CliftonLarsonAllen

What CliftonLarsonAllen does

CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA) is a privately held professional services firm headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, operating as the 8th largest US accounting firm with nearly 9,300 professionals across approximately 120 US locations. Founded in 1960 and structured as a Minnesota limited liability partnership, the firm delivers an integrated platform of audit and assurance, tax planning and compliance, consulting and outsourcing, digital transformation advisory, wealth management through SEC-registered CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors LLC ($13.55B AUM as of September 2024), and—since April 2026—investment banking through CLA Meridian Capital. Its client base spans more than 169,000 entities, including 62,100+ private businesses, 100,000+ private households, 7,500+ construction clients, and 6,800+ wealth advisory clients, with deep vertical specialization in construction (#2 ranked), real estate, manufacturing, and private equity portfolio companies.

CLA's business model is anchored in fee-based professional services engagements (audit, tax, consulting, transaction advisory) supplemented by recurring asset-based fees from wealth advisory. The firm's go-to-market relies on partner-led relationship-based business development targeting middle-market companies and high-net-worth individuals, supported by an extensive marketing apparatus including CLA Connect content, the CLA Outlook webinar series, and industry conference presence. Technology infrastructure is built on Microsoft Azure, including Microsoft Fabric for unified analytics, with proprietary capability through the Go Digital framework and Engine B (acquired May 2024) for generative AI applications in audit, tax, and compliance workflows.

Revenue is generated through five primary streams: audit and assurance, tax services, consulting and outsourcing, wealth advisory (recurring fees on AUM), and investment banking (transaction-based fees). The firm pursues growth through a programmatic acquisition strategy—completing deals with Concannon Miller (2022), Frost & Company (2023), Engine B (2024), Axiom CPAs (2024), Answerport (2026), and Meridian Capital (2026)—and operates as an independent member of the CLA Global international network for cross-border engagements.

Name

CliftonLarsonAllen

Legal name

CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

Website

https://claconnect.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) is the 8th largest US accounting firm and private professional services platform delivering audit, tax, consulting, wealth advisory ($13.55B AUM), and investment banking to more than 169,000 middle-market businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and PE-backed companies across approximately 120 US locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Services (Accounting, Tax, Consulting, and Wealth Advisory)

NAICS

Offices of Certified Public Accountants (541211), Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394), Other Management Consulting Services (541618), Investment Banking and Securities Intermediation (52315)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Investment Advice (6282), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) Wealth Management (FSAEABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Financial Planning & Analysis Support (Budgeting, Forecasting, Management Reporting) (BPAAAGAJ)

Keywords

• Audit and assurance
• Tax consulting services
• Wealth advisory
• Investment management
• Digital transformation

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Audit and Assurance Services: Audit, review, and compilation of financial statements, including employee benefit plan audits
2. Tax Services: Federal, state and local tax planning and compliance, international tax services, tax strategies, credits and incentives
3. Consulting and Outsourcing: Business consulting, outsourcing services, transaction support, risk management, cybersecurity, and forensic accounting
4. Wealth Advisory and Investment Management: Investment advisory services, portfolio management, financial planning, and wealth advisory through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC (SEC registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC). Revenue generated from advisory fees based on assets under management.
5. Investment Banking Services: M&A advisory, capital raising, and strategic advisory services through CLA Meridian Capital for middle-market companies

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) is a professional services firm delivering integrated wealth advisory, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services to middle-market businesses, private business owners, and high-net-worth individuals. Its core service lines include Audit and Assurance (financial statement audits, employee benefit plan audits, ESG assurance), Tax Services (federal, state, local, international tax planning and compliance, credits and incentives), Consulting and Outsourcing (risk management, internal audit, transaction support, cybersecurity, forensic accounting), Wealth Advisory (investment management, financial planning, estate and tax strategy), and Digital Solutions (technology modernization via Microsoft Azure and the Go Digital framework).

