Meet Sugam Sharma, CPA

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sugam Sharma, CPA a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sugam, thanks for taking the time to share your lessons with our community today. So, let’s jump right in – one of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. Where does your self-discipline come from?
My strong sense of self-discipline stems from witnessing the unwavering work ethic of my immigrant parents. Arriving in the United States in 1999 when I was just three years old, I was surrounded by their dedication from a young age. My father tirelessly put in long hours, never once expressing a complaint, while my mother shouldered the responsibility of raising two young children alongside a part-time job. I vividly recall our journey, from a cramped apartment to a small house, and eventually to a more spacious home – a testament to their relentless efforts.

This experience instilled a core belief in me: life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react. Witnessing their unwavering commitment translated into my approach to education. I took my studies seriously, understanding that a strong foundation was crucial for future success. This dedication continued into my professional career. When I landed positions at Goldman Sachs, Cantor Fitzgerald, and RSM, I embraced the opportunity with the same level of self-discipline I observed in my parents.

My commitment didn’t go unnoticed. Peers and superiors recognized my work ethic as I diligently put in the extra hours required to meet client expectations. Early mornings and late nights became commonplace, not a burden, but a reflection of the values instilled in me.

This self-discipline has been instrumental in the rapid growth of my CPA firm, Clearbooks CPA. I lead by example, demonstrating the same dedication and work ethic I witnessed growing up. Every member of our team understands the importance of going the extra mile to deliver exceptional service to our clients.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m the Managing Partner at Clearbooks CPA, a modern accounting firm that provides end-to-end accounting and tax services. Our mission is to be the one-stop shop for all our clients’ financial needs, eliminating the hassle of juggling multiple service providers.

What truly excites me about Clearbooks CPA is the way we leverage technology to empower our clients. We’re not your traditional CPA firm – we utilize cutting-edge AI to automate the data-crunching process, freeing up our team to focus on what they do best: providing strategic financial insights.

This translates into real, tangible benefits for our clients. By using AI for compilation and data visualization, we give them a clear and comprehensive picture of their finances. This empowers them to make data-driven decisions that ultimately lead to higher margins, more effective spending, and of course, minimized tax liabilities.

In essence, we become an extension of our clients’ financial teams, helping them not just stay compliant but truly thrive.

As a final note, I’m thrilled to announce that we’re currently expanding our service offerings to includes AI integration. This will allow us to provide even greater value and support to a wider range of businesses.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back on my journey, three key qualities have had the biggest impact: hard work, resilience, and a constant willingness to learn.

Hard work is the foundation. It’s about putting in the dedicated effort, day in and day out, to achieve your goals. For those starting out, develop a strong work ethic by setting achievable daily or weekly tasks and holding yourself accountable. Celebrate small wins to maintain momentum, and remember, progress takes time.

Resilience is your armor. You’ll face setbacks and challenges – that’s inevitable. But resilience allows you to bounce back, learn from mistakes, and keep moving forward. Early on, cultivate a growth mindset. View failures as opportunities to learn and adapt. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people who will encourage you during tough times.

A willingness to learn is your compass. The world is constantly evolving, and knowledge is ever-expanding. Develop a curious mind and actively seek out new information and skills. Read industry publications, take online courses, or find a mentor who can share their expertise. Remember, learning is a lifelong journey, not a destination.

By honing these three qualities, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the twists and turns of your career path. Remember, success isn’t a straight line – it’s a journey filled with learning and growth. So embrace the challenges, dedicate yourself to the process, and never stop learning!

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
At Clearbooks CPA, our ideal client is a business owner who recognizes the value of a proactive and year-round accounting partnership. Here’s a breakdown of the characteristics that make a great fit for our firm:

Needs ongoing support: We excel in working with businesses that require consistent tax and bookkeeping assistance. This allows us to build a deep understanding of your financial landscape and become a trusted advisor.

Seeks strategic guidance: Our ideal client goes beyond simple compliance. They value a tax strategist who can proactively identify opportunities to minimize tax liabilities and maximize profitability. We use financial forecasting, budgeting, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to create customized growth strategies.

Appreciates data-driven insights: Our clients understand the power of data visualization. We utilize dashboards and clear financial reports to present information in a way that’s easy to understand and actionable.

Open to new technology: We leverage AI to streamline data collection and analysis. Ideal clients are comfortable embracing innovative solutions that improve efficiency and provide deeper financial insights.

In essence, we partner with ambitious business owners who want to move beyond basic accounting and leverage financial data to achieve their strategic goals. If this sounds like you, we’d love to chat and see how Clearbooks CPA can help your business thrive.

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