You can now fulfill your ambition of being sponsored for a visa and working as an accountant in the United States by obtaining the required expertise and information.
In the U.S., employment in accounting is growing, and a lot of people find it to be a rewarding and demanding field. Because of the numerous advantages of being an accountant, those outside the United States may ask how to become an accountant with a foreign education. In line with the U.S., According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly compensation for accountants is $77,250, with salaries ranging from $47,970 to $128,970.
We have all the information you require right here to realize this dream. Now, let’s get going.
What does an accountant do?
Accountants do bookkeeping and oversee the financial documentation required to keep your firm operating efficiently. These documents include, for instance:
- Balance Sheets
- Trading Accounts
Accounting Job Types in the USA That Sponsor Visas
It is now possible to obtain both visa sponsorship and a job in accounting in the United States. The appropriate tools are all that you need. We will also provide you with such resources in this article.
1. Financial advisors
Financial advisors are professionals who advise others on managing their finances. They go by the titles of wealth managers or financial planners as well. Additionally, they search the market for the best goods for their customers.
- Average Salary: $32.96 is the average base pay per hour, ranging from $16.04 to $67.71.
2. Auditors
Auditors examine the financial records of businesses and other entities to make sure they are accurate and compliant with the law. In certain instances, they also offer
advice on ways to cut costs.
- Average Salary: Base pay is $25.27 per hour, ranging from $17.73 to $36.02.
3. Payroll officer.
Payroll officers oversee the disbursement of employees’ salaries within an establishment. They guarantee that workers receive their wages on schedule and in full. For most organizations to function correctly, they are necessary.
- The average base Salary is $21.59 per hour, ranging from $15.04 to $31.00.
4. Governmental accountants
These days, a governmental accountant’s role depends on the level of government they are employed with, such as state, local, or federal.
- The typical base salary is $31.00 per hour, ranging from $26.00 to $36.00.
5. Bookkeeper
A bookkeeper’s duties include keeping track of everyday transactions, creating account trial balances, and updating a general ledger. A bookkeeper should also be very skilled with computers and capable of keeping secrets.
- Base income: Average base income is $20.92 per hour, ranging from $14.64 to $29.90.
6. Certified Public Accountant
Most people refer to certified public accountants as CPAs. A CPA delivers tax services, financial advice, and recommendations for strategic financial planning. Additionally, they provide financial sector budgeting help.
- Average income: $38.36 per hour, with a basic income varying from $23.52 to $62.56.
7. Investment accountants
Investment accountants’ primary emphasis is asset accounting in asset and brokerage organizations. They also handle investments and keep an eye on activities from third parties. An investment accountant’s responsibilities include creating tax reports and offering financial advice.
- Average Salary: $33.56 per hour is the average base Salary, which varies from $28.02 to $58.57.
What Are the Immigration Requirements for Accountants with Foreign Education?
To complete this process, foreign-educated accountants (CPAs) who want to immigrate to the U.S. and practice their profession must apply for a visa. The H-1B visa for specialized jobs is the type of visa that most accountants will need to apply for. For the most part, this visa application will require your employer to be based in the United States to sponsor you.
How Does One Apply for Jobs in the United States? As an Accountant with a Foreign Education?
The process of becoming an accountant with foreign education and working in the United States involves a few steps, which are as follows:
- Decide the state in which you want to work as an accountant. It’s critical to know these details in advance because state regulations differ concerning the prerequisites for complete licensure and the completion of continuing education credits for license maintenance or renewal.
Work on honing your English language proficiency if necessary. In the U.S., you will be required to work in English, and all tests, study guides, applications, and license details will be provided in that language. - Collect all relevant documentation, such as degrees, licenses, or certificates; resumes and employment information about CPA work done in your home country; and academic transcripts demonstrating completion of at least 150 credit hours.
Get a credential review for any coursework you’ve done in college. A credential evaluation is an essential first step since you can only take the CPA Exam once you have completed 150 credit hours of accounting coursework. - The National Association of State Boards of Accounting is known as NASBA.
