Pranav Joshi : Building Trust & Excellence In Finance Through Experience & Collaboration
Pranav Joshi
Partner
Pranav's commitment to learning is evident in his proactive approach to gaining knowledge from every interaction. He has honed his skills through observing and adapting methods from others, whether it’s improving communication, negotiation, or team management. His experiences at Protiviti and Grant Thornton have further shaped his understanding of team dynamics and respect. These lessons have not only contributed to his personal growth but also to his ability to lead and drive success at P.G. Joshi & Co. Let’s read on.
You qualified as a CA at a young age and joined your family firm. What prompted your decision to pursue an MBA?
After nearly a decade working as an auditor, I realized that much of the work done by CAs is reactive. Clients typically approach us after a financial year has ended or a transaction is complete. Our role mainly involves certifying or verifying past activities. Even in consulting, our contributions were often constrained to what the promoters had already planned. The focus was more on addressing the 'how' such as how to disclose a transaction or finance a deal rather than exploring the 'what next' or strategizing for growth. I wanted to move beyond validating past actions to actively guiding clients on their future strategies. Pursuing an MBA seemed like
the best way to broaden my perspective beyond finance and gain a comprehensive understanding of running an organization effectively.
Tell us about your academic experience at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. What did you gain from the campus experience beyond academics?
My time at IIMA was exceptional and profoundly transformative. The academic rigor, innovative pedagogy, and esteemed professors significantly shifted my thinking. The coursework introduced concepts and approaches that were new to me, fundamentally altering how I view various aspects of life. I was honored to be on the merit list and placed second in my batch.
As a CA, I had missed out on the traditional college experience, so attending IIMA was particularly thrilling. The prestige of the institution was an added bonus. During that year, I forged lasting friendships and professional connections, many of which continue to be valuable today. The greatest takeaway was the diverse perspectives brought by my cohort. Coming from a finance background, my group, or 'Syndi' as it's called at IIMA, had no one from finance. The varied viewpoints challenged and expanded my understanding, and I often reflect on how my batchmates might approach a problem for clarity. The real treasure from IIMA was the relationships with my syndimates, who remain my trusted advisors and sounding boards.
As the Director of Finance at Tsecond, a Silicon Valley tech startup, how do you view your role?
In my previous experience as an auditor, I worked with a range of organizations, from small proprietorships to large listed companies. However, working in a startup presents unique challenges. Each day, I apply my learnings in new ways, going beyond mere financial management. For a company to achieve its goals, all departments - HR, operations, finance, sales, and marketing must align their sub goals and processes with the broader company objectives. My MBA has enhanced my understanding of these various functions, and in the startup environment, I have the chance to expand beyond my core responsibilities. I focus on making the finance function a key enabler for other departments to achieve their targets and drive overall company success.
How do you foster a culture of operational excellence in your role as a mentor at In Fed (IIM Nagpur), given
Tell us about your academic experience at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. What did you gain from the campus experience beyond academics?
My time at IIMA was exceptional and profoundly transformative. The academic rigor, innovative pedagogy, and esteemed professors significantly shifted my thinking. The coursework introduced concepts and approaches that were new to me, fundamentally altering how I view various aspects of life. I was honored to be on the merit list and placed second in my batch.
The real treasure from IIMA was the relationships with my syndimates, who remain my trusted advisors & sounding boards
As a CA, I had missed out on the traditional college experience, so attending IIMA was particularly thrilling. The prestige of the institution was an added bonus. During that year, I forged lasting friendships and professional connections, many of which continue to be valuable today. The greatest takeaway was the diverse perspectives brought by my cohort. Coming from a finance background, my group, or 'Syndi' as it's called at IIMA, had no one from finance. The varied viewpoints challenged and expanded my understanding, and I often reflect on how my batchmates might approach a problem for clarity. The real treasure from IIMA was the relationships with my syndimates, who remain my trusted advisors and sounding boards.
As the Director of Finance at Tsecond, a Silicon Valley tech startup, how do you view your role?
