The percentage of respondents who have a tax strategy that
is consistent with their overall business strategy rose from
84 percent in 2009 to 93 percent currently. For 73 percent of
respondents, the board and/or corporate leadership are directly
involved in providing guidance on the tax strategy — a significant
increase from 2009 (51 percent). Similarly, 77 percent of
respondents report that their board has approved the tax strategy,
up from 48 percent in 2009.
Smaller companies gaining more ground
Notably, respondents from smaller companies (with annual
revenue less than USD500 million) report slightly better progress
on areas related to tax governance and operations. In comparison
to larger companies, respondents from smaller companies are
more likely to have:
• a board-approved tax strategy;
• board guidance on the strategy; and
• key performance indicators (KPI) to benchmark against each
of the named categories.
This suggests that boards and tax teams of smaller companies
can communicate more effectively and act more quickly. Their
larger counterparts can have a harder time gaining consensus and
resources needed. Given the matters at stake, it is just as or even
more important for tax departments of large companies to ensure
clarity of accountabilities.
Routine compliance tops tax department
priorities
Survey results suggest that, as in previous years, tax departments
are primarily focusing on day-to-day compliance work. Accurate
and timely tax return compliance is the most important activity
driving tax department objectives, followed closely by accurate
and timely financial reporting.
The percentage of respondents who have a tax strategy that
is consistent with their overall business strategy rose from
84 percent in 2009 to 93 percent currently. For 73 percent of
respondents, the board and/or corporate leadership are directly
involved in providing guidance on the tax strategy — a significant
increase from 2009 (51 percent). Similarly, 77 percent of
respondents report that their board has approved the tax strategy,
up from 48 percent in 2009.
Smaller companies gaining more ground
Notably, respondents from smaller companies (with annual
revenue less than USD500 million) report slightly better progress
on areas related to tax governance and operations. In comparison
to larger companies, respondents from smaller companies are
more likely to have:
• a board-approved tax strategy;
• board guidance on the strategy; and
• key performance indicators (KPI) to benchmark against each
of the named categories.
This suggests that boards and tax teams of smaller companies
can communicate more effectively and act more quickly. Their
larger counterparts can have a harder time gaining consensus and
resources needed. Given the matters at stake, it is just as or even
more important for tax departments of large companies to ensure
clarity of accountabilities.
How important is each
How important is each of the following
in driving your tax department’s overall
objectives in the next year?
5 = extremely important; 1 = not at all important
4.48
4.41
4.22
4.11
4.03
3.88
3.76
3.65
3.61
Accurate/timely tax return compliance
Accurate/timely financial reporting
Managing tax risk
Management of tax authority audits
Optimizing the effective tax rate
Cash tax savings/tax deferral
Tax process improvement and technology
utilization
Integration with business groups and early
indication of non-routine transactions
Influencing tax policy