Accounting STEM OPT Jobs in Illinois

Accounting F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois are concentrated in Chicago, where firms like Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, and Grant Thornton maintain major offices alongside Fortune 500 finance teams. Roles in financial analysis, data-driven auditing, and accounting technology increasingly qualify for STEM OPT authorization, making Illinois one of the stronger states for international accounting graduates seeking work experience.

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Overview

Open Jobs17+
Work Type82% On-site
Top LocationChicago, IL
Most JobsGrant Thornton

Showing 5 of 17+ Accounting STEM OPT Jobs in Illinois

Grant Thornton
OneStream Solution Architect
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Grant Thornton
New 10h ago
OneStream Solution Architect
Grant Thornton
Chicago, Illinois
Consulting & Professional Services
Project & Program Management
Business Analysis
Corporate Training & Learning Development
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Leyton
Business Systems Analyst & Developer
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Leyton
Added 1w ago
Business Systems Analyst & Developer
Leyton
Chicago, Illinois
Business Analysis
Project & Program Management
Data Science & Analytics
Technical Product & Program Management
Data Science
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Paychex, Inc.
HubSpot System Engineer
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Paychex, Inc.
Added 3w ago
HubSpot System Engineer
Paychex, Inc.
Chicago, Illinois
Software Engineering
Data Engineering
Backend Engineering
$59k - $93k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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J.S. Held
Civil/Structural Forensic Engineer
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J.S. Held
Added 1mo ago
Civil/Structural Forensic Engineer
J.S. Held
Chicago, Illinois
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
$100k - $120k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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KPMG
Senior Associate, Ignition - Tax Data Engineer
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KPMG
Added 1mo ago
Senior Associate, Ignition - Tax Data Engineer
KPMG
Chicago, Illinois
Data Science & Analytics
Data Engineering
Business Analysis
Project & Program Management
Data Science
Project Management
Tax
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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STEM OPT Accounting Job Roles in Illinois

Project & Program Management12 jobs
Business Analysis11 jobs
Consulting & Professional Services10 jobs
Corporate Training & Learning Development6 jobs
Data Science5 jobs
Data Science & Analytics5 jobs
Project Management4 jobs
Tax3 jobs
Software Engineering3 jobs
Partnerships & Business Development3 jobs

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Accounting STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

Which accounting companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Illinois?

In Illinois, the Big Four firms, Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG, have established hiring programs for international accounting graduates and regularly support F-1 STEM OPT authorization for qualifying roles. Regional public accounting firms such as Grant Thornton, RSM, and BDO also hire in Illinois. Large corporate employers with Chicago headquarters, including Boeing, Caterpillar, and Morningstar, maintain accounting and finance teams that have historically filed for international work authorization. Sponsorship willingness varies by role and team.

Which cities in Illinois have the most accounting F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?

Chicago accounts for the overwhelming majority of accounting F-1 STEM OPT opportunities in Illinois, driven by its concentration of professional services firms, financial institutions, and corporate headquarters in the Loop and surrounding neighborhoods. Schaumburg and Rosemont in the northwest suburbs host regional offices of national accounting firms and mid-size companies with finance departments. Peoria and Springfield have smaller but active public accounting markets, though international hiring at those locations is less common than in the Chicago metro area.

What types of accounting roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?

F-1 STEM OPT authorization requires the role to directly relate to a qualifying STEM degree. Accounting roles with a quantitative or technology emphasis are most likely to qualify, including financial analyst positions, data analytics roles within audit or advisory practices, accounting information systems specialists, and forensic accounting positions involving statistical modeling. Traditional bookkeeping or tax preparation roles may not qualify if the position does not require a STEM-designated degree. Confirming the specific STEM degree classification associated with a role helps determine STEM OPT eligibility before applying.

How do I find accounting F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois?

Migrate Mate is built specifically for international job seekers and lets you filter accounting jobs in Illinois by visa type, including F-1 STEM OPT, so you can identify employers with a verified history of sponsoring international workers. Beyond filtering by location and industry, you can review employer-level DOL filing data to see which Illinois accounting and finance employers have actively supported work authorization for international hires. Applying directly to companies with a documented sponsorship track record in Illinois increases your chances of finding a qualifying position.

Are there any Illinois-specific or accounting-specific factors that affect F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?

Illinois requires STEM OPT employers to be enrolled in E-Verify, and accounting firms or corporate finance departments in the state must meet this requirement before a student can begin an extension period. Illinois also has a substantial public accounting sector regulated by the Illinois Board of Examiners, and some firms consider CPA exam eligibility when evaluating candidates. The state's large financial services and fintech sectors in Chicago create demand for accounting graduates with data and systems skills, which are the profiles most aligned with STEM OPT qualifying roles.