OPT Staff Accountant Jobs
Staff Accountant roles are among the more OPT-friendly positions in finance, with many mid-size and large employers accustomed to sponsoring CPT and OPT students from accounting programs. Your 12-month OPT window, extendable to 36 months with a STEM OPT extension if your degree qualifies, gives employers enough runway to evaluate you for long-term sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsStaff Accountant - (197795)
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
The Staff Accountant supports accurate financial reporting while helping improve Corporate Accounting processes through automation. This role combines general ledger accounting, reconciliations, and financial analysis with a strong focus on process improvement, automation, and reducing manual effort.
Working closely with the Corporate Accounting team, the Staff Accountant will learn HDR's systems and business processes. The Staff Accountant will endeavor to implement automation initiatives and aim to identify opportunities to streamline recurring processes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Prepare recurring and nonrecurring journal entries with review and guidance, including journal entries for intercompany loans
- Prepare monthly balance sheet account reconciliations and research reconciling items
- Update intercompany loan schedules, amortization schedules, and monthly loan summaries
- Maintain clear and organized supporting documentation for journal entries, reconciliations, and other assigned accounting activities
- Contribute to the preparation of periodic financial reporting packages
- Prepare flux analysis reporting and research significant or unusual variances
- Maintain existing Alteryx (process automation software) workflows when source data, calculations, formatting, or business requirements change
- Meet with process owners and team members to understand current processes and desired outcomes of automation projects
- Learn existing accounting and reporting processes and identify opportunities to reduce manual work
- Support the development and testing of new Alteryx workflows and other automation solutions
- Support the use and build out of reporting with Power BI or other reporting tools
- Document current processes, create Visio flowcharts, and record time savings information for completed automation projects
- Cross train on team tasks and processes to provide backup coverage as necessary
Characteristics of a successful candidate:
- Self-starter who takes initiative and follows projects through to completion
- Works effectively with both financial and non-financial partners
- Demonstrates accuracy and attention to detail
- Takes ownership of deadlines and follows through on commitments
- Looks for practical ways to improve recurring processes
- Clearly communicates questions, concerns, and potential issues to appropriate stakeholders
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
- Two to four years of accounting experience
- Experience with Alteryx (or another automation tool)
- Understanding of general ledger accounting, journal entries, and account reconciliations
- Oracle (or other ERP) system experience
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and willingness to learn
- Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet established deadlines
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant in HDR's employee-owned culture
Required Qualifications
- High School diploma or equivalent
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
Primary Location
: United States-Nebraska-Omaha
Industry
: Accounting
Schedule
: Full-time
Employee Status
: Regular
Business Class
: Marketing and Admin
Job Posting
: Nov 6, 2026
Staff Accountant - (197795)
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
The Staff Accountant supports accurate financial reporting while helping improve Corporate Accounting processes through automation. This role combines general ledger accounting, reconciliations, and financial analysis with a strong focus on process improvement, automation, and reducing manual effort.
Working closely with the Corporate Accounting team, the Staff Accountant will learn HDR's systems and business processes. The Staff Accountant will endeavor to implement automation initiatives and aim to identify opportunities to streamline recurring processes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Prepare recurring and nonrecurring journal entries with review and guidance, including journal entries for intercompany loans
- Prepare monthly balance sheet account reconciliations and research reconciling items
- Update intercompany loan schedules, amortization schedules, and monthly loan summaries
- Maintain clear and organized supporting documentation for journal entries, reconciliations, and other assigned accounting activities
- Contribute to the preparation of periodic financial reporting packages
- Prepare flux analysis reporting and research significant or unusual variances
- Maintain existing Alteryx (process automation software) workflows when source data, calculations, formatting, or business requirements change
- Meet with process owners and team members to understand current processes and desired outcomes of automation projects
- Learn existing accounting and reporting processes and identify opportunities to reduce manual work
- Support the development and testing of new Alteryx workflows and other automation solutions
- Support the use and build out of reporting with Power BI or other reporting tools
- Document current processes, create Visio flowcharts, and record time savings information for completed automation projects
- Cross train on team tasks and processes to provide backup coverage as necessary
Characteristics of a successful candidate:
- Self-starter who takes initiative and follows projects through to completion
- Works effectively with both financial and non-financial partners
- Demonstrates accuracy and attention to detail
- Takes ownership of deadlines and follows through on commitments
- Looks for practical ways to improve recurring processes
- Clearly communicates questions, concerns, and potential issues to appropriate stakeholders
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
- Two to four years of accounting experience
- Experience with Alteryx (or another automation tool)
- Understanding of general ledger accounting, journal entries, and account reconciliations
- Oracle (or other ERP) system experience
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and willingness to learn
- Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet established deadlines
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant in HDR's employee-owned culture
Required Qualifications
- High School diploma or equivalent
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
Primary Location
: United States-Nebraska-Omaha
Industry
: Accounting
Schedule
: Full-time
Employee Status
: Regular
Business Class
: Marketing and Admin
Job Posting
: Nov 6, 2026
See all 698+ OPT Staff Accountant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Staff Accountant Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Staff Accountant
Target employers with a history of OPT sponsorship
Public accounting firms, multinational corporations, and regional companies with dedicated HR teams are far more likely to have OPT sponsorship infrastructure in place. Smaller firms often lack the legal resources to support work authorization, so focus your search accordingly.
