OPT Tax Specialist Jobs
Tax Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in accounting, finance, or taxation. Most positions require a CPA license or active candidacy, and employers often sponsor H-1B visas given the specialized skill set. Your 12-month OPT window is enough time to demonstrate value and convert to long-term sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Do you want a career without limits? Do you want to shape your own future and be surrounded by people who listen? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you at Smith + Howard. Smith + Howard is a family of companies that offers tax, audit, accounting and advisory and wealth management services. We are headquartered in Atlanta with offices across the Southeast, while still offering a local firm flavor. We offer competitive pay, excellent training opportunities, and great benefits. You can help influence our culture and have the support and dedication from our leaders to help you achieve your career goals. Smith + Howard provides a great opportunity for professional growth and advancement within one of Atlanta’s top companies. If you are ready to make a career move and join a firm consistently named an “AJC Top Workplace” and a “Best of the Best Firms” (Inside Public Accounting), we invite you to complete our employment application.
SUMMARY
This is a blended role that will shift in focus throughout the year based on business needs. During busy season, this individual will perform billable client work similar to our Tax Seniors, supporting client engagements and contributing to the team’s workload. During the non-busy season, the focus will shift toward training, onboarding, and developing team members, along with other internal initiatives and process improvements.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Training Design & Delivery
- Assist in the planning, coordination, and delivery of tax training programs for new hires, experienced staff, and acquisition team members.
- Facilitate and support virtual and in-person training sessions, workshops, and learning events.
-
Serve as a resource for employees seeking training information, guidance, and learning resources.
-
New Hire & Acquisition Integration
- Help develop and maintain onboarding materials, learning plans, and training schedules.
- Monitor onboarding progress and provide support to employees throughout their transition and learning journey.
-
Assist with the coordination and delivery of orientation and training activities to ensure a successful onboarding experience.
-
Curriculum Development
- Collaborate with the Manager of Tax Training & Education, subject matter experts, and department leaders to develop and enhance training materials.
- Ensure training content remains accurate, current, and consistent with firm processes, policies, and best practices.
-
Help identify opportunities for new training content based on employee feedback, industry changes, and business needs.
-
Program Management & Evaluation
- Assist with the management of the annual tax training calendar and with the evaluation of training effectiveness through assessments, surveys, and feedback; use results to improve future sessions.
- Support compliance with CPE requirements, including attendance tracking, documentation, and reporting requirements.
-
Prepare communications related to training programs, educational opportunities, deadlines, and learning resources.
-
Technology & Tools
- Assist in maintaining training platforms, learning management systems, and training resource libraries.
- Partner with the Manager of Tax Training & Education to evaluate and implement tools that enhance the learning experience and training effectiveness.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Tax, Education, or related field required.
- CPA preferred.
- 4+ years of experience in a public accounting firm, with strong exposure to tax compliance and planning.
- Prior experience in training, instructional design, or staff development is highly preferred.
- Strong knowledge of tax laws and regulations affecting individuals, corporations, and partnerships.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and tax preparation software (e.g., Sure prep, Tax Buddy, etc.)
- Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS) and e-learning authoring tools a plus.
COMPETENCIES
- Ability to simplify complex tax topics for diverse learner groups.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Adaptability and sensitivity in working with acquired teams during periods of transition.
- Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
WHY JOIN US
This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the development and success of our professionals. You'll play a key role in shaping the future of tax training in a collaborative, growth-focused environment that values knowledge sharing, continuous improvement, and excellence in client service.
INTRODUCTION
Do you want a career without limits? Do you want to shape your own future and be surrounded by people who listen? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you at Smith + Howard. Smith + Howard is a family of companies that offers tax, audit, accounting and advisory and wealth management services. We are headquartered in Atlanta with offices across the Southeast, while still offering a local firm flavor. We offer competitive pay, excellent training opportunities, and great benefits. You can help influence our culture and have the support and dedication from our leaders to help you achieve your career goals. Smith + Howard provides a great opportunity for professional growth and advancement within one of Atlanta’s top companies. If you are ready to make a career move and join a firm consistently named an “AJC Top Workplace” and a “Best of the Best Firms” (Inside Public Accounting), we invite you to complete our employment application.
SUMMARY
This is a blended role that will shift in focus throughout the year based on business needs. During busy season, this individual will perform billable client work similar to our Tax Seniors, supporting client engagements and contributing to the team’s workload. During the non-busy season, the focus will shift toward training, onboarding, and developing team members, along with other internal initiatives and process improvements.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Training Design & Delivery
- Assist in the planning, coordination, and delivery of tax training programs for new hires, experienced staff, and acquisition team members.
- Facilitate and support virtual and in-person training sessions, workshops, and learning events.
-
Serve as a resource for employees seeking training information, guidance, and learning resources.
-
New Hire & Acquisition Integration
- Help develop and maintain onboarding materials, learning plans, and training schedules.
- Monitor onboarding progress and provide support to employees throughout their transition and learning journey.
