OPT Tax Accountant Jobs
Tax Accountant roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with accounting or finance degrees. Many public accounting firms and corporate tax departments actively hire OPT candidates, and the work directly supports STEM OPT extension eligibility if your degree qualifies under CIP code 52.0301 or related classifications.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Summary:
Shape Corp. is seeking a Tax Accountant to own and support key responsibilities within the Corporate Accounting function, with primary responsibilities across tax compliance, external audit coordination, financial reporting, account reconciliation, and corporate accounting activities. This position works closely with Corporate Finance and regional accounting teams and serves as a key resource for coordinating requirements and information with external auditors, tax advisors, and governmental agencies. The Tax Accountant is expected to independently manage recurring responsibilities, analyze complex accounting and tax matters, maintain strong supporting documentation, and drive improvements in accounting processes, internal controls, and reporting efficiency.
Essential Job Functions include, but not limited to, the following:
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Tax: Coordinate and support federal, state, local, and international corporate tax compliance. Prepare and maintain supporting schedules and workpapers for income tax returns, estimated payments, extensions, and other tax filings. Coordinate information requested by external tax advisors and review supporting information for completeness and accuracy.
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Transfer pricing and indirect tax: Coordinate and support global transfer pricing compliance, including intercompany transaction analysis, documentation, and coordination with external advisors and tax authorities. Support sales and use tax, property tax, withholding, and other indirect tax compliance as assigned.
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Tax audits and research: Support and coordinate tax audits, including gathering documentation, responding to information requests, and maintaining complete and organized audit support files. Research tax issues and summarize conclusions and related accounting and financial implications for Corporate Finance leadership. Maintain organized tax records and supporting schedules in accordance with applicable record-retention requirements.
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External audit and financial reporting: Serve as a key corporate contact for external financial statement auditors. Coordinate audit requests across Corporate Finance and business units, manage the audit request list, monitor timely completion, and prepare accurate schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and workpapers. Maintain documentation supporting significant accounting balances and estimates, and assist with financial reporting schedules and disclosures as assigned.
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Corporate accounting and close: Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial analyses in support of monthly, quarterly, and annual close, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely resolution of reconciling items. Analyze balance sheet and income statement accounts, investigate unusual activity, and document conclusions and recommended corrective actions.
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Process improvement and controls: Recommend and implement improvements to accounting processes, documentation, controls, and reporting efficiency. Support the design, documentation, and execution of internal accounting controls, recommend improvements when gaps or risks are identified, and identify opportunities to automate recurring accounting activities.
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Financial support: Assist Corporate Finance leadership with ad hoc financial analysis and other controllership initiatives.
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Additional functions not specifically outlined in this position description as directed by the leader.
Position Skills and Experience Requirements:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty effectively. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
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Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; Accounting degree preferred.
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3-5 years of progressive accounting experience, preferably including corporate accounting, public accounting, tax, or audit.
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Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and general accounting principles, with experience preparing account reconciliations, journal entries, and detailed financial workpapers.
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Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to organize and analyze complex financial data.
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Ability to independently organize multiple priorities and meet reporting, tax, and audit deadlines.
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Strong analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills, with high attention to detail and well-organized supporting documentation.
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Ability to work effectively across corporate and regional teams and coordinate deliverables with internal and external stakeholders.
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Preferred: CPA certification or active progress toward certification; public accounting, corporate income or indirect tax, or external audit experience; experience in a multi-entity or international manufacturing organization; and experience with ERP, financial reporting, accounting automation, or data-analysis tools.
Position Summary:
Shape Corp. is seeking a Tax Accountant to own and support key responsibilities within the Corporate Accounting function, with primary responsibilities across tax compliance, external audit coordination, financial reporting, account reconciliation, and corporate accounting activities. This position works closely with Corporate Finance and regional accounting teams and serves as a key resource for coordinating requirements and information with external auditors, tax advisors, and governmental agencies. The Tax Accountant is expected to independently manage recurring responsibilities, analyze complex accounting and tax matters, maintain strong supporting documentation, and drive improvements in accounting processes, internal controls, and reporting efficiency.
Essential Job Functions include, but not limited to, the following:
-
Tax: Coordinate and support federal, state, local, and international corporate tax compliance. Prepare and maintain supporting schedules and workpapers for income tax returns, estimated payments, extensions, and other tax filings. Coordinate information requested by external tax advisors and review supporting information for completeness and accuracy.
-
Transfer pricing and indirect tax: Coordinate and support global transfer pricing compliance, including intercompany transaction analysis, documentation, and coordination with external advisors and tax authorities. Support sales and use tax, property tax, withholding, and other indirect tax compliance as assigned.
-
Tax audits and research: Support and coordinate tax audits, including gathering documentation, responding to information requests, and maintaining complete and organized audit support files. Research tax issues and summarize conclusions and related accounting and financial implications for Corporate Finance leadership. Maintain organized tax records and supporting schedules in accordance with applicable record-retention requirements.
