December 2022 Sponsor Spotlight - Chris Rux

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Chris Rux, CPA
 
Title: Partner and Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry Practice Leader
 
Company: Cherry Bekaert LLP
 
Length of FEI sponsorship: 20+ years
 
Length of FEI membership: 15 years
 
Work email:  [email protected]
 
Work phone number: (813) 472-5701
 
What is the most rewarding part of being involved in FEI Tampa Bay? 
 
Our involvement in FEI allows our local team to get more plugged into the community, creating connections with new people and organizations at every turn. It’s not only helped grow our business, but it’s contributed to my personal growth and the growth of my team members as well.
 
I’ve also always appreciated being part of something that gives back to the community here in Tampa. I’ve encouraged our team members to give back to our community, whether through time, talent, or treasure – the former two being of utmost importance. FEI encourages its members to give back through many avenues including Clays for a Cure to benefit Moffitt Cancer Center, the Holiday Social benefitting Metropolitan Ministries, and the upcoming Junior Achievement Biz Town benefit this Spring.
 
The commitment to not only our business community, but also our local community is inspirational to my team and rewarding to us in and of itself.    
 
How does your company provide value to finance executives in the Tampa Bay area?

Our firm’s tagline “Your Guide Forward” truly embodies what we strive to deliver our clients each day. Yes, we compile tax returns and provide assurance over financial statements – which focus on the past – but where we provide exceptional value to clients is focusing on a company’s growth trajectory. We realize finance executives are called on to grow their business and to scale. In that regard, we can serve as true advisors to those executives, in addition to being highly skilled accountants. Whether it’s through private equity transaction advisory, risk advisory, global tax planning, or business intelligence and data analytics, we have the depth of resources to holistically support a company in reaching its growth goals.
 
Tell us a little bit about your career, educational/professional background and how you got to where you are today.

After graduating from Tulane University, I remained and worked in New Orleans at a Big Four accounting firm. I was less than a year into this first job when Hurricane Katrina hit, and I needed to evacuate. That led me to Tampa to follow a girl, who thankfully became my wife of now 15 years, and though I assumed I would return to New Orleans at some point, the people, community, and lifestyle I found in Tampa have kept me happily in place.
 
Before moving to Tampa, my client focus was finance and banking. I knew nothing about healthcare and life sciences. However, after I joined Cherry Bekaert and was encouraged to focus on this sector, I was eager to take on the challenge of listening and learning everything I could about this new-to-me industry. And it stuck. Thanks to that leap of faith and the many individuals who helped me along the way, I’ve found a place in the Tampa Bay business community and discovered my passion. All of which changed the trajectory of my career.
 
More than a decade later, I lead Cherry Bekaert’s Healthcare & Life Sciences industry practice.
 
What is one piece of information you wish someone had told you when you first started your career?

“Be a sponge.” Absorb everything around you, listen to those who have gone before you and learn every day. And this applies to not just what you learn in school, but in every aspect of your career. Truly listen to people, learn how to read and interact with them at all levels. It’s an invaluable skill, and it’s not taught in school. After all, every business interaction comes down to people.
 
Knowing the debits and credits is but a small – very small – portion of what you’re expected to do in your career. You need to be able to interact, respond, and contribute to succeed. 
 
 What is your best networking tip?
 
It’s all about authenticity. Know what your values are, stay true to them, and use them to guide your actions. Be honest with yourself and others. If you don’t know something about a particular business or industry, don’t pretend to know… just ask!
 
In networking situations, people always want to share about their experiences and knowledge, and they’ll appreciate genuine curiosity over false know-how. When you’re the same person publicly as you are privately, you honor your authentic self, and ultimately, others will know where they stand with you. And you’ll know where you stand with them.