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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INTRODUCTION
We are looking for a sharp, proactive Accounting Coordinator to join our lean and mean accounting team in Winston-Salem.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What You’ll Do as an Accounting Coordinator
- Own the Billing Cycle: Direct the complete billing process for third-party general contractors and expanding specialty segments.
- Portal & System Integration: Manage third-party payer logins, navigate external billing portals, and transfer data from Salesforce into Adaptive Planning with total accuracy.
- Operations & Field Collaboration: Work closely with Field Accountants, Branch Managers, and Operations leaders to verify pay applications, Schedule of Values, lien waivers, and change orders prior to client delivery.
- Process Improvement: As a key Billing Coordinator, proactively identify bottlenecks, monitor aging specialty invoices, and streamline billing procedures to optimize healthy cash flow.
- System Reconciliation: Reconcile billing data across Salesforce, NetSuite, Coupa, Adaptive Planning, and customer POs to supply leadership with real-time financial updates.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Requirements / Qualifications:
- 3+ years of experience in billing, project accounting, construction accounting, or job-cost accounting.
- Experience with Salesforce and budgeting/ERP software (Adaptive Planning, NetSuite, QuickBooks).
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills (formulas, PivotTables, lookups).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
What You Bring To The Team
- Experience: 3+ years of consecutive, hands-on experience in billing, project accounting, or financial administration.
- Technical Skills: Deep understanding of core accounting principles, experience with Salesforce and budgeting/accounting tools (Adaptive, NetSuite, QuickBooks, or Coupa), and strong Microsoft Excel skills.
- Key Competencies: A precision mindset, strong organizational skills, and the drive to independently research discrepancies and follow up on missing information.
- Education: Associate's or bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration preferred (or equivalent relevant work experience).
COMPENSATION
- Pay: $60,000 – $65,000 / year
BENEFITS
- God-honoring company; Paid time off (Vacation, Sick, 9 Holidays, 2 Floating, 1 Volunteer day); Medical, Dental, and Vision plan options; Life, Accident, and Disability Insurance; HSA/FSA; 401(k) Match; Career Advancement; Free Online Classes; Mental Health & Financial Support; Pay on Demand + Cash Back; English/Spanish Learning.
LOCATION / WORK TYPE
- Location: 2325 S. Stratford Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 | 100% In-Office (0% Travel)
- Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
CULTURE
At The Budd Group, we don’t just maintain facilities—we build great relationships and even better careers! As a family-owned, God-honoring company, we prioritize our team members with comprehensive benefits, ongoing training, and genuine career development.
WHY WORK FOR THE BUDD GROUP?
- Clear pathways for professional growth and leadership advancement within an industry-leading company.
- Robust employee support programs, including mental health resources, financial wellness tools, and bilingual learning modules.
- A collaborative, high-integrity environment where your ideas for workflow improvements are actively implemented!
The Budd Group Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law or regulation.
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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.