-
External audit and financial reporting: Serve as a key corporate contact for external financial statement auditors. Coordinate audit requests across Corporate Finance and business units, manage the audit request list, monitor timely completion, and prepare accurate schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and workpapers. Maintain documentation supporting significant accounting balances and estimates, and assist with financial reporting schedules and disclosures as assigned.
-
Corporate accounting and close: Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial analyses in support of monthly, quarterly, and annual close, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely resolution of reconciling items. Analyze balance sheet and income statement accounts, investigate unusual activity, and document conclusions and recommended corrective actions.
-
Process improvement and controls: Recommend and implement improvements to accounting processes, documentation, controls, and reporting efficiency. Support the design, documentation, and execution of internal accounting controls, recommend improvements when gaps or risks are identified, and identify opportunities to automate recurring accounting activities.
-
Financial support: Assist Corporate Finance leadership with ad hoc financial analysis and other controllership initiatives.
-
Additional functions not specifically outlined in this position description as directed by the leader.
Position Skills and Experience Requirements:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty effectively. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
-
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; Accounting degree preferred.
-
3-5 years of progressive accounting experience, preferably including corporate accounting, public accounting, tax, or audit.
-
Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and general accounting principles, with experience preparing account reconciliations, journal entries, and detailed financial workpapers.
-
Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to organize and analyze complex financial data.
-
Ability to independently organize multiple priorities and meet reporting, tax, and audit deadlines.
-
Strong analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills, with high attention to detail and well-organized supporting documentation.
-
Ability to work effectively across corporate and regional teams and coordinate deliverables with internal and external stakeholders.
-
Preferred: CPA certification or active progress toward certification; public accounting, corporate income or indirect tax, or external audit experience; experience in a multi-entity or international manufacturing organization; and experience with ERP, financial reporting, accounting automation, or data-analysis tools.
See all 71+ OPT Tax Accountant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Tax Accountant
Target firms with established OPT hiring pipelines
Regional and mid-size public accounting firms frequently hire OPT students for tax roles and are often more flexible on work authorization than large national firms. Look for employers who have sponsored past candidates, which signals existing internal processes for managing OPT paperwork.
Confirm your CPA exam eligibility before applications
Many tax accountant roles expect candidates to be CPA-eligible. Eligibility rules vary by state, and some states require a Social Security Number before sitting. Clarifying your status upfront prevents late-stage complications and shows employers you understand U.S. licensing requirements.
Address your OPT timeline proactively in interviews
Tax roles operate on strict seasonal deadlines, so employers care about availability continuity. Mention your OPT end date clearly and, if applicable, explain STEM OPT extension eligibility so hiring managers understand you can work through multiple tax seasons without interruption.
Emphasize technical skills that offset sponsorship hesitation
Proficiency in tax software such as GoSystem, CCH Axcess, or Thomson Reuters UltraTax directly reduces training costs for employers. Highlighting these skills alongside experience with U.S. federal and state returns makes you a lower-risk hire despite work authorization complexity.
Time your applications around busy season hiring cycles
Public accounting firms hire heaviest in August through October for January start dates ahead of tax season. Applying during this window puts you in front of employers when headcount decisions are actively being made, increasing your chance of landing OPT-friendly interviews.
Use your university's accounting alumni network strategically
Former international students who navigated OPT in tax roles are your most credible referrals. They understand the process firsthand and can advocate for you internally. A referral from someone who was hired on OPT significantly reduces employer hesitation about your work authorization status.
Tax Accountant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Tax Accountant on F-1 OPT?
Yes, Tax Accountant roles qualify for F-1 OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree field, typically accounting, finance, or a related discipline. You must have an active Employment Authorization Document before your start date. The role must align with your academic program, which tax accounting generally does for most business and accounting degree holders.
Are Tax Accountant jobs eligible for the STEM OPT extension?
They can be, depending on your degree classification. Accounting degrees under CIP code 52.0301 (Accounting) are on the STEM OPT designated degree list, giving eligible graduates up to 24 additional months of work authorization beyond standard OPT. Confirm your specific CIP code with your Designated School Official before counting on this extension, as not all business degrees qualify.
Do accounting firms sponsor H-1B visas for Tax Accountant roles?
Many do, particularly regional and mid-size public accounting firms that hire OPT students and then sponsor them for H-1B visa after establishing fit. Large firms like Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG also sponsor, though competition is high. The clearest signal is whether a firm has hired OPT candidates before. Browse Tax Accountant roles on Migrate Mate to find employers with sponsorship history.
What happens to my employment if my OPT expires during tax season?
If your standard OPT expires mid-season and you have not yet received your STEM OPT extension EAD, you cannot legally work during that gap. Apply for the STEM extension at least 90 days before your OPT end date to avoid a lapse. Some employers will hold your position during a short gap if you communicate timelines clearly and have an EAD receipt notice.
Does a Tax Accountant role qualify as directly related to an accounting degree for OPT purposes?
Yes, tax accounting work is considered directly related to accounting and finance degrees under USCIS OPT guidelines. The connection between coursework and job function must be documented if audited. Keeping a record of how your coursework maps to your daily responsibilities, such as tax research, return preparation, or financial analysis, supports your OPT authorization if your employer or DSO is ever asked to verify.