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In the absence of proper planning, the death of an owner of a closely held business may lead to an estate tax liability that can devastate the business, even with the increased federal estate and gift tax exemption under the 2017 tax legislation.

Intuitively, many business managers recognize that their decision window has been shrinking with each passing year. Information dissemination has become real-time and on-demand. What is required is an analytical approach that enables management to monitor and measure the development of the important strategic drivers and make decisions with confidence. Learn why ad hoc reporting is failing to fill the gap, the changing role of the modern finance leader, and the three new approaches to attaining deeper financial analytical insight.

The role of the tax function is changing. Digitization is shrinking the globe and making everything more connected. Tax regulation and legislative changes are requiring companies to have processes and systems in place in order to comply. Today’s tax professional is charged with advising senior management on the tax implications of strategic business decisions while simultaneously leading initiatives to directly support the organization’s financial objectives and help facilitate growth. Demands on tax professionals have never been higher.

The demand for executive level talent is extremely acute in the technology sector. Consequently, we expect to see larger year-over-year increases that will outpace other industry sectors. The median TDC (total direct compensation) levels will likely become more aligned with the recent excellent economic performance the sector has experienced. To stay ahead of these issues, technology companies and boards need to consider strategic compensation structure, including total rewards package, employment agreements, performance-based equity grants, and succession planning.

True disruption—the kind that marks lasting paradigm shifts in the predominant way things are done—is more than a technology story. It’s a virtuous circle in which technology spawns changes in market and competitive dynamics, and vice versa. To stay on the right side of disruption, businesses need to anticipate the signals and adapt and reinvent themselves before disruption upends them. For the middle market, that means establishing a digital strategy that balances the long-term vision with realistic short-term goals.

Digital transformation: innovation’s holy grail. For some organizations, digital transformation is in their DNA. The adaption to—and adoption of—emerging technologies to further business goals comes instinctively to them. For the majority of middle market companies, however, digital transformation requires a lot more foresight, consideration, and planning. Companies that begin their journey today are much more equipped to continue evolving tomorrow. The challenges will be great—but the rewards, greater.

It's clear that tax reform is just one manifestation of the changes happening across the tax function. What was once a relatively routine field now faces shifting regulations and compliance issues both at home and abroad. The role of the tax professional is changing from numbers-cruncher to strategic leader, and adept tax professionals in 2019 and beyond will need to prioritize adaptability, process efficiency, data analysis, and effective communication around total tax liability to maximize their impact.

Choosing a technology platform is a time-consuming process leading to a critical decision. You need to be confident that the platform supports your multi-year benefits strategy, and that the HR technology vendor you select will meet your needs today—and in the future. When it comes to choosing the right vendor and solution, it is crucial to ask the right questions.

While major cyber incidents and data breaches at large corporations capture global headlines, middle market companies are starting to recognize that they are often the prime target for cybercriminals. With generally limited resources, middle market organizations must place a premium on awareness and benchmarking to help mitigate the threat of cybersecurity attacks and to comply with data privacy regulations.