In a world where every transaction is fast becoming a compliance event, the role of the tax department is being radically redefined. On the latest episode of the Enterprise Science podcast, host Stephen Brooks sits down with Ray Grove, Head of Product, Corporate Tax and Trade at Thomson Reuters. They explore how VIDA, continuous transaction controls, and fiduciary-grade AI are reshaping corporate tax.
Grove, a self-described lifelong “product guy” who has spent his career solving complex tax problems through technology, outlines a stark reality. UK businesses are lagging their European counterparts on VIDA readiness. That’s not just a regulatory inconvenience; for organisations trading into the EU, it’s an operational risk.
“You can’t do business if you’re not doing business compliantly, or if you get out of compliance, you lose your licence to operate,” says Grove. He pointed to a major multinational that was effectively shut out of Romania for 90 days after failing to comply.
From SMEs to multinationals, the message is the same. If you sell into Europe, you have obligations—whether you have a physical presence or not. Grove explains how OneSource Indirect Compliance powered by CoCounsel is intended to move organisations from “rear-view mirror” reporting into real-time, touchless compliance, embedded directly into systems like SAP and Oracle.
Fiduciary Grade AI that Cares
A central theme of the discussion is Grove’s concept of “fiduciary grade AI that cares”. This is not hype-driven, generic AI, but agentic technology designed to operate with context—of a company’s data, obligations, and authoritative content—while remaining transparent and reviewable.
“Close enough is not good enough in tax,” Grove stresses. “It’s based off of authoritative content, making deterministic decisions… because tax authorities care too.”
The conversation also looks beyond tooling to culture. Grove argues that tax departments, long treated as back-office cost centres, hold a uniquely rich, structured view of the entire business. That can—and should—inform strategic decisions, from supply chains to market entry.
As compliance becomes increasingly automated, Grove predicts that tax professionals will evolve into judgement and systems thinkers. Combining deep business understanding with oversight of autonomous, AI-driven workflows.
For any organisation operating—or planning to operate—across borders, this episode offers a clear warning and an equally clear opportunity: modernise your tax architecture, or risk being left behind.
To hear what else Grove had to say, listen to the podcast.
Where can I get it?
You can listen to the podcast by clicking on the player below. Alternatively, click on any of the podcast services below and go to the Enterprise Times podcast page.
Audio Player
