In this dynamic crossover event on No Boxes: Just Verses, we're joined by finance expert, CPA, and podcast host, Ravi Kumar. Are you a leader trying to pivot your career, find passion outside of public accounting, or build a powerful global network? Ravi's journey is a powerful testament to immigrant grit, relentless perseverance, and why you should "Don't Stop Believin'" in your potential. Tune in for the playbook on transforming the perception of accounting from boring to brilliant.

Ravi Kumar is a Partner and National Market Leader at The Connor Group, specializing in transforming financial challenges into growth opportunities for clients through IPOs, SPACs, and Direct Listings. With over 20 years of experience, he acts as a catalyst for success, leveraging an extensive network of industry leaders and investors to connect visionary companies with the necessary capital and expertise. He blends technical acumen (holding the CPA designation and having passed Level I of the CFA) with strategic insight, and his expertise spans capital markets advisory, IPO readiness, and M&A financial due diligence. He is also the host of The Connor Group's Breakthrough Work Podcast.

Key Takeaways:

• The "Royals" Motivation: Learn how Ravi's humble beginnings and a missed team trip to Hawaii fueled a powerful drive to create a different life, instilling a sense of grit and hunger that propelled his career.

• No Easy Way Out: Accounting as a Trojan Horse: Discover why Ravi views accounting as his "Trojan Horse"—a strategic vehicle that gave him access to commercial transactions and business objectives, enabling him to build influence beyond traditional accounting roles.

• The Strategic Value of the Global Pivot: Hear how Ravi leveraged his experience to build a specialized accounting practice in New Zealand, defying advice to stay on a linear path. This global move enhanced his career and provided a unique lens for advising international clients.

• Parenting is the Hardest Transaction: Find out why Ravi believes parenting is the hardest thing he’s ever done, and how his father's supportive legacy guides him to prioritize his family, ensuring his children have a better experience than he did.

• The Power of Network Mentality: Understand how Ravi cultivates a vast and prominent network by treating people with authenticity, viewing every interaction as an opportunity to pay it forward, and connecting contacts to pivotal roles.

Ravi Kumar’s journey proves that accounting is anything but boring when you lead with passion and a "Don't Stop Believin'" mindset. Where can you break the status quo in your career this week? 

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast! 

CONNECT WITH RAVI KUMAR:

LinkedIn

Breakthrough Work Podcast YouTube | Spotify | Apple

Playlist

CONNECT WITH SHANNON:

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn Shannon | LinkedIn NBJV

Theme Song: Pedal to the Medal by Martin Luther (Spotify | Apple Music) 

Your Career is a Trojan Horse: The CPA's Guide to Unconventional Success

Have you ever felt like your career is on the wrong track, or that your current job doesn't align with your real passions? It’s easy to get stuck thinking you need a total career change, but what if you could use your current profession as a strategic tool to get where you really want to be? The truth is, the most successful leaders often use an unexpected path to gain the access and influence they need.

In an interview on the No Boxes: Just Verses podcast, finance expert and CPA Ravi Kumar shared his powerful, unboxed blueprint for using a traditional career as a Trojan Horse to achieve unconventional success. His story proves that grit, global experience, and a willingness to be uncomfortable are the real secrets to building wealth and legacy. This article is for you if you're ready to transform your current job into a springboard for your biggest dreams.

Are you ready to stop chasing a linear career path and start creating your own? This content is for you if you're ambitious, a bit of an underachiever (like Ravi claims to be!), and driven by a fierce desire to "Don't Stop Believin'." You don't need a perfect plan. You just need a strong desire to master networking, embrace lifelong learning, and never forget where you came from.

Step 1: Use Your Current Role as a "Trojan Horse" for Access

It’s a common mistake for young professionals to believe their job title defines their limit. Ravi, a CPA, realized early on that accounting was his Trojan Horse. He wasn't passionate about tax or audit; he was passionate about business, commercial outcomes, and wealth creation. He used the credibility of his financial background to gain access to the front end of business transactions like M&A and fundraising, which are often closed off to those without technical expertise. This strategy allowed him to focus on big-picture objectives rather than just the math.

Conclusion:

Use your current technical or professional role strategically to gain access and influence in areas you are truly passionate about.

• View your profession (like accounting) as a Trojan Horse for accessing bigger business objectives.

• Focus on being on the front end of commercial transactions, not just the back end.

• Seek out networking events and put in the work to make yourself a known commodity.

• Remember that a thirst for knowledge and critical thinking are your greatest assets, not just the textbook answers.

Step 2: Embrace Global Pivots to Gain a Competitive Edge

Many professionals are afraid to leave their local network or "known market," worried they’ll lose their professional standing. But Ravi’s journey proves that making strategic global pivots is the key to expanding your influence and gaining a crucial lens on business. He took a risk, moving his family to New Zealand to build a specialized accounting practice. He defied advice that warned he would just be doing "island accounting" and instead returned with an enhanced career and the expertise to advise global clients.

Conclusion:

Strategic global pivots give you a competitive edge and expand your professional lens for future opportunities.

• Be willing to move your career (and yourself) to gain new international or specialized experience.

• Defy advice that warns a pivot will lead to a step backward; trust your plan for the future.

• Understand that global experience adds a different lens to your business advice that others in your home market may lack.

• Remember that you are setting yourself up for the direction where the puck is moving.

Step 3: Prioritize Family: Parenting is Your Hardest Transaction

It is a common mistake for leaders to believe their job is the hardest thing they do. Ravi, who played two sports in college, became a partner at a global accounting firm, and advises on complex transactions, states unequivocally that parenting is the hardest thing he has ever done. He credits his father's unwavering support and presence with inspiring him to prioritize his own children, ensuring they have the support and connection he didn't always have growing up.

Conclusion:

Prioritize family by integrating their needs into your career and accepting that parenting is your most challenging and rewarding role.

• Acknowledge that parenting is the hardest thing you'll ever do and deserves the highest priority.

• Use your father’s or mentors’ supportive legacy as a model for how you prioritize and pour into your own children.

• Do not feel like you always have to be plugged in; taking a break is okay.

• Remember that the greatest legacy is ensuring your children have a better experience than you had.

Step 4: Cultivate a Network Mentality Based on Paying it Forward

Many people view networking as a transactional exchange, only reaching out when they need something. Ravi’s success is built on the opposite: a deep desire to pay it forward and cultivate a vast, prominent network through genuine connection. He actively uses his influential position to help find clients their next CFO role or connect founders with the investors they need. This authentic passion for lifting others is what makes him a truly sought-after leader and networker.

Conclusion:

Build a powerful network by genuinely paying it forward, making every person you speak to feel like the most important person in the room.

• View every interaction as an opportunity to pay it forward and connect others to pivotal roles.

• Find joy in engaging with people and hearing their life story and passions.

• Strike up conversations with anyone in any field; you never know who will be part of your network.

• Remember that true authenticity makes you an honor to speak with.

Conclusion

You’ve learned that the path to a high-powered career is built on immigrant grit, strategic pivots, and authentic connection. Ravi Kumar’s journey proves that the most successful leaders are those who treat their core technical job as a Trojan Horse for gaining access to their true passion. The big idea is simple: Don't Stop Believin' in your potential, and always keep your eye on your purpose.

Now it’s time to integrate these ideas into your life:

Final Steps to Take:

• Identify your Trojan Horse: What is the technical skill you can leverage this week to gain business access?

• Practice paying it forward: Who is one person in your network you can connect to a meaningful opportunity?

• Embrace discomfort: What calculated risk can you take to expand your career territory?

• Define your joy: What song will you play today to remind yourself to Be Present and find your happy place?