OPT Tax Associate Jobs
Tax Associate roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with accounting or finance degrees. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations, supporting both 12-month OPT and the 24-month STEM extension if your degree is STEM-designated. Public accounting firms and corporate tax departments regularly sponsor H-1B visas for high-performing associates.
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Get Access To All JobsJoin the world's leading professional services firm assisting employers in managing the complexities associated with all aspects of their workforce. As a Business Process Solutions Payroll Analyst, you will join a dynamic team delivering our US Payroll offering.
Recruiting for this role ends on May 31, 2027
Work you will do
As a Senior Payroll Analyst you will be responsible for processing payrolls for our clients and be expected to deliver the highest standards of client service with impeccable levels of accuracy.
- Process bi-weekly, monthly, or semi-monthly payrolls for US-based employees, including salary, bonuses, and other compensation adjustments for small to large client size across varying industries
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws, tax regulations, and company policies.
- Be responsible for the accuracy of payroll data entry, validation, and reconciliations, working with data uploads, APIs and manual data entry.
- Handle payroll-related deductions, including benefits, retirement contributions, and garnishments.
- Perform complex calculations both within and outside the payroll system including gross ups
- Maintain accurate payroll records and prepare reports for management, auditing, and compliance purposes.
- Be proficient in the use of our payroll software to update and maintain employee data, including new hires, terminations, and pay rate, including the setup of clients on the technology and configuration and testing of system changes.
- Resolve payroll discrepancies and address employee inquiries related to pay, taxes, and deductions within agreed Service Level Agreement (SLA) response times
- Support year-end payroll activities such as W-2 preparation and distribution.
- Stay current with changes in payroll regulations and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation.
- Generate required payroll reports
- Develop and maintain client relationships utilizing strong verbal and written communication skills
- Absorb, interpret, and explain several types of information/data with an analytical and quantitative mindset
- Strict adherence to checklists and procedure guides/workflows, ensuring they are kept up-to-date
- Design operational solutions to continually improve internal processes and the client experience
- Timely escalate issues to Senior Analyst/Manager where appropriate
- Transform prior processes to bridge process gaps, align with changing business requirements and utilize efficiencies available through automation
The Team
The Deloitte Business Process Solutions (BPS) Tax team delivers comprehensive payroll tax administration and compliance services for clients, leveraging deep technical expertise, advanced technology, and a collaborative service approach. Our team serves organizations of all sizes, across diverse industries, providing end-to-end support - from tax registrations and wage code configuration to reporting, reconciliation, and process improvement. We solve critical challenges in compliance, data accuracy, and efficiency by combining best practices, automation, and experienced insight. BPS is committed to delivering timely, accurate, and scalable solutions while anticipating regulatory changes and client needs.
Qualifications
Required:
- Ability to perform job responsibilities within a hybrid work model that requires US Tax professionals to co-locate in person 2 - 3 days per week
- Bachelor's degree in economics, human resources, international business, finance, accounting, or other relevant discipline
- 3+ years of experience processing end-to-end U.S. payroll for small to large employee populations, including regular and off-cycle payrolls, deductions, garnishments, bonuses, gross-ups, reconciliations, and year-end activities such as W-2 support
- Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. payroll compliance requirements, including federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, wage and hour considerations, payroll recordkeeping, and audit-ready documentation practices.
- Experience using payroll systems and related technology to manage employee data, client setup, data uploads, APIs, configuration testing, reporting, and issue resolution, with strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and client-facing communication abilities.
- Limited immigration sponsorship may be available
- Ability to travel up to 10%, on average, based on the work you do and the clients and industries/sectors you serve
- One of the following active accreditations obtained, in process, or willing and able to obtain:
- Licensed CPA in state of practice/primary office if eligible to sit for the CPA
- If not CPA eligible:
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
- Enrolled Agent
- Juris Doctor (JD)
Preferred
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
- Proficiency with payroll software (e.g., ADP, Workday, Paycom) and Microsoft Excel.
- Ability to prioritize tasks, work and manage multiple assignments in a team environment
- Strong analytical, consultative, quantitative, and project management skills
- Excellent communication (verbal & written) and presentation skills with an aptitude for working as part of a global team
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail
- Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
- Attention to detail, self-starter and deadline oriented
The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Deloitte, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $64,725 to $132,250.
You may also be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.
Join the world's leading professional services firm assisting employers in managing the complexities associated with all aspects of their workforce. As a Business Process Solutions Payroll Analyst, you will join a dynamic team delivering our US Payroll offering.
Recruiting for this role ends on May 31, 2027
Work you will do
As a Senior Payroll Analyst you will be responsible for processing payrolls for our clients and be expected to deliver the highest standards of client service with impeccable levels of accuracy.
- Process bi-weekly, monthly, or semi-monthly payrolls for US-based employees, including salary, bonuses, and other compensation adjustments for small to large client size across varying industries
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws, tax regulations, and company policies.
- Be responsible for the accuracy of payroll data entry, validation, and reconciliations, working with data uploads, APIs and manual data entry.
- Handle payroll-related deductions, including benefits, retirement contributions, and garnishments.
- Perform complex calculations both within and outside the payroll system including gross ups
- Maintain accurate payroll records and prepare reports for management, auditing, and compliance purposes.
- Be proficient in the use of our payroll software to update and maintain employee data, including new hires, terminations, and pay rate, including the setup of clients on the technology and configuration and testing of system changes.
- Resolve payroll discrepancies and address employee inquiries related to pay, taxes, and deductions within agreed Service Level Agreement (SLA) response times
- Support year-end payroll activities such as W-2 preparation and distribution.
- Stay current with changes in payroll regulations and ensure compliance with all relevant legislation.
