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 JobsJob Posting Title
Individual Income Tax Specialist
Agency
695 OKLAHOMA TAX COMMISSION
Supervisory Organization
Income Tax Account Maintenance
Job Posting End Date
Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.
Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)
Full/Part-Time
Full time
Job Type
Regular
Compensation
Salary - $57,720
WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT HERE!
TRANSPARENCY. FAIRNESS. COMPLIANCE. The Oklahoma Tax Commission is committed to leading Oklahoma with unparalleled customer service. Our mission is to promote tax compliance through serving taxpayers with transparency and fairness in administration of the tax code and unparalleled customer service. Check out our About Us page to learn why we are passionate about tax compliance and believe it is the career for you!
There are perks to working for the OTC. We know that benefits matter, and that is why we offer a competitive benefits package for all eligible employees:
- Generous state-paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums.
- A wide choice of insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations.
- Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses and/or dependent care.
- A Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match.
- 15 days of paid vacation and 15 days of sick leave for full-time employees the first year.
- 11 paid holidays a year.
- Paid Maternity leave for eligible employees.
- Employee discounts with a variety of companies and vendors.
- A Longevity Bonus for years of service.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Individual Income Tax Specialist plays a critical role in assisting and shaping the direction of the Individual Income Tax Accounts section of the Oklahoma Tax Commission. The Specialist’s primary goals are to enforce state statutes, rules, and to collect outstanding income taxes.
The Specialists are involved in conducting professional operational reviews, research, or informal audits to determine compliance with laws and regulations, generally accepted accounting procedures, financial accountability standards or other requirements. This includes scheduling, planning and conducting required interviews, reviewing required accounting records or other tax documents, evaluating financial controls, identifying deficiencies, advising on compliance with established requirements or standards, and preparing supporting documents. This also includes having high level conversations and discussions with tax professionals.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The functions performed by employees in this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:
- Assist taxpayers via phone call and/or email with clear and concise information regarding tax law and regulations and generally accepted accounting procedures, financial accountability standards and other requirements.
- Respond timely and accurately to internal customers.
- Accurately complete work items assigned daily to include audits to determine compliance with tax laws, statutes and regulations and collect outstanding income taxes.
- Under supervision able to process and review accounts, returns, adjustments and refunds to ensure proper accounting of return that is in compliance with tax law and regulations.
- Scheduling, planning, and conducting required interviews, reviewing required accounting records or other tax documents, evaluating financial controls, identifying deficiencies, advising on compliance with established requirements or standards, and preparing supporting documents. This also includes having high level conversations and discussions with tax professionals.
- Assist taxpayers with related actions that could involve corrections to a tax return, citing OK state statutes and/or federal laws.
- Accurately prepares correspondence, acknowledgement letters and other documentation needed pertaining to the taxpayers case.
- Accurately complete and participate in special projects assigned by Supervisor.
- Accurately prepare protest write-ups for submission.
- Accurately post and redirect payments as necessary.
- Execute against the ITA mission statement daily in which include teamwork, process and automation enhancement and enhancing the taxpayer experience.
- Exhibit behavior of establishing a great place to work culture.
- Other similar duties as assigned.
COMPLEXITY OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of
- Accounting and auditing methods and systems
- Generally accepted auditing standards and procedures
- OK state statute and regulations
- Federal law and regulations
- Computer technology principles, terminology, and automated systems
- Financial statements, ledgers, journals and reports
- Analytical principles
Skills in
- Interpersonal skills
- Time management
- Using a computer and applicable software
- Proficient in Microsoft Office programs
- Proficient analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Verbal communication
- Active listening
- Exceptional attention to detail
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of
- A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business or public administration; or related field
- OR an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of paraprofessional experience in auditing, accounting, or similar field for each year of the required education.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time. Exhibit manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to operate a computer, keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment. Ability to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids. Ability to hear and understand speech at normal levels, with or without aids. Ability to communicate clearly. Physical ability to lift up to 15 pounds, to bend, stoop, climb stairs, walk and reach. Duties are normally performed in an office environment with a moderate noise level.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
No travel required.
Core work hours for the Oklahoma Tax Commission are Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm. This schedule may require minor flexibility based on the needs of the agency.
Telework may be required based on the needs of the agency, division, and section. If applicable, applicant must be willing and able to BOTH work on-site and telework at an off-site location, generally in the applicant’s home. Applicant must have a secure internet connection and a dedicated telephone (landline) or smart phone device during scheduled working hours.
This position has access to Federal Tax Information (FTI) and is required to uphold the strictest standards of confidentiality as an essential part of its job responsibilities. This includes safeguarding all tax information obtained from records, files, tax returns, and departmental investigations, whether in paper, electronic, or verbal form.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
All offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a fingerprint-based background check, reference check and federal and state tax compliance check.
Equal Opportunity Employment
The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.
Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.
