Assistant Controller Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Assistant Controller roles qualify for H-1B visa and E-3 visa sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. Most employers filing for this role are mid-size to large corporations with dedicated HR teams experienced in sponsorship. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Under the general direction of the AVP Finance & Administration & Controller, the Assistant Controller serves as the chief accountant and is responsible for overseeing all of the College’s accounting operations. Manages the college’s software for accounting, fixed assets, and budget and is responsible for implementing and maintaining a system of internal controls that ensure integrity of financial reporting.
Actual salaries will vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to degrees attained, experience, and other considerations permitted by law. Comprehensive compensation details, including any additional benefits, will be communicated upon finalization of the employment offer.
Responsibilities
-
Provide direct oversight of the daily general accounting and financial reporting operations; ensure that all transactions are recorded in a timely manner and are in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
-
Develop accounting-related policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and industry best practices; update and train community on policies and procedures when needed, ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
-
Assist in the annual budget process; manage quarterly budget reporting process including capital and maintenance budgets.
-
Identify operational efficiencies and leverage available technology in order to streamline processes.
-
Oversee the financial management of federal, state, and local grants, including Title IV, AmeriCorps and other grant program funds.
-
Ensure that staff are properly trained to comply with grant regulations, donor restrictions, and reporting requirements.
-
Manage the associated accounting data in the College’s ERP system, including account and fund creation.
-
Manage mapping of general ledger accounts between payroll and the College's financial system, and ensure the timely posting of payroll files.
-
Collaborate with Payroll and HR to guarantee proper coding.
-
Oversee budget coding for all student, faculty, and staff positions within the Banner HR/Finance system.
-
Manage quarterly and annual fixed assets activity and investment in plant fund.
-
Create journal entries for the debt service, plant fund, and investment accounts.
-
Manage fixed assets and the depreciation process for the annual audit.
-
Responsible for preparing data for financial statements and annual tax returns, including Form 990, 990-T, MA Form PC, M-990T, and Form 3ABC. This also involves completing financial survey reports for the College, which include federal surveys, NACUBO, IPEDS, NCAA, EADA, and internal FactBook reports.
-
Assist with year-end tax reporting, such as issuing 1099s for tuition waivers and annuities. Duties also include supporting journal entries, reconciliations, and loan drawdowns, processing weekly wire transfers, and reviewing monthly American Express payments.
-
Provide assistance to internal and external customers regarding financial accounting and general ledger information in a successful and professional manner.
-
Supervise the monthly, quarterly, and annual closing processes, ensuring that these closings and reconciliations are completed accurately and on time.
-
Direct the preparation of audit schedules and the organization of audit workpapers for all external audits.
-
Provide high-level budget analysis for quarterly reports to the VP of Finance and the Board of Trustees.
-
Prepare budget forecasts for senior leadership and the Board.
-
Create reports, meet with department heads, and assist with the annual budget required for accreditation.
-
Leadership and management of the 5 person accounting team and intern, including hiring, training, professional development, and performance management. Promote and foster an inclusive and innovative work environment.
Qualifications
-
Bachelor’s Degree required
-
Masters Degree in the field of Accounting, Finance, Management or similar field preferred
- 5-8 years of direct work-related experience required
- CPA preferred
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
-
Strong understanding of GAAP, accounting best practices, and experience with annual audits.
-
Proficient in Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables) and other Office applications; knowledgeable in financial systems and technology.
- Familiar with grant funding policies, Title IV regulations, and Federal Single Audit requirements.
- Experienced in budgeting, forecasting, analysis, and reporting in a higher education setting; able to develop and implement budgetary procedures.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, work ethic, and enthusiasm for collaboration; strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Well-organized with good time management, decision-making, and customer service abilities; can work independently or in a team.
- Capable of assessing issues, recommending solutions, and maintaining confidentiality with strong attention to detail.
- The position requires excellent attention to detail in order to maintain the highest quality standards.
- Supervisory experience.
- Experience in higher education preferred.
- Experience with ERP systems and system conversions a plus.
Description
Under the general direction of the AVP Finance & Administration & Controller, the Assistant Controller serves as the chief accountant and is responsible for overseeing all of the College’s accounting operations. Manages the college’s software for accounting, fixed assets, and budget and is responsible for implementing and maintaining a system of internal controls that ensure integrity of financial reporting.
Actual salaries will vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to degrees attained, experience, and other considerations permitted by law. Comprehensive compensation details, including any additional benefits, will be communicated upon finalization of the employment offer.
Responsibilities
-
Provide direct oversight of the daily general accounting and financial reporting operations; ensure that all transactions are recorded in a timely manner and are in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
-
Develop accounting-related policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and industry best practices; update and train community on policies and procedures when needed, ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
-
Assist in the annual budget process; manage quarterly budget reporting process including capital and maintenance budgets.
-
Identify operational efficiencies and leverage available technology in order to streamline processes.
-
Oversee the financial management of federal, state, and local grants, including Title IV, AmeriCorps and other grant program funds.
-
Ensure that staff are properly trained to comply with grant regulations, donor restrictions, and reporting requirements.
-
Manage the associated accounting data in the College’s ERP system, including account and fund creation.
-
Manage mapping of general ledger accounts between payroll and the College's financial system, and ensure the timely posting of payroll files.
-
Collaborate with Payroll and HR to guarantee proper coding.
-
Oversee budget coding for all student, faculty, and staff positions within the Banner HR/Finance system.
-
Manage quarterly and annual fixed assets activity and investment in plant fund.
