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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

Transfer of a Going Concern (TOGC): What Creative Business Owners Need to Know About VAT

Some creative business owners get a little carried away each time they have a new business idea and decide to form a...

Hiring Your First Team Member? Here’s What You Need to Know About Auto-Enrolment Pensions

Taking on your first employee is a big step. Exciting? Yes. A bit daunting? Also yes. You’re no longer just running...

The 10 Most Common ChatGPT Tax Myths for Creative Freelancers, Debunked

If you’ve ever typed a tax question into ChatGPT at 2 a.m. while finishing client edits, you’re not alone. AI is now...

Why Agencies Struggle to Get Paid — and How to Fix It

Every creative agency knows the feeling: you’ve poured hours (and heart) into a project, sent the invoice, and…...

A Last Chance to Settle: The New Voluntary Repayment Window for COVID-Era Support

In a bold and unusual move, the UK government has launched a time-limited “no questions asked” voluntary repayment...

HMRC Compliance Checks: What to Do If One Lands on Your Doorstep

Some creative business owners get an unwelcome surprise one morning - a brown envelope from HMRC titled “Compliance...

Should You Authorise Your Accountant with HMRC?

When you start working with a new accountant, one of the first bits of admin they’ll ask for is to be authorised with...

Reverse Charge VAT: The Hidden Trap for Creative Businesses

Some creative business owners keep a close eye on their sales to make sure they don’t creep over the VAT registration...

Should Your Creative Business Sponsor a Local Kids’ Sports Team? The Tax Angle Explained

Creative business owners often love giving back to their communities. One common way to do this is by sponsoring a...

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