Data Accuracy and Cultural Shift – Keys to Digital Transition

EY Hungary recently hosted the 5th SSC Summit in Budapest. On this occasion, participants explored how Shared Services can become even more efficient through technology and transformation—more specifically, with the help of artificial intelligence.

In his opening presentation, EY Technology Consulting Partner, Erik Slooten observed that SSCs, often seen as cost-saving units within large organizations, are now at crossroads. With AI, they have the chance to become strategic enablers, boosting productivity, enriching employee experience, and delivering smarter services. But to seize this opportunity, SSCs - and their operators - must rethink how they approach technology, investment, and people.

Erik highlighted that Shared Service Centers (SSCs) are evolving from cost-saving units to strategic enablers, thanks to AI. Rather than simply automating jobs, AI tools—such as chatbots and machine learning—help employees work faster and more accurately, improving service quality and employee experience. Slooten emphasized that the real value of AI lies not just in cost reduction, but in empowering teams and enhancing reliability. He encouraged SSCs to develop their own AI strategies, invest in clean data, and avoid fragmented solutions.

After the presentation, EY experts Andrea Ruzic, Henrietta Raab, Zsófia-Kocsis Kelemen, Dávid Kopacz, and Béla Molnár discussed topics of high importance for Shared Service Centers (SSCs), with a focus on electronic invoicing, data quality, and the European Union’s VAT in the Digital Age (VIDA) initiative.

• Andrea Ruzic, Partner, EY Tax Services
  
• Henrietta Raab, Partner, EY Tax Services
• Zsófia-Kocsis Kelemen, Partner, EY Indirect Tax
• Dávid Kopacz, Partner, EY Assurance 
• Béla Molnár, Partner, EY Tax Services

The discussions focused on electronic invoicing, data quality, and the EU’s VAT in the Digital Age (VIDA) initiative, which is set to bring significant changes to how companies operate.

One of the central topics was the VIDA initiative, part of the EU’s strategy to modernize VAT systems for the digital age. VIDA aims to standardize and mandate electronic invoicing across member states. Starting July 1, 2030, e-invoicing and digital data reporting will be compulsory for EU B2B transactions. From 2025, individual member states may also choose to mandate e-invoicing for domestic B2B transactions.

Conference participants emphasized that companies must begin preparing now, especially in terms of electronic archiving and ERP system configurations.

Data Quality and ERP Systems: The Foundation of a Successful Transition

The move to e-invoicing and digital tax compliance hinges on data quality. Participants stressed that the accuracy of master data—such as tax codes, partner information, and ERP configurations—is critical. Updating and validating this data is one of the most important preparatory steps.

Often, deeper issues only surface when a system error or invoice rejection occurs. If these problems aren’t addressed before implementation, fixing them later becomes far more costly and complex. Tax departments play a key role in educating other teams and collaborating across functions to ensure data structures are sound and compliant.

This isn’t just about meeting regulatory requirements, it’s about ensuring that new systems work efficiently and reliably from day one.

AI in Tax: A Supportive, Not Substitutive Role

AI is increasingly present in tax operations. At EY, AI is already being used to review code, assist with documentation, and support digital services. Rather than replacing tax professionals, AI enhances their work—speeding up processes, reducing errors, and allowing experts to focus on higher-value tasks.

However, successful AI integration requires more than just tools—it demands a cultural shift. Employees must be trained and feel confident using AI. As AI becomes part of daily workflows, its impact on tax practices will grow significantly.

With SAP ECC 6.0 standard maintenance ending in 2027, preparing for this journey is essential to remain competitive – said Henrietta Raab. EY’s tax partner, responsible for SAP transitioning, emphasized that a well-constructed roadmap and effective change management help avoid transferring inefficient processes, ensure project timelines are met, and improve employee satisfaction.

As a global SAP Alliance Partner, EY offers end-to-end solutions covering IT advisory, tax compliance, and financial accounting advisory. EY’s extensive experience in ERP implementations—including SAP S/4HANA migrations—and vendor independence ensure clients receive the optimal solution for their needs. The service portfolio spans business process reviews, system design, data migration, testing support, and localization for Hungarian accounting and tax requirements. EY’s mission is to create new value for clients, people, society, and the planet, while building trust in capital markets and shaping the future with confidence.

In summary, the digital transformation of taxation is not in the distant future—it’s happening now. VIDA, e-invoicing, data quality, and AI are all forces that companies must respond to immediately. Success depends on proactive planning, robust data structures, and thoughtful use of technology. Tax departments must evolve from executors to strategic partners in this transformation, and EY consultants are always available to support this transition.