RACHEL BARRY

Pivoting by the hour

“Given our diverse platform, my week can change quickly depending on what is time-critical or which might come in. We lead and oversee risk reviews, undertake transactional tax work, and advise SME and family business clients on acquisitions, realisations, and succession planning. This means I might move from tax compliance matters to an international IP discussion to share schemes or residency considerations all in one day. That’s why I enjoy the role so much. Every client is unique and has their own challenges and goals.”

Staying ahead of change

“A challenge which I embrace is how fast everything moves.  Legislation continues to expand, Revenue guidance is evolving 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 group structures operate in and from Ireland.

Tax authorities are far more digital and communicative than ever before. We drive, distil, and filter for clients in a clear and accessible way.  That’s a non-negotiable for me. Clients want targeted and concise advice to assess risk as it applies to their business and solutions that are aligned to their commercial goals.”

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.

As a team, we work closely with other 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 the work is being handled correctly.”

The worst timing?

“Tax issues don’t always wait for a convenient moment. A case that stands out for me is a US-based client that was subject to an employment tax Revenue audit notice just before the Christmas holidays. Our comprehensive response plan quickly gained the client’s trust, allowing us to promptly work through the compensation structures, gather the necessary information, and manage the process and the solution step by step.  The outcome was very positive. 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. 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. It’s a part of the role I really enjoy.”

Looking Ahead

“The breadth of expertise across the partner group offers a valuable opportunity to further develop your own specialism. That’s something I look forward to as we continue to grow. It’s great for clients and for us as partners.”