Product overview

CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) is a professional services firm offering an integrated platform of audit, tax, consulting, digital solutions, and wealth advisory services. The core offering consists of wealth advisory, digital solutions (Go Digital framework with Microsoft Azure capabilities), audit and assurance, tax services, and consulting/outsourcing. CLA has expanded its portfolio through acquisitions including Answerport (technology advisory for PE transactions), Engine B (generative AI for professional services), and Meridian Capital (investment banking as CLA Meridian Capital). The firm serves diverse industries including construction, real estate, manufacturing, healthcare, and financial institutions, and differentiates through integrated tax and wealth advisory combining financial planning, investment management, and tax strategy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wealth Advisory Integrated wealth advisory services including investment management, financial planning, tax strategy, and risk mitigation for high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners, and institutions through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC.
• Audit and Assurance Audit, review, and compilation of financial statements; employee benefit plan audits; sustainability and ESG assurance services for middle-market and enterprise clients.
• Tax Services Federal, state, and local tax planning and compliance; international tax services; tax strategies and credits including R&D credits, energy tax credits; accounting for income taxes (ASC 740).
• Consulting and Outsourcing Business consulting, outsourcing solutions, technology consulting, risk management, internal audit, transaction support, cybersecurity, and forensic accounting services.
• Digital Solutions (Go Digital) Digital transformation and technology advisory services using CLA's proprietary Go Digital framework and Microsoft Azure technologies (Microsoft Fabric, Data & AI, Digital & App Innovation), helping clients modernize legacy systems.
• CLA Meridian Capital Investment banking services for middle-market companies including mergers and acquisitions advisory, capital raising, and strategic advisory for business owners during growth, M&A, and ownership transitions. Operates as a division of CLA.
• Private Client Services Integrated tax and wealth advisory services for high-net-worth individuals and families, aligning investments, estate plans, charitable giving, and business transactions within comprehensive financial plans.
• Construction Industry Services CPA, consulting, and advisory services tailored for construction companies including general and specialty contractors, commercial and residential developers, civil contractors, heavy highway contractors, and government contractors. Services include claims, disputes, litigation support, cost verification, succession planning, and bonding capacity evaluation.
• Real Estate Industry Services Comprehensive services for real estate owners, operators, developers, syndicators, sponsors, and family offices including tax strategy, opportunity zones, entity structuring, 1031 exchanges, Delaware Statutory Trusts, transaction support, and wealth advisory.
• Manufacturing Industry Services Tax and consulting services for multi-state and multinational manufacturing companies (C-Corps, S-corps, partnerships), including ASC 740 tax provision preparation, multi-state taxation, M&A transaction tax structuring, and R&D tax credit advisory.
• Digital Solutions – Answerport Technology advisory services specializing in helping companies navigate technology transitions during acquisitions, mergers, and carve-outs for private equity firms and their portfolio companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• $13.55 billion in assets under management
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Engine BcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 May 2024UK-based generative AI service provider for the professional services sector. Acquisition completed in May 2024 to enhance CLA's AI capabilities.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationCLA has earned two Microsoft Solutions Partner designations: Data & AI (Azure) and Digital & App Innovation (Azure). These designations validate the firm's capabilities in delivering digital transformation solutions using Microsoft technologies including Microsoft Fabric for unified analytics and AI-driven decision-making.
• ValMark Securities, Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNon-affiliated registered broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, through which securities may also be offered. Located at 130 Springside Drive, Suite 300, Akron, OH 44333-2431.
• CLA GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization of independent accounting and advisory firms. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) is an independent network member. CLA Global provides global reach through affiliation with independent firms worldwide.
• SagecoreTechnology or IntegrationCLA is a Sage Partner Platinum Club winner, providing Sage Intacct implementation and support services. The firm offers AI-driven productivity solutions for construction and other industries using Sage Intacct platform.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Baker Tilly US: Baker Tilly is a top-10 US accounting and advisory firm with a similar mid-market focus, industry specialization, and growing consulting practice. The two firms compete directly for construction, real estate, and manufacturing clients.
• Wipfli LLP: Wipfli is a top-20 US accounting and consulting firm that competes with CLA in middle-market tax, audit, and advisory, particularly for closely held businesses and the construction industry. Like CLA, Wipfli has been expanding digital and outsourced services.
• Crowe LLP: Crowe is a top-10 US public accounting and consulting firm with overlapping audit, tax, advisory, and wealth management offerings to middle-market clients. Crowe competes with CLA across financial services, construction, and manufacturing verticals.
• BDO USA: BDO USA is among the top 10 US accounting firms and competes head-to-head with CLA for middle-market audit, tax, and advisory work. Like CLA, BDO offers industry-specialized practices and has been expanding wealth advisory and consulting adjacencies.
• RSM US: RSM US is the 5th largest US accounting and professional services firm and the most direct mid-market peer to CLA. Both firms target middle-market private businesses with integrated audit, tax, consulting, and wealth advisory offerings across the same industries and deal-size profiles.
• Forvis (formerly BKD + Dixon Hughes Goodman): Forvis is a top-10 US accounting firm formed from the BKD and Dixon Hughes Goodman merger, competing directly with CLA in middle-market audit, tax, and advisory with comparable industry specialization in healthcare, construction, and financial services.
• Creative Planning: Creative Planning is one of the largest US independent RIAs and competes directly with CLA Wealth Advisors for high-net-worth wealth management mandates. Its significantly larger AUM illustrates the scale gap CLA Wealth Advisors must close to remain competitive in the RIA rankings.
• Marcum LLP: Marcum LLP is a top-15 US accounting and advisory firm with a comparable mid-market focus and industry depth in construction, real estate, and manufacturing. Marcum's wealth advisory practice also competes directly with CLA Wealth Advisors.
• Plante Moran: Plante Moran is a top-15 US accounting and business advisory firm serving middle-market private and public companies, with similar industry specialization and an integrated consulting model that overlaps with CLA's service portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Grant Thornton US: Grant Thornton is a larger, broader US accounting and advisory firm with deeper audit and international capabilities. It competes with CLA in middle-market audit and tax while also serving larger enterprises, giving it wider reach but less specialization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cliftonlarsonallen
• Xx.com/claconnect
• Facebookfacebook.com/CliftonLarsonAllen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A9 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CliftonLarsonAllen