Incentives Tax Manager (R&D Focus)
Exactera · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $120,000 / year
- United States
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Job highlights
- Lead R&D tax credit engagements end-to-end.
- Manage client portfolios and leverage technology platform.
- Support various complementary tax incentive engagements.
- Mentor and supervise junior team members.
- Utilize AI and cloud-based tax solutions.
About the role
Role Overview
As an Incentives Tax Manager on our Professional Services team, you will lead R&D tax credit engagements end-to-end—overseeing a portfolio of clients, leveraging our technology platform built for R&D Tax Credit documentation, and delivering high-quality, audit-ready technical support. In addition to your core Section 41 R&D focus, you’ll also support and/or lead complementary incentive engagements where client needs overlap—179D, 45L, IC-DISC, Section 174 capitalization/amortization, and cost segregation / fixed asset depreciation—helping clients maximize total tax benefit while keeping documentation consistent, defensible, and scalable.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities (Primary Emphasis: R&D)
- Manage federal and state R&D tax credit claims, working closely with the Practice Leader and cross-functional teams.
- Lead and participate in client interviews to identify qualifying activities and expenses.
- Own project execution: status updates, timelines, technical issue-spotting, and deliverable management.
- Collect, format, and analyze large datasets to build complex calculation models and support credit positions.
- Draft and/or review technical memoranda (opinion letters, IRS responses, ruling requests) and support audit readiness.
- Mentor, train, and supervise junior team members; ensure consistent quality and best practices.
Additional Incentives / Depreciation Responsibilities
- Lead/support 179D deduction studies and 45L credit engagements (eligibility, substantiation, and client-ready deliverables).
- Support IC-DISC feasibility, implementation, and annual calculation/compliance deliverables.
- Assist clients with Section 174 capitalization/amortization modeling and documentation support.
- Manage/coordinate cost segregation and fixed asset/depreciation reviews (placed-in-service, class lives, methods, bonus depreciation considerations, and reconciliation support).
What You Need to Succeed
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Engineering, or related field; CPA or JD is a plus
- 4+ years of hands-on R&D Tax Credit experience with client interaction and engagement management (audit experience is a plus)
- Strong analytical, research, organizational, and project-management skills; comfort managing multiple projects in a deadline-driven environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate technical concepts for client stakeholders
- Demonstrated people leadership: training, supervising, and reviewing work for quality
- Bonus: practical experience with 179D, 45L, IC-DISC, 174 amortization, and/or cost segregation / fixed assets & depreciation
What We Offer (The following only applies to US-based positions)
- A collaborative team culture with opportunities for career development.
- Ample opportunities to be recognized, build valuable skills, and grow your career.
- Generous vacation policy, including paid parental leave.
- Comprehensive health plans with FSA and HSA options.
- 401(k) retirement plan.
- Life and disability insurance coverage.
- Supplemental benefits like a dependent care savings plan, pet insurance, will preparation, and an employee assistance program.
About Us
At Exactera, a FinTech SaaS start-up founded in 2016, we stand at the intersection of human and machine intelligence. Our corporate tax solutions are powered by AI and cloud-based technologies, serving customers worldwide. With over $100 million in funding from Savant Venture Fund and Insight Partners, we are poised for growth. We are committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all.
Key skills/competency
- R&D Tax Credits
- Tax Manager
- Client Engagement
- Project Management
- Data Analysis
- Technical Writing
- Team Leadership
- CPA
- JD
- 179D Deduction
Skills & topics
- Incentives Tax Manager
- R&D Tax Credits
- Tax Manager
- Tax Incentives
- CPA
- JD
- Section 41
- Section 179D
- Section 45L
- Section 174
- Cost Segregation
- Fixed Assets
- Depreciation
- Taxation
- Accounting
- Finance
- Engineering
- Client Management
- Project Management
- Team Leadership
- Audit Readiness
- FinTech
- SaaS
- AI
- US-based
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight R&D tax credit experience, client management, and leadership skills relevant to the Incentives Tax Manager role.
- Showcase technical skills: Emphasize expertise in Sections 41, 179D, 45L, 174, and cost segregation in your application.
- Demonstrate leadership: Provide examples of mentoring, training, and supervising junior team members in your cover letter.
- Research Exactera: Understand their FinTech SaaS model, AI focus, and commitment to diversity to align your application with company values.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss complex R&D tax credit scenarios and your project execution approach.
Technical preparation
Master Section 41 R&D tax credit rules.,Understand 179D, 45L, 174, and cost segregation.,Practice analyzing large datasets for tax calculations.,Develop technical writing for tax memorandums.
Behavioral questions
Describe managing multiple client projects.,How do you mentor junior tax professionals?,Explain translating complex tax concepts.,How do you ensure audit-ready documentation?
Frequently asked questions
- What specific R&D tax credit experience is most valued for the Incentives Tax Manager role at Exactera?
- Exactera's Incentives Tax Manager role specifically emphasizes a strong understanding of Section 41 R&D tax credits, including managing federal and state claims, client interviews, data analysis, and preparing technical documentation. Experience with complementary incentives like 179D, 45L, 174, and cost segregation is also highly beneficial.
- How does Exactera's technology platform assist with R&D tax credit documentation for this role?
- The Incentives Tax Manager will leverage Exactera's proprietary technology platform, built specifically for R&D Tax Credit documentation. This platform is designed to help manage data, build calculation models, and ensure that client documentation is consistent, defensible, and scalable, supporting audit readiness.
- What are the leadership expectations for the Incentives Tax Manager at Exactera?
- The Incentives Tax Manager is expected to demonstrate people leadership by mentoring, training, and supervising junior team members. Ensuring consistent quality and adherence to best practices across the team is a key leadership responsibility.
- What career development opportunities are available at Exactera for an Incentives Tax Manager?
- Exactera offers ample opportunities for career development within a collaborative team culture. Employees can expect to build valuable skills, receive recognition for their contributions, and grow their careers within the company, particularly within their AI-powered FinTech SaaS environment.
- What is the typical interview process for an Incentives Tax Manager position at Exactera?
- While specific details may vary, interviews for the Incentives Tax Manager role at Exactera likely involve discussions about your R&D tax credit expertise, client management experience, project execution approach, and leadership capabilities. Be prepared to translate technical concepts and discuss your experience with various tax incentives.
- Does Exactera offer support for professional development or certifications like CPA or JD for the Incentives Tax Manager?
- While a CPA or JD is listed as a plus rather than a requirement, Exactera's commitment to career development suggests they value professional growth. It's advisable to inquire during the interview process about any specific support for maintaining or obtaining such certifications.
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