Director, Research and Development

Why Ryan?

• Competitive Compensation and Benefits

• Home Office Stipend

• Business Connectivity Reimbursement (Phone/Internet)

• Gym Membership or Equipment Reimbursement

• LinkedIn Learning Subscription

• Flexible Work Environment

• Tuition Reimbursement After One Year of Service

• Accelerated Career Path

• Award-Winning Culture & Community Outreach

The Federal Income Tax, Research and Experimentation (“R&E”) Tax Credit (“Director”) is responsible for assisting clients in identifying and claiming R&E [commonly known as Research and Development (R&D)] tax credits and defending those credits when necessary in the context of an audit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and/or state tax authorities. This role includes supervising tasks such as on-site field work, credit calculation and deliverable development, as well as researching tax law and relevant court cases. This role has direct supervisory responsibilities.

Duties and responsibilities, as they align to Ryan’s Key Results

People:

• Actively participates in business development activities – directing the staff in completing feasibility studies, and developing proposals, presentations and planning strategies. 
• Oversee the construction of tax technical and study related training materials for the practice.  Train and supervise subordinates and check work for accuracy and completeness.
• Lead and monitor hiring and termination efforts for the team of all Manager and below level direct reports.  Act as direct liaison between the team and Human Resources to effectuate all internal team employment matters (including, but not limited to, overseeing performance review and raise process, monitoring approved absences, etc.).
• Set, communicate and monitor team performance goals and motivate team to meet or exceed the same.

Client:

• Act as direct client contact with C-Suite level individuals and work to maintain and foster good client relationships.
• Prepare for, attend and participate in Client Prospect meetings/phone calls designed to explain the R&D Tax Credit services and achieve client engagement
• Draft Engagement Letters, extensions and other client contracts for the provision of R&D tax credit services.
• Oversee the invoicing of clients for work performed by the group and allocation of internal bonus related compensation and works with Accounts Receivables team to monitor and follow-up on receipts of payment.
• Performs the following specific study related duties.
• Develop project work plans and scheduling associated project deliverables
• Performing or supervising field work, including touring client facilities, conducting interviews of client technical personnel, investigating relevant facts, gathering and analyzing large volumes of accounting cost data for qualification under Section 174 and Section 41, creating or reviewing large complex calculation databases using Microsoft® Excel and/or Microsoft® Access, and drafting or reviewing detailed project interview reports.
• Responding to client requests and corresponding with clients to meet deliverable deadlines.
• Participating in meetings with client tax department personnel.
• Preparing and reviewing R&E credit calculations and R&E deliverables.

Value:

• Perform tax technical research of relevant tax law and court cases for federal and state research credit claims.  Oversee the creation and provision of thought leadership activities (i.e., scholarly publication and speaking engagements related to the R&D Tax Credit).
• Oversee the forecasting of yearly team revenue, team census and other practice planning activities at the direction, and with the assistance of, the group’s Practice Leaders.
• Coordinate with Engagement Principals for the prosecution of all study related duties necessary to complete an R&D Credit Study Engagement

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting and/or Finance, and/or Engineering or Science, and/or Juris Doctorate. 
• Must be, or achieve, Enrolled Agent status on date of hire/promotion or within 6 weeks of ascendancy to position.
• Minimum 10 years of R&E/ R&D tax credit experience required.
• Minimum 10 years of tax professional services experience.
• Prior supervisory experience required.

Professional Skills:

• Excellent organization and time management skills with the ability to direct and teach others the same.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft® Excel, Microsoft® Word, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Internet navigation and research.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly supervises employees in the Practice and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Firms’ policies and applicable laws.

Work Environment:

• Standard indoor working environment.
• Occasional long periods of sitting while working at computer.
• Occasional long periods of standing while attending college recruiting programs.
• Position requires regular interaction with employees at all levels of the Firm and interface with external clients, vendors, and candidates at all levels.
• Travel up to 25%.