In the complex battlefield of modern business, true leaders don’t just manage, they inspire, transform, and create legacies that extend far beyond profit margins. At the intersection of financial expertise, strategic innovation, and heartfelt service stands a remarkable pioneer who has transformed countless organizations and leaders through her warrior mindset and compassionate guidance.
Rita Singh has never been content with conventional approaches to business. As the Chief Financial & Operations Executive at S&A Consulting Group LLP, she has spent over three decades building bridges between financial acumen and visionary leadership, between corporate strategy and human potential, creating a uniquely powerful approach to business success that resonates worldwide.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Impact
Rita’s journey began far from the executive coaching world she now inhabits. After completing her education in India, she travelled to the United States to further her studies, making the pivotal decision to pursue her CPA credentials to expand her career options.
“Having no business experience, few resources, or financial support, it was challenging to start a small business,” Rita reflects. “I had no experience in the consulting arena, so we started from the ground up, learning along the way. We grew and developed, starting with no clients to now offering our services on the global platform. It was a long, hard journey.”
“Financial strategy without leadership vision is just math; leadership without financial discipline is just dreaming.”
That journey began in January 1989 when she established S&A Consulting Group LLP in Cleveland, Ohio with her business and life partner, Nipendra “Nip” Singh. What started as a modest consulting practice has evolved into a global enterprise that empowers business leaders across continents to overcome challenges and achieve remarkable success.
Rita credits her foundation to her parents, who instilled in her the values that continue to guide her leadership approach. “The most instrumental influence in our personal and professional lives comes from our parents, who raised us with good values, a strong work ethic, and offered the opportunity to receive the best education,” she shares. “They are our role models, teaching us that it takes sacrifices to build a better life, not only for us but for the people around us.”
The Warrior Mindset: Transforming Business Leadership
At the heart of Rita’s philosophy lies a powerful concept she has codified in their book “Be a Warrior in Business,” co-authored with Nip Singh. This approach transcends typical business consulting by integrating the strategic mindset of a warrior into corporate leadership.
“‘Be a Warrior in Business’ is about having courage, being resilient, fearless, and decisive to face challenges head-on,” Rita explains. “The business world can be challenging and unpredictable, not unlike the field of battle. So often, business leaders may know their product or service well but may not be trained in the art of steering their business through the tumultuous landscape of uncertain times.”
This philosophy was not born in a classroom or executive suite but forged through personal experience. “We came to the USA with a desire and vision to achieve the American dream, to succeed in building a life for us and our family,” Rita recalls. “Back then, the hurdles were endless. Lack of financial support, not having enough knowledge of the business, technology, market, and how the business works. Being a woman, not even born and raised in the USA, added additional hurdles. We had to learn to step up and create our own path.”
These challenges shaped not just her business acumen but her distinctive approach to leadership development. While most consultants focus primarily on strategy or operations, Rita’s integrated approach encompasses financial foundations, leadership psychology, and strategic innovation, a comprehensive methodology that addresses the full spectrum of business success.
Financial Expertise Meets Leadership Vision
Rita’s background as a CPA provides her with unique insights into how financial strategies align with leadership success. Unlike many executive coaches who come from purely psychological or management backgrounds, her financial expertise allows her to connect strategic vision with fiscal reality.
“As a CPA and consultant, aligning financial strategies with leadership success involves providing strategic financial advice and insights that empower us as leaders to make informed decisions, achieve business goals, and navigate challenges,” Rita notes. “This alignment is crucial for sustained growth and long-term organizational success.”
Her disciplined approach to financial management has been a cornerstone of her own business success. “From day one, when we started our business in 1989, I put the highest degree of attention to the financial system in our business. Making sure that our financials are attended to regularly,” she emphasizes. “Even to this day, I lead and oversee all the financial operations in our business. Cash flow is the heart and foundation of your business, which gives the ability to take care of your financial obligations, and the people are well paid and on a timely basis.”
This integrated approach to finance and leadership has yielded remarkable results. S&A Consulting Group has consistently delivered profits year after year—an achievement few consulting firms can claim, especially through multiple economic downturns.
