Harnessing Athletics and Entrepreneurship in Accounting with Ian Black

In this episode of the Ambitious Accountant Podcast, host Sumith Dissanayake sits down with Ian Black, Founding Director of Direct Advisory in Hamilton, New Zealand. 

They discuss the busy periods in accounting, the influence of Ian's sports background on his professional career, his initial aspiration to become a lawyer, and the roots of his shift to accounting. Ian elaborates on the motivations and challenges behind starting Direct Advisory, the importance of clear communication with clients, and maintaining balance between work and personal life. He highlights the role of outsourcing and AI in streamlining accounting processes and provides insights into sourcing clients and team members. 

The episode wraps up with a forward-looking discussion on Direct Advisory’s future growth opportunities.

Got something to say about the future of accounting in NZ? Let’s chat — you could be our next guest.

Email - Sumith@brisca.co.nz

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to the Ambitious Accountant Podcast
• 1:02 Ian Black's Early Career and Sports Influence
• 2:40 Choosing Accounting Over Law
• 6:24 Entrepreneurial Journey and Starting Direct Advisory
• 11:38 Client Relationships and Communication Strategies
• 24:04 Team Building and Outsourcing Best Practices
• 32:42 The Role of AI in Accounting
• 36:24 Future Opportunities and Closing Remarks