How accountants and CPAs get H-1B sponsorship — Big 4 hiring processes, specialty occupation requirements, and salary benchmarks.
Accounting is a well-established specialty occupation for H-1B purposes, and the Big 4 accounting firms are among the largest H-1B sponsors across all industries. Whether you are targeting audit, tax, advisory, or consulting roles, understanding the sponsorship landscape for accountants helps you plan your career path. Wisa provides verified filing data for accounting firms and financial services companies that sponsor CPAs and accounting professionals.
Yes. USCIS consistently recognizes accounting as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. This is well-established in case law and USCIS adjudication history. Accountant H-1B petitions generally face fewer specialty occupation challenges than some other professions, making accounting a relatively straightforward H-1B category.
Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG are four of the largest H-1B sponsors in the United States across all industries. Their sponsorship practices include:
While the Big 4 dominate H-1B filings in accounting, many other firms sponsor as well:
While a CPA license is not required for H-1B sponsorship, it significantly strengthens your profile and career prospects. CPA requirements vary by state but generally include 150 credit hours of education, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and meeting experience requirements. International accountants should evaluate which state's CPA requirements best match their foreign credentials. Many employers expect or require CPA licensure within a specified timeframe after hiring.
H-1B salaries for accountants depend on the role level, employer, and location:
Big 4 salaries in major metros (NYC, SF, Chicago) trend toward the higher end of these ranges. Cost-of-living adjustments apply to prevailing wage requirements.
Most international accounting students follow this path: complete a bachelor's or master's in accounting at a U.S. university, start on OPT at a Big 4 or mid-tier firm, then transition to H-1B when selected in the lottery. Accounting qualifies for STEM OPT extension at some universities that classify their programs under eligible CIP codes — check with your school's international student office.
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Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →Yes, Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG are among the largest H-1B sponsors in the entire United States. They have dedicated immigration teams and sponsor thousands of international accounting professionals each year across audit, tax, advisory, and consulting practices. The Big 4 also typically support green card processing for long-term employees.
No, a CPA license is not required for H-1B sponsorship. The H-1B requires that the position needs a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field, which most accounting roles satisfy. However, having a CPA or being CPA-eligible significantly strengthens your candidacy and is often expected by employers within a certain timeframe after hiring.
It depends on your specific degree program's CIP code. Some universities classify their accounting or accounting information systems programs under STEM-eligible CIP codes, which would qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Check with your school's Designated School Official (DSO) to confirm whether your specific program qualifies.
H-1B salaries for accountants range from $55,000-$80,000 at entry level to $100,000-$160,000 at the manager level. Big 4 firms in major metros offer the highest salaries. All salaries must meet or exceed the DOL prevailing wage for the specific role and location. Corporate accounting roles at large companies often pay more than equivalent firm positions.