EY

EY’s Global Tax Platform – Simplifying Enterprise Tax Compliance

EY’s Global Tax Platform (GTP) is a cutting-edge enterprise tax compliance system used by multinational corporations to manage their complex financial reporting and regulatory obligations.

My role as Head of Product Design was to simplify large-scale tax compliance processes through intelligent automation, structured workflows, and seamless collaboration tools.

I led the end-to-end design of multiple high-impact features, including a Corporate Tax Compliance module, Financial Statements module, and Machine Learning-powered transaction classification tool.

Additionally, I developed a scalable Design System and Design Principles that standardised EY’s digital tax ecosystem.

 

The Challenge

Tax compliance for large enterprises involves highly intricate workflows, large datasets, and strict regulatory requirements. EY needed a modern, scalable platform to replace legacy systems and improve efficiency across global teams.

Fragmented Tax Compliance Workflows

  • Users were juggling spreadsheets, PDFs, and siloed tools to manage financial statements and corporate tax filings.

Cognitive Overload Due to Large Data Sets

  • Tax teams struggled to track, interpret, and act on massive volumes of transactional data.

Lack of Collaboration & Audit Logging

  • No unified way to comment, chat, or track changes across teams, leading to inefficiencies.

Manual Transaction Classification Delays

  • Sorting transactions into taxable, deductible, or exempt categories was time-consuming and error-prone.

Discovery and Research

To ensure data-driven UX decisions, I conducted:

  • User Research → Interviewed EY tax professionals, financial analysts, and auditors to uncover inefficiencies.

  • Heuristic Analysis → Reviewed existing tax compliance tools to identify usability gaps.

  • Competitor Benchmarking → Studied best practices in enterprise finance and tax SaaS products.

  • Usability Testing → Conducted iterative testing with EY’s internal teams and external corporate clients.

Key Insights

Tax professionals needed structured workflows

Designed task-driven interfaces for clear, actionable compliance steps.

Handling large datasets was overwhelming

Introduced progressive disclosure, data visualisation, and ML-powered automation.

Regulatory reporting required deep audit trails

Developed a robust logging system for every user action.

Empathise

Understanding user needs through research and direct engagement.

Define

Identifying core
challenges and user
pain points.

Ideate

Brainstorming innovative
solutions based
on insights.

Prototype

Rapidly creating and
testing concepts
for validation.

Test & Refine

Iterating based on real
user feedback to
optimise usability.

Design Process

Corporate Tax Compliance Module

Problem: Enterprise tax teams lacked a streamlined way to manage compliance filings.

Solution: Designed a structured, step-by-step tax compliance module that automates complex workflows.

  • Guided workflows
    Users follow a clear sequence of actions (Gather, Analyse, Review, Submit).

  • Dynamic taxation builder
    Modular forms,flows etc. auto-adjust based on jurisdiction & tax category.

  • Automated calculations & cross-checks
    Ensured compliance accuracy by validating input data against financial records.

Key Metrics
30% Reduction in Tax Filing Errors Due to Structured Workflows
How We Measured It

We assessed error rates in corporate tax filings before and after implementing the redesigned compliance workflows. The baseline data revealed that errors often stemmed from manual input mismatches, incorrect tax classifications, and missing regulatory fields. Post-implementation, we tracked the percentage of flagged errors using automated validation checks and compliance reporting tools. After six months, a comparative audit showed a 30% decrease in tax filing errors.

Why It Happened

- Automated validation ensured correct tax inputs before submission.
- Structured workflows guided users through regulatory compliance steps.
- Integrated audit trails allowed for real-time error flagging and resolution.

20% Faster Corporate Tax Submissions
How We Measured It

We measured the average time taken to complete corporate tax filings before and after the implementation of the new compliance module. The previous system required extensive manual data entry and multiple approvals, often delaying submissions. After introducing automated calculations, structured workflows, and pre-filled templates, tax teams completed their filings 20% faster, as verified through system analytics tracking completion times.

Why It Happened

- Automated tax calculations reduced the need for manual data entry.
- Pre-filled templates accelerated form completion for recurring filings.
- Role-based approvals streamlined the review and submission process.

