The Sanskrit phrase ‘Neer-Ksheer Vivek’ (which literally means separating milk from water) is a metaphor for the ability to distinguish between the essential and the non-essential.

At Cignas, we help our clients do exactly that when they have to make crucial decisions in complex business situations.We see through the clutter and bring absolute clarity to the entire decision-making process. The result? Precise solutions that offer peace of mind to our clients, simplifying their lives.

Inspired by Cigno, Italian for swan, our name symbolizes our ability to separate the essential from what’s not.

Just like the swan, this special power is what separates us from others in the business landscape.

WHO WE SERVE

We are clear about who we are and exactly where we can add value. We have a great track record with enterprises poised to make it big. Why ? Because we are great at dealing with owners of businesses, who need someone to see the big picture, just like they do. Owner-led businesses often require expertise in matters like transaction advisory, taxation, business strategy and various other aspects that come with growth. Their realities include navigating family dynamics of governance, estate planning and succession.

Above all, business owners are looking for advisors with the rare quality of being trustworthy, and a reputation for integrity and fairness. As your trusted advisors, we always look forward to having a long and fulfilling journey with you.

N. A. SHAH legacy

The Cignas story has its foundations which goes back to 1965. Founded by Late Mr. N A Shah the values of the firm can be traced to the set of principles followed by Mr. N A Shah himself. His reputation and wealth of relationships were the prime assets of the firm, as its journey began with Direct tax practice. The key reputation of the firm was being a personal confidante for businesses that needed trust and genuine advice in addition to expertise and perspective.

Over the years, the practice was joined by Mr. N A Shah’s sons, each of whom brought a different dimension to the practice. In 1977, Ashok Shah brought more than tax expertise to the business, because he mirrored his father in wisdom, perspective and additionally had the uncanny knack of inspiring immense trust in his clients.

Jayendra joined in 1982, bringing with him an outside-in perspective of a maverick. Jayendra became the strategist for the firm’s clients through his brash no-nonsense approach to running businesses. Sandeep Shah, the youngest brother, joined the firm in 1984 focusing on Audit Services and growing other disciplines. After Mr. N A Shah’s demise in 1990, the three brothers took the reins of the firm in their own hands with Ashok focusing on Legal and Tax Advisory, Jayendra on business advisory and Sandeep on Audit.

Diana joined the firm in 2005 quickly pivoting to Business Advisory. What remained common to the ethos of the firm was the trust and custodianship that the firm enjoyed from its clients over the years.

The focussed approach of the leadership enabled the practice to have steady and stellar growth organically and inorganically, both in terms of clients, employees and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

The genesis of Cignas was in going back to its roots – Bringing expertise, Big Picture thinking, and a diverse set of skills sitting with the founders. The vision is to be a confidante for businesses who need someone, with multi-disciplinary expertise to be always on their side. Shunning size, and operational scale, Cignas goes back to how the practice started – Making a difference to businesses through clarity and simplicity.