Tax Associate - Partnership Tax Support

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

Support Graphite Financial’s US-based Tax Management team on a large, active partnership tax engagement and contribute to the broader Tax Service Line on an ongoing basis. The Tax Associate — Partnership Tax Support is a full-time, permanent member of the Graphite tax team based in India, responsible for executing partnership tax preparation, compliance support, and general tax assistance under the direction of senior US-based tax professionals.

This role begins immediately with a high-volume, time-sensitive partnership tax engagement running through September 15. From day one, you will be expected to contribute meaningfully including preparing returns, processing K-1s, maintaining workpapers, and supporting the engagement team with accuracy and professionalism. Beyond the immediate project, this is a permanent role with a long-term career path within Graphite’s growing Tax Service Line.

This role is based in India and supports US-based clients and colleagues. You will work in English, operate to US GAAP and US federal tax standards, and be held to the same quality and professionalism expectations as any Graphite team member. Immediate availability to join is a firm requirement. Candidates who require a notice period cannot be considered at this time.

WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED HERE

US Tax Knowledge: You understand US federal tax concepts — particularly as they apply to partnerships and pass-through entities. You are not learning the basics here; you are applying them every day on real client engagements.

Partnership Tax Fundamentals: You have prepared or supported the preparation of Form 1065 returns, processed K-1 packages, and worked with allocation schedules and book-to-tax adjustments. You understand what you are doing to the return, not just how to enter data.

Accuracy Under Volume and Pressure: The immediate engagement involves significant volume over a compressed timeline. Your work must be accurate even when the pace is high. Errors slow the entire team down and affect real clients.

Execution Without Constant Direction: Senior team members will assign and review your work, but they will not walk you through every step. You take clear instructions, execute accurately, and ask precise questions when something is genuinely unclear.

Professional Written Communication in English: Every email, workpaper, and deliverable you produce will be reviewed by US-based colleagues. Your written communication must be clear, professional, and accurate in English at all times.

Cross-Timezone Reliability: You support a US-based team across a significant time difference. Reliability, responsiveness within agreed windows, and proactive communication about your progress are non-negotiable.

Immediate Availability: This engagement is active now. There is no time for a transition period. Candidates must be able to join immediately and contribute from their first day.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Partnership Tax — Primary Focus

Prepare federal and state partnership tax returns (Form 1065) and supporting schedules under the review and direction of the US-based Tax Manager or Senior Tax Manager

Calculate and document basic 704(b) capital account maintenance and book-tax differences under senior supervision

Respond to review notes from the Tax Manager promptly and completely, resolving open items without requiring repeated follow-up

General Tax Support — Secondary

Support the broader Tax Service Line with federal and state income tax compliance for C-corporations and multi-entity structures as assigned

Assist in the preparation of tax planning support, technical research summaries, and client communication support materials under senior direction

Help maintain tax calendars, filing trackers, and deadline management tools across the engagement portfolio

Support data gathering, organizer preparation, and return assembly tasks across a variety of client entity types

Workpaper & Documentation

Maintain complete, organized workpaper files for all assigned returns, structured to a standard that supports efficient review and filing by US-based senior staff

Flag technical questions, data gaps, or issues that could affect return accuracy to the Tax Manager immediately and with clear context — do not hold problems

Contribute to process documentation and template maintenance as the Tax Service Line grows and scales

QUALIFICATIONS

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

2–5 years of tax experience with direct, hands-on exposure to US federal tax compliance; experience in a US-facing outsourced tax or shared services environment is strongly preferred

Demonstrated experience with partnership tax compliance; Form 1065 preparation, K-1 processing, and basic allocation schedules are required;

Working knowledge of US GAAP and US federal tax concepts applicable to pass-through entities and corporations

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

Strong written English communication skills

Demonstrated ability