An Inspiring & Nurturing Leader | Rick Schreiber CPA, CVGA, CGMA, M&AP, CLSS

Leadership is essential for a well-structured organization, and though it is often identifiable in practice, it isn’t easy to accurately describe. It cannot be defined by an individual’s characteristics, upbringing, education, or social skills. There is not always a motive to achieve or the need for power, and it cannot be classed as a by-product of success; that is true for Rick, who has not only managed to lead ATA CPAs + Advisors as its National Advisory Practice Leader but also formed an ancillary company known as ATA Capital and has been leading it as the president diligently.

Transformative & Creative

Business is a game that has no end; the only way to succeed is to look to the business’s future and how it will get there. The self-belief that is built on knowledge and experience is essential in the business journey. Especially when faced with setbacks, particularly when introducing new concepts to a well-established market. Leading by example, following through on convictions, and driving forward with purpose shows a strength of character and a fearlessness towards “getting your hands dirty.”

This was precisely Rick’s vision as it pertained to launching an investment banking practice, now known as ATA Capital. Armed with 30 years of public accounting and advisory experience, Rick and his team help business owners sell their companies at optimal value.

As Rick explains, ATA Capital comprises investment bankers and analysts dedicated to providing clients with buyside and sellside business brokerage and financial advisory services. With access to over 15 markets throughout the Southeastern United States, ATA Capital has extensive knowledge and experience in many industries, including construction, manufacturing, healthcare, distribution, technology, and more. Furthermore, through ATA CPAs + Advisors, Rick and his team are able to provide a full-suite of services to clients such as assurance, tax, and advisory services.

A True Visionary

As an entrepreneur vision will always play an integral part, as moving forward to make that vision a reality will give employees opportunities to grow within their position and inspire them to embrace that vision as if it were their own.

Rick has been nothing but a mentor to his employees, guiding them with seasoned leadership. “One of the most profound leadership lessons I’ve learned throughout my 30-year career is the critical importance of surrounding myself with best-in-class team members and being an inspiring leader who encourages and develops them to achieve greatness,” he says. “As a leader, I firmly believe that the success of any practice, be it digital transformation services, value-growth advisory services, or investment banking services, is directly linked to the capabilities and dedication of the team.”

Rick understood in the initial stages of building a new practice that he needed a team of forward-thinking individuals with diverse expertise and a passion for embracing change and cutting-edge technologies. By handpicking the best talent in the industry and the firm, he assembled a team that was knowledgeable and excited to embark on the journey of new service offerings to clients. “As a leader, my role was not only to set the vision and strategy but also to execute and to inspire the team,” elucidates Rick. “I fostered an open and collaborative environment where ideas were welcomed, and team members were empowered to take ownership of their roles.”

To ensure that the team was aligned with the company’s vision, Rick invested time in communicating the broader purpose and impact of our advisory and investment banking services. By sharing success stories and highlighting the transformative outcomes they could deliver to their clients, Rick motivated the team to go above and beyond in their efforts. “In the digital transformation, value-growth advisory, and investment banking practices, the accomplishments were a testament to the collective efforts of the team,” he adds. “I am proud to have been part of the journey, inspiring and guiding ATA to achieve greatness and deliver exceptional value to our clients.”

Towards the Future

Rick acknowledges that success is not a solo endeavor but a collaborative journey where a leader’s role is to assemble a remarkable team, provide a clear vision, and empower them to thrive. By surrounding oneself with best-in-class team members and being an inspiring and nurturing leader, leaders can unlock the full potential of their teams and achieve extraordinary results in any endeavor they undertake.

As a relatively new company, ATA Capital’s team is small but growing. Rick works closely with his team to help mentor others that are in new roles and strengthen morale. He believes in empowerment, risk-taking, recognition, work-life balance, transparency, team-building, and fun! “Loyalty from customers and employees takes time, effort, and heart to develop and maintain, but is well worth it!” explains Rick. “Growing our team and expanding our reach is my future goal and is also the path towards success. I fully believe we will grow our revenues and profits through what I refer to as the 5 Ps: Profit, Playbook, People, Process, and Platform,” concludes Rick, whose ideology can be viewed through his book Business Growth: Top 50 Ways to Grow Your Small and Midsize Business.