Case Study: Starbucks achieves centralized, scalable global tax automation with Vertex Inc.'s Indirect Tax O Series

Starbucks Implements a Centralized Tax System to Support Global Growth

Starbucks, a global retailer and roaster operating 16,000+ stores, faced a complex, high-volume indirect tax challenge across purchasing, roasting, distribution and retail sales with no centralized tax system. To replace manual Excel-based accruals and fragmented processes (they already used Vertex® Sales Tax Q Series® for some B2B sales), Starbucks engaged Vertex and implemented Vertex® Indirect Tax O Series® along with Vertex Consulting Services to support a global, integrated tax approach.

Vertex implemented a centralized, ERP-integrated tax solution that automated tax on invoice sales, purchases and inventory transfers, enabled detailed transactional reporting, and streamlined global VAT, sales and consumer use tax processes. The Vertex deployment cut inventory use tax processing time from three days to 1.5 days, reduced risk of human error, freed the tax team for analysis and planning, and created a scalable platform that supports ongoing growth and an ongoing partnership with Vertex.

Starbucks

Sheryl Bennett-Holland

System Analyst Lead