Rapid globalization has led to intense competition for businesses. Companies have now realized that outsourcing of non-core activities like finance & accounts, payroll, company law, legal and HR can help them focus on building their businesses. One such company that provides outsourced management services in the finance and commercial areas to customers is Arthtech Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (ACPL), instituted by Mr. Shekhar Agharkar, in the year 1998.
As the Founder and Director of ACPL, Shekhar brings 34 years of experience to the Company. ACPL is one of the leading management consulting and outsourcing companies which has promoted and are one of the pioneers of the Virtual or Outsourced CFO concept in India.
Ever since its establishment, Shekhar has been single handedly responsible for the growth & success, and is the sole driving force behind this company. He looks after all the aspects from strategy, business, PR, to Operations. His vision and fervor has led the company to its current position as a forerunner in consultancy services.
A Visionary to Create a Global Footprint
Being a part of a humble family, Shekhar always looked up to his father, a banker and a self-made man who rose through the ranks. Major part of Shekhar’s secondary education took place in Mumbai and he completed his matriculation from Solapur. He is a proud alumnus of the BMCC in Pune, having graduated in Commerce in the year 1979. He has always been at the top of his class and has received notable achievements and accolades during schooling and graduation. In the year 1984, Shekhar qualified as a Chartered Accountant, and is one of the lucky ones to have been promoted on the first day of his job, immediately after qualification in a reputed project engineering company.
A combination of innovation and rich experience in the field of accounting, finance and management consulting, has lead him to start Integrated Management Outsourcing Solutions (IMOS) under ACPL in 1998. He expanded the operations of ACPL, to set up in cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. Shekhar’s passion is to create an ideal organization which would be one-of its kind in the Outsourced CFO space with a global footprint. He always works towards excellence in everything that he seeks out, with the aim that the society benefits the most.
Unique Capabilities of a Passionate Leader
Shekhar has efficaciously navigated his company through ups and downs. He likes to imbibe and practice the good points from people he has met in his life’s journey and whom he respects and draws inspiration. Being a smart business leader, Shekhar has the ability to strategize, think out of the box and efficiently implement his ideas. He is not a materialistic person, and believes that his mission in life is to spread happiness.
The Company’s Products and Services
ACPL is headquartered in Pune. The Company launched the outsourcing services under Integrated Management Outsourcing Solutions (IMOS) which is the brain child of Mr. Agharkar. IMOS is a basket of services in the management arena to manage non- core yet equally important functions of any organization.
Virtual CFO, Finance & Accounts Management, Statutory Compliances, Legal Services, Outsourced Payroll & HR Management and Strategic consulting are the services provided by ACPL. With a view to provide the various benefits, with expert domain knowledge in multiple segments, ACPL has started various divisions as outlined below:
- Project Finance division that helps SMEs.
- Women Entrepreneurs division, which focuses on providing support to the women entrepreneurs.
- Startup India division provides business incubation services to startups.
The outsourced services are provided as a single window solution both as an offsite and onsite model. The USP of ACPL is that they not only consult but implement the consultation. This makes ACPL a distinctive contender to the industry; for the services it provides are not restricted to just boardroom consulting. It also provides an end to end solution from identifying and analyzing the problem, coming up with practical and feasible solution, implementing the same and monitoring the results thereafter.
Awards and Tributes
Under the valuable guidance and leadership of Shekhar, ACPL was recently awarded “The Certificate of Appreciation” by the Great Indian SME Yatra 2018 for its outstanding performance and contribution to the SME sector. He is the author of a reference guide “Incubation at a Glance,” which was released by the then Science Minister in January 2010 at the ISBA Conference in New Delhi.
Views for Budding Entrepreneurs
“Big things often have small beginnings”, says Shekhar. Entrepreneurship is all about choosing a road less travelled. If one has the courage to do what it takes to pursue one’s dream, then sky is the limit. Shekhar believes persistence, obsession in the pursuit of one’s objectives, faith in one’s abilities, sincerity of efforts, honesty and a never say die spirit will help one reach their destination.
Creativity, innovation, humility, ability to strategize, thinking out of the box, finding unique practical business solutions to key issues faced by one’s business and effective implementation of the solutions; are some of the key features that makes a successful leader and entrepreneur.