-
Create journal entries for the debt service, plant fund, and investment accounts.
-
Manage fixed assets and the depreciation process for the annual audit.
-
Responsible for preparing data for financial statements and annual tax returns, including Form 990, 990-T, MA Form PC, M-990T, and Form 3ABC. This also involves completing financial survey reports for the College, which include federal surveys, NACUBO, IPEDS, NCAA, EADA, and internal FactBook reports.
-
Assist with year-end tax reporting, such as issuing 1099s for tuition waivers and annuities. Duties also include supporting journal entries, reconciliations, and loan drawdowns, processing weekly wire transfers, and reviewing monthly American Express payments.
-
Provide assistance to internal and external customers regarding financial accounting and general ledger information in a successful and professional manner.
-
Supervise the monthly, quarterly, and annual closing processes, ensuring that these closings and reconciliations are completed accurately and on time.
-
Direct the preparation of audit schedules and the organization of audit workpapers for all external audits.
-
Provide high-level budget analysis for quarterly reports to the VP of Finance and the Board of Trustees.
-
Prepare budget forecasts for senior leadership and the Board.
-
Create reports, meet with department heads, and assist with the annual budget required for accreditation.
-
Leadership and management of the 5 person accounting team and intern, including hiring, training, professional development, and performance management. Promote and foster an inclusive and innovative work environment.
Qualifications
-
Bachelor’s Degree required
-
Masters Degree in the field of Accounting, Finance, Management or similar field preferred
- 5-8 years of direct work-related experience required
- CPA preferred
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
-
Strong understanding of GAAP, accounting best practices, and experience with annual audits.
-
Proficient in Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables) and other Office applications; knowledgeable in financial systems and technology.
- Familiar with grant funding policies, Title IV regulations, and Federal Single Audit requirements.
- Experienced in budgeting, forecasting, analysis, and reporting in a higher education setting; able to develop and implement budgetary procedures.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, work ethic, and enthusiasm for collaboration; strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Well-organized with good time management, decision-making, and customer service abilities; can work independently or in a team.
- Capable of assessing issues, recommending solutions, and maintaining confidentiality with strong attention to detail.
- The position requires excellent attention to detail in order to maintain the highest quality standards.
- Supervisory experience.
- Experience in higher education preferred.
- Experience with ERP systems and system conversions a plus.
See all 5,139+ Assistant Controller Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Assistant Controller roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Assistant Controller Jobs
Target companies with active accounting departments
Mid-size and large corporations with in-house accounting teams are far more likely to sponsor Assistant Controllers than small businesses. Look for companies that already employ international staff in finance roles, which signals familiarity with the sponsorship process.
Confirm your degree field matches the role
Assistant Controller positions require a degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field to qualify as a specialty occupation. A general business degree may not be sufficient if the employer cannot demonstrate that a specific field of study is required.
CPA designation strengthens your case significantly
While not always mandatory, holding a CPA or working toward licensure signals professional credibility to both employers and USCIS. Petitions for accounting roles with a CPA have a stronger paper trail connecting your qualifications to the specialty occupation standard.
Understand the LCA requirement before your interview
Before any visa can be filed, your employer must obtain a certified Labor Condition Application from the Department of Labor. Knowing this upfront lets you have an informed conversation with hiring managers about timing and what the process actually involves.
Prepare for a longer petition process at larger firms
Enterprise employers often route sponsorship requests through legal and compliance teams, adding weeks to the internal approval timeline. Budget three to four months from offer acceptance to petition filing, and ask your employer whether they use outside immigration counsel.
Highlight month-end close and financial reporting experience
USCIS evaluates whether the job duties are genuinely specialized. Assistant Controller roles centered on consolidations, GAAP compliance, and financial reporting are far easier to defend as specialty occupations than roles that blend accounting with general administrative work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an Assistant Controller role qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, Assistant Controller positions regularly qualify as specialty occupations under the H-1B visa because they typically require a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. USCIS scrutinizes whether the specific degree field is genuinely required rather than preferred, so the job description wording matters. Roles emphasizing GAAP compliance, financial consolidations, and internal controls are easier to defend than generalist positions.
Do Australian nationals have a faster path to sponsorship for this role?
Yes. Australian citizens can pursue the E-3 visa for Assistant Controller roles, which bypasses the H-1B lottery entirely. The E-3 visa is filed directly at a U.S. consulate in Australia after your employer secures a certified Labor Condition Application. There are 10,500 E-3 slots available annually and the cap has never been reached, so qualified applicants face minimal competition.
What degree does an Assistant Controller need for visa sponsorship?
USCIS expects a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field. A general business administration degree may work if the employer can document that accounting coursework is equivalent to a specialized degree. Foreign three-year degrees, including Australian bachelor's degrees, are generally accepted as equivalent to a U.S. four-year degree for petition purposes.
How do I find Assistant Controller jobs that offer visa sponsorship?
Most job postings don't explicitly advertise sponsorship willingness, so filtering by employer type is more effective than searching by keyword. Migrate Mate curates verified sponsorship-open listings for finance and accounting roles, including Assistant Controller positions, so you can focus your applications on employers already open to the process rather than guessing.
Does holding a CPA license improve my chances of visa approval?
It helps, but it's not required. A CPA strengthens the specialty occupation argument by demonstrating that your qualifications meet professional standards in a regulated field. For H-1B petitions specifically, USCIS looks for evidence that the role requires both a degree and professional expertise. A CPA, or documented progress toward licensure, adds credibility to that argument.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Assistant Controller jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.