Finding Purpose in Finance

Aligning Passion with Value Creation

In the ever-evolving world of finance, dashing youths often find themselves at a crossroads, contemplating their place in an industry that thrives on value creation. A young aspirant approached me recently, asking to be placed in a position where he could "do something in finance." His words echoed my own journey, transporting me back to the early years of my career.

I asked him, "What do you envision for yourself in this field?" He confidently replied, "Investment management." Intrigued, I suggested we meet again the next day, giving myself time to reflect on the essence of this ambitious request.

In those moments, I revisited the nervous early days of my career, neck-deep in data analysis. Even with years of experience in auditing and accounting before my MBA, I often questioned why I had chosen to be an analyst. The environment I was in pushed me to grasp how data could create value for stakeholders, igniting a hunger to learn.

This hunger reshaped my perspective, making me realize that a career is not just about achievements or designations but about understanding yourself through your experiences. As a Chartered Accountant, my lens of clarity, purpose, and meaning evolved. It wasn’t just about numbers; it was about finding the connection between decisions and their impact.

Life has a way of teaching through unexpected paths. My journey taught me that real purpose comes when you find meaning in your role and align it with your goals. It requires command and control over actions and decisions, a lesson I wouldn’t have learned without my accounting roots.

Transformation, however, is a wave that can leave even seasoned professionals lost. Yet, it is this very wave that allows for introspection. Why keep great ideas confined to the closed doors of an office? Why not test them in the open market, where they can flourish?

To the youngster, I said: "Do at least one thing in this organization that feels important to you. Now figure out what that is."

It was a simple yet profound thought that applied equally to myself. Aligning passion and work to elements like timeliness, completeness, verifiability, and standardization can bring remarkable results. But remember, not every difference is innovation, and the need of the hour may differ from what the future demands.

The journey in finance—or any career—isn’t about instant success or grandeur. It’s about finding purpose in your role, pushing boundaries, and daring to dream. As professionals, we must embrace clarity and action, sharing our ideas openly, testing their viability, and continuously evolving.

The young aspirant reminded me of something invaluable: in guiding others, we often rediscover our own purpose.

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Paudyal is a Chartered Accountant passionate about numbers and trails.