Eat Sleep Blog Repeat
Dean Shepherd CTA FMAAT, Chartered Tax Adviser, ~30 years experience
I'm Dean Shepherd, a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) and Fellow of the AAT, with approaching 30 years in UK tax and accountancy.
I run ESXR, a deliberately small accountancy practice for established service-based businesses — from creative agencies to consultants — who want their finances handled properly by someone who genuinely has time for them.
Before going out on my own, I spent eight years in the tax software industry, shaping how the products actually worked and helping build the software your accountant uses every day. I also lecture on tax and speak at industry conferences, which keeps me at the front of the profession rather than catching up with it.
I write these articles to make tax and money a little less stressful: plain English, no jargon, grounded in what actually works for real businesses rather than textbook theory.
If something here raises a question about your own situation, I'm always happy to help — drop me a message, or book a chat.
I run ESXR, a deliberately small accountancy practice for established service-based businesses — from creative agencies to consultants — who want their finances handled properly by someone who genuinely has time for them.
Before going out on my own, I spent eight years in the tax software industry, shaping how the products actually worked and helping build the software your accountant uses every day. I also lecture on tax and speak at industry conferences, which keeps me at the front of the profession rather than catching up with it.
I write these articles to make tax and money a little less stressful: plain English, no jargon, grounded in what actually works for real businesses rather than textbook theory.
If something here raises a question about your own situation, I'm always happy to help — drop me a message, or book a chat.
Recent Articles
Every July, I get a version of the same message: "HMRC says I owe more tax. Didn't I already pay in January?"
If you (or one of your clients) have recently received an email from Companies House about People with Significant...
If you’re running a creative business, chances are you didn’t start it because you love chasing invoices.
Some creative freelancers get a little nervous whenever a new HMRC initiative appears on the horizon.
- Dean Shepherd CTA FMAAT, Chartered Tax Adviser, ~30 years experience
- February 2, 2026
This is a question I get a lot from directors.
- Dean Shepherd CTA FMAAT, Chartered Tax Adviser, ~30 years experience
- December 15, 2025
It’s a familiar story.
- Dean Shepherd CTA FMAAT, Chartered Tax Adviser, ~30 years experience
- December 11, 2025
Most creative business owners don’t ditch their accountant because of one big disaster. They leave because of a slow,...
- Dean Shepherd CTA FMAAT, Chartered Tax Adviser, ~30 years experience
- December 10, 2025
Most creative business owners hear about the cash accounting scheme for VAT and think: “Sounds great — I only pay VAT...
- Dean Shepherd CTA FMAAT, Chartered Tax Adviser, ~30 years experience
- December 8, 2025
Hitting £90,000 in rolling 12-month turnover is a milestone. A sign your creative business is growing. But it also...
- Dean Shepherd CTA FMAAT, Chartered Tax Adviser, ~30 years experience
- December 5, 2025
Some creative business owners are brilliant at bringing ideas to life — but less brilliant at keeping hold of the...
