Manager, R&D Tax Credits

Job Title

R&D Tax Credits Specialist

Above market base + bonus (flexible BOE) + company paid-for health insurance.

• Hands‑on experience writing R&D tax credit reports — the full written deliverables that go to clients and support credit claims. This includes drafting technical project narratives, documenting qualified research activities, and producing audit‑ready supporting work papers.

Accounting & Advisory firm that integrates CPA, tax advisory, wealth management, and family‑office services, working with high‑net‑worth individuals, business owners, and family businesses. As they continue to scale their tax‑planning and advisory services, they are establishing a dedicated role focused on research & development (R&D) tax credits and related incentives.

Identify, analyze, document, and claim federal (and applicable state) research & development tax credits for business‑owner clients. This is a hands‑on, client‑facing role requiring deep technical R&D credit expertise and strong writing skills. The candidate will collaborate with clients’ engineering, product development, and technical teams while working closely with Pendulum’s internal tax advisory group.

• Lead identification and qualification of R&D tax credit opportunities; review activities, projects, and documentation flows.
• Interview engineering, product development, manufacturing, or software teams to map eligible “qualified research activities” and expenses under IRC §41.
• Draft complete R&D tax credit reports: technical narratives, substantiation, activity writeups, audit‑ready work papers.
• Calculate credit amounts and partner with compliance staff to apply credits to tax returns.
• Monitor federal and state regulatory changes impacting R&D credits and advise internal teams and clients.
• Prepare and present client‑facing deliverables summarizing credit value, assumptions, methodology, and ROI.
• Support IRS or state audits related to R&D claims as needed.

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Accounting/Auditing and Finance

Accounting, Manufacturing, and Business Consulting and Services

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid maternity leave
• Paid paternity leave
• Tuition assistance
• Disability insurance

Chicago, IL