Derek Huffman

Many tax functions are constrained by legacy, spreadsheet-driven workflows. As complexity and regulatory scrutiny increase, teams continue to rely on fragmented data and manual processes—introducing risk, extending cycle times, and diverting skilled professionals from higher-value tax work. In this session, we will explore how EY is helping organizations modernize by shifting to a unified, governed data foundation on Databricks. Leveraging Databricks Apps, Lakebase, and Unity Catalog, tax data is centralized, standardized, and enriched with consistent business rules—replacing disconnected workflows with a single source of truth. The result: improved accuracy, greater transparency, and faster, more scalable processes. We will also demonstrate how AI-driven validation improves data quality by identifying issues earlier, while Genie enables tax professionals to interact with data using natural language—executing calculations, understanding logic, and making updates without reliance on technical teams. Attendees will learn how to reduce reliance on spreadsheet-based processes, lower operational risk, and refocus tax teams on strategic tax activities—not data management.