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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Summary:
The Accountant I is responsible for preparing general ledger month-end journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations relevant to their assigned functional accounting team in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Functional Accounting Teams are as follows:
- Cash Accounting
- Fixed Assets Accounting
- Corporate Accounting
- Payroll Accounting
- Investments and Foundation Accounting
- Prepaid Asset, Deferred Revenue, and Notes Payable Accounting
- Inventory and Supplies Accounting
- Physician Guarantees and Physician Fees Accounting
- Purchased Services and Non-Patient Accounts Receivable Accounting
- Contract Labor and Utilities Accounting
- Joint Venture Accounting
- Intercompany Accounting, Allocations, and Eliminations
- Lease Accounting
- Technical Accounting
- Health Plan Accounting
- Physician Group Accounting
- Grant Accounting
The Accountant I is an entry level job, as such no prior accounting experience is required. The job does require an understanding of United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) obtained in connection with the education requirements for the job. The Accountant I will be assigned lower risk, less complex, areas of the assigned functional team. They will be expected to develop an understanding of the purpose of the journal entries they are recording to the general ledger, evaluate the appropriateness of the entry (including the GL accounts used and the financial statement line item classification), and explain the impact to the financial statements. The Accountant I is responsible for ensuring appropriate and relevant supporting documentation is attached to the journal entry. The Accountant I is responsible for evaluating the source of the information for their journal entries and asking appropriate follow-up questions to ensure documentation is appropriate. The Accountant I is expected to develop an understanding of healthcare specific accounting issues relevant to the assigned functional accounting area. The Accountant I is expected to seek out learning opportunities and be open to constructive feedback to improve overall performance and expand their knowledge of US GAAP.
The Accountant I is responsible for completion of monthly balance sheet account reconciliations related to the assigned functional accounting area. The Accountant I is responsible for assisting the accounting lead and manager with information requests from other teams across the System (both at the corporate office and at our facilities), as needed. The Accountant I is responsible for other projects, as assigned, which may include but are not limited to: research of GL transactions to understand the impact to the GL, process improvement projects, and assistance for the year-end external audit. The job requires excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Responsibilities:
- Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
- Prepare month-end journal entries in accordance with US GAAP, with complete and accurate supporting documentation.
- Prepare month-end balance sheet reconciliations.
- Seek out learning opportunities and be open to constructive feedback to improve overall performance and expand their knowledge of US GAAP.
- Assist accounting lead and manager with information requests from other teams across the System (both at the corporate office and at our facilities) as needed.
Job Requirements:
Education/Skills
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or equivalent required.
Experience
- No experience required.
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
- Candidates seeking CPA license preferred; some assistance available for those seeking licensing.
Work Schedule:
5 Days - 8 Hours
Work Type:
Full Time
Description
Summary:
The Accountant I is responsible for preparing general ledger month-end journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations relevant to their assigned functional accounting team in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Functional Accounting Teams are as follows:
- Cash Accounting
- Fixed Assets Accounting
- Corporate Accounting
- Payroll Accounting
- Investments and Foundation Accounting
- Prepaid Asset, Deferred Revenue, and Notes Payable Accounting
- Inventory and Supplies Accounting
- Physician Guarantees and Physician Fees Accounting
- Purchased Services and Non-Patient Accounts Receivable Accounting
- Contract Labor and Utilities Accounting
- Joint Venture Accounting
- Intercompany Accounting, Allocations, and Eliminations
- Lease Accounting
- Technical Accounting
- Health Plan Accounting
- Physician Group Accounting
- Grant Accounting
The Accountant I is an entry level job, as such no prior accounting experience is required. The job does require an understanding of United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) obtained in connection with the education requirements for the job. The Accountant I will be assigned lower risk, less complex, areas of the assigned functional team. They will be expected to develop an understanding of the purpose of the journal entries they are recording to the general ledger, evaluate the appropriateness of the entry (including the GL accounts used and the financial statement line item classification), and explain the impact to the financial statements. The Accountant I is responsible for ensuring appropriate and relevant supporting documentation is attached to the journal entry. The Accountant I is responsible for evaluating the source of the information for their journal entries and asking appropriate follow-up questions to ensure documentation is appropriate. The Accountant I is expected to develop an understanding of healthcare specific accounting issues relevant to the assigned functional accounting area. The Accountant I is expected to seek out learning opportunities and be open to constructive feedback to improve overall performance and expand their knowledge of US GAAP.
The Accountant I is responsible for completion of monthly balance sheet account reconciliations related to the assigned functional accounting area. The Accountant I is responsible for assisting the accounting lead and manager with information requests from other teams across the System (both at the corporate office and at our facilities), as needed. The Accountant I is responsible for other projects, as assigned, which may include but are not limited to: research of GL transactions to understand the impact to the GL, process improvement projects, and assistance for the year-end external audit. The job requires excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Responsibilities:
- Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
- Prepare month-end journal entries in accordance with US GAAP, with complete and accurate supporting documentation.
- Prepare month-end balance sheet reconciliations.
- Seek out learning opportunities and be open to constructive feedback to improve overall performance and expand their knowledge of US GAAP.
- Assist accounting lead and manager with information requests from other teams across the System (both at the corporate office and at our facilities) as needed.
Job Requirements:
Education/Skills
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or equivalent required.
Experience
- No experience required.
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
- Candidates seeking CPA license preferred; some assistance available for those seeking licensing.
Work Schedule:
5 Days - 8 Hours
Work Type:
Full Time
See all 2,080+ 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.