£3 Million in Revenue in Terms of Costs Saved to Service Clients
How We Measured It

The cost savings were calculated by analysing operational efficiency improvements post-implementation. We measured reductions in manual work hours, compliance errors, and rework costs across tax service teams. By improving tax submission speed, reducing error-related delays, and automating data reconciliation, EY was able to service more clients efficiently, leading to a £3 million revenue impact in saved costs within the first 6 Months.

Why It Happened

- Fewer compliance errors meant less time spent on corrections and resubmissions.
- Automation enabled tax professionals to handle more clients within the same timeframe.
- Enhanced reporting tools reduced the need for additional audit reviews and external consultations.

Financial Statements Module

Problem: Preparing and reviewing financial statements across multiple entities was cumbersome.

Solution: Built a dedicated module for enterprise financial statement preparation & auditing.

  • Template-driven reports
    Pre-configured statement templates based on regulatory standards.

  • Inline commenting & collaboration
    Allowed finance teams to review & discuss specific line items in real time.

  • Automated reconciliation
    Matched ledger data against reported tax values to flag discrepancies.

Key Metrics
40% Improvement in Financial Statement Accuracy
How We Measured It

Accuracy was tracked by comparing historical financial statements with post-implementation reports. Errors related to data mismatches, incorrect tax allocations, and missing disclosures were flagged in both pre- and post-implementation audits. After introducing structured workflows, automated checks, and inline validation, misstatements were reduced by 40%.

Why It Happened

- Real-time validation checks flagged inconsistencies before final submission.
- Automated data reconciliation reduced human errors in tax calculations.
- Inline commenting enabled finance teams to collaborate on discrepancies instantly.

Faster Reconciliation and Reporting Processes
How We Measured It

The time taken to complete financial reconciliation and reporting was tracked through system logs. Before implementing automation, teams manually cross-checked transactions, leading to longer reconciliation cycles. Post-implementation, reconciliation times were reduced significantly as auto-matching and pre-validated transactions streamlined the process.

Why It Happened

- Automated ledger matching eliminated the need for manual data comparisons.
- Pre-built templates expedited the generation of standardised reports.
- Real-time dashboards gave finance teams instant insights into discrepancies.

EY Design System & Design Principles

Problem: Inconsistent UI patterns across EY’s tax products.

Solution: Developed a scalable Design System to standardise typography, buttons, tables, modals, and accessibility.

  • Reusable UI components
    Ensured consistency across multiple EY tax tools.

  • Dark Mode & Accessibility Compliance
    Improved usability for tax professionals working extended hours.

  • Scalability for future modules
    Reduced design-to-development time across multiple teams.

Key Metrics
50% Faster Design-to-Development Cycles
How We Measured It

Development timelines were assessed before and after the introduction of the EY Design System. Previously, each product team designed and coded UI components from scratch, leading to inconsistencies and longer release cycles. By implementing a centralised design system, teams reduced their UI build time by 50%, as measured through Jira development tracking.

Why It Happened

- Reusable UI components eliminated redundant design work.
- Standardised patterns improved cross-team collaboration.
- Design tokens ensured a cohesive brand experience across platforms.

Unified UX Across EY’s Global Tax Products
How We Measured It

UX consistency was measured by auditing the UI and interaction patterns across different tax products before and after adopting the EY Design System. Prior to implementation, teams used different button styles, form layouts, and navigation structures. Post-implementation, uniformity was enforced across all products, improving usability scores and reducing user errors.

Why It Happened

- The centralised design system enforced component and interaction consistency.
- User testing confirmed that consistent UX patterns reduced cognitive load.
- Cross-platform design principles ensured a seamless user experience.

Task Management Module

Problem: Tax teams lacked an intuitive way to assign, track, and complete compliance-related tasks.

Solution: Designed a task-driven system with deadline tracking, priority levels, and role-based visibility.

  • Role-based task assignments
    Ensured accountants, reviewers, and auditors had clear responsibilities.
  • Progress indicators
    Visual tracking of task completion rates across compliance teams.
  • Automated reminders
    Helped teams stay on top of key filing deadlines.
Key Metrics
35% Reduction in Missed Tax Filing Deadlines
How We Measured It

We tracked the percentage of late tax filings before and after implementing the structured task management system. The introduction of automated task tracking and reminders reduced missed filing deadlines by 35%.

