Planning for the Future: Succession in Tax Leadership
Dec 13, 2024
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Tony Santiago, founder and president of TaxSearch Inc., is an authority on tax leadership and succession planning. He discusses the urgency of preparing for leadership transitions in tax departments, especially as baby boomers retire. Santiago emphasizes the need for early succession planning and internal talent development. He also highlights the evolving expectations for tax leaders, blending technical skills with strong communication. Finally, he explores the challenges and strategies of adapting to hybrid work models in tax functions.
Succession planning is critical due to the retirement of baby boomers, necessitating early identification of potential internal candidates to ensure a smooth transition.
Effective leadership transitions require proactive overlap for knowledge transfer and alignment among stakeholders to support internal promotion and team cohesion.
Deep dives
The Necessity of Succession Planning
Succession planning has become increasingly important due to the retirement of baby boomers and the challenge of attracting younger tax professionals. The current labor market presents a supply and demand disparity where senior leaders are exiting the workforce, creating a gap that needs to be filled with a solid internal pipeline. Companies must evaluate their talent pool early, not limiting their focus to immediate successors but considering deeper tiers within the department. By identifying potential candidates early, organizations can strategically prepare for unexpected retirements or voluntary severance, ensuring a smooth transition.
Identifying and Developing Talent
When seeking candidates for succession, companies must conduct thorough evaluations of their existing staff and how they are positioned within their roles. A common oversight is not recognizing potential leaders within the organization, which necessitates a structured development plan to ensure visibility and growth. External recruitment should be approached with caution and strategic timing, aiming to sync candidate readiness with the organization's immediate needs. Candidates should possess a blend of technical competencies and interpersonal skills to navigate the complexities of modern tax roles effectively.
Navigating Leadership Transitions
Effective leadership transitions are characterized by proactive overlap between outgoing and incoming personnel, which facilitates knowledge transfer and stability. It is crucial to ensure all stakeholders are aligned on the expectations and roles throughout the transition process to avoid conflicts and foster support for internal candidates. Successful onboarding and cultural integration for new leaders, whether internal or external, are essential for maintaining team cohesion and morale. Companies must remain vigilant to potential turnover that may arise from internal promotions, proactively addressing any discord or concerns among team members.
Tony Santiago, founder and president of TaxSearch Inc., discusses the future of tax leadership and his recommendations for tax departments looking to create an effective succession plan.
*** Credits Host: David D. Stewart Executive Producers: Jasper B. Smith, Paige Jones Showrunner: Jordan Parrish Audio Engineers: Jordan Parrish, Peyton Rhodes Guest Relations: Alexis Hart
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