Interview: Abhishek Gupta, Founder and Managing Partner of Pierag

An interview with Abhishek Gupta, Founder and Managing Partner of Pierag, a global consulting firm

Welcome to an exclusive interview with Abhishek Gupta, the visionary Founder and Managing Partner of Pierag. With a distinguished career spanning years of expertise in audit and assurance, accounting advisory, business risk advisory, and technology risk advisory services, Abhishek has positioned Pierag as a global consulting powerhouse.

Join us as we delve into his insights and experiences shaping the landscape of consultancy services worldwide.

Can you tell us about your journey leading up to the founding of Pierag? What inspired you to start this global consulting firm?

Abhishek Gupta: Pierag Consulting LLP, a global consulting firm, was established in February 2021 by Abhishek Gupta and Pierian Services Pvt Ltd. Headquartered in Gurugram, the company also has offices in Jaipur, Chandigarh, Bangalore, and Washington DC.

With Pierian Services as a founding partner, Pierag carries forward the legacy of 20 years despite being new in the sector. Furthermore, Abhishek Gupta’s leadership brings invaluable experience in building the largest assurance team for EY America along with other accolades.

In March 2021, with only having around 5 people on board, a prominent US-based Management consulting firm in the US became our first client for Risk and Accounting Advisory Services. This marked the beginning of Pierag’s remarkable journey.

Venturing further, Pierag got one of the top Public Accounting firms in the US and by August 2021, Pierag expanded exponentially to serve one of the world’s largest Venture Capital firms. In July 2022, a new chapter unfolded as Pierag engaged with Baker Tilly-US, -one of the top 10 global public accounting firms.

Currently, Pierag boasts of working with some of the most renowned names across the industries which includes India’s largest Airline, the World’s largest e-commerce company (resellers), and One of the largest Solar companies in the US.

What started as a start-up has now become one of the fastest-growing organizations in the space of Assurance and Advisory services.

Kindly brief us about your company, its specialization, and the services that it offers

Abhishek Gupta: The firm services clients across industries in the US and India by providing audit and assurance, accounting advisory, business risk advisory, and technology risk advisory. It is planning to further expand its footprints in the UK and Australia along with increasing its domestic presence in India. By optimizing businesses for clients across the globe.

Pierag Consulting is a global management consulting firm that specializes in providing strategic advisory services to clients across various industries. With a team of experienced consultants and subject matter experts, Pierag assists organizations in addressing complex challenges and seizing opportunities for growth and innovation.

Specialization: Pierag Consulting specializes in several key areas, including:

AUDIT AND ASSURANCE

• Financial Statement Audits
• Reviews
• Compliance Audits
• Agreed upon Procedures
• Compilations

ACCOUNTING ADVISORY

• Transactions & Complex Accounting Solutions
• Financial Reporting
• Audit Readiness
• Financial Due Diligence

BUSINESS RISK ADVISORY

• Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Compliance
• Internal Audit and Internal Controls Assurance
• Optimization and Transformation

TECHNOLOGY RISK ADVISORY

• IT Application Governance and Effectiveness
• System and Organization Controls (SOC)
• Cybersecurity

In the competitive landscape of consulting, what strategies has Pierag employed to stand out and maintain its reputation?

Abhishek Gupta: Pierag currently has 200+ Highly trained & skilled professionals and prominent clients spanning across multiple geographies mainly the US and India, and 5 locations: 4 offices in India and 1 global office in the USA.

To stand out and maintain its reputation in the competitive landscape of consulting, Pierag may have employed several key strategies:

● Specialization: Pierag has carved out a niche for itself by specializing in specific industries, service offerings, or target markets. This specialization allows us to demonstrate deep expertise and deliver tailored solutions that address the unique challenges of its clients.

● Client-Centric Approach: Pierag prioritizes understanding its clients’ needs, objectives, and pain points to tailor its consulting services accordingly. By putting clients at the center of its operations and focusing on building long-term relationships, we foster client loyalty and repeat business.

● Innovation and Thought Leadership: Pierag differentiates itself through innovation and thought leadership in its industry. By staying abreast of emerging trends, best practices, and technologies, we offer cutting-edge solutions that help clients stay ahead of the curve.

● Global Presence and Network: With a Global as well as local presence, Pierag leverages its global network of consultants, partners, and industry contacts to provide clients with localized insights and support. This global reach enables us to navigate diverse business environments and serve clients across different regions effectively.

