CPA on the road.

• Position: Final entry

EY Senior Manager Syed Rizvi recently spent two months in Santiago, Chile, as pan or the F.Y Vantage Program, which supports high-impact entrepreneurs in emerging markets around the globe. The program is both a catalyst for economic growth and a development opportunity for EY's lop managers and Senior managers, who work with entrepreneurs in different parts of the world for six weeks on a pro-bono basis. Since the program launched in 3005, EY advisers have supported more than 200 entrepreneurs in Mica, Asia, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Latin America.

Why did you decide to set involved In the Vantage Program?

My career goals have continuously revolved around developing an entrepreneurial mindset in addressing my clients' business challenges, as well as learning what key decision maker* at my clients need from their service providers like KY The program provided me with an opportunity to achieve my goals and gain professional and persona] experience in a foreign market.

What does the company you worked with, Arara LLC, do In Santiago, Chile?

It provides a platform that processes real-life data to build detailed consumer profiles and indoor positioning, so clients cart better communicate with customers and measure the communication.

How did you help this company?

We planned to rapidly expand Arara's operations domestically and internationally in fiscal year 2017 and I helped the CEO with accounting (US GAAP) implementation, financial valuation and operational assessment.

What financial regulatory differences did you see there?

Chile has one of most open market economic environments in South America. Businesses there have enjoyed strong macroeconomic growth when compared to other large economies in South America. Furthermore, Chile has one of the most stable banking systems, its government is very pro-business and the regulatory environment a a lot less complex when compared to their neighbors (and the US,). The government provides generous grants to entrepreneurs who start business within the country. Chile also has a nonromplex tax regime for both businesses and individuals (compared to its neighbors). Attractive tax rates also make it a fertile place to do business. The Chilean tax authorities also have provisions to help business owners deal with unexpected inflation that allow them to maintain value of their business.

Compare your accounting skill set to accountants In Chile.

Chile Mont IFRS. The level of accounting skills taught in...