We recently held discussions with CFOs, Heads of Tax and senior tax professionals across Commerce & Industry, Financial Services and Professional Services to better understand the priorities currently shaping in-house tax functions.
While compliance remains fundamental, the role of tax continues to evolve. Increasingly, CFOs are looking to tax functions to support cost optimisation, technology transformation, governance, risk management and wider strategic decision making.
The following themes emerged consistently across our discussions.
AI, Automation & Cost Optimisation
AI and automation remain firmly at the top of the CFO agenda.
Many organisations are actively exploring how technology can streamline compliance, reporting, data management and routine tax processes. The objective is clear: improve efficiency, reduce cost and enable leaner operating models.
However, the conversation is increasingly shifting from whether AI should be adopted to how tax functions can maintain appropriate oversight, governance and technical expertise as automation becomes more embedded.
The Talent Sustainability Challenge
One of the most interesting themes emerging from our discussions is the long-term impact automation may have on talent development.
While technology can reduce manual workloads, experienced tax professionals remain critical in interpreting legislation, managing risk, challenging outputs and supporting complex decision making.
Several tax leaders highlighted concerns around how future tax leaders will develop if organisations significantly reduce junior and mid-level hiring over time.
Pillar Two & Regulatory Transformation
OECD Pillar Two continues to drive significant investment across multinational tax functions.
Businesses continue to strengthen capabilities across International Tax, Transfer Pricing, Tax Technology, Reporting and Governance as they prepare for increasingly complex compliance and reporting obligations.
Tax is also becoming more integrated into broader finance, technology and transformation programmes, creating demand for professionals who can operate effectively across multiple functions.
Trade & Customs Re-Emerges
Trade & Customs has moved materially higher up the agenda over the past twelve months.
Geopolitical uncertainty, tariffs and changing global supply chains are causing many organisations to reassess cross-border tax exposure and customs strategy.
As a result, demand for professionals with expertise across Trade, Customs, Indirect Tax and international supply chain structures continues to grow.
Tax as a Strategic Business Function
Perhaps the most significant shift is how tax is increasingly being viewed within organisations.
Many CFOs now expect Heads of Tax to contribute beyond technical compliance, providing commercial insight, supporting major transactions, influencing business decisions and helping to manage strategic risk.
Tax functions that successfully combine technical excellence with commercial capability are increasingly securing a stronger voice at board level.
Recruitment Market Commentary
Demand remains strongest for professionals who combine technical expertise with commercial awareness, leadership capability and experience operating within technology-enabled environments.
While technology will continue to reshape tax functions, our view is that experienced tax professionals will remain central to helping organisations navigate complexity, manage risk and deliver long-term value.
If you would like to discuss our findings in more detail, please feel free to get in touch.
If you would like to discuss our findings in more detail, please contact:
Graham Young | Director | 020 3826 8832 | graham.young@capitaltaxrecruitment.com