Nicholas McClay
Nearly two decades of experience across financial services, governance, private capital, and strategic business matters — shaped by careers in New York, Paris, and Nashville.
One perspective.
Nicholas McClay is a Nashville-based business leader and advisor with nearly two decades of experience across financial services, governance, risk, private capital, accounting, and strategic business matters. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside executives, boards, entrepreneurs, investors, and organizations navigating complexity, growth, and opportunity.
His career has been shaped by three distinct chapters — New York, Paris, and Nashville — each contributing to a professional perspective that is simultaneously global in outlook and deeply rooted in the communities and relationships he has built.
Began his career at EY in New York City, serving large multinational investment-banking and private-equity clients. This foundation in financial services, complex transactions, and global business set the trajectory for everything that followed.
Spent more than three years as an expatriate in Paris, serving multinational clients across Europe and developing a global professional perspective. This chapter deepened his fluency in international business, cross-border transactions, and the nuances of operating across cultures and markets.
Helped grow EY's financial-services practice in Nashville before joining Calvetti Ferguson as Nashville Office Managing Partner — launching the firm's first expansion outside Texas. Following Cherry Bekaert's acquisition of Calvetti Ferguson in June 2026, Nicholas serves as Nashville Market Leader and Advisory Partner.
Undergraduate foundation in accounting and business.
International business studies in Paris — the beginning of a lasting connection to France and a global professional perspective.
Fluent in English and French — a reflection of years living and working in Paris and a professional perspective shaped by international experience.
Nicholas approaches his work with the conviction that the best advisors bring more than technical expertise — they bring judgment, perspective, and a genuine investment in the success of the people and organizations they serve.
Having built his career across three cities and multiple industries, he understands that complexity is rarely solved by a single discipline. The most valuable contributions come from advisors who can connect financial rigor with strategic thinking, governance with growth, and local relationships with global perspective.
In Nashville, he has found a city that rewards that kind of thinking — one where business, community, and culture intersect in ways that create real opportunity for those willing to invest in it.
For professional inquiries, speaking engagements, or board and community matters.