ATA Capital: An investment banking firm that provides personalized attention with the power and resources of a national firm

It is highly risky to consider an investment banking firm for a company today. Buying or selling a business today is easily one of the most crucial financial transactions, and companies require investment bankers to be equipped with vast knowledge that extends across multiple industries in order to assist with the right strategies.

ATA Capital is an investment banking firm that meets all the requirements. They provide strategic and financial advice to privately help companies with their highly qualified investment bankers. The team at ATA Capital is dedicated to providing their clients with the highest quality of work by finding them exceptional brokerage and management services. ATA Capital has the unique advantage of access across fifteen markets throughout the Southeastern United States, enabling them with the knowledge and experience of evaluating various industries.

CIO Bulletin had the privilege of interviewing Rick Schreiber, the president of ATA Capital, about the company's success and growth thus far.

Q. How did ATA Capital come into being? How has the company grown since its founding?

ATA Capital emerged as a natural extension of ATA, a regional advisory firm with 16 offices and over 40 years of history. Recognizing the need to provide comprehensive support to clients in exit planning and business transitions, ATA established ATA Capital as a dedicated entity focused on investment banking services. This decision stemmed from ATA’s deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by small and midsize family-owned businesses; many eventually seek guidance in selling their businesses or planning for a successful exit strategy. By leveraging its expertise, network, and resources, ATA Capital was formed to provide strategic and financial advice to privately held companies specializing in M&A, value creation, and exit planning. This move allowed ATA to offer a holistic suite of services, ensuring that clients receive comprehensive support at every stage of their business lifecycle.

Since its establishment, ATA Capital has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its client base, market reach, and service portfolio while consistently achieving significant revenue growth each year. This growth is attributed to the firm’s commitment to excellence, client-centric approach, and adaptability to changing market dynamics, establishing ATA Capital as one of the region’s leading investment banking firms.

Q. What are the goals of ATA Capital? How has the firm’s acquisition strategies led to the growth of the company?

ATA Capital aims for continued growth through a combination of organic and inorganic growth via ATA’s ongoing strategic acquisitions. We also anticipate continued growth through increased marketing efforts both externally and internally. These efforts have played a key role in expanding ATA Capital’s client base, accessing new markets, and bolstering its service offerings, ultimately contributing to its overall growth and success.

Q. What are the major services offered by ATA Capital? Can you break them down for our readers?

The major services offered by ATA Capital encompass a comprehensive range of offerings tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients, including business brokering for both buy-side and sell-side transactions, M&A due diligence with a focus on quality of earnings assessment, business valuation services, value growth advisory services, and overall transaction advisory support. These services are designed to assist clients in navigating various aspects of strategic transactions, ensuring informed decision-making, and facilitating successful outcomes.

Q. How important has hiring the right personnel been for the rapid growth of the company? What measures does the company take to ensure talent retention?

Hiring the right personnel has been paramount for the rapid growth of ATA Capital, as our success heavily relies on the expertise, dedication, and ingenuity of our team. We prioritize a rigorous selection process to ensure that every individual we onboard possesses the requisite skills and experience and embodies our core values of excellence, collaboration, and client-centricity. To retain top talent, we invest in ongoing training and development opportunities, foster a culture of inclusivity and belonging, and offer competitive compensation packages and performance-based incentives. By prioritizing talent retention, ATA Capital ensures continuity, stability, and excellence in delivering unparalleled services to our clients, driving sustained growth and success for the firm.

Q. What are ATA Capital’s plans for the future?

ATA Capital is strategically positioned for dynamic growth and continued innovation in the ever-evolving investment banking landscape. Our future endeavors are centered on further expanding our market reach, deepening our industry expertise, and enhancing the breadth and depth of our service offerings. We aspire to strengthen our foothold in existing markets while exploring opportunities for expansion into new geographic regions and industry sectors. Additionally, ATA Capital remains committed to harnessing the power of technology and data analytics to drive efficiencies, optimize decision-making processes, and deliver even greater value to our clients. Through a relentless pursuit of excellence, agility in adapting to market dynamics, and a steadfast commitment to client success, ATA Capital is poised to remain at the forefront of the industry, shaping the future of investment banking and delivering enduring value to our clients and stakeholders alike.

A brief biography of the president of ATA Capital

Rick Schreiber is the president of ATA Capital. He has 30 years of public accounting, advisory, and consulting experience. Rick graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration degree concentrated in Finance.

Rick has extensive experience working with small, middle-market, private equity, and multi-national companies. Prior to joining ATA Capital, Rick was an audit and advisory partner, national leader of manufacturing and distribution and national co-leader of digital transformation at BDO, a Global 5 accounting, tax, and consulting firm.