Assurance Principal or Signing Director

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen); Walnut Creek (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

CLA is seeking a Principal or Signing Director to join our Bay Area Assurance team. This role is designed for a motivated leader who will help build and grow our presence in the market while contributing to an established, high-performing team.

Responsibilities include driving business development, leading assurance engagements, managing scope and budgets, and serving as the primary client relationship owner.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 8+ years of public accounting experience, including financial statement audits and related reporting.
• Active CPA license required.

Responsibilities

• Drive business development by growing a book of business, expanding client relationships, and actively engaging in the community.
• Lead and oversee assurance engagements, ensuring quality, compliance, and timely delivery.
• Manage engagement scope, fees, budgets, and deadlines while maintaining strong client communication.
• Serve as the primary client relationship owner and trusted advisor.
• Review financial statements and workpapers to ensure accuracy and adherence to professional standards.
• Provide overall engagement leadership, including staffing, risk management, and quality control.
• Mentor and develop high-performing teams; provide coaching and performance feedback.

Skills

Public accounting experience

Leadership

Client relationship management

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA license

Job description

CLA is a top 10 national professional services firm where our purpose is to create opportunities every day, for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. Even with more than 8,500 people, 130 U.S. locations, and a global reach, we promise to know you and help you.

CLA is dedicated to building a culture that invites different beliefs and perspectives to the table, so we can truly know and help our clients, communities, and each other.

As part of our continued strategic growth, CLA is seeking a Principal or Signing Director to join our Bay Area Assurance team. This role is designed for a motivated leader who is excited to help build and grow our presence in the market while contributing to an established, high-performing team.

How You’ll Create Impact In This Assurance Role

• Drive business development by growing a book of business, expanding client relationships, and actively engaging in the community.
• Lead and oversee assurance engagements, ensuring quality, compliance, and timely delivery.
• Manage engagement scope, fees, budgets, and deadlines while maintaining strong client communication.
• Serve as the primary client relationship owner and trusted advisor.
• Review financial statements and workpapers to ensure accuracy and adherence to professional standards.
• Provide overall engagement leadership, including staffing, risk management, and quality control.
• Mentor and develop high-performing teams; provide coaching and performance feedback.

What You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 8+ years of public accounting experience, including financial statement audits and related reporting.
• Active CPA license required.
• Ability to travel to client sites as needed.

Our approach to compensation emphasizes collaboration and career growth. We pay competitive wages and view compensation as an investment in our people. Factors such as geography, experience, education, skills, and knowledge may impact position of pay within the range.

The California posting range for this role is $165,000 – $400,000.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Wellness at CLA

To support our CLA family members, we focus on their physical, financial, social, and emotional well-being and offer comprehensive benefit options that include health, dental, vision, 401k and much more.