RACHEL BARRY

Staying ahead of change

“A challenge which I embrace is how fast everything moves.  Legislation continues to expand, Revenue guidance evolves, and appeal decisions are reshaping how rules are applied in practice.  For multinational clients, the volume and complexity of international reform feeds directly into tax planning decisions, with OECD developments, anti-avoidance measures, and cross-border initiatives influencing how groups structure and operate in and from Ireland.

Tax authorities are far more digital and communicative than ever before. Staying up to date is a team effort. I drive, distill and filter for clients in a clear and accessible way.  That’s a non-negotiable for me. Clients want measured, targeted and concise advice to assess risk as it applies to their business, commercial strategies and to arrive at solutions.  Every client has unique tax concerns we help navigate.”

The importance of follow-through

“With professional and tax services particularly, being responsive and how you deliver your analysis and solution can be just as important as what you deliver.  With clients, I like to be available and to be responsive – introducing my team, communicating what we are doing in a concise and solutions-focused way, and proactively communicating when they will hear from us. Taking this approach helps build the connection early in the relationship and establishes trust.

I also believe in regularly picking up the phone — a simple approach that helps strengthen relationships and that clients respond well to.

As a team, we work closely with the Partners across our spectrum of clients.  We adopt structured planning to project manage client cases, ensuring clients see exactly what needs to happen and when it is happening. Our approach removes uncertainty and drives efficiencies enabling clients to have comfort that there is work is being handled correctly.”

The worst timing?

“Tax issues don’t always wait for a convenient moment. A case that stands out is for me is US-based client that was subject to an employment taxes Revenue audit notice just before the Christmas holidays. The client had a significant number of staff in Ireland but did not have anyone locally who understood the approach and process.  Our responsive tailored plan for the client’s US based team quickly gained their trust, allowing us to promptly work through the compensation structures, gathering the necessary information and managing the process and the solution step by step.  The outcome was very positive (if one can say that about an audit!) which was acknowledged by the client immediately.  What mattered was that this client could see our approach and methodology and that we were in control of the situation, forming a professional relationship from the outset built on trust, reliability and capability”

Open-door policy

“I run an open-door collaborative policy with my team and the wider company. If there is an issue or query, I want to know about it early so it can be addressed. That culture matters. When people feel comfortable asking questions work progresses and the team feels a sense of satisfaction. In my experience, this environment allows the team to enjoy their work and grow their confidence as they progress in their careers.

This also shapes how we recruit. I am closely involved in bringing tax graduates into the team and developing their skills.  We look for capable people who are comfortable taking responsibility and working to a clear standard from the outset.

Overall, we find that when expectations are consistent internally, the client experience is consistent also.”