In this episode of Tax Leaders Unplugged, host Stevi Frooninckx (CEO & Co-Founder @ Loctax) engages in a deep dive conversation with Steven Bosmans, VP of Global Tax and Chief Tax Officer at Avnet, a Fortune 500 global technology solutions company.
Steven shares his 20-year journey with Avnet, starting from working for tax authorities to moving into advisory roles and ultimately leading tax strategies at Avnet.
The discussion spans Steven's personal hobbies, his commitment to local societal contributions through nonprofit involvement, and his insights on the evolving tax landscape.
Steven reflects on the importance of maintaining a work-life balance, staying connected with the community, networking, and embracing the challenges and opportunities in the tax profession. The dialogue not only sheds light on the trajectory of a tax leader's career but also delves into future trends in the tax domain, including digitization, automation, and the growing demand for transparency and sustainability in tax practices.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
00:34 Getting to Know the Guest: Steven Bosmans
01:36 Steven's Hobbies and Interests Outside of Tax
02:11 Steven's Involvement in Local Nonprofit Organizations
05:12 Steven's Career Alternatives Outside of Tax
05:52 Opportunities and Challenges of a Belgian-based Chief Tax Officer for a US Multinational
08:43 Steven's Approach to Global Team Management
11:56 How do you make sure that the CFO understands the tax objectives?
13:56 How do you bond with your global team as a tax leader?
16:11 Organising global offsites for your tax team and the wider business
18:44 Differences in Tax Management Between US and European Multinationals
20:39 The evolution of Financial KPIs and ESG
21:34 The importance of sustainable tax positions
22:37 The Role of a Chief Tax Officer
26:34 The fight for talent in the tax domain
29:19 Promote Tax as a career path for young people
30:34 Educate the public to change the perception of tax
32:13 The Evolution and Future of the Tax Function
37:27 The Importance of Building a Strong Network
