Blueprinting vs implementation

“This will not work in our type of organization”... This is an objection that I hear way too often 🤐. The tax team is fully convinced about the new way of working. But there is a shared belief that local finance will not accept it 😵. If that’s not enough, there is the concern that the transformation will only result in “more work”...

I can imagine that stakeholders want to stick to the old way of working. Who is looking forward to change in the end? But obviously, transforming the tax function is not about change for the sake of change. This is about driving value. Unlocking efficiencies. Future-proofing of the tax function in order to be prepared for upcoming change. To decrease risks by installing controls. And so much more.

Often I hear that only tax cares about controls and compliance. Why would local stakeholders be concerned? Well, first of all, compliance is a shared responsibility of the entire organization. Not only for tax. Secondly, in case of non-compliance, sh*t will come down. I can guarantee that. Other than the CFO’s spotlight on the local team that caused the incompliance, we are obviously talking about financial and reputational (let alone criminal) risks. Installing better and more controlled ways of working will benefit everybody…

Oh, and about the “more work” objection? The new way of working is supposed to replace the old way. Don’t forget that. It is never the idea to have the new way on top of the old way. Typically the new way is designed to bring efficiencies. Giving time back to the stakeholders involved.

Finally, here is the best question to raise to critical voices in your organization who block the transformation of the tax function. It is a very simple question: “what is your plan B”? Because, in the ecosystem tax is operating in, every player is digitizing and transforming. The tax authorities in the first place. At the speed of light. Yes, we can do nothing this year. But how long are you going to sustain this? The longer you wait, the more painful getting started will be…