Lead with your CPA exam progress
Employers hiring Staff Accountants care deeply about CPA candidacy. Mentioning passed sections or active exam enrollment signals long-term commitment and makes sponsorship more appealing, since they're investing in someone building a career, not just filling a temporary role.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Accounting degrees under CIP code 52.0301 qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you 36 months total. Verify your program's CIP code with your DSO before interviewing, so you can confidently communicate your full authorization window to employers.
Apply before your OPT start date if possible
Starting your job search three to four months before graduation gives employers time to evaluate you without deadline pressure. Hiring managers are less hesitant about OPT when they have adequate lead time to complete onboarding and any required E-Verify steps.
Prepare a clear one-sentence explanation of OPT
Many hiring managers outside of large corporations have never sponsored OPT before. A simple explanation, such as noting that OPT is post-graduation work authorization requiring no employer filing fees or petitions, removes a major psychological barrier during early conversations.
Emphasize technical accounting skills on your resume
Proficiency in ERP systems like SAP or Oracle, experience with month-end close processes, and familiarity with U.S. GAAP are what get Staff Accountant interviews. Strong technical credentials shift the conversation from your visa status to your actual qualifications.
Staff Accountant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Staff Accountants in the United States?
Yes. Staff Accountant roles qualify as directly related employment for F-1 OPT students holding accounting, finance, or business degrees. Your work must relate to your field of study to remain compliant with OPT regulations. Most accounting degree programs under CIP code 52.0301 also qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of total work authorization.
Do employers need to file any paperwork to hire me on OPT as a Staff Accountant?
No employer petition or filing fee is required during your OPT period. Your employer does need to enroll in E-Verify, which is a free federal employment eligibility system, and you must report the job to your DSO within 10 days of starting. This low administrative burden makes OPT one of the most straightforward ways for accounting employers to hire international students.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor Staff Accountants on OPT?
The Big Four accounting firms, large regional CPA firms, and multinational corporations with in-house accounting teams sponsor OPT students most consistently. These organizations have established HR and legal processes for work authorization. Mid-size companies in industries like technology, healthcare, and manufacturing also frequently hire Staff Accountants on OPT. Migrate Mate lists accounting roles at employers with a demonstrated history of OPT sponsorship, so you can focus your search efficiently.
What happens to my OPT if I lose my Staff Accountant job?
F-1 OPT students are permitted up to 90 days of unemployment during the standard 12-month OPT period. If you are on a STEM OPT extension, the limit increases to 150 days cumulative across both periods. You must report any job separation to your DSO promptly and begin your search immediately, since exceeding the unemployment limit terminates your OPT authorization.
Does working as a Staff Accountant on OPT help with future H-1B sponsorship?
Accounting roles are well-established specialty occupations under H-1B visa standards, and Staff Accountant positions at firms experienced with visa sponsorship frequently convert to H-1B petitions. Demonstrating CPA progress and strong performance reviews strengthens the case for sponsorship. Starting in a role at an employer with prior H-1B filing history gives you the best odds of a smooth transition before your OPT authorization expires.