Lessons from the Top - David Lam 

Imagine this: a young accountant sitting at his desk, inserting a CD-ROM into his computer, waiting for accounting software to install, then waiting even longer for an activation code to arrive by email. Annual rollovers were a nightmare. Everything was manual, everything was slow, and everything frustrated the hell out of David.

While his colleagues accepted this as "just how things are done," David became what he now calls the "annoying accountant." He'd constantly approach partners with suggestions: "We shouldn't do it this way anymore. This feels very broken. There's a better way".

Little did he know, the industry was about to prove him absolutely right.

Just as David was getting fed up with desktop accounting, the cloud accounting boom arrived. Xero and QuickBooks Online were making waves, and David was immediately smitten. No more CDs, no more activation codes, no more waiting. Just smooth, efficient, cloud-based accounting.

David became an early evangelist, excitedly telling anyone who would listen about this revolutionary technology.

"I was that nerdy accountant that would love technology,"

David's reputation became the guy who questioned everything and loved technology started opening doors.

When PwC Melbourne created a role in their business process optimisation team, it seemed tailor made for David.

"It was really cool when I saw that role available at PwC. I was like, 'Well, I've been doing that for the last three years, annoying my partners on how we can do things differently.'"

This six-month stint was supposed to be a stepping stone before joining PwC's tax team. Instead, it became the first of many strategic pivots that would define David's career.

His time at PwC was where things got really interesting. After finding himself involved in 3 or 4 different teams and roles, he then talked his way into PwC's internal digital ventures team. David was now working on building software applications and digital products, specifically, tax solutions for SMBs and startups. He worked on Nifty Grants (an R&D tax credits product) and Air Tax (think TurboTax for Uber drivers and freelancers).

But David's appetite for new challenges wasn't satisfied yet.

He also became PwC Australia's go-to person for blockchain and cryptocurrency initiatives. This wasn't assigned to him, it was pure passion project territory.

"Blockchain, crypto was just passion and interest outside of work... I kind of educated a lot of partners internally and leaders internally, and became the person that leadership went to for blockchain, crypto stuff."

David's blockchain expertise at PwC Australia opened an unexpected door: Deloitte's blockchain consulting team in New York wanted him. In January 2019, David made the leap from Melbourne to Manhattan, trading Australian SMBs for Fortune 100 clients.

"It was working with Fortune 100 clients, which was so different to helping Australian SMBs and individuals,"

The experience taught him that accounting principles are universal, but their applications can vary dramatically based on scale and industry.

But David wasn't done pivoting. After establishing himself in blockchain consulting, he made another surprising move into tech, working as a product manager at Amazon and later Gusto. These weren't random career changes, they were strategic moves that taught him how to build products that solve real problems for businesses and accountants.

In August 2024, David made his biggest pivot yet: he left the corporate world to start his own company. This VC-backed startup represents the culmination of his entire journey – using AI to solve problems for accountants and accounting firms. The details of the venture will be officially announced in the next month (Give him a follow to stay updated)

"I'm going back to my roots, where I started as an accountant, and looking to solve problems for accountants and accounting firms... I want to give back to an industry that's given me so much."

David's upcoming debut at the Engage Conference in Las Vegas represents a full-circle moment. The kid who started by installing accounting software from CDs is now introducing AI-powered solutions to the industry.

Looking back on his 12 year journey, David sees his non-linear path as the perfect preparation for this moment. Every experience has contributed to his understanding of what the accounting industry needs.

His vision for the future is refreshingly optimistic. Others worry about AI replacing accountants, but David believes it will eliminate the mundane tasks and elevate the profession.

"When everyone has access to the same AI-powered technical knowledge, it's the relationships and human aspects that will differentiate accountants."

Today, David is six and a half years into his New York adventure, with his apartment still in Manhattan but his startup ambitions taking him everywhere from Vegas conferences to client meetings across the country. He's proof that accounting isn't just about debits and credits, it's about understanding how business works at a fundamental level.

And once you understand that, as David's journey shows, the opportunities are genuinely endless.

David's story is still being written. But one thing is clear: the kid who refused to accept "that's just how we do things" has built something extraordinary by never staying in his lane.

Check out David on Linked In to keep up to date with what he is building next - See link here