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Background
Current title, organization, and location: Founder & CEO, Decrypt Compliance, San Jose, California
Educational background: Bachelor's degree in Accounting & Information Systems, Santa Clara University
Professional credentials earned: CPA, CITP, CISA, CISSP, CIPP/E, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, ISO 42001 Lead Auditor, CCSK
Years in the profession: 13+ years
Career Journey
How did you first become interested in accounting and technology? I got into accounting because it is the default language of business. I knew I wanted to be a professional, and accounting was my lens into business. But I am much more of a techie at heart, so my goal has always been figuring out how to use technology to help businesses grow. Studying Information Systems was the first pillar, and then having the good fortune to start my career in the Big Four helped me see firsthand how technology supports enterprises and how many of the biggest challenges in business growth can be viewed through the lens of technology problems.
What key experiences, opportunities, or career transitions led you into Technology Advisory? My path ran through EY, where I led more than 50 technology audits for Fortune 50 companies, followed by in-house security and governance, risk and compliance roles at Salesforce and Tencent, before I founded Decrypt Compliance in 2023.
What does your current role involve, and what types of projects or challenges do you work on most frequently? As Founder and CEO, I am pushing the envelope on what “good” looks like for professional services in our field. I most frequently focus on understanding the latest developments in technology, how new capabilities are creating opportunities to reshape the business, and what those changes mean for the work we do for clients.
What do you find most rewarding about your work? Hearing that clients are excited to see that we are really trying harder to understand what is next.
Insights & Advice
What skills do you believe are most important for success in Technology Advisory? You need to practice learning and unlearning for yourself, and teaching and unteaching others. Things are moving fast, they keep moving fast, and they are moving faster now than ever before.
What advice would you give to a CPA or accounting professional interested in pursuing a career in this field? Ask yourself whether you are willing to always feel a little “behind” as the rest of the world moves forward. If the answer is no, then you want to be working in Technology Advisory. This field challenges you to stay ahead when there are not always clear answers.
Why did you choose to earn the CITP credential, and how has it benefited your career? The CITP credential is a marker of who is taking the extra step to understand “what is next,” rather than sitting and waiting for someone else to figure it out. It has helped me find people who share my passion for forward thinking, and it has even helped me find A players to join my team. I also currently serve on the AICPA CITP Credential Committee, helping shape the standards that define excellence in our field.
Anything Else?
Are there any additional experiences, accomplishments, lessons learned, mentors, career pivots, or perspectives that you'd like us to consider including in your profile? Founding a new business is arguably the most challenging career move I have made, and I believe understanding technology has been a major driver in making it successful in today’s business ecosystem. It all starts with a business idea and a belief in yourself. Honestly, it took me too long to find that belief because of the limiting beliefs I held about what I was capable of.