Key insight 1: Next-generation ERP—Data access for tax transparency

Tax leaders are using next-generation ERP projects as a gateway to team with finance and gain access to tax-sensitized data via revamped, standardized processes and integrated systems. It’s essential for tax leaders to understand their data requirements and existing data quality challenges, and then make their voices heard—alongside other department leaders in their organization—in the decision-making process that informs the design of new ERP systems.

Of the quarter of those surveyed where a next-gen system is up and running, nearly eight in ten (78%) played a lead role in shaping the system’s design.

Confidence levels in the benefits of ERP upgrades are high, particularly the first movers, who believe that their upgraded ERP system will enable them to enhance straight-through processing of data for tax processes, and to embed controls to solve existing data quality issues. There is also substantial confidence that such systems will help tax teams cope with evolving digital tax administration requirements.

Those companies already working in a modernized ERP system see benefits that stretch beyond compliance and reporting. For example, 60% of this group describe their ability to conduct sophisticated scenario modelling as “very strong” relating to the OECD Pillars 1 and 2 changes. This is almost three times as many as in companies that have not yet implemented a next-gen ERP.

[An upgraded ERP system] will allow us to do so much more in real time. And, in combination with a data lake, we can play around with data much more than we could before.

Gaby Bes, head of tax and customs, ASML

Key insight 2: Technology fuelling tax transformation

The survey also showed that as the tax function undergoes transformation, tax leaders are more involved in technology discussions—with finance, with IT, and even with senior management—than they are likely to have been five or 10 years ago. It’s imperative that they are not only involved but influential. This is particularly true when it comes to critical decisions being made by other budget-holders about things such as ERP modernization and enterprise data strategy.

The business increasingly understands that tax needs a place at the table when major technology decisions, such as ERP upgrades, are made.

Gaby Bes, head of tax and customs, ASML

Many who took the survey are trying to exert a more significant influence over their function’s technology destiny. Nearly half (48%) say they take a proactive and expansive approach to technology strategy, including redesigning their entire digital architecture. This represents a step change in the attitudes of tax professionals to technology transformation. Another 29% indicate they are proactive, albeit relating to specific systems and processes rather than the technology architecture as a whole.

Their efforts to exert influence appear to yield results. Almost two-thirds (63%) of the respondents indicated they have significant autonomy over tax technology strategy, although conditions to exercise influence differ in every organization. Some of the executives interviewed say their influence is limited, with finance or IT holding a tight rein. And over one-third (37%) of respondents with autonomy over strategy have only limited control of their capital expenditure (CapEx) budget.

Since tax functions typically do not hold the purse strings, it will be even more important to capitalize on major finance transformation projects, which could impact nearly every aspect of tax work. Tax must have a say in the design of new systems.

Senior leaders at many businesses understand the urgency of meeting digital tax administration and other emerging obligations.

Tax leaders should use this environment to create a compelling business case for investment in technology modernization for their departments, drawing on the momentum of the moment to overcome what may have been obstacles in the past.

We're in a fortunate position because we're in the middle of a finance transformation. Upstream finance and supply chain processes are already undergoing a significant redesign, meaning we can ensure they are designed and implemented in a way that will provide the outputs we need to feed our tax processes. Without finance transformation, that would be very difficult.

Eleanor Macdonald, tax technology and transformation lead, Anglo American

Key insight 3: Transforming for a transparent world

Survey respondents revealed there is no single path to an optimal sourcing strategy for tax. Different business models, levels of technology maturity, digital transformation strategies, and capabilities of in-house talent create numerous considerations when deciding which processes to outsource, for how long, and what conditions would dictate bringing them back in-house.

Blended operational models will be the norm for the foreseeable future. Four-fifths (80%) of the surveyed tax leaders agree their function is evolving toward a model that combines the outsourcing, in-sourcing, and co-sourcing of tax operations, with the precise contours determined by the specific process and geographic location.

I don’t have an aspiration to bring things in-house purely to gain direct ownership. It’s about obtaining the most efficient path to sustainable and cost-effective delivery.

John McSorley, head of international tax and transfer pricing, Arxada

Tax leaders must also consider how to manage digital tax administration in their operational model. Over half of those in the survey (59%) plan to outsource it to some extent. This may involve adopting a global solution or a country-by-country one. It’s worth noting, this is the only place in the survey results where there are significant regional differences within the survey group. While a majority in Europe and North America will outsource digital tax administration to some degree, most in Asia Pacific plan to manage it mainly in-house.

The global push for transparency is driving tax transformation today.

Ivo Nelissen, head of tax, DSM

About the research

This tax technology-focused research report is the final part of Deloitte’s three-part tax transformation-trends series exploring tax operations, talent-related topics, and technology.

The findings are based on a November 2021 survey of more than 300 senior tax and finance executives in a range of industries and geographies. We also drew insights from a series of interviews conducted with tax leaders at multinational companies, including Anglo American, Arxada, ASML, DSM, Enpro, ING, Macquarie, and Suncor.

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