Why It Happened

- Automated reminders helped teams stay on schedule.
- Role-based task assignments improved accountability.
- Real-time task dashboards gave full visibility into pending deadlines.

25% Faster Task Completion for Compliance Teams
How We Measured It

We measured the average time taken to complete a tax compliance task before and after implementation. Manual tracking often led to inefficiencies, whereas structured workflows reduced task completion time by 25%.

Why It Happened

- Streamlined task flows eliminated unnecessary approval loops.
- Automated escalation reduced bottlenecks.
- Real-time notifications ensured immediate task ownership.

Dynamic File Drive & Internal Chat

Problem: Tax teams relied on disconnected emails & cloud storage for financial document sharing.

Solution: Developed an integrated file drive & chat system to centralise tax compliance discussions.

  • Secure document storage
    Enabled direct uploads & file version tracking.
  • Inline commenting on files
    Allowed auditors to tag colleagues on specific document sections.
  • Live chat & threaded discussions
    Reduced reliance on email, enabling real-time Q&A.
Key Metrics
40% Reduction in Email Dependency for File Sharing
How We Measured It

The number of emails exchanged for document sharing was tracked before and after the implementation of the internal file drive. By introducing a centralised file repository, email-based file requests dropped by 40%.

Why It Happened

- Centralised file storage reduced version control issues.
- Inline commenting enabled real-time collaboration.
- Live chat replaced email threads for document approvals.

30% Faster Access to Tax Documentation
How We Measured It

The average time taken to locate a tax document was measured before and after implementation. The introduction of a structured file hierarchy and search functionality reduced retrieval time by 30%.

Why It Happened

- Search-optimised file categorisation improved discovery speed.
- Document tagging and filtering made locating files seamless.
- User permissions ensured that relevant files were readily accessible.

Deep Audit Logging System

Problem: No comprehensive audit trail for compliance actions.

Solution: Designed a granular logging system that tracked all user actions & data modifications.

  • Version history tracking
    Allowed auditors to review every change made to compliance filings.
  • Timestamped logs
    Provided legal-grade transparency for regulatory audits.
  • Role-based access controls
    Ensured sensitive financial data was restricted based on user permissions.
Key Metrics
50% Faster Internal Audits
How We Measured It

The time required for internal compliance teams to complete audits was tracked before and after implementation. Real-time logging and automatic change tracking reduced review time by 50%.

Why It Happened

- Version history allowed instant rollback and verification.
- Detailed timestamps improved regulatory transparency.
- Role-based access ensured accurate change tracking.

60% Fewer Compliance Discrepancies
How We Measured It

We measured the number of discrepancies flagged during regulatory audits before and after the logging system was deployed. Post-implementation, compliance discrepancies decreased by 60%.

Why It Happened

- Automated logging ensured all actions were traceable.
- Enhanced security controls prevented unauthorised modifications.
- Transparency increased confidence in financial records.

Machine Learning Module for Transaction Classification

Problem: Manual transaction sorting was time-consuming and error-prone.

Solution: Designed an AI-powered classification system to automate categorisation of tax-relevant transactions.

  • Automated tagging
    ML model identified tax-deductible vs. non-deductible expenses.
  • Self-learning model
    Improved accuracy over time based on user feedback.
  • Bulk classification capability
    Allowed instant tagging of thousands of transactions at once.
Key Metrics
70% Reduction in Manual Transaction Classification
How We Measured It

We compared the number of manually classified transactions before and after deploying the machine learning model. The AI-driven system automated categorisation, reducing manual workload by 70%.

Why It Happened

- AI models identified tax classifications based on historical transaction data.
- Bulk classification processed thousands of transactions instantly.
- Continuous learning improved accuracy over time.

30% Improvement in Classification Accuracy
How We Measured It

We measured the accuracy of tax classifications by comparing ML predictions with expert-verified labels. The self-learning model refined its predictions, leading to a 30% increase in accuracy.

Why It Happened

- ML models adapted to changing tax rules.
- User feedback refined classification logic.
- Pattern recognition improved with data expansion.

Final Outcomes & Impact

  • Corporate Tax & Financial Statement modules reduced tax filing errors by 30%
  • EY Design System accelerated design-to-dev time by 50%
  • Machine Learning module automated 70% of manual transaction classifications
  • Task management & file drive improved compliance efficiency & collaboration