Our client is a rapidly growing national tax advisory firm that partners with public accounting firms and directly with innovative companies across the Life Sciences, Technology, Manufacturing, and Industrial sectors. As demand for Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit services continues to expand, we are seeking an experienced Director of R&D Tax to lead client engagements, provide technical expertise, mentor staff, and help grow one of the firm's fastest-growing practice areas. This is a fully remote leadership opportunity offering significant client interaction, technical complexity, and the ability to work with some of the country's most innovative organizations.
Position Overview
The Director of R&D Tax will serve as a trusted advisor to clients and referral partners, leading complex R&D tax credit studies from initial assessment through final deliverables. This individual will work closely with executives, engineering teams, finance leaders, and tax professionals to identify qualifying research activities and maximize available federal and state tax incentives. The ideal candidate possesses deep technical knowledge of IRC Section 41, extensive experience conducting R&D tax credit studies, exceptional client relationship skills, and a passion for helping innovative companies realize valuable tax savings.
Key Responsibilities
Client Leadership
- Lead complex federal and state R&D tax credit engagements from planning through completion.
- Serve as the primary client advisor for middle-market and large enterprise organizations.
- Develop trusted relationships with CFOs, Controllers, Tax Directors, Engineering leaders, and business owners.
- Present technical findings and recommendations to executive leadership teams.
Technical Expertise
- Perform and oversee federal and state Research & Development Tax Credit studies.
- Analyze qualified research activities under IRC Section 41 and related Treasury Regulations.
- Prepare and review technical memorandums, audit-ready documentation, and supporting calculations.
- Interpret evolving tax legislation and advise clients on planning opportunities.
- Assist clients with IRS and state audit support related to R&D tax credit claims.
Industry Focus
Partner with organizations across a variety of industries, including:
- Life Sciences & Biotechnology
- Pharmaceutical
- Medical Device
- Technology & Software Development
- Artificial Intelligence
- Manufacturing
- Engineering
- Industrial Products
- Aerospace & Defense
Accounting Firm Partnerships
- Collaborate with regional and national CPA firms as a trusted R&D tax specialist.
- Support referral partners by providing technical expertise and client presentations.
- Build long-term relationships that generate ongoing business opportunities.
- Assist accounting firms in expanding the value they deliver to their clients.
Practice Leadership
- Mentor and develop Managers, Senior Consultants, and Associates.
- Review engagement work for technical accuracy and quality.
- Help establish best practices, standardized methodologies, and process improvements.
- Contribute to strategic initiatives that support continued growth of the R&D Tax practice.
Business Development
- Support new client development through networking, referrals, and strategic partnerships.
- Participate in webinars, conferences, and industry events.
- Identify additional consulting opportunities within existing client relationships.
- Assist with proposal development and client presentations.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Engineering, or a related discipline.
- CPA preferred; MST, JD, or advanced tax degree is a plus.
- 8+ years of progressive experience in R&D Tax Credit consulting.
- Prior experience within a Big 4, national CPA firm, regional public accounting firm, or specialized tax advisory practice.
- Deep knowledge of IRC Section 41, ASC 730, and federal and state R&D tax credit regulations.
- Experience managing complex R&D tax credit studies from start to finish.
- Strong understanding of technical documentation requirements and audit defense.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain executive-level client relationships.
- Experience leading teams and mentoring junior professionals.
Preferred Experience
Candidates with experience serving clients within one or more of the following industries are highly preferred:
- Biotechnology
- Life Sciences
- Technology & SaaS
- Software Development
- Manufacturing
- Engineering
- Medical Devices
- Pharmaceuticals
Experience partnering with public accounting firms and serving as an outsourced R&D tax specialist is highly desirable.
Why Join?
- Fully remote position with excellent work-life balance.
- Opportunity to work with innovative companies at the forefront of technology and scientific advancement.
- National client base across multiple high-growth industries.
- High visibility within a growing advisory practice.
- Leadership role with significant influence on practice growth and strategy.
- Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture with opportunities for advancement.
- Competitive base salary, performance bonus, and comprehensive benefits package.
If you're passionate about innovation, tax strategy, and helping businesses maximize valuable R&D incentives, we'd love to hear from you.