- Generate required payroll reports
- Develop and maintain client relationships utilizing strong verbal and written communication skills
- Absorb, interpret, and explain several types of information/data with an analytical and quantitative mindset
- Strict adherence to checklists and procedure guides/workflows, ensuring they are kept up-to-date
- Design operational solutions to continually improve internal processes and the client experience
- Timely escalate issues to Senior Analyst/Manager where appropriate
- Transform prior processes to bridge process gaps, align with changing business requirements and utilize efficiencies available through automation
The Team
The Deloitte Business Process Solutions (BPS) Tax team delivers comprehensive payroll tax administration and compliance services for clients, leveraging deep technical expertise, advanced technology, and a collaborative service approach. Our team serves organizations of all sizes, across diverse industries, providing end-to-end support - from tax registrations and wage code configuration to reporting, reconciliation, and process improvement. We solve critical challenges in compliance, data accuracy, and efficiency by combining best practices, automation, and experienced insight. BPS is committed to delivering timely, accurate, and scalable solutions while anticipating regulatory changes and client needs.
Qualifications
Required:
- Ability to perform job responsibilities within a hybrid work model that requires US Tax professionals to co-locate in person 2 - 3 days per week
- Bachelor's degree in economics, human resources, international business, finance, accounting, or other relevant discipline
- 3+ years of experience processing end-to-end U.S. payroll for small to large employee populations, including regular and off-cycle payrolls, deductions, garnishments, bonuses, gross-ups, reconciliations, and year-end activities such as W-2 support
- Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. payroll compliance requirements, including federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations, wage and hour considerations, payroll recordkeeping, and audit-ready documentation practices.
- Experience using payroll systems and related technology to manage employee data, client setup, data uploads, APIs, configuration testing, reporting, and issue resolution, with strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and client-facing communication abilities.
- Limited immigration sponsorship may be available
- Ability to travel up to 10%, on average, based on the work you do and the clients and industries/sectors you serve
- One of the following active accreditations obtained, in process, or willing and able to obtain:
- Licensed CPA in state of practice/primary office if eligible to sit for the CPA
- If not CPA eligible:
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)
- Enrolled Agent
- Juris Doctor (JD)
Preferred
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) designation.
- Proficiency with payroll software (e.g., ADP, Workday, Paycom) and Microsoft Excel.
- Ability to prioritize tasks, work and manage multiple assignments in a team environment
- Strong analytical, consultative, quantitative, and project management skills
- Excellent communication (verbal & written) and presentation skills with an aptitude for working as part of a global team
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail
- Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
- Attention to detail, self-starter and deadline oriented
The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Deloitte, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $64,725 to $132,250.
You may also be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.
See all 767+ OPT Tax Associate Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Tax Associate Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Tax Associate
Target firms with established H-1B track records
The Big Four and large regional accounting firms file H-1B petitions at high volume every year. Joining one of these firms on OPT puts you in a structured pipeline where sponsorship is a known, expected outcome for performing associates.
Confirm your degree qualifies for the STEM OPT extension
Accounting and taxation degrees are often STEM-designated under CIP code 52.0301. Verify your specific degree with your DSO early. A confirmed STEM extension gives you 36 total months of OPT, which covers two full H-1B lottery cycles.
Apply before your OPT start date, not after
Many Tax Associate hiring cycles run in fall for January or summer starts. Apply during campus recruiting season so your OPT timeline aligns with the role's start date and avoids gaps that complicate your authorization status.
Ask directly about sponsorship during the offer stage
Raise H-1B sponsorship before signing an offer, not after starting. Ask whether the firm has sponsored associates in your office previously. A vague answer is a real signal. Firms that sponsor regularly will confirm it without hesitation.
Pursue your CPA license while on OPT
Passing CPA exams during your OPT period signals long-term commitment and raises your sponsorship priority within the firm. Licensed CPAs are harder to replace, which strengthens the employer's business case for filing an H-1B petition on your behalf.
Specialize in a high-demand tax area to increase your leverage
International tax, transfer pricing, and R&D tax credits face persistent talent shortages. Developing expertise in one of these areas during your OPT makes you a more compelling sponsorship candidate and opens doors at firms that cannot easily hire domestically.
Tax Associate OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Tax Associate jobs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
Many do, but it depends on your specific degree, not the job title. Accounting degrees under CIP code 52.0301 are frequently STEM-designated, making you eligible for the 24-month extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before accepting a role, since extension eligibility can significantly affect how long you can work before needing H-1B sponsorship.
Do accounting and public accounting firms typically sponsor H-1B visas for Tax Associates?
The Big Four firms, including Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG, sponsor H-1B visas for Tax Associates on a consistent basis and have dedicated immigration support teams. Large regional firms also sponsor regularly, though the process is less standardized. Smaller boutique firms may sponsor selectively based on business need. Migrate Mate lists Tax Associate roles filtered by sponsorship history so you can identify the right employers upfront.
Can I work in a Tax Associate role if my OPT EAD is still processing?
No. You cannot begin working until your EAD card is physically in hand and the start date printed on it has passed. Do not accept a start date from an employer that is earlier than your EAD start date. Build buffer time into your job search so you are not caught between an offer and a pending card.
Does a Tax Associate role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Tax Associate positions typically qualify as specialty occupations because they require a bachelor's degree or higher in accounting, finance, or a related field as a standard entry requirement. The role involves the theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge, which meets USCIS criteria. Most Big Four and regional firm offers will meet this threshold without difficulty.
What should I do if my OPT expires before the H-1B lottery results are announced?
If your employer files your H-1B petition before your OPT expires and you have an approved cap-gap extension, you can continue working lawfully through September 30 of that year. The cap-gap automatically bridges the period between OPT expiration and the H-1B start date of October 1. Your DSO must issue a new I-20 reflecting the cap-gap extension to maintain your authorized status.