Portfolio Accountant Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Portfolio accountant roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. Asset managers, REITs, and fund administrators regularly file Labor Condition Applications for this title. No lottery exemptions apply, but the cap has never blocked qualified candidates with strong employer backing.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
American Operator is looking to bring on our first Portfolio Accounting Manager to build and oversee day-to-day accounting processes, serve as a financial partner to our operator-CEOs, and eventually lead a team of Portfolio Accountants supporting approximately 20 operating companies each.
This role will help shape the accounting function, systems, processes, and team from the ground up. The ideal candidate enjoys building, can move comfortably between hands-on accounting and operator conversations, and thrives in an evolving environment. This role will report to our VP, Accounting and Corporate Controller.
Responsibilities
- Own the monthly close for portfolio companies, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, P&L flux commentary, and portfolio-level reporting, with a target of closing every month in 5 business days.
- Create the pre- and post-acquisition accounting integration playbook, including supporting QoE analysis, cash-to-accrual conversions, and PPAs; opening operating bank accounts; bringing opening balance sheets, typically from QuickBooks Online, into American Operator’s ERP; and transitioning newly acquired businesses onto our accounting processes and technology.
- Design and document operating company internal controls, including approvals, segregation of duties, cash and banking controls, and vendor setup.
- Use technology and automation, including bank rules, AP automation, expense management, close software, and AI tools, to maintain a lean team and accelerate the close process.
- Hire, onboard, train, and manage Portfolio Accountants, including assigning workloads, reviewing work, and supporting professional development.
- Meet regularly with operator-CEOs to explain monthly results in clear, practical terms, including what drove revenue, margin, and cash performance and what actions should follow.
- Partner with the Portfolio Growth team on operating KPIs, budgets, and performance reviews.
- Support the Controller with audit, tax, treasury, and payroll needs by delivering clean, well-documented operating company financials and supporting schedules.
- Continuously improve the accounting playbook as American Operator acquires businesses across new industries.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
- 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including ownership of day-to-day operational accounting and month-end close processes across multiple subsidiaries.
- 3+ years of experience managing accountants, including assigning work, reviewing reconciliations, and developing team members.
- Demonstrated experience building accounting processes from scratch and/or significantly modernizing existing processes, with a focus on efficiency and appropriate controls.
- Experience integrating acquired companies, including opening balance sheets, post-close cleanup, and working across a variety of data sources and technologies.
- A hands-on, “can-do” approach and willingness to operate as part of a lean initial team consisting of you and the Corporate Controller.
- Working knowledge of accounting matters common to small operating businesses, including inventory and COGS, job costing and WIP, fixed assets, accruals, and payroll.
- Ability to explain P&L statements, balance sheets, cash flow, and aging reports to individuals without a financial background.
- A passion for providing financial expertise to small businesses and supporting their growth.
- Ability to work effectively in an ambiguous, build-oriented environment where the systems, team, and playbook are still taking shape.
- A strong belief in the importance of small businesses and an interest in helping them remain locally owned.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Active CPA license.
- Experience working within private equity, a holding company, a multi-entity roll-up, or another highly acquisitive organization.
- Experience preparing or analyzing QoE reports and PPAs and converting small-business financials from cash to accrual accounting.
- Industry experience in construction, the trades, distribution, manufacturing, or retail.
- Hands-on experience with tools such as Ramp, HubSpot, Gusto, and field-service platforms such as Housecall Pro or ServiceTitan.
COMPENSATION
- The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Total compensation may also include a discretionary performance-based bonus and equity. Please note that compensation is determined based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, education, skills, and other qualifications specific to the role.
$140K - $160K
BENEFITS
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a company-matched 401(k), unlimited PTO, paid holidays, and paid parental leave.
LOCATION & TRAVEL
Candidates based in Austin, New York City, or the surrounding areas will be expected to commute to and work from our local office. Candidates outside of these regions may work remotely. Periodic travel to both Austin and New York City will be required regardless of location.
ABOUT THE TEAM
American Operator exists because we believe the American Dream is worth protecting, and that small businesses are the backbone of our communities. To do this well, we need a team that reflects the real world: operators, builders, investors, and problem-solvers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
MISSION-DRIVEN
Every company claims to be mission-driven, but our mission is simple, tangible, and urgent: preserve the legacy of America’s small businesses and create more pathways to meaningful ownership.