● Talent Development: Pierag invests in recruiting, not only from tier 1 cities but also in tier 2 and tier 3 cities developing and retaining top talent in the consulting industry. By fostering a culture of learning, collaboration, and professional growth, we ensure that our consultants are equipped with the skills and expertise needed to deliver exceptional value to clients.

By employing these strategies and maintaining a commitment to excellence, Pierag differentiates itself from competitors and sustains its reputation as a trusted advisor in the consulting landscape.

With the evolving business landscape, how does Pierag adapt its consulting services to meet the changing needs of clients worldwide?

Abhishek Gupta: Pierag Consulting adapts its services in several ways to meet the changing needs of clients worldwide:

● Market Research and Analysis: Pierag invests in extensive market research to understand emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities across various industries and regions. This allows us to tailor their consulting services to address the specific needs of their clients.

● Flexibility in Service Offerings: The company maintains a flexible service offering that can be customized to suit the unique requirements of each client. This involves offering a mix of traditional consulting services, such as strategy development and implementation, alongside newer offerings like digital transformation or sustainability consulting.

● Technology Integration: Pierag integrates cutting-edge technology solutions into its consulting services to help clients optimize their operations, improve efficiency, and stay ahead of the competition. This includes leveraging artificial intelligence, data analytics, and automation tools to drive innovation and achieve business objectives.

● Global Network and Expertise: With a worldwide presence, Pierag leverages its global network of consultants and industry experts to provide clients with localized insights and support. This enables us to navigate complex regulatory environments, cultural differences, and market dynamics effectively.

Overall, Pierag Consulting remains agile and adaptive, continuously refining its offerings and approaches to meet the evolving needs of clients worldwide.

Collaboration is often key in consulting projects. How does Pierag foster effective collaboration internally and with clients across different regions and cultures?

● Diverse and Inclusive Teams: We often prioritize building diverse teams with members from various backgrounds, cultures, and skill sets. This diversity brings different perspectives to the table, fostering creativity and innovation.

● Cultural Sensitivity Training: Our consultants receive training on cultural sensitivity to better understand and respect cultural differences when working with clients and colleagues from diverse backgrounds. This training helps in effective communication and relationship-building.

● Regular Meetings and Check-ins: Scheduled meetings, both virtual and in-person, are held to keep team members aligned, share progress updates, and address any challenges. These meetings also provide an opportunity for team bonding and relationship-building.

● Local Presence and Expertise: Pierag, with a global footprint has offices in different regions. We leverage local presence and expertise to better understand regional nuances, regulatory requirements, and cultural norms, tailoring their solutions to meet the specific needs of clients in different markets.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to establish their consulting firms, especially on a global scale?

Abhishek Gupta: Here are some key pieces of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to establish their consulting firms, particularly on a global scale:

● Identify Your Niche: Determine a specific niche or area of expertise where you can offer unique value to clients. Specializing in a particular industry, service offering, or target market can help differentiate your consulting firm in a competitive landscape.

● Build a Strong Network: Cultivate relationships with professionals in your industry, both locally and globally. Networking can open doors to potential clients, partners, and collaborators who can help grow your consulting business.

● Focus on Quality and Results: Strive to deliver exceptional value to your clients by focusing on quality and measurable results. Building a reputation for delivering tangible outcomes will help attract and retain clients, regardless of geographic location.

● Embrace Technology: Leverage technology to streamline your operations, enhance communication, and reach clients worldwide. Invest in digital tools and platforms that facilitate remote collaboration and project management.

● Understand Cultural Differences: If you’re aiming for a global scale, it’s essential to understand and respect cultural differences. Invest in cultural sensitivity training for yourself and your team to navigate diverse business environments effectively.

● Focus on Long-Term Relationships: Prioritize building long-term relationships with clients based on trust, integrity, and mutual respect. A strong reputation for delivering value and excellent service will lead to repeat business and referrals, fueling the growth of your consulting firm over time.

By following these pieces of advice and remaining committed to excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction, aspiring entrepreneurs can establish successful consulting firms with a global footprint, much like Pierag Consulting.

Abhishek Gupta’s leadership at Pierag reflects a commitment to excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction. His profound understanding of audit, accounting, and technology risk advisory has propelled Pierag to the forefront of the consulting industry, offering unparalleled services across the globe.

As Pierag continues to expand its footprint, Abhishek’s visionary leadership promises a future defined by continued success and transformative impact in the consultancy realm.

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