATION
In person
See all 1,553+ OPT Project Accountant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Project Accountant
Lead with your degree field, not just your title
Project Accountant roles require a direct tie between your degree and the position. When applying, make clear your accounting or finance degree maps to the job requirements. Ambiguous degree fields weaken OPT eligibility arguments during employer verification.
Target employers who regularly hire OPT students
Construction firms, engineering companies, and large project-based businesses regularly hire international talent. These employers understand OPT authorization because they have established HR processes for it. Smaller firms often lack that infrastructure and decline before reviewing qualifications.
Confirm your STEM OPT eligibility before applying
Accounting and finance CIP codes typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving employers a longer window to sponsor H-1B visa. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before interviews so you can communicate your full authorization timeline confidently.
Quantify project experience with dollar values and scope
Project Accountants are evaluated on the scale of work they have managed. Stating you tracked budgets across a 50-person project demonstrates relevant experience. Numbers and project scope make your resume credible and help hiring managers assess fit quickly.
Address your OPT status early with recruiters
Disclose your OPT authorization during the initial recruiter screen, not after a technical interview. Employers who cannot support OPT will tell you early, saving time. Those who can will appreciate the transparency and move forward with accurate expectations.
Highlight cost accounting and ERP software proficiency
Proficiency in tools like SAP, Oracle, or Procore demonstrates you can contribute from day one. Project Accountant roles in construction and engineering rely heavily on ERP systems. Technical skills reduce onboarding concerns that some employers associate with sponsoring international candidates.
Project Accountant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Project Accountant jobs qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes. Project Accountant roles qualify for OPT when your degree is in accounting, finance, or a related field. The position must directly relate to your area of study, which is a core OPT requirement. Most universities assign CIP codes to accounting and finance programs that also qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of total work authorization.
How do I find Project Accountant employers who accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters Project Accountant listings to show employers who have a track record of hiring F-1 OPT students. This saves you from applying to companies that will decline at the work authorization screening stage. Construction firms, infrastructure developers, and large engineering contractors are among the most consistent OPT-friendly employers in this space.
Does a Project Accountant role count as a specialty occupation for future H-1B sponsorship?
Project Accountant positions generally qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B standards because they require at minimum a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. USCIS has historically approved H-1B petitions for accountants who demonstrate that a specific degree is a standard industry requirement for the role. Working in a Project Accountant position during OPT strengthens that argument when your employer later files an H-1B petition.
Can I work as a Project Accountant under STEM OPT if my degree is in finance rather than accounting?
Yes, in most cases. Finance degrees typically fall under CIP codes recognized as STEM-eligible for OPT purposes. The key is that your DSO confirms your specific program's CIP code qualifies, and that the Project Accountant role is substantively related to finance or quantitative analysis. Roles involving budget forecasting, cost modeling, and financial reporting generally satisfy the practical training connection requirement.
What industries hire Project Accountants and are they OPT-friendly?
Construction, civil engineering, commercial real estate development, and IT services are the largest employers of Project Accountants. Construction and engineering firms tend to be the most OPT-friendly because they operate at scale, have HR departments experienced with work authorization, and face consistent demand for finance talent on large capital projects. Government contractors and defense firms can be more restrictive due to security clearance requirements, so it is worth confirming before applying.