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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
If you’re an interior design studio that sources furniture and furnishings for clients, VAT can get messy fast. The key...
Running a creative business means juggling big ideas, tight deadlines, and sometimes unpredictable income. Tax might...
When you employ people, you’ll know that PAYE is the system for deducting tax and National Insurance from salaries. But...
When you’re starting or growing a creative business, your bank account might not be the first thing on your mind....
If you’re self-employed and recently filed your Self Assessment, you may have noticed something strange on your tax...
If you’re a creative freelancer — maybe a designer, filmmaker, or content creator — you’ve probably heard whispers (or...
It’s a question that pops up more often than you might think:
If you earn a six-figure salary, it’s easy to think “an extra £10,000 is just more money in the bank.” But the UK tax...
Changing accountants can feel like a big deal. After all, you’re trusting them with your business’s numbers, tax...
Choosing your financial year end might not sound like the most exciting part of running a business but it can have a...
