From studying English to opening a firm

Being an entrepreneur is risky, but if you don’t give it a shot, you’ll never reap the benefits. Just ask Esteban Rivera CPA, CGA, Principal and Senior Consultant at Newriver Professional Corporation.

When he arrived in Canada in 2001, he had only planned to spend six months here studying English. But after falling in love with Alberta and finding out he could get his Canadian designation, Esteban decided to stay. He already had his Venezuelan designation, so getting his Canadian designation was a natural next step.

And the next step after that? Opening his own public accounting firm, of course. Esteban wanted to provide a more client-centred approach to accounting, which wasn’t possible at the firm he was at. Despite buying his first house, having a then-one-year-old baby at home, and the risk and uncertainty that comes with being an entrepreneur, Esteban decided to open Newriver Professional Corporation in 2012.

The first six months were tough. “I started doubting myself,” recalls Esteban. But what started as one client quickly grew into many clients, and business is doing well. Esteban believes internationally trained professionals who want to be entrepreneurs need to rely on three things: adapting to change, networking, and trusting the knowledge they gained from becoming CPAs.

First, internationally trained professionals need to be adaptable. “We cannot sit down and wait for things to happen,” he says. That includes not only adapting to a new culture, but also adapting your skills and education to a new environment.

Second, having a network is crucial, but it can be difficult for internationally trained professionals to create one when they first arrive in Canada. Esteban’s advice? “Be out there. Be a face. Go to events. Go to places where you can meet people. Don’t be afraid of exposing your ideas,” he says. “You’re as big as your network is.”

Lastly, Esteban says his CPA designation provided him with the knowledge and tools he needed to succeed as an entrepreneur: “Being a CPA provides the knowledge. It gives you the skills. It opens tons of doors. Not only here in Canada, but in the world. “When people hear that you’re a CPA, they say ‘Okay, this person is prepared. This person is responsible. This person is a professional who knows what’s going on,’” he adds.

For Esteban, having his designation gave him the flexibility he needed to start his own business. “As CPAs, we have the skills, education, and resources to do anything.”