In this episode of CFOs Not Talking Finance, we arejoined by CA Piyush Bajla, Vice President of Finance at ITCInfotech, for a deep dive into his 20+ year journey in the finance industry. Piyush opens up about the complexities of managing finances in the tech and IT sectors and how he has transitioned from being an accountant to a strategic leader at the C-suite level.

With a wealth of experience in navigating growth, risk, andoperational challenges, Piyush offers insights into how CFOs can truly act as business partners rather than just number crunchers. As he puts it, "A CFO’s role is not just about controlling costs, it’s about enabling growth through smart, data-driven decisions that align with the business vision."

Piyush shares valuable lessons on the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in the ever-changing corporate world. "Keep learning, keep having fun," he says, stressing the importance of staying curious and constantly evolving to meet new business challenges. Heemphasizes the idea that "knowledge is the real wealth,"something that goes far beyond accumulating money it’s about shaping a career grounded in expertise and passion.

In this episode, you'll learn: 1. The evolution of the CFO’s role from cost controller to strategic leader. 2. Piyush’s experience navigating both cost-saving and efficiency-boosting challenges in high-growth organizations. 3. How to simplify complex problems and make data-driven decisions to drive business success. 4. Why learning should be a continuous, lifelong journey in every professional’s career. 5. Personal reflections on work-life balance and the importance of finding joy and purpose in the work you do. Key Quotes from Piyush Bajla:

1 .“A CFO’s job is not just about controlling costs. It’s about being the enabler of growth, balancing financial responsibility with smart investment.”

2. "Keepp learning, keep having fun, that’s the secret sauce for success.”

3. “Knowledgee is the real wealth.Focus on what you know and the money will follow.”

4. “Becomingg a business partner,not just a financial gatekeeper, is the key to being a successful CFO."

In addition to his career advice, Piyush shares somepersonal anecdotes, including his passion for fitness and travel. He talks about his dream job—"If I weren’t a CFO, I’d probably be an astronaut or at least have a close connection with space exploration!" He also reflects on his love for books, showing how reading fuels his curiosity and expands his understanding of the world beyond finance.

Guest: CA Piyush Bajla

Vice President Finance @ ITC Infotech

https://www.linkedin.com/in/piyush-bajla-56687825/

Host: CA Chitra Parameswaran

Chief of Staff to the CEO @ Contetra Private Limited

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chitra-parameswaran/

Join us on CFO's Not Talking Finance as Dipankar Bose - Chief Financial Officer at ANANDA PUBLISHERS PVT LTD shares his remarkable career journey from finance leader to shared operations head and the tough decisions behind balancing cost control and efficiency. Hear firsthand how he navigated the conflicting demands of spending and saving, and why he chose to focus on driving operational excellence for lasting impact.Mr. Dipankar also opens up about his passion for corporate social responsibility, including an inspiring story of donating millions of books to underserved communities. Discover how strategic thinking, continuous learning, and a resourceful mindset have shaped his leadership style over 35+ years in publishing and finance.Whether you’re a finance professional or business leader, this candid conversation offers valuable lessons on trust, teamwork, and innovation.Host: CA Chitra Parameswaran CoS to the CEO, Contetra Private Limited

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chitra-parameswaran/Guest: Mr. Dipankar Bose CFO, ANANDA PUBLISHERS PVT LTDhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dipankar-bose-50877a1/

Stay tuned to CFOs Not Talking Finance for more insightful stories from finance leaders who think beyond numbers.

