Manager/VP, Tax - Private Wealth at StepStone Group · La Jolla…

Position Overview

We are seeking a VP or Tax Manager to join our Tax team with a primary focus on Alternative RIC (Regulated Investment Company) reporting and compliance. This is a hands-on role within a new and growing fund structure, offering an exceptional opportunity for someone who wants broad exposure to alternative fund taxation and the chance to help build something from the ground up. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this person will work alongside our Big 4 advisors and internal teams to execute across RIC compliance, international filings, partnership tax basis tracking, and tax provisions. The right candidate is organized, detail-oriented, and motivated to help drive processes forward, contributing meaningfully to how the tax function takes shape as the business grows.

Essential Job Functions:

• Support end-to-end RIC tax reporting and compliance for funds investing in private markets and alternative asset strategies, including monitoring of income tests, asset tests, and distribution requirements under Subchapter M.
• Coordinate with our Big 4 advisors across all tax engagements, reviewing work product, tracking deliverables, and ensuring deadlines are met under the direction of senior leadership.
• Assist in the preparation and review of year-end tax provisions under ASC 740, including deferred tax calculations and FIN 48 documentation, working alongside external advisors.
• Coordinate the preparation and filing of federal, state, and excise tax returns with fund accounting teams and third-party vendors, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Manage international tax filing obligations, including Forms 8865 (foreign partnerships), 5471 (foreign corporations), 926 (transfers to foreign corporations), 8621 (PFICs), and FBAR filings, coordinating with advisors and tracking submissions.
• Receive and analyze Schedule K-1s from fund investments; understand and apply the underlying tax information to fund-level tax basis tracking and compliance reporting.
• Assist outside providers with K-1 collection, data reconciliation, and tracking of new entities as the fund structure expands.
• Track and maintain partnership tax basis across fund investments, including basis adjustments, distributions, and related documentation.
• Perform and review GAAP-to-tax reconciliations; maintain accurate records of book/tax differences and supporting workpapers.
• Research RIC rules, tax law changes, and emerging guidance affecting alternative fund structures; summarize findings and help develop internal procedures and policy documentation.
• Help identify opportunities to streamline and formalize tax workflows, contributing to the development of scalable processes as the fund structure grows.
• Assist in managing IRS and state tax notices and inquiries, coordinating responses with external advisors.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Accounting, Operations, Legal, and senior leadership on tax reporting and compliance matters.
• Respond to ad hoc tax-related inquiries from investors in a timely and professional manner.
• Maintain records of W-8-BEN and W-9 forms across fund investors and entities; ensure all entities have valid EINs and required tax documentation on file.
• Assist with additional tax projects and ad hoc requests as directed by management.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Taxation; CPA or MST highly desirable.
• 8 to 12 years of progressive tax experience in asset management, mutual funds, or alternative investments.
• Solid expertise in RIC taxation and Subchapter M compliance.
• Experience with international tax filings, including Forms 8865, 5471, 926, 8621, and FBAR.
• Working knowledge of partnership taxation, including the ability to receive, interpret, and apply Schedule K-1 information within a fund tax context.
• Exposure to tax provisions under ASC 740, GAAP-to-tax reconciliations, and financial statement disclosures preferred.
• Experience working with Big 4 firms in a review or coordination capacity, including managing deliverables and deadlines.
• Big 4 public accounting background strongly preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain complex tax issues to non-tax stakeholders.
• Forward-thinking approach to AI and emerging technology as tools to enhance research, streamline workflows, and improve efficiency within the tax function.

Other Attributes:

• Process-oriented mindset with a desire to build and improve workflows in a growing environment.
• Hands-on, detail-oriented, and self-motivated, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Ability to proactively drive projects and initiatives forward.

Salary Range - $162,000 - 180,000

The salary range is an estimate of pay for this position. Actual pay may vary depending on job-related factors that can include location, education, skill, and experience. The salary range does not include any benefits or other forms of possible compensation that may be available to employees.

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