-
Assist with the coordination and delivery of orientation and training activities to ensure a successful onboarding experience.
-
Curriculum Development
- Collaborate with the Manager of Tax Training & Education, subject matter experts, and department leaders to develop and enhance training materials.
- Ensure training content remains accurate, current, and consistent with firm processes, policies, and best practices.
-
Help identify opportunities for new training content based on employee feedback, industry changes, and business needs.
-
Program Management & Evaluation
- Assist with the management of the annual tax training calendar and with the evaluation of training effectiveness through assessments, surveys, and feedback; use results to improve future sessions.
- Support compliance with CPE requirements, including attendance tracking, documentation, and reporting requirements.
-
Prepare communications related to training programs, educational opportunities, deadlines, and learning resources.
-
Technology & Tools
- Assist in maintaining training platforms, learning management systems, and training resource libraries.
- Partner with the Manager of Tax Training & Education to evaluate and implement tools that enhance the learning experience and training effectiveness.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Tax, Education, or related field required.
- CPA preferred.
- 4+ years of experience in a public accounting firm, with strong exposure to tax compliance and planning.
- Prior experience in training, instructional design, or staff development is highly preferred.
- Strong knowledge of tax laws and regulations affecting individuals, corporations, and partnerships.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and tax preparation software (e.g., Sure prep, Tax Buddy, etc.)
- Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS) and e-learning authoring tools a plus.
COMPETENCIES
- Ability to simplify complex tax topics for diverse learner groups.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Adaptability and sensitivity in working with acquired teams during periods of transition.
- Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
WHY JOIN US
This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the development and success of our professionals. You'll play a key role in shaping the future of tax training in a collaborative, growth-focused environment that values knowledge sharing, continuous improvement, and excellence in client service.
See all OPT Tax Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Tax Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Tax Specialist
Target employers with a CPA sponsorship track record
Large public accounting firms and Fortune 500 tax departments file H-1B petitions annually for tax professionals. Focus your search on employers with a documented history of sponsoring accounting and tax roles rather than smaller firms that rarely navigate the process.
Progress toward your CPA license before OPT ends
Passing CPA exam sections while on OPT signals long-term professional commitment to employers. Many firms require CPA licensure for promotion and are far more likely to sponsor H-1B petitions for candidates already enrolled in or close to completing the credential.
Align your degree field with the tax specialty you are targeting
H-1B specialty occupation approval for tax roles depends on a direct connection between your degree and the position. A degree in accounting or taxation is the clearest path. Finance or economics degrees can qualify but require stronger documentation of field alignment.
Apply during busy season hiring cycles
Public accounting firms do most of their full-time hiring between October and January for roles starting the following summer. Applying during this window gives you the best shot at offers with enough lead time to file an H-1B petition before your OPT expires.
Highlight tax software proficiency on your resume
Employers sponsoring OPT candidates want to see immediate productivity. Proficiency in tools like Thomson Reuters ONESOURCE, CorpTax, or CCH Axcess differentiates you from domestic candidates and reinforces that your skills justify the sponsorship investment from day one.
Use STEM OPT extension eligibility strategically if your degree qualifies
Accounting and taxation programs at many universities carry a STEM designation, qualifying graduates for a 24-month OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO early, as this extension nearly triples your authorized work window and significantly improves sponsorship negotiating position.
Tax Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Tax Specialists without employer sponsorship?
Yes, during your OPT period you are authorized to work as a Tax Specialist without any additional employer sponsorship. Your EAD card is your work authorization. Sponsorship only becomes relevant when OPT ends and you need a long-term visa like H-1B. Large accounting firms and corporate tax departments regularly hire OPT students and are experienced with this process.
Do Tax Specialist roles commonly lead to H-1B sponsorship?
Tax Specialist positions at public accounting firms and large corporations are among the more H-1B-friendly roles because they qualify clearly as specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Employers in Big Four and regional firms file H-1B petitions routinely for tax staff. Smaller firms may be less consistent, so it is worth confirming sponsorship intent early in the hiring process.
Does my accounting degree need to match the Tax Specialist role for OPT to apply?
For OPT work authorization itself, your employment must be directly related to your major field of study. A degree in accounting, taxation, or finance will satisfy this requirement for most Tax Specialist roles. If your degree is in a less directly related field, document how your coursework connects to the position and confirm the arrangement with your DSO to stay compliant.
How do I find Tax Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and international students and filters job listings to surface employers open to hiring candidates on OPT. Searching there saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering late in the process that an employer won't work with OPT authorization. You can filter by role type and visa sponsorship history directly on the platform.
Does the CPA requirement affect my ability to work as a Tax Specialist on OPT?
Not necessarily. Many Tax Specialist roles, particularly at the staff and senior associate level, do not require an active CPA license as a condition of employment, only active candidacy or eventual completion. You can work legally on OPT without a CPA as long as the role aligns with your degree. However, being enrolled in the CPA exam process substantially strengthens your candidacy for roles that lead to H-1B sponsorship.