Intellectual property is generally the most valuable asset held by technology companies and many other businesses across all sectors of the economy. Generally speaking, if sales attributable to IP will be used only in the United States, it's likely to be more tax efficient for such rights to remain here.

Most senior tax executives see significant international tax changes over the next two years spurred by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project, according to a survey released by EY at its 34th Annual International Tax Conference.

Many European companies are working hard to solve their "captive cash" problem, improve their cash-to-cash cycle, and manage their financial and supply chain risk across complex markets and supplier agreements. But the two primary approaches they take - supply chain finance and working capital reduction - result in very different supply chain outcomes.

When President Barack Obama said last September that he would get tough on companies that avoid tax through "inversions" - merging with or buying foreign firms so as to shift their domicile abroad - some wondered if this would end a wave of corporate emigration.

A few years ago, the OECD embarked on a multiyear effort to create an international tax framework that closes perceived gaps in international tax rules. This includes combating base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) to ensure companies pay their "fair share" of taxes. Many of the BEPS Project's action items are expected to be finalized later this year.

Many companies have become adept at using supply-chain management to increase their competitiveness, yet the function remains under-utilized in one vital area: working capital management.

Balancing daily operations and long-term strategy is at the forefront of every chief financial officer's mind, and in a business environment that is often riddled with a multitude of daily challenges and high demands on time, a focus on long-term success is required to maintain a company's competitive edge.