TAX PLANNING · RESEARCH & INSIGHTYes. The owner and finance lead can define the problem, assemble evidence and compare suppliers before commissioning technical implementation. Doing the purchasing work yourself does not replace qualified review of tax positions.
The roadmap below is an editorial working plan. Its effort and elapsed-time ranges are planning allowances, not surveyed averages or statutory deadlines. A transaction, missing records or a disputed position can change them substantially.
| Stage | Suggested allowance | Accountable role | Required output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Define the decision | 1–2 working days | Owner | One-page decision brief |
| 2. Build the baseline | 3–10 working days | Finance lead | Coverage and evidence register |
| 3. Test the economics | 2–5 working days | Owner and finance lead | Cost/benefit scenarios |
| 4. Select the route | 1–3 working days | Owner | Incumbent/project/retainer decision |
| 5. Obtain comparable proposals | 1–3 weeks | Finance lead | Common scope and fee table |
| 6. Diligence and contract | 1–2 weeks | Owner, CPA and counsel as needed | Approved scope and responsibility map |
| 7. Implement with review gates | Adviser-confirmed | Named workstream owners | Evidence of completed actions |
| 8. Reconcile and renew | Quarterly and before renewal | Owner | Delivery and value ledger |
Do not add these mechanically: stages overlap, and supplier availability is unverified. For an urgent binding transaction, contact the incumbent and transaction counsel immediately rather than waiting for the entire purchasing exercise.
Explore the structured evidence
1. Define the decision
1–2 working days
Owner
One-page decision brief
Sources cited on this page
This page presents the desk’s editorial framework. Read the section sources →