Tax Manager

Graphite Financial is a growing boutique finance, accounting, tax, and strategy firm (www.graphitefinancial.com) built to help startup and high-growth companies scale efficiently and sustainably. Graphite Financial is redefining the “finance department” for early-stage companies and VC-backed startups. We deliver high-caliber accounting and finance leadership and support to entrepreneurs and management teams building scalable, high-growth companies. Our clients are actively managing cash burn, measuring performance, reporting to investors, making capital allocation decisions, and preparing for fundraising. All of that takes expertise and time that founders don’t have and can’t afford to hire for. Graphite bridges the gap with flexible, fixed-fee support packages that provide fractional leadership and operational support from CFOs, Controllers, FP&A Managers, and Tax leaders.

ROLE PURPOSE

This role is open for immediate hire and start date due to an incoming, large-scale client engagement that requires a highly capable tax professional ready to contribute from day one. The right candidate is not looking for a ramp — they are ready to lead. The project runs through September 15 and will require significant time commitment through that date. Beyond the project, this is a full-time role with a growing firm and a long-term career path.

Serve as a Tax Manager and project leader within Graphite Financial’s Tax Service Line, owning the delivery of complex tax engagements for a portfolio of startup, growth-stage, and VC-backed clients. The Tax Manager brings significant experience in partnership taxation  in partnership taxation, the organizational discipline to manage large, multi-workstream projects, and the professional presence to serve as a trusted advisor to founders and management teams.

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE

This is a fully remote, client-facing role in a professional services firm. You will manage complex tax engagements, lead project teams, and communicate directly with clients who are making real financial decisions based on your guidance. The following qualities define what it means to perform at a high level in this role.

• Partnership Tax Expertise: You have spent meaningful time inside the complexity of partnership taxation — allocations, K-1 preparation, basis tracking, 704(b) and 704(c) issues. This is not a learning opportunity for partnership tax; it is a requirement.
• Large Project Management: You have led or co-led tax engagements that involved significant scope, multiple workstreams, and tight deadlines. You know how to organize the work, manage a team against a timeline, and keep a large engagement on track without losing quality.
• Capacity and Availability: This role requires a large span of availability through September 15. Candidates must be honest with themselves about their ability to commit to 600+ hours over this period. This is non-negotiable for the immediate engagement.
• Client Relationship Ownership: Your communication, judgment, and professionalism determine whether clients trust us with their most sensitive financial matters.
• Proactive Communication: You communicate early, clearly, and professionally — with clients, with leadership, and with your team.
• Technical Precision Under Pressure: You maintain your technical standards when the volume is high and the calendar is tight.
• Immediate Availability: We are looking for candidates who can start now. If you require a lengthy transition, this is not the right opportunity at this time.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Partnership Tax — Primary Focus

• Own and manage partnership tax engagements from initiation through filing.
• Prepare, review, and sign partnership returns (Form 1065) and associated K-1 packages with accuracy and attention to client-specific allocation requirements
• Apply 704(b) and 704(c) allocation rules, including special allocations, capital account maintenance, and book-tax difference tracking
• Manage partner basis calculations, at-risk rules, and passive activity considerations across complex ownership structures
• Advise clients on partnership agreement tax provisions, including carried interest, preferred return structures, and waterfall economics
• Support clients through transactions involving partnership interests, including contributions, distributions, redemptions, and liquidations

Large Project Management

• Lead and coordinate the immediate large-scale tax engagement from day one, including scoping, workstream organization, team assignment, and timeline management through September 15
• Manage multiple concurrent tax workstreams across client engagements simultaneously, maintaining quality and timeliness across all
• Establish and enforce project milestones, identify risks early, and communicate status clearly to leadership and clients
• Direct the work of Associates and Senior Associates on the engagement; review deliverables before client delivery and provide clear, actionable feedback

Client Advisory & Delivery

• Serve as the primary tax advisor for assigned clients, owning the relationship and the quality of every deliverable
• Prepare and deliver tax planning memos, technical analyses, and advisory communications on complex issues relevant to startups and growth-stage companies
• Advise clients on entity structure, tax efficiency, and planning opportunities as their businesses evolve through fundraising, growth, and potential liquidity events
• Coordinate with Graphite’s Accounting and Finance service lines to ensure integrated, consistent client service

Technical Tax Coverage

• Manage federal and state income tax compliance for pass-through entities, C-corporations, and multi-entity structures
• Stay current on tax law developments affecting startups, venture-backed companies, and pass-through taxation, and proactively communicate relevant changes to clients
• Support clients through R&D tax credit analysis, Section 83(b) elections, QSBS planning, and other early-stage company tax matters

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; 
• 6–10+ years of tax experience with significant focus on partnership taxation; public accounting background (Manager or Senior Manager level) strongly preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in Form 1065 preparation and review, K-1 packages, 704(b)/(c) allocations, basis tracking, and complex partnership structures
• Proven experience managing large, multi-workstream tax projects with tight deadlines and multiple stakeholders
• Experience advising VC-backed, early-stage, and growth-stage companies on tax planning, entity structure, and compliance
• Familiarity with startup-specific tax matters 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to explain complex tax positions clearly to non-tax audiences
• Immediate availability to start and commitment to the project timeline through September 15 are firm requirements
• Experience working in a remote, multi-client professional services environment is strongly preferred

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Please consider the following before submitting your application. These are firm requirements, not preferences:

• Do you have direct, hands-on partnership tax experience — including Form 1065 preparation, K-1s, and 704(b)/(c) allocations?
• Are you available to start immediately?
• Can you commit to the upcoming project’s significant time demand through September 15, including approximately 600+ hours over the project period?
• Are you currently located and authorized to work in the United States?

Comprehensive Benefits & Perks:

• Health & Wellness: Competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage. 100% of the employee's health insurance premium is covered by the company.
• Financial Security: Company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance.
• Work/Life Balance To Include: Generous Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO), 11 Paid Company Holidays, and comprehensive Paid Parental Leave.
• Remote Work Setup: Fully remote position with company-provided technology equipment and a $250 technology stipend to support your ideal home office setup.
• 401k: With a company match