Tax Principal - Financial Services Leader (National)

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen); Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness programs

Job summary

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) seeks a Financial Services Tax Principal to lead national tax initiatives, advisory work, and client relationships in the financial services sector. This senior role will guide a ~20-person team across markets, shaping priorities, and delivering high-quality, proactive tax solutions.

The candidate will leverage deep ASC 740 and partnership tax knowledge, manage cross-market projects, and drive growth within the practice while mentoring staff and maintaining client

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in accounting, taxation, or a related field.
• Current CPA required; JD or EA may be accepted in lieu of CPA.
• 10+ years of public accounting or professional services tax experience.
• Deep understanding of tax issues affecting banks, insurance companies, investment funds, and specialty finance entities.
• Strong technical knowledge of ASC 740, partnership taxation, REITs, and financial instruments.
• Demonstrated success leading geographically dispersed teams and translating strategy into clear priorities and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a national financial services tax team delivering advisory, consulting, and compliance services.
• Serve as the industry tax leader and partner with leadership to grow the financial services tax practice nationally.
• Set clear expectations, provide timely coaching and feedback, recognize contributions, and build a high-performing team.
• Manage workforce deployment and capacity planning across the national practice, balancing skills and deadlines.
• Drive accountability for client service, technical quality, staffing leverage, and portfolio health.
• Protect client relationships by identifying risks early, ensuring strong communication, and escalation if needed.
• Strengthen client relationships, expand services, develop pipeline opportunities, increase national recognition of the practice.
• Lead change with transparency and sound judgment, implement practice improvements and communicate decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Client service

Strategic planning

Cross-functional

Tax advisory

Education

Accounting/Tax degree

CPA certification

JD/EA acceptable in lieu of CPA

Job description

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) seeks a Financial Services Tax Principal to lead national tax initiatives, advisory work, and client relationships in the financial services sector. This senior role will guide a ~20-person team across markets, shaping priorities, and delivering high-quality, proactive tax solutions.

The candidate will leverage deep ASC 740 and partnership tax knowledge, manage cross-market projects, and drive growth within the practice while mentoring staff and maintaining client