Research Economist ID-13702

May 2, 2025

Position Summary

The Research Economist will play a key role in conducting economic analysis, developing models, and supporting policy research related to affordable housing, community development, historic preservation and clean energy tax incentives. This role will assist with billable engagements, analyze federal and state data, and publish research findings to inform policy decisions. Additionally, the Research Economist will support working groups, monitor industry trends, and respond to economic articles, reports and policy briefs addressing Novogradac’s practice areas. With strong analytical and research expertise, this position will translate complex data into actionable insights.

Other Jobs You May Be Interested In

Your Contributions and Responsibilities

Support billable engagements by performing economic analysis and research tasks.
Provide support for working groups by responding to requests for assistance from lead working group partners and preparing materials as needed.
Lead the monthly ACTION Data and Research Subcommittee meetings as the Novogradac representative, including preparing agendas, analyzing key housing research and other related tasks.
Analyze key data from relevant federal agencies that affect the tax incentives for the firm’s practice areas and publish research articles and papers in relevant publications supporting those areas.
Review and publish responses to economic reports, papers, think tank policy briefs and other similar academic analyses criticizing or commenting on affordable housing, community development, and renewable/clean energy tax initiatives.
Develop and maintain models to estimate unit financing of housing tax legislation, how much private investment would be incentivized by community development tax legislation, and other related economic analyses of tax legislation involving the firm’s practice areas.
Develop and maintain housing, community development, historic preservation and clean energy data, including exploring the possibility of setting up a paywalled data access portal for clients.
Attend, both in person and online, hearings, policy and research events, listen to webinars, keep abreast of various relevant data releases, and report findings back to the department, working groups, lead partners and other interested parties in the firm.

Your Background and Skills

Strong understanding of the economic underpinnings of placed-based public-private partnerships and the tax incentives associated with affordable housing, community development, historic preservation and renewable/clean energy
Excellent writing and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to be published in relevant academic or policy-related publications, especially in one or more of the firm’s practice areas of affordable housing, community development, historic preservation and renewable/clean energy.
Ability to influence policymakers and advocate effectively for firm and industry policy priorities.
Strong quantitative, analytical, interpretive, and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated commitment to research excellence and integrity.
Ability to deliver persuasive and articulate presentations to diverse audiences.
Capacity to work independently and meet deadlines and effectively manage a variety of tasks and firm priorities.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced skills in Excel and PowerPoint for data analysis and presentation development.

Your Qualifications

Ph.D. in economics, public policy, law or related field plus 1-3 years of work experience in one or more of the firm’s practice areas of affordable housing, community development, historic preservation and renewable/clean energy. We may consider an exception to a Ph.D. with an advanced degree in economics, public policy, law or related field and 4-6 years of experience in one or more of the firm’s practice areas.

Experience with any of the following is helpful but not mandatory: Affordable Housing, Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Opportunity Zones (OZ), Renewable Energy Tax Credits (RETC), Historical Tax Credits (HTC), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), Real Estate, Developers, Partnerships, Housing Authority (HA), Public Housing Authority, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), Community Development Entity Certification Applications (CDE), Property Compliance, Nonprofit, Single Audit, Uniform Guidance, A-133, Forecasting, Cost Segregation, Year 15 Exit, Tax-exempt bond and HOME programs.

Why work with us?

Our firm is committed to providing our people with opportunities to excel professionally. We believe in the importance of a welcoming work culture and quality work-life integration to support our staff as we grow together.

We’re leading the way to a better future of work culture.

Increased number of paid holidays per year
Competitive salaries with continuous review of market conditions
Flexible working hours and work arrangements
Remote and hybrid opportunities
Expanding Social Impact department for a healthy, happy, inclusive and productive workplace

The benefits of joining our team

Strong growth opportunities
Competitive benefits package
401(k) package with firm profit-sharing
Discretionary annual bonuses for eligible positions & CPA bonus plan
Strong emphasis on quality work-life integration
Dress for your day policy
Resources of a national firm
Compensation: $76,000–$102,000 depending on experience. More is possible if experience dictates.

Get to know us better!

Hello! We’re Novogradac & Company LLP, a national certified public accounting and consulting firm headquartered in San Francisco. Founded in 1989, the allied group of Novogradac companies has grown to more than 800 employees and partners with more than 25 offices throughout the country.

Novogradac & Company LLP is one of the nation’s top 40 certified public accounting and consulting firms and is a recognized leader in real estate and community development. Novogradac provides publicly and privately held national enterprises with a full spectrum of audit, tax, valuation, expert witness and litigation support, property compliance and general consulting services and works extensively in the affordable housing, community development, historic preservation and renewable energy fields.

Back to blog

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...