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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At KPMG, you can become an integral part of a dynamic team at one of the worlds top tax firms. Enjoy a collaborative, future-forward culture that empowers your success. Work with KPMGs extensive network of specialists; enjoy access to our Ignition Centers, where deep industry knowledge merges with cutting-edge technologies to create innovative tax solutions. Join a diverse team helping high-profile clients understand, analyze, and respond to complex business opportunities and challenges. Develop your career through a range of multifaceted engagements, formal training, and informal mentoring. At KPMG, we believe nothing is more important than investing in our culture because it is an investment in our people, our future, and what we stand for as a firm.
KPMG is currently seeking a Senior Associate to join our Business Tax Services practice.
Responsibilities:
- Support Tax Managers and Partners in the day-to-day management of client portfolio
- Take responsibility for overall engagement planning and job administration
- Keep management informed on the progress of important engagement and client relationship issues
- Audit basic-to-complex tax provisions; perform thorough review of working papers to help ensure conclusions have been supported and firm policies have been met
- Execute various aspects of compliance with moderate to minimum direction from management
- Supervise several associate staff members on large and complex engagements when appropriate
Qualifications
- A minimum of three years of recent investment partnership and/or mutual fund tax experience in public accounting
- Bachelor's degree, J.D., LL.M. in taxation, and/or Masters in Taxation (MST) from an accredited college/university
- Applied working knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), accounting procedures, and partnership tax regulations
- Exceptional skills in reviewing 1065 and 1120-RIC tax returns
- Ability to meet challenging client requirements and provide services
- Strong communication, interpersonal, analytical, and research abilities
KPMG LLP and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“KPMG”) complies with all local/state regulations regarding displaying salary ranges. If required, the ranges displayed below or via the URL below are specifically for those potential hires who will work in the location(s) listed. Any offered salary is determined based on relevant factors such as applicant's skills, job responsibilities, prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications and market considerations. In addition, KPMG is proud to offer a comprehensive, competitive benefits package, with options designed to help you make the best decisions for yourself, your family, and your lifestyle. Available benefits are based on eligibility. Our Total Rewards package includes a variety of medical and dental plans, vision coverage, disability and life insurance, 401(k) plans, and a robust suite of personal well-being benefits to support your mental health. Depending on job classification, standard work hours, and years of service, KPMG provides Personal Time Off per fiscal year. Additionally, each year KPMG publishes a calendar of holidays to be observed during the year and provides eligible employees two breaks each year where employees will not be required to use Personal Time Off; one is at year end and the other is around the July 4th holiday. Additional details about our benefits can be found towards the bottom of our KPMG US Careers site at Benefits & How We Work.
Follow this link to obtain salary ranges by city outside of CA: https://kpmg.com/us/en/how-we-work/pay-transparency.html/?id=M310B_4_26 California Salary Range: $81130 - $164565
KPMG offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. KPMG is an equal opportunity employer. KPMG complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The attached link contains further information regarding KPMG's compliance with federal, state and local recruitment and hiring laws. No phone calls or agencies please.
KPMG recruits on a rolling basis. Candidates are considered as they apply, until the opportunity is filled. Candidates are encouraged to apply expeditiously to any role(s) for which they are qualified that is also of interest to them.
Los Angeles County applicants: Material job duties for this position are listed above. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness, and safeguard business operations and company reputation. Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
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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.