SYLVIA STANBRIDGE

Balancing detail and delivery

“A typical week combines compliance with advisory support. A large part of my role is ensuring tax deadlines and liabilities are met across income and corporate tax. That means working closely with clients and Revenue to make sure everything is accurate, complete and submitted on time.

That work can be quite detailed, particularly when dealing with multiple clients across different sectors, each with their own requirements and timelines. It’s important to stay organised and keep a clear view of what needs to be delivered and when.

Alongside that, I’m always looking at planning opportunities, whether that’s reducing liabilities or helping clients structure things more efficiently. It’s about getting the detail right while also focusing on the overall outcome and making sure the advice is practical for the client.”

Finding a way forward

“Some of the most important work comes when clients are under pressure or unsure where to start.
One situation that stands out involved a client who wasn’t engaging and only came forward when deadlines were approaching, with very limited information available.

Rather than focusing on the immediate pressure, I took the time to understand what was happening. It became clear they were dealing with financial difficulties and felt overwhelmed by their tax position.

From there, we worked through the issues step by step. I engaged with Revenue on their behalf and helped put a payment arrangement in place that worked for everyone involved.

That relationship is still in place today. It showed how much of a difference early engagement and the right approach can make.”

Working under pressure

“Much of the role comes down to managing competing deadlines across multiple clients.
There are peak periods where everything lands at once, and the priority is making sure nothing slips while maintaining a consistent standard of work.

That comes back to organisation and clear communication, knowing what needs attention first, setting realistic expectations and keeping clients informed throughout the process.

Working under pressure is part of the role, but it’s important that it never impacts the quality of the work. The focus is always on delivering something that is accurate, complete and submitted on time.”

Keeping up with constant change

“One of the biggest challenges in tax is the constant change in legislation.
You need to stay up to date, whether that’s through technical updates, training or working closely with colleagues. It’s not something you can stand still in.

There’s also a perception that tax is repetitive or purely compliance-driven, but that hasn’t been my experience. Every client is different, every situation is different, and the work involves a lot of problem solving and interaction.

For me, it’s about taking that technical knowledge and applying it in a way that’s practical and clear for the client.”

Calm, clarity and follow-through

“Strong relationships start with listening. Understanding a client’s business and their goals is key before any advice is given.

From there, it’s about being clear, responsive and consistent. Clients need to know they can rely on you, particularly when dealing with deadlines, audits or issues with Revenue.

A large part of my role is helping clients feel in control of their position and confident in the decisions being made. I’ve had clients say they wouldn’t have made it through a Revenue audit without that support, and that’s something I take pride in.”

Looking ahead

“It’s exciting to be part of a larger tax team at AAB. There will be even more opportunities to learn and share knowledge and that’s something to look forward to.”