Recognition of Excellence: Awards and Accolades
Rita’s exceptional contributions to business leadership and her community have earned her numerous prestigious awards and recognitions. She is the recipient of national and international accolades including The International Alliance for Women World of Difference 100 Award, ATHENA International Award, Enterprising Woman of the Year, Leading Lady Award, Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee, Federation of India Community Association Lifetime Achievement Award, YWCA Woman of Achievement Award, Woman of the Year Award from the Association of Asian Indian Woman in Ohio, Crains Woman of Note, Accountant Advocate of the Year by U.S. Small Business Administration, recognition among the 500 most influential women in Northeast Ohio by Northern Ohio Live, and the Top 10 Women Business Owners of Northeast Ohio Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners.
Yet for Rita, these honors represent not destinations but waypoints on a continuing journey of service and impact. “I don’t sit on my laurels, I walk the talk, it is not about our accomplishments, it is how we demonstrate our commitment and actions on a daily basis,” she emphasizes. This philosophy reflects her deeper understanding that true leadership is measured not by recognition received, but by the positive transformation created in others’ lives and businesses.
Transformative Coaching: Awakening the Warrior Within
Rita’s coaching philosophy is centered on awakening the inner potential in executives and entrepreneurs through a process she describes as self-discovery. “My goal as a coach and business consultant is ‘Coaching Business Leaders to Evolve and Manage Change.’ It starts with self-awareness. I call it self-discovery. First, to understand where they are in their leadership journey.”
Her systematic approach follows five key steps: “Creating a safe and supportive yet challenging environment; facilitate and collaborate; advocate self-awareness [discovering your strengths and weaknesses]; fostering experiential learning; and finally, model what I coach.”
This methodology has transformed countless leaders. “Through coaching, I empower leaders, from aspiring entrepreneurs to seasoned CEOs, to adopt a warrior mindset, tackling obstacles head-on and leading with strategic vision, adaptability, and an unyielding commitment to success,” Rita explains.
She tailors her approach to each client through active listening, flexibility, clear goal-setting, continuous feedback, and her own ongoing personal development. This personalized attention creates powerful results, as evidenced by the transformational stories from her clients and team members.
“One of our staff members who joined us almost 30 years ago is still with us,” Rita shares. “I recall when she joined our team. She was happy doing some basic office work, but we decided to coach her, train her, invest in her professional development, and uplift her to a level where she became a top producer in our business. With the right coaching, she progressed from basic work to undertaking large projects, handling marketing, finance, and everything she could get her hands on.”
Innovation Through Relationship-Building
Throughout her career, Rita has consistently pushed boundaries and expanded possibilities, both for her clients and her own organization. Her approach to innovation is deeply relational, focusing on understanding client needs at a profound level.
“Innovation leadership is the ability to inspire productive action in my own self and others during times of creation, challenges, uncertainty, ambiguity, and risk,” she explains. “I realized this exceedingly early on in our business and the clients we serve. I started our business journey with business consulting, accounting, and taxes, but I was never satisfied.”
This restless curiosity led her to continuously expand S&A’s service offerings. “I would ask myself that for any business to grow, they would need more. That is where we dove deeper into understanding our client’s businesses and performing tasks like business growth planning, business strategy, leadership development, market research, technology, etc.”
This expansive vision transformed a local consulting practice into a global enterprise. “If I had not done that and pushed us outside of our comfort zone, we would not have been able to go outside the USA and expand our business to other parts of the world.”
When asked about the strategies that have fuelled this growth, Rita’s answer is surprisingly straightforward: “Very simple, building relationships, being there for clients and giving our ‘Absolute Best’ in every task we take on, irrespective of how much we get paid.”
Navigating Crisis with Warrior Wisdom
In today’s volatile business environment, Rita’s warrior philosophy proves particularly valuable when guiding organizations through uncertainty. Their book “Be A Warrior in Business” provides a comprehensive framework for crisis management.