In this episode of CFO's Not Talking Finance, we’re joined by Ram Kumar, CFO at a renowned company in the Middle East and Africa, who takes us through his fascinating journey from an engineering background to leading finance at a major corporation. Ram shares his insights on business functions, stakeholder management, and the importance of experiences over just information. With a career spanning multiple sectors including telecom, manufacturing, and financial services, Ram’s story is a testament to growth, resilience, and learning at every stage.What You’ll Learn:Transitioning from engineering to finance and the diverse roles that shaped his career

How to manage and influence stakeholders with diverse backgrounds

The importance of values like health, integrity, and respect in leadership

Lessons from books like Man’s Search for Meaning and Atomic Habits📈 Guest: Ramkumar Balasubramaniam - CFO at a renowned company in the Middle East and Africa https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramkumarbalasubramaniam/

🎤 Host: CA Chitra Parameswaran - Chief of Staff to the CEO

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chitra-parameswaran/

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from finance leaders as we explore their journey beyond the balance sheet!#CFOsNotTalkingFinance #LeadershipJourney #Finance #BusinessTransformation #CFO #StakeholderManagement #FinancialLeadership #GrowthMindset #BusinessSuccess

From a small village near Prayagraj to becoming the Head of Finance - DSP Finance Private Limited, CA Kaushal Dubey’s story is one of relentless grit, quiet leadership, and purpose-driven growth.

In this episode of CFO's Not Talking Finance, we sit down with Kaushal to uncover the person behind the designation. He talks about:

✔ His humble beginnings and early responsibilities

✔ Navigating CA without coaching support

✔ The challenges of managing teams older than him

✔ Switching industries: manufacturing, telecom, and financial services

✔ His passion for cooking, teaching, and giving back through education

✔ The importance of empathy, consistency, and honest leadership

✔ How future finance leaders must embrace tech, mindset shifts, and business collaboration

This is a candid, deeply human conversation that showcases what real leadership looks like beyond numbers and boardrooms.🎧 Watch now to discover how values, purpose, and persistence shaped his remarkable journey.📌 About the Podcast:

CFOs Not Talking Finance is a content series by Contetra where finance leaders speak about everything except finance—sharing stories of resilience, personality, and passion beyond spreadsheets.🎙 Hosted by: CA Chitra Parameswaran -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chitra-parameswaran/

🎙 Guest: CA Kaushal Dubey – Head of Finance - DSP Finance Private Limited -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ca-kaushal-dubey-ba76a225/🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more such inspiring conversations.#CFOStories #LeadershipJourney #KaushalDubey #DSPPrivateLimited #Contetra #CFOsNotTalkingFinance #InspiringCareer

What happens when a seasoned finance leader decides to trade the comfort of MNC corridors for the unpredictability of startups?In this episode of CFOs Not Talking Finance, we chat with CA Abhishek Sharma, Group CFO at Drishti Group, whose career has been anything but conventional. From leading FP&A at GE to co-founding a startup, and now mentoring teams while driving growth at Drishti, Abhishek’s journey is filled with sharp pivots, bold decisions, and deep reflections.Hosted by CA Chitra Parameswaran, this episode goes beyond the numbers. Abhishek opens up about the lessons he's learned from failures, how mythology and history have shaped his thinking, and why embracing mistakes is essential for growth. He also shares how his exposure to marketing, digital strategy, and entrepreneurship has shaped his unique approach to leadership as a CFO.What we loved most? His reflections on why finance professionals need to think long-term, stay consistent, and always be open to change. This isn’t your usual finance conversation — it’s personal, insightful, and deeply inspiring.This series, CFOs Not Talking Finance, is all about bringing out the human side of the CFO — the stories, values, and experiences that make them who they are beyond their designations.🎙 Hosted by: CA Chitra Parameswaran :linkedin.com/in/chitra-parameswaran

👤 Guest: CA Abhishek Sharma :linkedin.com/in/abhishekca09If you enjoy stories of career pivots, personal growth, and the evolving role of finance leaders - you’ll love this one.

Welcome to another episode of "CFOs Not Talking Finance" by Contetra!

This podcast isn’t about balance sheets, tax codes, or corporate finance jargon—it’s about the people behind the CFO title.In this episode, CA Prasanna (CNP) shares her remarkable career journey spanning oil & gas, aviation, renewables, and tech. We dive deep into her experiences, thoughts on Gen Z in the workplace, AI’s potential in agriculture, business partnering, leadership, and how history & archaeology fuel her curiosity.📢 What you’ll take away from this episode:

✅ The reality of career breaks & re-entering the workforce

✅ Gen Z’s mindset and why finance leaders should take notes

✅ Business compliance vs. finance leadership – what truly matters?