We partner with operators who want to step into leadership, take responsibility for great companies, and continue the work that founders spent decades building. When we succeed, communities keep their employers, families keep their livelihoods, and operators get the chance to build wealth through real ownership.
We work hard because we know what’s at stake: generational businesses that deserve to thrive, and talented operators who deserve the chance to lead them. And while we measure our success in deals closed and businesses grown, the real reward is seeing these companies continue to serve their people and their towns, stronger than before.
Where else do you get the opportunity to help someone become a CEO, preserve a founder’s life’s work, and strengthen a community, all in the same job? That’s what makes our work both serious and incredibly fulfilling.
INTRODUCTION
American Operator is looking to bring on our first Portfolio Accounting Manager to build and oversee day-to-day accounting processes, serve as a financial partner to our operator-CEOs, and eventually lead a team of Portfolio Accountants supporting approximately 20 operating companies each.
This role will help shape the accounting function, systems, processes, and team from the ground up. The ideal candidate enjoys building, can move comfortably between hands-on accounting and operator conversations, and thrives in an evolving environment. This role will report to our VP, Accounting and Corporate Controller.
Responsibilities
- Own the monthly close for portfolio companies, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, P&L flux commentary, and portfolio-level reporting, with a target of closing every month in 5 business days.
- Create the pre- and post-acquisition accounting integration playbook, including supporting QoE analysis, cash-to-accrual conversions, and PPAs; opening operating bank accounts; bringing opening balance sheets, typically from QuickBooks Online, into American Operator’s ERP; and transitioning newly acquired businesses onto our accounting processes and technology.
- Design and document operating company internal controls, including approvals, segregation of duties, cash and banking controls, and vendor setup.
- Use technology and automation, including bank rules, AP automation, expense management, close software, and AI tools, to maintain a lean team and accelerate the close process.
- Hire, onboard, train, and manage Portfolio Accountants, including assigning workloads, reviewing work, and supporting professional development.
- Meet regularly with operator-CEOs to explain monthly results in clear, practical terms, including what drove revenue, margin, and cash performance and what actions should follow.
- Partner with the Portfolio Growth team on operating KPIs, budgets, and performance reviews.
- Support the Controller with audit, tax, treasury, and payroll needs by delivering clean, well-documented operating company financials and supporting schedules.
- Continuously improve the accounting playbook as American Operator acquires businesses across new industries.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
- 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including ownership of day-to-day operational accounting and month-end close processes across multiple subsidiaries.
- 3+ years of experience managing accountants, including assigning work, reviewing reconciliations, and developing team members.
- Demonstrated experience building accounting processes from scratch and/or significantly modernizing existing processes, with a focus on efficiency and appropriate controls.
- Experience integrating acquired companies, including opening balance sheets, post-close cleanup, and working across a variety of data sources and technologies.
- A hands-on, “can-do” approach and willingness to operate as part of a lean initial team consisting of you and the Corporate Controller.
- Working knowledge of accounting matters common to small operating businesses, including inventory and COGS, job costing and WIP, fixed assets, accruals, and payroll.
- Ability to explain P&L statements, balance sheets, cash flow, and aging reports to individuals without a financial background.
- A passion for providing financial expertise to small businesses and supporting their growth.
- Ability to work effectively in an ambiguous, build-oriented environment where the systems, team, and playbook are still taking shape.
- A strong belief in the importance of small businesses and an interest in helping them remain locally owned.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Active CPA license.
- Experience working within private equity, a holding company, a multi-entity roll-up, or another highly acquisitive organization.
- Experience preparing or analyzing QoE reports and PPAs and converting small-business financials from cash to accrual accounting.
- Industry experience in construction, the trades, distribution, manufacturing, or retail.
- Hands-on experience with tools such as Ramp, HubSpot, Gusto, and field-service platforms such as Housecall Pro or ServiceTitan.
COMPENSATION
- The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Total compensation may also include a discretionary performance-based bonus and equity. Please note that compensation is determined based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, education, skills, and other qualifications specific to the role.
$140K - $160K
BENEFITS
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a company-matched 401(k), unlimited PTO, paid holidays, and paid parental leave.
LOCATION & TRAVEL
Candidates based in Austin, New York City, or the surrounding areas will be expected to commute to and work from our local office. Candidates outside of these regions may work remotely. Periodic travel to both Austin and New York City will be required regardless of location.
