Meet Declan Bennett

When you start a training programme such as an apprenticeship, it can be hard to look ahead to the future and where you might see yourself in say five or more years.

With having such a well-structured and comprehensive apprenticeship programme in place, Kreston Reeves can help mentor young people starting out on their career and also partner them with ‘buddies’ who understand what they are experiencing and to help guide them on the right journey.

What was your initial plan before considering an apprenticeship?

“I joined Kreston Reeves back in 2016 and I had always wanted to go to university – right up until the April before I was due to go, but then I started to think about other routes into careers and the workplace and I looked at apprenticeships. I told myself if it didn’t work out, I could always defer my uni place and go at a later date."

What made Kreston Reeves stand out during the application process?

“I applied to a few apprenticeships in London as well as here and Kreston Reeves stood out in terms of the application process. They were the only one that had face to face interviews, and I felt like it was a proper process.”

How did you find the transition from school to work, and what kind of support did you receive during that time?

“It is a steep learning curve going into work from school but there was always a lot of support for me from colleagues in the office. I’ve been studying pretty much constantly for the last five years, which has been challenging at times. As soon as I fully qualified, Kreston Reeves were really good, and I was moved to the tax advisory team with really clear career progression. It’s been great getting to know new clients and having my own over the last few years. I am able to work with a range of businesses and individuals and work closely with the different Kreston Reeves offices.”

What are some of the benefits you experienced from an apprenticeship instead of going to university, and what are some of the challenges you faced along the way?

“Thinking back to when I was younger and my friends were at Uni, I would be speaking to my best mate at 6pm in the evening when I was on my way back from work and he was off out for the evening or at 6am when he was coming back after a night out and I was going to work. That was hard but there are a lot of benefits to working like meeting and working with lots of unique people. It has given me financial freedom and I’ve been able to travel with my girlfriend.”

What is your key role in the advisory team, and what do you enjoy about it?

“One of my key roles in the advisory team is to produce client reports which I really enjoy as no one really understands tax, so we essentially provide a translation between the complex tax rules and what the clients want to achieve and then ways they can achieve their goals and limit their tax exposure. It’s all about getting people to think about planning for their future.”

What are some concerns that clients have about tax changes in the future, and how does the author help them prepare?

“I really like the people side of my job and essentially helping people to have a better understanding of tax and how it works. Helping them understand the different decisions could mean they pay substantially more tax over time and those that can save them tax in the future.”

Why is future proofing important in tax planning, and how does the author help clients make informed decisions?

“Clients always want our opinion on what is likely to change in the future, especially ahead of a budget. At the moment what we do know is that Covid has cost the country a lot of money and that needs repaying. There is some hesitation in the market and clients are looking to make the right decisions and to get themselves into the best position to deal with any future tax changes. Tax always needs to be paid but there are opportunities to make savings.”

“Small changes now can save a lot in the future, so future proofing is important. We always need to be looking ahead and encouraging clients to look ahead.”

What kind of support system does the author have at Kreston Reeves, and what is their advice to someone considering an apprenticeship?

“There is always the danger that government policy will unpick tax policy and make changes in the future, so it is important for us to know the client and understand why they want to do something and to find the best way for them to achieve it. We can offer them a range of options with the pros and cons to each to allow them to make a better-informed decision with a clear understanding of the risks.”

What support and guidance have you received from Kreston Reeves?

“I’ve always appreciated the opportunity here at Kreston Reeves to be able to ask questions and to get help and support whenever I needed it. I’ve always been able to see opportunities ahead of me and there is a good support system and people here guiding me.”