David Welliver

“I love the energy of early-stage businesses and middle-stage or closely-held businesses that want to grow. I can help them look forward and make the right choices.”

Articulate and gregarious, David L. Welliver began his career in start-up companies and political organizations. His passion for the nuts and bolts of businesses drew him into accounting.

While working in tax consulting for the U.S. office of an international accounting firm KPMG, he helped to design tax products that saved businesses millions of dollars. He enjoyed the entrepreneurial challenge of creating and marketing new products across multiple states. David then moved into audit to gain a more detailed view of financial statements and improve his understanding of how to turn around and grow businesses.

David is an expert at working with start-up companies to develop their business plans and help present them to potential investors. Over the last seven years as an audit manager at Saint Paul-based and regionally focused Wilkerson Associates, he honed his skills in communicating meaningful information to business owners, executives and boards of directors in easy-to-understand formats.

After years working inside a larger firm to help business owners and entrepreneurs grow their businesses, David started a practice of his own. WellAdvised LLC is designed to help businesses get clear about their core needs and leverage that knowledge to grow and develop in the directions they choose.

David was recently recognized for his business leadership and tax expertise through an appointment to Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty’s 21st Century Tax Reform Commission, where he chaired the Corporate Income Tax Working Group. He serves on the Leadership Cabinet of the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants and is a member of the Minnesota High Tech Association and the Association for Corporate Growth. He has been active in the Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce and numerous community organizations including Habitat for Humanity and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. He has also served as a board member and treasurer for the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, producers of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.

David is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants. He holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas.

“My passion is helping companies that are struggling or need to grow quickly. There’s a lot of dysfunction in today’s economy and small companies can get squeezed. Some accounting firms don’t want to tell it like it is because they’re afraid to lose the client relationship. I believe a great client relationship is built on my ability to listen to you and to be straightforward about your business situation.”