The tax profession faces an unprecedented talent shortage that is reshaping how organisations approach their tax functions. With experienced professionals retiring faster than new talent can be developed, and increasing regulatory complexity demanding more specialised expertise, tax teams are under immense pressure to do more with less.
This session brings together industry experts to explore how technology is emerging as the critical solution to bridge the talent gap. While traditional approaches focused on hiring more people, forward-thinking organisations are discovering that intelligent automation and sophisticated tax provisioning solutions can fundamentally transform their operations. At the same time, the nature of tax talent itself is evolving – today’s professionals must be equipped not just with technical tax expertise but also with a solid understanding of data, systems, and emerging technologies such as AI to remain effective in a rapidly changing environment.
An expert panel will discuss real-world case studies where organisations have successfully leveraged automation to not only address staffing challenges but also improve accuracy, ensure compliance, and accelerate reporting cycles.
These examples also highlight how tax teams are upskilling to meet the demands of an increasingly digital tax environment.
The conversation will cover practical implementation strategies, return-on-investment considerations, and how to position tax teams as strategic business partners rather than purely operational functions. Attendees will gain insights into the technologies driving this transformation and learn how to build a compelling business case for modernising their tax operations – including investing in the right talent with the right capabilities.
Join us as we explore how the future of tax is not just about finding more people; it is about empowering the right people with the right technology and the right skills to drive meaningful business impact.
The speakers
Kathryn Abate
Product lead, insightsoftware
In her role as product lead for the tax reporting solutions at insightsoftware, Kat is responsible for the strategic direction of the suite, with the aim of helping organisations to transform their tax and transfer pricing functions into strategic business partners.
Prior to her current role, she was a director in solution engineering for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, with a focus on tax and transfer pricing solutions.
Kat is a chartered accountant with over 15 years of experience in tax technology, working with large, multinational organisations to understand their requirements and implement successful solutions to enhance their tax reporting and operational transfer pricing processes.
Anisha Choudhary
Assistant director, tax transformation and technology, Alvarez & Marsal Tax
With over 13 years of experience, Anisha specialises in enterprise performance management, tax process transformation, and project management. Her previous experience includes working with various global companies and ‘big four’ firms, focusing on optimising the financial close and consolidation process, and implementing tax reporting solutions to help clients to transform their tax processes.