“The battles are endless: managing conflicts, building culture, navigating digital transformations, managing data security, retaining top talent, securing funding, coping with market competition and fluctuations, to making decisions around expansion, working sustainably to guide our organizations through inflation and economic downturn,” Rita observes.
Her approach to these challenges is systematic yet adaptive. “It is through Preparation, Planning, Mental Agility, by adopting the mindset and skills of a warrior… No business leader or any person is immune to the challenges that come our way. It requires the drive, the action, and an established strategy to get through these tough times.”
This warrior mindset has earned their book significant praise from industry leaders including best-selling author John R. DiJulius III, who noted: “Every leader needs to read Be a Warrior in Business. Rita and Nipendra have provided a blueprint for how to grow, sustain, and persevere in today’s unpredictable business climate. This book is a game changer.”
Thought Leadership in Action
Rita maintains her edge as a thought leader through disciplined habits of continuous learning and engagement. “To me, Thought Leadership is not pedigree. It is not where we went to school,” she explains. “Thought Leadership means to provide the best and deepest answers to our customers’ needs and biggest questions; in the formats our audience prefers to consume.”
This commitment to relevance drives her daily practices. “To stay ahead of trends and continuously inspire thought leadership, I focus on continuous learning, engaging with the industry, and innovating. It is part of my journey and part of my routine. I enjoy actively seeking out current information, sharing insights, and challenging conventional thinking.”
Her approach is remarkably practical. “To deliver that, I stay engaged and informed about what is going on in the market and in our clients’ businesses, where we become the resource, they can lean on. There is a lot of time, energy, and willpower, but it helps in the long run.”
Rita’s comprehensive method includes networking, following industry influencers, participating in professional organizations, attending events, and consuming industry publications; all to ensure she remains at the forefront of business innovation and can provide cutting-edge guidance to her clients.
Balancing Multiple Roles with Purpose
As a speaker, author, mentor, coach, and business leader, Rita demonstrates remarkable ability to manage diverse demands while maintaining excellence in each role. “Balancing the roles of speaker, author, mentor, coach, and leader requires me to prioritize activities, set clear boundaries, and leverage time management techniques,” she explains.
Her approach combines careful planning with strategic delegation. “I am a great planner. I write down everything and try to delegate responsibilities to other capable people in our organization. This allows us to do many things in a very efficient way.”
This systematic approach to time management mirrors her approach to business strategy; thoughtful, organized, and focused on leveraging strengths for maximum impact.
Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
For women entering leadership or entrepreneurship, Rita offers clear, actionable guidance. “Ask yourself three things: WHY, WHAT, AND HOW? WHY? What is your purpose? WHAT are you going to offer? HOW are you going to offer?”
She emphasizes the importance of self-belief, focusing on strengths, building networks, and embracing resilience. These are lessons drawn from her own journey as a woman entering the American business landscape with limited resources, but unlimited determination.
Rita views herself as a changemaker, but one who recognizes the power of collaboration. “It takes courage to make even a small change. I am a great collaborator and delegator. I cannot do it alone. I always like to partner and engage others in what I feel will benefit others, clients, and humanity in general.” This collaborative approach to impact extends her influence far beyond what she could achieve individually.
Legacy of Transformation
Looking toward the future, Rita and S&A Consulting Group continue to evolve. “S&A embraces continuous improvement, adaptation to market trends, and strategic planning, and stays focused on our goals. Prioritizing our customer experience, leveraging technology, and reevaluating our Business Model. We focus on establishing strong partnerships and investing in our team.”
Yet when asked about the legacy she hopes to leave, Rita’s answer transcends business achievements. “The legacy I want to leave behind is very near and dear to my heart. I do not want to just be remembered as a CPA and business consultant, but as a person who made a difference in someone’s life.”
This sentiment captures the essence of Rita Singh’s unique contribution to the business world, a leader who combines financial acumen with emotional intelligence, strategic thinking with heartfelt service, and professional excellence with genuine care for others. By continuing to build bridges between established business practices and innovative approaches, between warrior mindset and compassionate leadership, Rita is pioneering a more integrated approach to business success, one that recognizes the critical role of both strategic thinking and human connection in creating sustainable success.
