Assurance Principal - Higher Education

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) • Fort Worth, TX

1d

About The Position

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 9,000 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. CLA is currently seeking an Assurance Principal to join our Texas Higher Education team. You will be serving community colleges, private universities and public institutions, drive business development, and build an infrastructure of talent to support growth across Higher Education with support to Healthcare and SLG. The Principal contributes at the highest level in their industry and excels at client advisory, service advocacy, relationship development, and leadership. How you'll create opportunities in this role: Assume full responsibility for all services for clients in a book of business. Review and sign engagement letters, discuss the nature and terms of assignments with clients and staff, and approve fees. Establish KPI dashboards for HE leaders (e.g., net tuition revenue, retention, instructional cost per credit hour, program margin, research/auxiliary performance) and track outcomes. Ensure project teams deliver defensible methodologies and documentation aligned to HE leading practices and sponsor/federal requirements where applicable. Drive adoption of best‑practice HE methodologies; codify playbooks and accelerators for repeatable delivery (cost models, revenue analytics, benchmarking). Demonstrate deep understanding of HE economics (student lifecycle, aid, auxiliaries, research, clinical/continuing education) and relevant accounting/OMB guidance as applicable. Own a prioritized pursuit plan; manage multiple HE engagements; mentor and scale a delivery team with consistent quality and client satisfaction. Stay current on HE regulatory and operating trends (financial aid, cybersecurity, ESG reporting) and technology transformation (cloud, AI, data analytics). Develop and execute a segmented business development plan targeting community colleges, private universities, and public institutions. Periodically review engagement progress to determine whether all phases of the engagement are being carried out properly. Review time budgets and deadlines, provide ongoing attention to client’s management, and attend final client meetings. Communicate with managers and staff regarding engagement status, client problems, findings, and recommendations. Assist clients in obtaining necessary funding to continue to positively impact their community.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Accounting, Taxation or related field
• Current CPA licensure required.
• 10+ years of public accounting experience in an assurance role with a public accounting and/or professional services firm
• Experience leading teams of high performing people and managing governmental audits and/or nonprofit (higher education) and Single audits strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Assume full responsibility for all services for clients in a book of business.
• Review and sign engagement letters, discuss the nature and terms of assignments with clients and staff, and approve fees.
• Establish KPI dashboards for HE leaders (e.g., net tuition revenue, retention, instructional cost per credit hour, program margin, research/auxiliary performance) and track outcomes.
• Ensure project teams deliver defensible methodologies and documentation aligned to HE leading practices and sponsor/federal requirements where applicable.
• Drive adoption of best‑practice HE methodologies; codify playbooks and accelerators for repeatable delivery (cost models, revenue analytics, benchmarking).
• Demonstrate deep understanding of HE economics (student lifecycle, aid, auxiliaries, research, clinical/continuing education) and relevant accounting/OMB guidance as applicable.
• Own a prioritized pursuit plan; manage multiple HE engagements; mentor and scale a delivery team with consistent quality and client satisfaction.
• Stay current on HE regulatory and operating trends (financial aid, cybersecurity, ESG reporting) and technology transformation (cloud, AI, data analytics).
• Develop and execute a segmented business development plan targeting community colleges, private universities, and public institutions.
• Periodically review engagement progress to determine whether all phases of the engagement are being carried out properly.
• Review time budgets and deadlines, provide ongoing attention to client’s management, and attend final client meetings.
• Communicate with managers and staff regarding engagement status, client problems, findings, and recommendations.
• Assist clients in obtaining necessary funding to continue to positively impact their community.

Benefits

• 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.
• To view a complete list of benefits click here.
• Wellness at CLA Wellness is shaped by our promise to know you and help you. We create opportunities for our people to live well and be happy by focusing on their physical, financial, social, and emotional well-being.
• Click here to learn more about CLA’s benefit offerings.
• CLA is an equal opportunity employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities Click here to learn about your hiring rights.
• If you require reasonable accommodation when completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact [e-mail]

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal