Adding up opportunities
Christopher Kellam ’10 ’16 operated a cab company while attending ECU for his bachelor’s degree. David Campbell ’10 ’13 had a string of side businesses while in high school and college – resume review, credit building and budgeting.
“I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. In the 10th grade, I wrote my plans for my life, and one of those included an accounting firm,” Campbell said.
Their nearly 11-year partnership has created a full-service accounting firm that supports individual and business clients with a focus on small-business owners.
Kellam and Campbell (also the name of their firm) met during their undergraduate days at ECU. Kellam made his way to ECU after six years in the Air Force. Campbell chose ECU over UNC-Chapel Hill.
“My experience at ECU was excellent,” Kellam said. “As a non-traditional student, husband and father of two, I approached my education with a level of focus and seriousness that I might not have had earlier in life.”
After graduating, they worked at two different eastern North Carolina businesses together. The second one, a wireless company, moved its accounting department out of state. However, the pair wanted to stay in Greenville. Kellam had a potential client, and over lunch, he signed that client. He then asked Campbell if he wanted to go into business together.
“At the time, I wasn’t initially set on working for myself. It really took David’s perspective and vision – his belief in what we could build and the value we could provide to clients – to bring the idea to life,” Kellam said. “He saw the opportunity for us to move beyond traditional accounting work and into more consultative, high-level advisory services, and that ultimately shaped the direction of our firm.”
This vision has pushed the duo to expand to areas across the state – Greenville, Raleigh, Cary, Charlotte and New Bern. They not only serve clients in North Carolina but also across the country – and even internationally.
“We bring high-level financial insight to small businesses using technology and efficiency to deliver value traditionally reserved for larger companies,” Campbell said.
They also continue to be engaged with the College of Business. Kellam and Campbell provide services to the winners of the Aman Pirate Challenge every year, and six of their seven employees are Pirate alumni.
“We take pride in building a firm that reflects that connection,” Kellam said.
A recent investment by the Pirate Entrepreneurship Fund, a Greenville-based venture capital firm, will help them expand to meet rising demand. Their next goal is to become a top 100 accounting firm. Campbell received a 2025 Trailblazer Award from Business North Carolina, being recognized as an under-40 business leader.
“I’ve enjoyed this decade-plus journey and look forward to the next decade as I continue to grow, learn and elevate the service our clients receive,” Campbell said.