✅ How archaeology could have been her alternate career!

✅ AI & sustainability in finance – The next big thing?

💡 About "CFOs Not Talking Finance" Podcast:

Our podcast breaks the stereotype of CFOs only discussing numbers! We explore the personal stories, leadership lessons, and unconventional perspectives of top finance leaders. Hosted by Chitra Parameswaran, each episode unpacks unique insights from industry-leading CFOs, finance professionals, and business strategists.

🌐 Follow & Connect:

🔗 Guest: Prasanna Cheyyar Nageswaran (CNP)

🔗 Host: Chitra Parameswaran📩 For business inquiries & collaborations:

📧 growth@contetra.com

📞 +91 98338 18857

🌍 www.contetra.com

#financeleadership #cfosnottalkingfinance #cacommunity #womeninfinance #careergrowth #leadership #financetransformation #aiinfinance #FutureOfCFOs #GenZWorkplace #financepodcast #HistoryAndFinance #sustainability #ContetraPodcast #contetra #contetrasolutions

From failing in school to becoming a CFO at ICA Pidilite Pvt. Ltd—this is the inspiring journey of CA Abhishek Sheth!In this episode of CFOs Not Talking Finance, hosted by CA Chitra, we uncover Abhishek’s unconventional path, his passion for adventure, and the leadership lessons he’s learned.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✅ The reality of finance leadership & career growth

✅ How failures shaped his success as a CFO

✅ His passion for bikes, trekking, and skydiving

✅ Insights on AI, automation, and the future of finance

📌 About the Podcast:

CFOs Not Talking Finance is a one-of-a-kind podcast where finance leaders step away from numbers and share their untold stories. We go beyond Excel sheets to uncover their passions, challenges, and personal journeys.

📢 Watch now and be inspired!

🎧 Full episode LIVE now!👤

Guest: CA Abhishek Sheth | Head of Finance, ICA Pidilite Pvt. Ltd

🎙 Host: CA Chitra Parameswaran | Product & Growth

📞 Want to discuss finance transformation for your business?

Reach out to us:

📧 growth@contetra.com | 📲 +91 98338 18857

🌐 Visit us: www.contetra.com

#financeleadership #cfojourney #AbhishekSheth #financepodcast #financecareers #leadership #AutomationInFinance #cfosnottalkingfinance #contetrasolutions #content

Welcome to the second episode of our podcast series, "CFO's Not Talking Finance," featuring CA Satya Sama, a finance leader who shares her inspiring journey from humble beginnings to becoming a strategic force in the world of finance. Hosted by CA Chitra Parameswaran, this podcast dives deep into the personal and professional stories that shape the careers of finance professionals.

💡 Key Highlights of This Episode:

✅ Overcoming challenges in the Chartered Accountancy journey

✅ Transitioning across diverse industries and domains—from Big 4 firms to startups

✅ Why saying "no" is a critical skill for every leader

✅ Adapting to technological trends like Python and AI in finance

✅ Balancing career aspirations with personal growth

✨ Fun and Relatable Moments:

The struggle to find a dream job outside of finance

Why Satya Sama thinks she'd make a terrible engineer but a great lawyer

Book recommendations that inspire personal and professional transformation

🎯 Who Should Watch?

This episode is perfect for finance professionals, aspiring Chartered Accountants, startup leaders, and anyone looking for insights on leadership, resilience, and innovation in the finance world.

🎥 Don’t miss this engaging conversation that’s all about finance professionals—not finance!

📢 Check out the full playlist for more episodes:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOYF5xFWvmh9YEsIgAjX6f28U0F8sUphd

#cfosnottalkingfinance #financejourney #womeninfinance #financepodcast #charteredaccountants #financeleadership #resilience #financeinnovation #pythoninfinance