Nikolas Hatzistergos

Lessons from the Top - Nikolas Hatzistergos

Lessons from the Top
May 08, 2025•3 min read

When your LinkedIn’s ‘About’ section starts with a quote like:

“As Managing Director, the buck stops with me, and I can’t expect others to follow if I’m not prepared to lead.”

You just know the post that follows is going to be solid gold.

This week, I was tagged in a post by Nikolas Hatzistergos, Executive Chairman and Managing Director of William Buck, or as we Gen Zs may now refer to him: The GOAT of Accounting.

Nikolas shared what can only be described as a LinkedIn version of a “Week in the Life” vlog - like TikTok but in written form.

But this wasn’t just a highlight reel. It was a look behind the curtain, challenging outdated notions of what a career in accounting can look like at the top. And let’s just say... CA enrollments might spike after this.

Let’s step inside a week in the life of the GOAT himself, Nikolas Hatzistergos:

MONDAY

  • Gathered his thoughts to prepare for introducing the Prime Minister that evening.

  • Welcomed the Presidential Guard of the Hellenic Republic as President of the Hellenic Club.

  • Attended a doxology led by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, with Premier Chris Minns.

  • Officially introduced the Prime Minister at a dinner hosted at the award-winning Beta Grande.

TUESDAY

  • Kicked off with an early morning call to a colleague in Seattle.

  • Attended the South Sydney Rabbitohs Board meeting, with insights from none other than coach Wayne Bennett.

  • Attended an official welcome for the Presidential Guard at NSW Parliament House.

  • Walked through Hyde Park with His Excellency, Mr I. Mallikourtis, discussing the Greek diaspora.

  • Chaired the Board Audit Committee for the Bank of Sydney.

  • Finished the day at a Business Sydney event hosted by Paul Nicolaou.

WEDNESDAY

  • Started with a mentoring session for one of the firm’s rising stars.

  • Attended an internal industry focus group.

  • Reviewed a key client’s upcoming strategic planning materials.

  • Chaired the April Board meeting of the Hellenic Club.

  • Finalised travel documents for Milan.

  • Went home and packed bags.

THURSDAY

  • 3:00 AM pickup for a 6:00 AM flight. Enroute to Milan to attend the Praxity Alliance Board meeting.

  • Onboarded a conversation with a young entrepreneur heading to Dubai and London to raise capital.

FRIDAY

  • Touched down in Milan and shook off the flight with a long walk.

  • Cleared emails and prepped thoroughly for the Praxity Alliance Board meeting.

Sure, not every week will look like this. But what Nikolas shared wasn’t just a schedule, it was a statement.

It showed that a background in accounting doesn’t limit your world, it can expand it. From advising entrepreneurs to engaging with governments, mentoring rising stars to representing cultural communities, Nikolas's week is proof that accounting can be a launchpad to leadership at the highest level.

It’s not just about numbers, it’s about impact.

So if you ever wondered what leadership looks like in practice, or how far a career in accounting can take you... this is it.

And if you’re a young professional figuring out your path, just remember - the world doesn’t need another accountant. It needs the next GOAT.

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