Associate Tax Contractor

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.

ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW

Graphite Financial is seeking an experienced independent tax contractor to deliver partnership tax work product on a large, active client engagement running through September 15. This is a project-based independent contractor engagement, not an employment relationship. The contractor will be responsible for delivering defined tax work product — accurately, completely, and by agreed deadlines — using their own professional judgment and expertise.

The engagement requires genuine partnership tax experience. Contractors must be capable of delivering quality work product with minimal instruction on technical matters. This project demands expertise, not a learning opportunity.

 Contractors who deliver strong work product throughout the engagement may be considered for a full-time employment offer with Graphite Financial’s Tax Service Line at the conclusion of the project.

ENGAGEMENT TERMS

•      Engagement type: Independent contractor — 1099

•      Duration: Immediate start through September 15

•      Estimated scope: 600+ hours over the engagement period

•      Work location: Contractor’s own location — fully remote

•      Schedule: Contractor sets their own schedule; deliverables are due by agreed dates

•      Rate: Commensurate with experience — competitive with current market rates for contract partnership tax professionals

ENGAGEMENT DELIVERABLES

The contractor is responsible for delivering the following work product to agreed quality standards and deadlines.

Partnership Tax Returns & Compliance

•      Completed federal and state partnership tax returns (Form 1065) and supporting schedules, prepared to a standard suitable for senior review and filing

•      Accurate, reconciled K-1 packages reflecting correct partner allocations consistent with partnership agreement terms

•      Book-to-tax adjustment workpapers, trial balance reconciliations, and organized, labeled workpaper files ready for review

•      Basic 704(b) capital account maintenance schedules and book-tax difference documentation

•      State and local partnership filings, composite returns, and withholding calculations as scoped

Workpaper & Documentation Deliverables

•      Complete, organized workpaper files for each return, structured to a standard that supports efficient review and filing

•      Written responses to any review questions, resolved completely and returned by agreed turnaround

•      Clear written documentation of any technical issues, data gaps, or open items identified during preparation, submitted promptly upon discovery

Research & Technical Support (As Scoped)

•      Written tax research summaries on specific issues, as requested and scoped, delivered by agreed deadlines

•      Supporting analysis and documentation for technical positions taken on returns, where applicable

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

 This engagement requires a contractor who can deliver professional-quality partnership tax work product independently. The following qualifications are required:

•      Partnership Tax Experience: You have prepared Form 1065 returns, processed K-1 packages, and worked with allocation schedules. You understand the technical substance of what you are preparing.

•      Deliverable Accountability: You own your deadlines. Work product is delivered accurately and on time. If a deadline is at risk, you communicate that early — not after the fact.

•      Technical Self-Sufficiency: You resolve technical questions through your own research and expertise. You do not require step-by-step direction on standard partnership tax compliance work.

•      Accuracy at Volume: This engagement involves significant volume over a compressed timeline. Your work product must be accurate even when the pace is high.

•      Professional Communication: You communicate clearly and professionally in writing. You provide timely updates on deliverable status and surface issues promptly and specifically.

•      Immediate Availability: The engagement has already begun. Contractors must be available to deliver their first work product without delay.

QUALIFICATIONS

•      Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required

•      CPA or active CPA candidacy strongly preferred

•      1–4 years of tax experience with direct, hands-on partnership tax compliance experience — Form 1065 preparation and K-1 processing are required; candidates without this experience will not be considered

•      Proficiency in at least one professional tax software platform (CCH Axcess, UltraTax, Lacerte, or similar)

•      Demonstrated ability to deliver accurate, complete tax work product on deadline

•      Strong written communication skills in English

•      Currently authorized to work in the United States as an independent contractor

•      Immediately available to begin the engagement

MEASURES OF ENGAGEMENT SUCCESS

This is an outcomes-based engagement. Success is defined by the quality and timeliness of delivered work product, not by hours logged or methods used.

•      Partnership tax returns and workpapers are delivered accurately, completely, and by agreed deadlines

•      K-1 packages and allocation schedules are technically sound and require minimal revision upon review

•      Open items and technical issues are identified and communicated promptly — not discovered late in the review process

•      Workpaper files are organized, labeled, and structured to a standard that supports efficient review and filing

•      The overall quality of work product delivered throughout the engagement supports a full-time employment conversation at project close

BEFORE YOU APPLY

 These are firm requirements. Please review them honestly before submitting your application:

•      Do you have direct experience preparing partnership tax returns, including Form 1065 and K-1 packages?

•      Are you available to begin delivering work product immediately?

•      Can you commit to delivering approximately 600+ hours of work product through September 15?

•      Are you currently authorized to work in the United States as an independent contractor?