Meet Bijen Patel, who was born in Mumbai (Bombay) and raised in Vadodara, a city in Western India. He completed his M.A in Finance and Economics from Maharaja SayajiRao University. Then moved to the U.S. to pursue a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of San Francisco.
He enjoys working out daily and is a passionate football supporter – “GO 49ers!!” Bijen ardently follows the stock market and ensures that he keeps up with current business news. He and his wife are keen explorers who have traveled around the globe experiencing new cultures, countries and cuisines.
Bijen has an aptitude and flair for numbers, and found his proverbial niche within Accounting and Finance. After graduating with his MBA he started as an Accountant at a major hotel in San Diego, and was promoted to Controller quickly. He then decided to start his own company as a freelancer, allowing him to work in multiple industries and on innovative projects.
As a Controller at Optima, Bejin enjoys working with people of diverse backgrounds. He enjoys the business model and finds the company to be extremely efficient and innovative. He values and admires the culture that Optima has developed, with an emphasis on being employee-friendly and easily approachable for customers.
Family and friends are extremely important to Bejin. Although they are located all over the world, they continue to keep in touch with weekly scheduled calls. In spite of the current circumstances, he still makes it a point to connect regularly over “Zoom cocktail happy hours.”
“Obstacles don’t block the path, they are the path” – Bijen Patel’s favorite quote.
What is your favorite aspect of working for Optima Office?
I love working for Optima because it is a very innovative accounting firm. Optima’s management style and culture are amazing. I have the freedom to work as much as I want and as little as I want to give me a work-life balance. I also can work in various industries.
What do you love about being an Accountant?
I enjoy working with various small to medium size companies and helping them grow. It is very rewarding to create KPI, cash flow, and budget analysis for clients so they can be profitable. Working in a variety of industries there are always different challenges, and it is very gratifying when you can help your clients
Where are you from Originally?
I am from a town called Vadodara in Western India.
What is your favorite pastime outside of work?
I enjoy traveling, watching football, walking, and checking out new restaurants and microbreweries in town.
