Incentives Tax Senior Associate (R&D-Focused)

📋 Description

• • **What the role is and why it matters:** The Incentives Tax Senior Associate (R&D-Focused) plays a critical role in helping Exactera’s clients maximize their tax incentives, particularly in the realm of Research & Development (R&D) tax credits. This position is vital for ensuring that clients receive accurate, defensible, and audit-ready tax credit claims, which can significantly impact their financial health. By leveraging Exactera’s purpose-built documentation platform, this role bridges the gap between complex tax regulations and practical client solutions, ensuring compliance while optimizing financial outcomes.
• • **What the person will do day to day:**
• • **Execute R&D Tax Credit Engagements:** Under the supervision of an Incentives Manager or Senior Manager, you will own end-to-end workstreams for federal and state R&D tax credit claims. This includes conducting client interviews to identify qualifying activities and expenses, documenting the four-part test (permitted purpose, technological in nature, elimination of uncertainty, and process of experimentation), and ensuring all work aligns with IRS guidelines.
• • **Build and Analyze QRE Models:** You will collect, format, and analyze large datasets to construct §41 calculation models, including Regular Credit, Alternative Simplified Credit (ASC), and §280C calculations. This involves interpreting tax codes, applying them to client-specific data, and ensuring the models are accurate and defensible in the event of an audit.
• • **Draft Technical Documentation:** You will prepare technical writeups, IRS Information Document Request (IDR) response components, and supporting memoranda for Manager review. This requires translating complex tax concepts into clear, concise, and client-friendly language while maintaining strict adherence to regulatory standards.
• • **Maintain Workpaper Hygiene and Audit Trail:** You will ensure that all documentation is complete, organized, and audit-ready. This includes maintaining a clear audit trail, documenting platform usage, and adhering to Exactera’s documentation standards to support the defensibility of client claims.
• • **Support Adjacent Incentive Workstreams:** Beyond R&D tax credits, you will assist with other incentive programs such as 179D deductions (energy-efficient commercial buildings), 45L credits (energy-efficient residential properties), IC-DISC (Interest Charge Domestic International Sales Corporation), §174 capitalization/amortization, and cost segregation/fixed asset depreciation studies. This requires versatility and a willingness to expand your expertise across multiple tax incentive domains.
• • **Mentor Junior Team Members:** You will guide Associates and Interns on platform usage, R&D documentation standards, and best practices for client interactions. This mentorship role is key to fostering a collaborative and knowledge-sharing team culture.
• • **About the team or company:**
• • Exactera is a FinTech SaaS startup founded in 2016, specializing in corporate tax solutions powered by AI and cloud-based technologies. The company operates at the intersection of human expertise and machine intelligence, serving clients worldwide with innovative tools designed to simplify and optimize tax incentive processes. With over $100 million in funding from Savant Venture Fund and Insight Partners, Exactera is well-positioned for growth and innovation in the tax technology space.
• • The Professional Services team is a collaborative and dynamic group that values precision, analytical rigor, and client-centric solutions. Team members are encouraged to grow their careers through recognition, skill-building opportunities, and exposure to a variety of tax incentive programs. Exactera is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities, fostering an environment where all employees can thrive.
• • **What the person can learn or achieve in this role:**
• • **Deep Expertise in Tax Incentives:** You will develop specialized knowledge in R&D tax credits and adjacent incentive programs, becoming a subject matter expert in a niche but highly valuable area of tax law. This expertise can open doors to advanced roles in tax consulting, compliance, or even policy advocacy.
• • **Career Growth in FinTech:** Working at a growing FinTech startup like Exactera provides exposure to cutting-edge technology, AI-driven solutions, and scalable business models. This experience can accelerate your career in tax technology, financial services, or SaaS industries, with opportunities to move into leadership or specialized technical roles.
• • **Client-Facing and Project Management Skills:** This role offers hands-on experience in managing client relationships, conducting interviews, and leading projects from start to finish. These skills are transferable to a wide range of careers in consulting, finance, or operations, where stakeholder management and project execution are critical.
• • **Professional Development:** Exactera offers ample opportunities for recognition, skill-building, and career advancement. Whether through formal training, mentorship, or on-the-job learning, you will have the chance to expand your technical and soft skills in a supportive environment.