Discovering the Synergy of Finance and Technology | CA Sanjib Sanghi

Blending finance and technology: A conversation with CA Sanjib Sanghi

How do you merge finance with technology? In this episode of Coffee with CA, CA Sanjib Sanghi shares how he thrives at the intersection of finance, automation, and digital transformation. Host Geena Bharwani dives deep into his journey, exploring key milestones that shaped his career. Sanghi’s story begins in the late 90s and extends into a rich tapestry of insights on automation, cloud computing, and international business.

This post unpacks everything from his leap to the United States to his focus on guiding new chartered accountants, empowering women practitioners, and supporting MSMEs.

The early beginnings of CA Sanjib Sanghi

Sanghi’s journey began in 1998 when he qualified as a chartered accountant. While most of his peers went into tax audits and income tax practices, Sanghi found these traditional routes uninspiring. Rising early in his career, he realized that automating financial tasks was his true calling, even though it was revolutionary back in the late 90s. Finance and automation weren’t as intertwined as they are today, but his natural inclination toward blending these two areas set him apart. He was determined back then—and remains so today—to make finance more efficient using the power of technology.

The decision to go global

In 2003, Sanghi made a life-changing decision. Unhappy with following the beaten path of other CAs in India, he sought something more exciting—something bigger. His goal? To explore global opportunities and see how the world works. This wasn’t merely about escaping traditional tax practices; it was about pushing boundaries in how finance could evolve.

With no financial safety net, no guaranteed housing, and only a one-way ticket, he ventured to the United States. It was a bold move. There, he met clients who needed more than just accountants—they needed someone who could make their processes seamless using automation. Sanghi saw this as his moment to bring financial insights and digital solutions together.

Breaking ground in the US

Landing in New Jersey, Sanghi began by working with a client involved in various financial aspects of a restaurant business. His role began with simple tasks like manual bank entries from PDFs. However small, this entry point helped him identify opportunities to improve workflows by blending finance with automation.

The most significant part of this early experience? A skyrocketing earnings potential. Sanghi grew from earning just $200 a month to a staggering $3,000 within six months. He achieved this through a combination of careful observation and automation solutions that eliminated repetitive tasks. Soon, he was not only doing accounting work but restructuring the client’s entire process to be more efficient and scalable.

Finding a niche in pest control finance

What made Sanghi stand out was his eye for specialization. He partnered with a CPA who had extensive experience in the pest control industry. Together, they tailored financial services exclusively for this sector. Why? Because specialization allowed him to focus more deeply on industry-specific challenges, which he could automate and optimize. By mastering the financial intricacies of pest control, Sanghi set up a solid niche that became his unique selling proposition. Even today, most of his clients in the United States operate in the pest control industry.

Returning to India: The challenge of change

Armed with newfound skills and insights, Sanghi returned to India, eager to apply what he learned internationally. However, the transition wasn’t smooth. The local workforce wasn’t familiar with the level of precision and commitment expected by international clients. Sanghi recalls that while some tasks were simple, maintaining perfection in deadlines and accuracy was the actual challenge. It was a cultural shift for a team used to working in a more relaxed, fire-engine mode—responding only when deadlines loomed. His return highlighted the importance of adapting to global workflows, even in a local setting.

The passion for mentoring and giving back

Beyond business, Sanghi has a strong sense of responsibility to mentor younger professionals. Conversations with newly qualified CAs often revealed a troubling lack of direction. Many saw passing the CA exam as the endpoint rather than the beginning of a new journey. To address this gap, Sanghi took on an active role in career counseling, particularly with 11th and 12th graders, helping them understand their career paths and aspirations early. Convincing them to ignite their own passions, he sought to remind them that being a CA isn’t just about landing a corporate job; it’s about how you can shape industries. His hope is to inspire the next generation of CAs to think bigger.

Real-life transformations: The data scientist

Sanghi’s impact goes beyond workshops and seminars; he’s helped real people reshape their careers. One such example is a CA who initially felt at odds with both corporate and traditional practice paths. Through conversations with Sanghi, this individual was guided toward becoming a data scientist. Initially, the thought seemed far-fetched, but Sanghi’s reasoning was clear: there’s a massive market between big firms and small businesses that need accessible data solutions. The rest is history. The CA closed his traditional practice, honed his data science skills, and now runs a highly profitable business focused on data analytics.

The CA Shots app: Cutting through clutter

Anyone in today’s world knows the frustration of endless notifications and messages. CA Sanghi addresses this with his CA Shots app, designed to clean up the financial noise. The app aggregates crucial updates, deadlines, and regulations for CAs so they can access relevant information without being bogged down by digital clutter. It’s one of his technological answers to making the lives of accountants more streamlined and efficient.

The digital professional: A practical book

Sanghi isn’t just a mentor and innovator—he’s also an author. His book, The Digital Professional, is a practical guide aimed at helping professionals develop a digital mindset. It features a character named Abhijit, who many CAs will find deeply relatable, and is filled with actionable insights instead of complicated tech jargon. Sanghi encourages readers to reflect on how they can optimize their practices through technology without being overwhelmed by the technical side. His message is clear: start thinking digitally now, before the rest of the world moves ahead without you.

Supporting MSMEs and the 50/50 concept

Sanghi has also extended his focus to the MSME sector, which he sees as the backbone of India’s economy. As Vice President of an MSME development in West Bengal, Sanghi is involved in numerous initiatives to raise awareness and provide training for business owners on subsidies, loans, and how to strengthen their companies' financial health.

On a different note, Sanghi launched an initiative to empower an often-overlooked group—senior chartered accountants. His concept, called 50/50, focuses on training CAs over the age of 50 in 50 essential computer skills. This keeps them relevant in an increasingly digital world and demonstrates Sanghi’s focus on helping everyone adapt, regardless of age.

A vision for the future: Adapt, transform, innovate

Sanghi’s ethos boils down to three words: adapt, transform, innovate. First, he believes that everyone needs to adopt a mindset open to change so they can be more adaptable. Once that happens, you can start transforming your work and how you operate, eventually leading to innovation. Sanghi is a firm believer that if you’re doing the same thing you were doing six months ago, you’re stagnant. Continuous improvement is key to staying relevant, whether you’re a CA or a business owner.

Conclusion: The essence of CA Sanjib Sanghi

From humble beginnings to international success, CA Sanjib Sanghi has redefined finance by integrating technology and mentoring others. His commitment to innovation, specialization, and empowerment underscores a career built on growth and giving back. His message is clear: in finance and in life, embracing change is the way forward.