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Dean Shepherd CTA FMAAT, Chartered Tax Adviser, ~30 years experience

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.

Recent Articles

7 Signs Your Accountant Has Quietly Lost Interest in You as a Client

Most creative business owners don’t ditch their accountant because of one big disaster. They leave because of a slow,...

Here is why I don't use the VAT cash accounting scheme for ESXR's own accounts

Most creative business owners hear about the cash accounting scheme for VAT and think: “Sounds great — I only pay VAT...

I’ve Gone Over the £90,000 VAT Threshold. Now What?

Hitting £90,000 in rolling 12-month turnover is a milestone. A sign your creative business is growing. But it also...

Do You Really Need Every Receipt? The Truth About Missing Paperwork (and What HMRC Will Accept Instead)

Some creative business owners are brilliant at bringing ideas to life — but less brilliant at keeping hold of the...

Engaging Freelancers Based Outside the UK: Do You Need to Worry About Employment Status and Payroll?

Creative agencies increasingly hire global talent. From illustrators in Poland to video editors in South Africa and UX...

Christmas Tax Rules Every Creative Business Owner Should Know

Christmas is a brilliant time for creative businesses — client gifting, team socials, seasonal campaigns, and the...

Should Your Creative Agency Run Payroll In-House — or Outsource It to an Accountant?

For many creative agencies, payroll feels like one of those admin tasks you should be able to handle internally. After...

How to Set Up a Time to Pay Arrangement With HMRC When You Can’t Pay Your Tax Bill

There comes a moment in almost every creative business where cashflow gets tight. Maybe a big client paid late, maybe a...

The November Companies House Shake-Up: What Creative Business Owners Must Do Now

This month marks the start of a new era of corporate transparency in the UK. Driven by the Economic Crime & Corporate...

Freelancer or Employee? Why Getting This Decision Right Really Matters

Creative businesses love flexibility. You scale up for a project, bring in the right talent, plug the gaps and keep the...

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