Ernest A. Varvoutis III is an accomplished Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 25 years of experience in financial management, strategic planning, and mergers and acquisitions. Based in Florida, Ernest has had a distinguished career within the healthcare sector, advising on complex financial transactions, improving operational efficiency, and guiding organizations to financial success. He holds dual degrees in Finance and Accounting from Florida State University and a Master’s in Accounting. As a leader and mentor, Ernest is passionate about shaping the future of the accounting profession and fostering the growth of aspiring professionals. His career has been marked by a commitment to excellence, innovation, and integrity. In addition to his professional work, Ernest actively engages with his community and contributes to charitable causes.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Every day starts with reviewing my calendar and prioritizing tasks. I sit each Monday and Thursday with my leaders in each functional area from company integration to operational key performance goals. I spend most of that time listening and letting my leaders present how each of their areas and the goals are progressing. My goal as a seasoned leader is to operate as a servant/mentor leader and provide suggestions and or options if asked. I think it is important as a leader to let those that are developing gather confidence and experience knowing they are in charge, and I am there to support their goals along with how they align with our company goals. Productivity is all about balance – between managing responsibilities and allowing room for creative problem-solving. It is important to develop people and know that you are there to support decision making and help when things may not go as planned from time to time.
How do you bring ideas to life?
One of the benefits of decades of experience is there are good chances you see issues and or opportunities today or soon that are profoundly like those you have historical experienced over your career. It is important you take those experiences and have a critical thought process to draw upon them to action with a few idea and execution paths. (Plans A through C options.) I then sit with my senior leadership and or Board of Directors and present those ideas and how they came about, what’s the investment thesis and the capital and time requirements needed to initiate. Once you have consensus, we define who is responsible for what area and what are the incremental action items and timelines expected. It is imperative that we have complete ‘Buy In” on responsibilities by whom and timeline expectations. We then must measure progress and hold accountability. This is the critical key to success.
What’s one trend that excites you?
With advancements in technology, data analytics, and artificial intelligence I am excited how those tools can create an ability to make decisions with higher confidence and timeliness. I have spent much of my career as an accountant, management consultant and senior executive in the business of our healthcare industry and with the aging of our population and the morbidity of our population it is exciting how we can use this information and improve the delivery and cost of care going forward.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Self-Discipline to me is critical. I stay productive through discipline and perseverance. Every morning (5am), I review what I need to accomplish and align my tasks with those priorities. Then I go exercise to keep me healthy and get my mind firing before the day begins. This keeps me focused.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Patience and an ability to learn how to accept that many things are out of your control, but you must learn how to adapt and push ahead. I was focused on immediate results, but over time, I’ve learned that true success requires a long-term perspective. It’s about building relationships, consensus learning from every experience, and knowing that the journey is just as important as the destination.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe that sometimes challenges or shortfalls are first part of life and good. When I have those times, I always say this ‘Good, a learning moment. More time to get better. Fire makes steel stronger. Never say failure that is finality and nothing is final. Get up and focus.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
One thing I recommend to everyone is to continuously learn and grow. I try to listen more than I speak and surround myself with high energy talented people. I exercise regularly and I find time each day to be in a complexly quiet place and let my mind consume silence. That’s why 5am start times is important.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed, I take a step back and reassess. I’ll often take a short walk or spend some time away from my desk to clear my mind. I’ve found that stepping away from the problem for a brief moment helps me return with a fresh perspective and better focus. It’s important to recognize when you need a break and not force yourself to push through exhaustion.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Building and nurturing relationships has been key to my career. I think much of success is just being persistent, disciplined and humble. Throughout my time in the healthcare sector, I’ve focused on establishing strong connections with clients, partners, and colleagues. Networking isn’t just about making contacts; it’s about fostering trust and collaboration. Build value and paths to success for others and it will benefit you. This has opened doors for new opportunities and has been crucial in advancing my career.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I was part of a financial project that didn’t go as planned. We underestimated the complexity of the task, and the project faced significant setbacks. The lesson I took away from that experience was the importance of thorough planning, clear communication, and realistic expectations. Now, I place greater emphasis on due diligence and ensuring that all parties are aligned before diving into a project.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I spent most of my four decade career in the area of mergers and acquisitions and I think there’s a great opportunity in helping aggregators who know how to facilitate integration of operations but also culture and the unique identity of those new partners. integrate financial technology into their operations. Many small businesses still rely on traditional accounting methods, and there’s a gap in the market for solutions that make financial management easier, more
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I rely heavily on Excel for managing financial models, forecasts, and budgets. It’s versatile, powerful, and essential for organizing large sets of data. Whether it’s for a client project or internal financial planning, Because I have spent my career in healthcare I do use some proprietary artificial intelligence software that goes through millions of healthcare quality datapoints to determine trends to where investments should be focused.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One book that has had a lasting impact on me is Call Sign Chaos, “ Learning to Lead” by General Jim Mattis .It is a clear eyed clear throated honest share of thoughts on leadership, adapting leadership in chaos moments and how strong leadership and respect is contagious through any organization.
Key learnings
- Success requires patience and long-term thinking; it’s about the journey, not just the destination. Persistence and discipline. Embrace the grind!
- Setback is an important learning experience and can offer more valuable lessons than success alone.
- Building strong relationships and networks is crucial for advancing one’s career.
- Continual learning and adapting to new trends is essential for staying relevant in any industry.
- Taking time to reassess and step away from overwhelming situations can lead to clearer focus and better decision-making