If you are needing any extra assistance or have any questions relating to a job you have applied for, please click the link below and find the agency for which you applied for additional information:
Agency Contact
Job Posting Title
Individual Income Tax Specialist
Agency
695 OKLAHOMA TAX COMMISSION
Supervisory Organization
Income Tax Account Maintenance
Job Posting End Date
Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.
Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)
Full/Part-Time
Full time
Job Type
Regular
Compensation
Salary - $57,720
WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT HERE!
TRANSPARENCY. FAIRNESS. COMPLIANCE. The Oklahoma Tax Commission is committed to leading Oklahoma with unparalleled customer service. Our mission is to promote tax compliance through serving taxpayers with transparency and fairness in administration of the tax code and unparalleled customer service. Check out our About Us page to learn why we are passionate about tax compliance and believe it is the career for you!
There are perks to working for the OTC. We know that benefits matter, and that is why we offer a competitive benefits package for all eligible employees:
- Generous state-paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums.
- A wide choice of insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations.
- Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses and/or dependent care.
- A Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match.
- 15 days of paid vacation and 15 days of sick leave for full-time employees the first year.
- 11 paid holidays a year.
- Paid Maternity leave for eligible employees.
- Employee discounts with a variety of companies and vendors.
- A Longevity Bonus for years of service.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Individual Income Tax Specialist plays a critical role in assisting and shaping the direction of the Individual Income Tax Accounts section of the Oklahoma Tax Commission. The Specialist’s primary goals are to enforce state statutes, rules, and to collect outstanding income taxes.
The Specialists are involved in conducting professional operational reviews, research, or informal audits to determine compliance with laws and regulations, generally accepted accounting procedures, financial accountability standards or other requirements. This includes scheduling, planning and conducting required interviews, reviewing required accounting records or other tax documents, evaluating financial controls, identifying deficiencies, advising on compliance with established requirements or standards, and preparing supporting documents. This also includes having high level conversations and discussions with tax professionals.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The functions performed by employees in this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:
- Assist taxpayers via phone call and/or email with clear and concise information regarding tax law and regulations and generally accepted accounting procedures, financial accountability standards and other requirements.
- Respond timely and accurately to internal customers.
- Accurately complete work items assigned daily to include audits to determine compliance with tax laws, statutes and regulations and collect outstanding income taxes.
- Under supervision able to process and review accounts, returns, adjustments and refunds to ensure proper accounting of return that is in compliance with tax law and regulations.
- Scheduling, planning, and conducting required interviews, reviewing required accounting records or other tax documents, evaluating financial controls, identifying deficiencies, advising on compliance with established requirements or standards, and preparing supporting documents. This also includes having high level conversations and discussions with tax professionals.
- Assist taxpayers with related actions that could involve corrections to a tax return, citing OK state statutes and/or federal laws.
- Accurately prepares correspondence, acknowledgement letters and other documentation needed pertaining to the taxpayers case.
- Accurately complete and participate in special projects assigned by Supervisor.
- Accurately prepare protest write-ups for submission.
- Accurately post and redirect payments as necessary.
- Execute against the ITA mission statement daily in which include teamwork, process and automation enhancement and enhancing the taxpayer experience.
- Exhibit behavior of establishing a great place to work culture.
- Other similar duties as assigned.
COMPLEXITY OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of
- Accounting and auditing methods and systems
- Generally accepted auditing standards and procedures
- OK state statute and regulations
- Federal law and regulations
- Computer technology principles, terminology, and automated systems
- Financial statements, ledgers, journals and reports
- Analytical principles
Skills in
- Interpersonal skills
- Time management
- Using a computer and applicable software
- Proficient in Microsoft Office programs
- Proficient analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Verbal communication
- Active listening
- Exceptional attention to detail
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of
- A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business or public administration; or related field
- OR an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of paraprofessional experience in auditing, accounting, or similar field for each year of the required education.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time. Exhibit manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to operate a computer, keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment. Ability to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids. Ability to hear and understand speech at normal levels, with or without aids. Ability to communicate clearly. Physical ability to lift up to 15 pounds, to bend, stoop, climb stairs, walk and reach. Duties are normally performed in an office environment with a moderate noise level.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
No travel required.
Core work hours for the Oklahoma Tax Commission are Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm. This schedule may require minor flexibility based on the needs of the agency.
Telework may be required based on the needs of the agency, division, and section. If applicable, applicant must be willing and able to BOTH work on-site and telework at an off-site location, generally in the applicant’s home. Applicant must have a secure internet connection and a dedicated telephone (landline) or smart phone device during scheduled working hours.
This position has access to Federal Tax Information (FTI) and is required to uphold the strictest standards of confidentiality as an essential part of its job responsibilities. This includes safeguarding all tax information obtained from records, files, tax returns, and departmental investigations, whether in paper, electronic, or verbal form.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
All offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a fingerprint-based background check, reference check and federal and state tax compliance check.
Equal Opportunity Employment
The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.
Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.
If you are needing any extra assistance or have any questions relating to a job you have applied for, please click the link below and find the agency for which you applied for additional information:
Agency Contact
See all 243+ 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.