In my previous experience as an auditor, I worked with a range of organizations, from small proprietorships to large listed companies. However, working in a startup presents unique challenges. Each day, I apply my learnings in new ways, going beyond mere financial management. For a company to achieve its goals, all departments - HR, operations, finance, sales, and marketing must align their sub goals and processes with the broader company objectives. My MBA has enhanced my understanding of these various functions, and in the startup environment, I have the chance to expand beyond my core responsibilities. I focus on making the finance function a key enabler for other departments to achieve their targets and drive overall company success.
How do you foster a culture of operational excellence in your role as a mentor at In Fed (IIM Nagpur), given
your active support for startups?
Before pursuing my MBA, I was already deeply involved in the startup ecosystem, assisting multiple companies with their accounting and compliance setups. After completing my MBA and working with Tsecond, I gained firsthand experience of the challenges startups face and the pitfalls they need to avoid. My involvement extended to pitching to investors, defining go-to-market strategies, setting pricing, and identifying partnerships. When I learned about IIM Nagpur's new incubation center seeking mentors, I eagerly joined.
In my mentoring role, my goal is to guide startups towards becoming sustainable businesses that focus on creating value, not just valuation. I work with them to develop both short term and long term operational plans, emphasizing practical execution over theoretical advice. As a CA with experience across various industries, I offer valuable insights into operational challenges and provide guidance that helps startups navigate their growth journey effectively.
What makes you a dependable advisor for clients, and how do you ensure that you provide thorough and reliable guidance while adhering to industry best practices?
Trust and reliability are earned through consistent performance over time. My grand father, the founder of our firm, established integrity and ethics as its core values, principles that we continue to uphold today. With over 70 years in the profession, our firm is one of the oldest CA firms in the country, and our long standing client relationships reflect the trust we’ve built.
However, the profession is evolving rapidly, with increasing specialization and niche areas. We have not only earned our clients' trust but also developed a network of professionals who share responsibility. I believe in the power of collaboration and collective growth. We work closely with company secretaries, lawyers, patent attorneys, and subject matter experts, leveraging their expertise to provide comprehensive and reliable guidance to our clients.
Pranav Joshi, Partner, PG Joshi & Co
Pranav Joshi, an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and a Chartered Accountant, has over 12 years of professional experience. Passionate about giving back to society, he actively mentors and teaches, providing guidance on startup strategies, financial planning. His commitment to empowering future entrepreneurs and professionals ensures they are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and excel in their respective fields.
Before pursuing my MBA, I was already deeply involved in the startup ecosystem, assisting multiple companies with their accounting and compliance setups. After completing my MBA and working with Tsecond, I gained firsthand experience of the challenges startups face and the pitfalls they need to avoid. My involvement extended to pitching to investors, defining go-to-market strategies, setting pricing, and identifying partnerships. When I learned about IIM Nagpur's new incubation center seeking mentors, I eagerly joined.
In my mentoring role, my goal is to guide startups towards becoming sustainable businesses that focus on creating value, not just valuation. I work with them to develop both short term and long term operational plans, emphasizing practical execution over theoretical advice. As a CA with experience across various industries, I offer valuable insights into operational challenges and provide guidance that helps startups navigate their growth journey effectively.
What makes you a dependable advisor for clients, and how do you ensure that you provide thorough and reliable guidance while adhering to industry best practices?
Trust and reliability are earned through consistent performance over time. My grand father, the founder of our firm, established integrity and ethics as its core values, principles that we continue to uphold today. With over 70 years in the profession, our firm is one of the oldest CA firms in the country, and our long standing client relationships reflect the trust we’ve built.
However, the profession is evolving rapidly, with increasing specialization and niche areas. We have not only earned our clients' trust but also developed a network of professionals who share responsibility. I believe in the power of collaboration and collective growth. We work closely with company secretaries, lawyers, patent attorneys, and subject matter experts, leveraging their expertise to provide comprehensive and reliable guidance to our clients.
Pranav Joshi, Partner, PG Joshi & Co
Pranav Joshi, an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and a Chartered Accountant, has over 12 years of professional experience. Passionate about giving back to society, he actively mentors and teaches, providing guidance on startup strategies, financial planning. His commitment to empowering future entrepreneurs and professionals ensures they are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and excel in their respective fields.