CLA on Community, Leveraging, & Access

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), the 8th largest accounting firm in the United States, provides industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. Whether clients’ needs are local or abroad, CLA promises to know and help everyone they serve.

CLA family members work across industries, services, and geographies to deliver a seamless experience to all clients. CLA has approximately 200 professionals working and living throughout Central Minnesota, including client service locations in St. Cloud, Alexandria, Brainerd, and Monticello. 

Purpose, Promise, & Culture

CLA has large firm depth and experience, yet its delivery of services is customized to the Central Minnesota community by local teams. From the business’s perspective, it really is the best of both worlds. Melissa Laubach, CPA, a principal in CLA’s business operations group, discussed the perspective CLA has on serving clients and communities alike. “We live at the intersection of main street and Wall Street, without silos. We create opportunities with a commitment to our people to create their inspired careers and to our communities that make our success possible. This region has so many great employers and valued community members. We are proud to be a part of it.”

Laubach further explained how engaging with the community has always been a fundamental part of the CLA culture. She said, “We believe investing goes beyond making a monetary donation—it is about creating a measurable impact in this region by intentionally engaging with nonprofit organizations, Chambers of Commerce, associations, and additional organizations to contribute our time, talent, and treasures. Our contributions are rewarding, and we see them continuing to grow. A thriving, shining Central Minnesota community provides opportunities for all of us, and we want to do our part in making this a wonderful place to live and raise our families.”

CLA Family Values

Laubach shared how team members at CLA impact the community, stating, “Our CLA family is grounded in connection—listening to and learning from our community to better understand key needs in hopes of working together to cultivate a deeper impact for all. CLA seeks to create a meaningful and measurable impact on our communities. We believe the St. Cloud Shines efforts do just that. Activities that stimulate a strong employer and employee base are important to our community and in line with our core values. We are a firm that seeks to achieve growth, so supporting St. Cloud Shines makes sense.”  

She continued, “CLA plays a role in helping Central Minnesota individuals, businesses, organizations, and nonprofits achieve success which, in turn, contributes to our community growth. We are stronger together. Creating opportunities for our clients, people, and the Central Minnesota community keeps us up at night. It is why we exist. We must constantly be asking ourselves: are we making the right investments and moving fast enough to serve our clients, people, and communities consistent with our core values?”

Opportunities within CLA

Laubach shared perhaps a lesser-known opportunity at CLA. She said, “We recruit a sizable number of candidates annually for tax and assurance internships from our local colleges and we hire experienced accounting professionals from the broader Central Minnesota community. Joining CLA offers flexibility, choice, and a supportive family culture where you can enjoy boundless opportunities. We seek team members that are curious, collaborative, transparent, inclusive, and reliable.”

She continued, “We continue to actively learn, listen, and reflect on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our DEI Council works directly with firm leaders and more than 250 local DEI ambassadors to guide our efforts and engage the whole CLA family. We believe that including different perspectives makes our firm better—and that everyone who interacts with the CLA family should feel welcome.”

Download the CLA 2021 Transparency Report to discover more.

For more information, visit CLAconnect.com. Investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor.

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