Raj “Pi” Pillai is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and financial expert, decorated United States Navy veteran, and community leader who will be a fiscal watchdog for Will County taxpayers.

A first generation American whose parents moved to America to give their children a better life, Pillai and his family had to work for everything they had, and at times, they had very little. Growing up making the most of every dollar, Pillai has positioned himself to be fully prepared to effectively grow and conservatively spend Will County’s hard-earned tax dollars.

For 17 years, Pillai has dedicated his career to improving the fiscal stability of families, organizations, and major corporations, which includes work in auditing, accounting, and financial solutions. He began his private sector career as an audit manager responsible for planning, budgeting, and managing audits for multiple leading global companies. He went on to manage the accounting and financial reporting departments of two companies valued at a combined $1.8 billion. As the accounting and financial reporting manager, he was responsible for all the designated accounting and financial analyses.

After proving himself an expert in the practice of financial services for a decade, he became the Senior Director of Business Development for an accounting, finance, and tax consulting solutions company in 2014, before moving on to his current role since 2019 as the Senior Director of Client Services at Harmer Financial Solutions. In his first role, he won the President’s Club Award at his firm for being a top producer in less than two years. Pillai has become a leader in the financial industry.

Pillai always had the entrepreneurial drive and the desire to do more. To further help individuals and local businesses with specific accounting and tax services, Pillai founded CYNOVA CPAs & Advisors in Plainfield. For the past year, Pillai has helped many Will County families and business set up their finances for better futures.

Before Pillai entered the financial industry, he served our country in the United States Navy for nearly 10 years. After just 3 years, he achieved the rank of non-commissioned officer based on combined achievements. Pillai was deployed multiple times around the world and ended his service as a decorated senior leader, earning multiple medals and commendations. The one medal he is most proud of is the Navy Achievement Medal he earned for successfully stepping into a leadership role at least three ranks above his own as a junior sailor when his direct supervisor suddenly ended his term.

To combine his passion for service and finances, Pillai is always looking for ways to get involved to help his community. He serves as the Finance Officer for the Plainfield American Legion and is a member of the Plainfield Moose Lodge, Plainfield Chamber of Commerce and Plainfield Lions Club. He is founding member and chairman for United4Plainfield, a non-profit organization dedicated to pro-parent, pro-veteran, and pro-police advocacy, and also the co-founder of 202 Parents for Choice PAC, where he managed the PAC’s finances.

Pillai used the Military GI Bill to obtain his accounting degree from the State University of New York at Albany in 2005. He went on to earn his CPA license in both the State of New York and Illinois. He and his wife, Davina, a neo-natal ICU nurse, live in Plainfield with their 3 children. When not at one of his children’s events or sports games, he can be found enjoying movies, learning about emerging technology, or trying new restaurants in the Will County area.