by Carolyn Badaracco
David Greaves is principal and tax market leader for the South Atlantic market for BDO USA , the seventh-largest accounting and consulting firm in the U.S. and a member of BDO International Limited.
This is what the output behind the title looks like, according to Atlanta-based Greaves: “I have a passion for collaboration across the organization, (for) bringing integrated solutions to clients, and really just trying to be a market maker and a growth catalyst.”
Georgia Insider sat down with Greaves for a candid conversation.
GI: Set the stage by telling me about the work that led you to your current role at BDO Atlanta.
Greaves: I joined BDO almost five years ago. Before that, I was a tax consultant and a principal at a Big Four firm for 19 years. I have over 24 years of experience at large public accounting and consulting firms.
When I came to BDO, I was able to shift from being a direct client-service advisor, in terms of day-to-day service delivery, and really lean into my passion for collaboration. BDO provided me with a formalized role where I can manage and collaborate across a four-state region, so it’s been exciting.
GI: What’s something about business in general today, across all sectors, that blows your mind?
Greaves: There used to be the phrase “technology company,” right? The reality now is that every company is a technology company. At least from the vantage point of: if your company is harnessing digital tools, AI and automation across your front, middle and/or back office, you are a technology company.
You literally have no choice. Whether you’re a manufacturing entity deploying the internet of things inside of your mill, or a financial institution that’s using AI to draw quicker insights on what your customers need on a front-office basis, every company really is a technology company going through, frankly, a once-in-a-lifetime phase of disruption.
GI: Now that everybody is essentially a tech company today, how would you describe a truly innovative company?
Greaves: To me, an innovative company is one that is constantly seeking to disrupt the old way and rebuild a new and better way. That may sound a little esoteric and idealistic, but the most successful organizations, like Apple, for instance, are perfect examples of that.
Over time, Steve Jobs made it clear: we are going to completely reimagine how we do things
I think it’s a mindset you have to have now in any business because with AI, there is a fundamental change happening in the world.
Look no further than our backyard here in Georgia. It seems like overnight we have become one of the leading states for the development of data centers by hyperscalers for smaller-scale players.
And that’s why mindset matters. Innovation is about challenging the status quo, embracing new technology and acting boldly.
GI: With all the rapid disruptive change in the business landscape today, how has the role of the consultant changed, from your vantage at BDO Atlanta?
Greaves: At BDO, we work with companies of every size, from small-cap and lower middle market, to fast-growth firms and established enterprises, including some of the largest companies regionally across the country. That diversity of clients means no two engagements are the same.
We see that firsthand with today’s business challenges, which are complex and interconnected, spanning from AI adoption to regulatory shifts and trade issues. Consulting isn’t one-size-fits-all anymore. So many of our situations are bespoke, very specific to the client’s facts, challenges, and the way they see digital and AI changing their business. Consultants should listen carefully and invest the time to fully understand the organization’s challenges.
Take the tariff changes earlier this year, for example. It was brought to light that many organizations weren’t fully prepared to respond quickly.
The good news is that challenges like these create resilience. They push organizations to form centers of excellence to handle complex, cross-functional issues.
Plus, everything is moving at warp speed now. That reality has made us nimbler, multidisciplinary and fully integrated in how we serve clients.
GI: It sounds as though a consultant has to be an octopus with eight arms in 2026.
Greaves: The demands on tax teams have never been higher.
20 years ago, functions like tax were often siloed in a large company. But in today’s dynamic business environment, CEOs and CFOs have realized that tax advisors are pivotal in helping businesses align tax objectives with corporate goals. Tax advisors now have a seat in the boardroom where important business decisions are being made.
One of the fun parts of our job is that we sit in a catbird seat as consultants, auditors and advisors. We get to see a lot and are now challenged in how we face expanded business responsibilities. We’re up to the challenge, but it requires a different type of focus than it did 15 or 20 years ago.
GI: Let’s turn to fintech. What are some of the most compelling benefits and incentives that draw fintech companies to Georgia?
Greaves: There are a few reasons. Number one is the public-private higher education partnership in Georgia. I was recently speaking with Larry Williams, who leads the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), and he described it as “uncanny.”
Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, the University of Georgia and others are working in tandem with state and local governments and industry partners to create a world-class talent pipeline.
Organizations like TAG are also working with companies like Google and IBM to develop AI certification programs. Georgia is producing a significant number of knowledge workers, including AI professionals and data scientists. This is not accidental—it’s the result of strategic collaboration to meet workforce demands.
And then, look at what the government has done.
On the government side, Georgia is very business-friendly, with a relatively low corporate tax rate and favorable tax structures for multi-state businesses.
There are also strong incentive programs at both the state and local levels, with cooperation between agencies like the Department of Commerce and local municipalities. When combined with tax credits, such as data center exemptions, R&D credits and our Quality Jobs credit, this creates a powerful trifecta of incentives.
So, when you combine all of that with the great culture, great people, a city in the woods, there’s just an array of things that are going to entice companies to build a business in the state.
GI: What does the business landscape look like here, in Atlanta specifically, as the future unfolds?
Greaves: Atlanta continues to attract inbound venture capital and private equity, which is encouraging.
The city’s entrepreneurial spirit continues to drive growth, and major developments like (Centennial Yards) and the expansion of Atlanta Tech Village reflect that momentum. Those are big ideas that should capture people’s enthusiasm, capture people’s capital and continue to boost the state as a technology center.
Do I think we are New York or Boston yet? Not quite.
But Atlanta is a strong place to build and scale companies. Large companies like Google, Microsoft and Georgia-Pacific have built innovation centers here, around Tech Square, because of the ecosystem that they want to be a part of.
Atlanta’s economic diversity is one of its strengths. Unlike markets that are heavily concentrated in one industry, Atlanta spans manufacturing, retail, fintech, technology and logistics. That diversity positions the region well for continued growth, especially in the financial services and fintech space.
The financial sector is particularly interesting. Atlanta has a strong mid-sized banking community, and with the convergence of fintech companies, payment processors and financial institutions, the city is emerging as a center of innovation in financial services.
GI: In all the talk of business in Georgia, let’s circle back to BDO Atlanta. What have you found there?
Greaves: BDO has an innovative culture with a very intentional growth trajectory, both locally and globally.
What I enjoy most, though, is the people. They are humble, collaborative and driven. That sense of collaboration has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career over the past five years.
