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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
Some creative business owners get an unwelcome surprise one morning - a brown envelope from HMRC titled “Compliance...
When you start working with a new accountant, one of the first bits of admin they’ll ask for is to be authorised with...
Some creative business owners keep a close eye on their sales to make sure they don’t creep over the VAT registration...
- Dean Shepherd CTA FMAAT, Chartered Tax Adviser, ~30 years experience
- September 29, 2025
Creative business owners often love giving back to their communities. One common way to do this is by sponsoring a...
- Dean Shepherd CTA FMAAT, Chartered Tax Adviser, ~30 years experience
- September 26, 2025
Some creative business owners get a little carried away each time they have a new business idea and decide to form a...
- Dean Shepherd CTA FMAAT, Chartered Tax Adviser, ~30 years experience
- September 24, 2025
If you’ve ever had an invoice land in your inbox with the words “Reverse Charge VAT applies” splashed across the...
- Dean Shepherd CTA FMAAT, Chartered Tax Adviser, ~30 years experience
- September 23, 2025
So, you’ve taken the leap into freelancing – whether that’s filming live events, designing client logos, writing...
- Dean Shepherd CTA FMAAT, Chartered Tax Adviser, ~30 years experience
- September 18, 2025
More and more creative businesses are going “dog-friendly.” It’s easy to see why: an office dog boosts morale, reduces...
- Dean Shepherd CTA FMAAT, Chartered Tax Adviser, ~30 years experience
- September 17, 2025
Most people set up a limited company because it separates their personal finances from the business. In almost all...
- Dean Shepherd CTA FMAAT, Chartered Tax Adviser, ~30 years experience
- September 15, 2025
For many creative entrepreneurs, the dream of a garden office is strong: a bright, stylish studio just a few steps from...