- You can get particular information on the credential assessment service from the Board of Accounting in the state where you want to work. However, most states mandate that you get an evaluation from the National Association of State Boards of Accounting (NASBA). It is essential to confirm with your selected state before proceeding with this stage, as certain states will only accept evaluations conducted through this organization.
- Start getting ready for the CPA exam. Each of the four portions of the CPA Exam must be passed for you to be eligible to apply for a state license. This requirement applies to all states. Because the CPA Exam is more complex, studying for it could take some time. Ensure you know what to expect on the exam and what kind of timetable you need to follow. You are generally advised to devote three months to each section of the exam over a year to prepare for and pass it thoroughly.
- To take the CPA exam, you must file for your Notice to Schedule (NTS) after you’ve received your credential evaluation report, which might take up to eight weeks to obtain. The NTS document attests to your eligibility to take the CPA exam and set up a testing window. Most states mandate that you apply for the NTS using the NASBA’s CPA Central online platform. Still, you should confirm the specific criteria of the state where you plan to work.
- The NTS application has a cost, and in addition to the standard application fee, overseas candidates could also have to pay an extra charge. After applying for the first time, you should receive your NTS within 6 to 8 weeks or two weeks if you use it again.
- You can begin setting up test dates for the CPA Exam after you have your NTS. Usually, Prometric—the company that offers the Uniform CPA Exam—is used for this.
- To ensure you adhere to the most precise test scheduling procedure, you will need to confirm once more with state-specific criteria. It’s also crucial to remember that you are not allowed to retake a portion of the exam within the same testing window. If you fail a section, you can only retake the remaining three sections until the following trimester. At that point, you can retake the sections you failed. Further information on testing is available from the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA).
- You can apply for a state license once you have passed each of the four sections of the CPA Exam (this needs to be finished within 18 months of your first test try). Depending on the jurisdiction you are applying to operate in, different states have different criteria for state licensing; nevertheless, most states require one to two years of completed accounting work as experience. In addition, there are expenses related to applying for a CPA license, and most states require you to submit your credential evaluation information with your application. Using the directory on the NASBA website, choose the Board of Accountancy in your desired state.
What kind of visa should I apply for to get an accounting job sponsored by a USA visa?
1. Temporary Permit
A fantastic method to move closer to your ideal career is through temporary visas. You can do that with this. It worked for a while in the United States. Moreover, the employer needs to file a petition.
2. Visa for Sponsorship
Employers in the USA can now recruit workers with a bachelor’s degree. You’ll be one step closer to your dream career with this.
Conditions for Applying to Jobs Sponsored by USA Accounting Visas
- Accounting-related work experience
- Outstanding familiarity with accounting rules and practices, such as GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)
- Practical knowledge of accounting programs such as QuickBooks and FreshBooks
- Strong analytical abilities and a keen eye for detail
- BSc in Finance or Accounting or any other relevant degree
(CPA or CMA) are excellent enhancers.
Where to Look for Visa-Sponsored Jobs in Accounting in the USA
One way to find work in this field is to search online or make inquiries on social media. Here are a few helpful websites.
- Indeed
- Glassdoor
How to Apply for Sponsored Visas to Apply for Accounting Jobs in the USA
- You can now begin your search for open accounting positions in the USA that sponsor visas. You can ask friends, use social media, websites, and search engines.
- The next step is to make an effort to get in contact with the employer and send your Curriculum Vitae. Additionally, learn more about your job.
- If the employer believes you are qualified, they can continue the conversation.
- Your U.S. employer will submit a sponsorship request to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service on your behalf.
- Once the petition is approved, you can apply for a sponsored visa to work as a data scientist in the United States.
Conclusion
We hope you are now closer to realizing your dream of obtaining a sponsored visa to work in accounting in the United States. When the opportunity aligns with the appropriate resources, it becomes feasible.