How this CA from a tier 2 city in India went on to become a CFO by unlearning and thinking beyond finance

• Hi, I am Amit Nagpal, a Chartered Accountant. At heart, I’m a simple Indore city boy (a tier-II city in India) that fate smiled on and nudged me to become a CA, MBA, and Qualified Independent Director. (I have to mention I scored only 55% in grade 10 and still went on to clear CA on the first attempt!)
• After qualifying as a CA, I moved to the city of dreams Mumbai only to return to Indore! Over the years I have worked in various profiles and finally thrived in the hospitality industry. 
• Technology, a business driver mindset, and unlearning in times of continuous learning have helped me grow as a finance leader in multiple portfolio companies of private equity funds.
• Here is my journey so far.

From 55% in 10th grade to CA on the first attempt

I am born in 1985 to a traditional joint (business) family in Indore, Madhya Pradesh (India).

I loved sports, cricket mainly, and my 10^th score was 55%. Commerce was an obvious choice due to the eligibility criteria and the other was my mother – an accounts teacher in college!

From junior college onwards things changed and my performance soared – not in cricket but academically. This growth must be credited to my mother, who coached me (could be called nagging) and helped in building my confidence.