Andy Hung, Director of Product Management APAC at Wolters Kluwer, echoed this concern, noting the difficulty of knowledge transfer when employees depart, leaving behind complex spreadsheets. “The manual nature of reconciliation in Excel makes it hard to adapt to the higher demands now placed on the tax function. Furthermore, tax functions nowadays need to view their data in multiple dimensions vs Excel which is tabular and is not a database. This reinforces the need for a shift to more flexible, integrated and collaborative systems.”
The push for automation and integration
The push for automation in tax processes is driven not just by regulatory pressures but also by the need for operational efficiency. Chris underscored that the solution lies in integrating best-of-breed software to consolidate and manage data more effectively. “It’s about solving recurring pain points,” he explained. “Systems need to support tax professionals in their day-to-day roles while simplifying data extraction and flow management and integrating systems to provide an end-to-end audit trail of data from source to output.”
This is where the integration of OneTeam's secure data management platform with CCH Integrator comes into play. By combining the strengths of both platforms, tax functions can move beyond manual processes and fragmented data sources. OneTeam’s collaborative capabilities, such as centralised data sharing, automated workflows, and task management, paired with CCH Integrator’s robust tax reporting and compliance functionalities, provide a unified solution. This integration allows for easier access to real-time data and enhances the ability to meet stringent reporting timelines.
Building the business case for tax transformation
One of the recurring themes during the panel was the challenge of change management in implementing new technologies. Noting that change management can be hard, and businesses often struggle to buy time for transformation. Chris stresses the importance of making the change manageable and ensuring that people do not revert to old habits. "Take them on the journey to manage change," he advised, urging organisations to “focus on reducing resistance and building internal champions for these initiatives.”
The partnership between OneTeam and CCH Integrator also supports this change management process. By offering an integrated platform that addresses tax professionals' everyday challenges, it becomes easier to demonstrate the value of technology to the broader organisation. The goal, as Chris put it, is to "reduce people’s time spent on manual tasks, freeing them up for value-add activities."
The future: AI and data sensitivity
As organisations increasingly look to AI for efficiency gains, Chris pointed out that the foundation for leveraging AI starts with having centralised, clean data. “To leverage AI, you need to ensure data and systems are ready first. That means data is centralised, complete and accurate,” he said, noting that AI can assist in high-volume work, but only if the underlying data infrastructure is robust and reliable.
The integration of OneTeam with CCH Integrator helps create this foundation by improving data management and ensuring that tax-sensitive data flows seamlessly through various systems, with an audit trail created as data moves through the system. This alignment prepares organisations to eventually adopt AI-driven tools for predictive analytics and further automation.
A roadmap for continuous improvement
Tax transformation is not a one-and-done project. Both Chris and Andy emphasised the need for continuous improvement. "Start with what is known, document, streamline, then automate and integrate," Chris recommended, adding that feedback loops are critical to ensure ongoing refinement of processes. The OneTeam and CCH Integrator integration supports this iterative approach by providing a scalable platform that adapts as business needs evolve.
As the tax function continues to face growing demands, the integration of technology, people, and processes will be key to staying ahead. OneTeam’s focus on simplifying data management and streamlining workflows, combined with CCH Integrator’s tax expertise, creates a powerful toolset for tax professionals, tax functions, and tax firms looking to modernise and thrive in this new landscape.
Learn more about the strategic agreement between CCH Integrator and OneTeam Services.
