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 JobsINTRODUCTION
Citrin Cooperman offers a dynamic work environment, fostering professional growth and collaboration. We’re continuously seeking talented individuals who bring fresh perspectives, a problem-solving mindset, and sharp technical expertise. We know you have choices, so our team of collaborative, innovative professionals are at the ready to support your professional development. At Citrin Cooperman, we offer competitive compensation and benefits and most importantly, the flexibility to manage your personal and professional life to focus on what matters most to you!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are seeking a Tax Senior in the Commercial Tax Services (CTS) Department at our San Diego, CA location. As a CTS Senior, you will be responsible for:
- Prepares federal and state tax returns, extensions, and quarterly projections for various clients (C-Corp, S-Corp, Partnership, Individual).
- Review tax work of staff and interns and provide feedback, training, and mentoring.
- Review tax information and coordinate with clients and staff while building relationships.
- Assist with the coordination of the day-to-day duties of planning, tax work, and delivery of finished work product.
- Able to perform tax research and resolve issues.
- Identify and communicate tax matters to Managers and Partners.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s in Taxation preferred
- 3-5 years of professional experience, preferably in a mid-size public accounting firm
- Possess advanced knowledge of federal and state tax laws – corporate, individual, trust, gifts, and partnership taxation
- CPA or CPA eligible preferred
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrate strong client services skills
- Approaches projects with a sense of urgency
- Be highly motivated and able to work individually and in a team setting
- Outstanding analytical, organizational and project management skills
- Knowledge of CCH Axcess, Sureprep, XCM and Caseware is a plus
INTRODUCTION
Citrin Cooperman offers a dynamic work environment, fostering professional growth and collaboration. We’re continuously seeking talented individuals who bring fresh perspectives, a problem-solving mindset, and sharp technical expertise. We know you have choices, so our team of collaborative, innovative professionals are at the ready to support your professional development. At Citrin Cooperman, we offer competitive compensation and benefits and most importantly, the flexibility to manage your personal and professional life to focus on what matters most to you!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are seeking a Tax Senior in the Commercial Tax Services (CTS) Department at our San Diego, CA location. As a CTS Senior, you will be responsible for:
- Prepares federal and state tax returns, extensions, and quarterly projections for various clients (C-Corp, S-Corp, Partnership, Individual).
- Review tax work of staff and interns and provide feedback, training, and mentoring.
- Review tax information and coordinate with clients and staff while building relationships.
- Assist with the coordination of the day-to-day duties of planning, tax work, and delivery of finished work product.
- Able to perform tax research and resolve issues.
- Identify and communicate tax matters to Managers and Partners.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s in Taxation preferred
- 3-5 years of professional experience, preferably in a mid-size public accounting firm
- Possess advanced knowledge of federal and state tax laws – corporate, individual, trust, gifts, and partnership taxation
- CPA or CPA eligible preferred
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrate strong client services skills
- Approaches projects with a sense of urgency
- Be highly motivated and able to work individually and in a team setting
- Outstanding analytical, organizational and project management skills
- Knowledge of CCH Axcess, Sureprep, XCM and Caseware is a plus
See all 610+ OPT Tax Associate Jobs
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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.