ABOUT THE TEAM
American Operator exists because we believe the American Dream is worth protecting, and that small businesses are the backbone of our communities. To do this well, we need a team that reflects the real world: operators, builders, investors, and problem-solvers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
MISSION-DRIVEN
Every company claims to be mission-driven, but our mission is simple, tangible, and urgent: preserve the legacy of America’s small businesses and create more pathways to meaningful ownership.
We partner with operators who want to step into leadership, take responsibility for great companies, and continue the work that founders spent decades building. When we succeed, communities keep their employers, families keep their livelihoods, and operators get the chance to build wealth through real ownership.
We work hard because we know what’s at stake: generational businesses that deserve to thrive, and talented operators who deserve the chance to lead them. And while we measure our success in deals closed and businesses grown, the real reward is seeing these companies continue to serve their people and their towns, stronger than before.
Where else do you get the opportunity to help someone become a CEO, preserve a founder’s life’s work, and strengthen a community, all in the same job? That’s what makes our work both serious and incredibly fulfilling.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Portfolio Accountant
Match your degree to the role
Portfolio accounting sits at the intersection of accounting and investment operations. A degree in accounting, finance, or economics is the foundation USCIS uses to confirm specialty occupation. A business administration degree without a concentration may draw a Request for Evidence.
Target fund administrators and REITs
Fund administrators, real estate investment trusts, and registered investment advisers file LCAs for portfolio accountant roles far more consistently than general corporate employers. Focus your search on these entity types using Migrate Mate to surface verified sponsoring employers.
Verify prevailing wage before negotiating
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your location and experience level. Run the OFLC Wage Search for your metro area before you receive an offer so you can benchmark accurately and avoid a wage-based RFE.
Get your CPA credential process started early
Many asset managers require or strongly prefer CPA licensure for portfolio accountant roles. Starting the exam process before your job search signals seriousness to hiring managers and strengthens the specialty occupation argument USCIS evaluates when your employer files the I-129 petition.
Clarify the employer's PERM timeline upfront
If your long-term goal is a green card, ask during the offer stage whether the employer has a PERM labor certification policy for this role. Some fund accounting shops sponsor H-1B but do not support PERM, which affects your planning well before the six-year H-1B limit approaches.
Prepare fund accounting work samples for the petition
USCIS sometimes issues RFEs for accounting roles, questioning whether the position truly requires a specialized degree. Gather work samples showing NAV calculations, investor allocations, or audit support work that demonstrate degree-level complexity. Your employer's attorney will need this documentation to respond effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a portfolio accountant role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Portfolio accounting requires applying accounting principles, investment valuation methodologies, and regulatory reporting standards that USCIS treats as degree-level knowledge. Employers typically document this by showing the role requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance and that comparable positions at the firm carry the same requirement. Generic accounting duties can weaken the argument, so job descriptions should emphasize fund-specific complexity.
Which visa types are available to foreign portfolio accountants seeking U.S. sponsorship?
H-1B is the primary path for most nationalities, covering an initial period of up to three years, extendable to six. Australian citizens can apply for the E-3 visa, which has a 10,500 annual cap that has never been exhausted and allows two-year renewable status. Chilean and Singaporean nationals may qualify for the H-1B1 visa, which also requires a specialty occupation and an LCA but is not subject to the H-1B lottery.
How do I find employers who actively sponsor portfolio accountants?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified LCA sponsorship history for accounting and finance roles, so you can focus your applications on firms that have already committed to sponsoring this job title rather than cold-applying and asking about sponsorship later in the process.
Will a three-year Australian bachelor's degree satisfy the H-1B specialty occupation requirement?
USCIS generally accepts a three-year Australian bachelor's degree as equivalent to a U.S. four-year degree for specialty occupation purposes, particularly when the degree is in a directly related field like accounting or finance. A credential evaluation from a recognized service strengthens the petition. If your degree is in a less directly related field, relevant work experience or postgraduate study can supplement the academic argument.
Can a portfolio accountant on OPT or STEM OPT transition to H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. If you're working as a portfolio accountant under F-1 OPT and your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your OPT expires, the cap-gap rule extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year while USCIS adjudicates the petition. STEM OPT is not available for accounting degrees unless the program holds a STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs code, which most traditional accounting programs do not.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Portfolio Accountant 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.