Completing Your Cloud Migration

Cloud migration is no longer optional

Digital transformation is accelerating across every part of the enterprise. Finance functions, including tax, are now expected to keep pace. For tax teams, the window to align with broader ERP cloud migrations is open right now. Waiting means missing out on the funding, resources, and influence that come bundled with larger finance transformation efforts.

Why tax should move with finance, not after it

When tax is part of an ERP cloud migration from the start, the business case practically builds itself. According to Martin Lopez, Managing Director at Deloitte Tax LLP, it is far easier to make the case for cloud tax automation when the whole finance organization is already moving. Tax leaders who get ahead of the initiative (with their own digital roadmap) are better positioned to embed their requirements directly into the ERP design.

What cloud tax automation actually delivers

This white paper walks through six concrete benefits tax groups can expect from a cloud-based tax environment:

• Centralized access to tax and transaction data, which simplifies audits and enables deeper analytics
• Advanced tools and low-code development options built into modern cloud ERP ecosystems
• Automatic system updates handled by the cloud provider. No internal IT lift required.
• Cost savings through lower maintenance overhead and the ability to identify overpayments and overlooked credits
• A direct relationship with your tax technology provider as a strategic partner
• Simplified budgeting that replaces hardware complexity with a single cloud service line item

How to make the migration work

Vertex Chief Tax Officer Michael Bernard and leaders from Oracle and Deloitte share practical guidance on what it takes.

• Start early. Tax teams should develop a technology roadmap before the IT initiative begins. Understanding how cloud deployment differs from on-premises implementation is essential to getting full value.
• Know your data. Clearly identify the transaction and tax data your team needs, and communicate those requirements to IT in specific terms. Better data access is one of the highest-value outcomes of cloud migration.
• Prioritize by pain point. A well-designed roadmap addresses the highest-risk areas first and breaks the migration into manageable steps. This builds momentum and demonstrates early wins.
• Put the right person on the team. Large ERP migrations can run 12 to 18 months. The tax representative needs a clear picture of the desired end state, strong cross-functional communication skills, and the maturity to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics.
• The finance transformation train is moving. Tax teams that prepare now, with a clear roadmap and a seat at the planning table, will be far better positioned to comply, compete, and grow with confidence.