Controller Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Controller positions qualify for H-1B visa and other work visas as specialty occupations requiring accounting or finance degrees. Most controllers handle financial reporting, compliance, and team management, responsibilities that clearly meet USCIS specialty occupation standards. Large corporations and growing startups frequently sponsor controllers. 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 3,478+ Controller Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Controller roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Controller Jobs
Target companies with complex financial operations
Multi-entity corporations, publicly traded companies, and businesses with international operations need controllers who understand GAAP compliance and consolidated reporting. These roles clearly demonstrate specialty occupation requirements.
Highlight technical accounting expertise
Emphasize ERP systems experience, SOX compliance knowledge, and advanced Excel/financial modeling skills. Technical competencies strengthen your H-1B case by showing specialized knowledge beyond basic bookkeeping.
Consider management-level positions
Senior controller and assistant controller roles often have clearer specialty occupation justification due to supervisory responsibilities and strategic financial planning requirements that require advanced business education.
Apply to growing companies approaching IPO
Companies preparing for public offerings need controllers experienced with SEC reporting and audit processes. These specialized requirements make visa sponsorship cases stronger and more defensible.
Focus on CPA firms with advisory services
Public accounting firms offering controller services to clients frequently sponsor international talent. These positions combine accounting expertise with client management, supporting specialty occupation classification.
Research non-profit sector opportunities
Large non-profits need controllers for grant compliance and financial transparency. These roles often have clear educational requirements and may face less visa sponsorship competition than corporate positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a controller position qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, controller positions typically qualify as specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business administration. The role involves complex financial analysis, GAAP compliance, and strategic planning that clearly meets USCIS specialty occupation standards. Most controllers manage teams and oversee financial reporting processes that require advanced education.
What degree do I need for controller visa sponsorship?
You need a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a closely related field. A CPA certification strengthens your application but isn't always required. If your degree is in an unrelated field, you can use the three-for-one rule where three years of progressive accounting experience substitutes for one year of education.
Do controller positions have good H-1B approval rates?
Controller positions generally have strong approval rates when the job description emphasizes complex financial analysis, regulatory compliance, and team management responsibilities. USCIS approves most controller petitions that clearly demonstrate the role requires specialized accounting knowledge and a relevant bachelor's degree. Avoid generic bookkeeping language in job descriptions.
Can I get sponsored as a controller without a CPA?
Yes, many controller positions don't require CPA certification for visa sponsorship. The specialty occupation requirement focuses on your degree and the complexity of job duties, not professional licenses. However, CPA certification can strengthen your case and make you more competitive with employers willing to sponsor visas.
How to find Controller jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Controller jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international candidates with sponsoring employers. Focus on multinational corporations, Fortune 500 companies, and growing tech firms that commonly sponsor H-1B visa, L-1 visa, and O-1 visas for senior financial roles. Manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services sectors frequently hire Controllers with visa sponsorship due to talent shortages.
Which companies sponsor controllers for work visas?
Large corporations, publicly traded companies, and growing startups frequently sponsor controllers. Companies with complex financial operations, multiple entities, or international subsidiaries have stronger business needs for controller-level expertise. Mid-market companies preparing for IPOs also actively recruit and sponsor international controller talent for SEC compliance expertise.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored 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.