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.
CLA is growing and seeking to hire an experienced Manager/Director – National Tax Controversy to join our talented National Tax Office (NTO). The National Tax Office supports client-serving teams with technical issues, develops thought leadership, and builds experts within the firm through formal leadership training programs. The position offers growth, opportunities for advancement, flexibility and a collaborative work environment.
In this position you should have the following: excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate at all levels; strong leadership skills and the ability to collaborate with engagement teams to resolve client controversy matters; robust tax research expertise and intellectual curiosity; a resourceful approach to problem solving and creative abilities, coupled with sound judgment; ability to manage multiple matters; and a high level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation.
How you’ll create opportunities in this Manager/Director – National Tax Controversy role:
- Help lead and grow the National Tax Controversy team
- Represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service in examinations and appeals, handle tax account and collection issues, and prepare penalty abatement and relief requests
- Support client-relationship professionals with tax controversy issues
- Manage development of controversy-related policies, procedures, tools, and resources
- Draft internal and external articles/blogs/communications
- Develop and present tax controversy webcasts for CLA professionals
- Collaborate with Tax Quality and National Tax Office professionals on other projects and firm-wide initiatives
What you will need:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
- LLM or Master’s degree in taxation preferred
- Certification/ Licenses: CPA required (Juris Doctorate or Enrolled Agent may be accepted in lieu of CPA)
- 6 years of experience in a large professional services or public accounting firm, driving strategic management required
- 10+ years of experience in tax advocacy, examination, controversy or account resolution preferred
- Prior experience at the IRS preferred
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 compensation range for this position in California is: $140,00.00 – $235,000.00
The compensation range for this position in Illinois is: $119,00.00 – $211,000.00
The compensation range for this position in Massachusetts is: $140,00.00 – $227,000.00
The compensation range for this position in Minnesota is: $119,000.00 – $203,000.00
The compensation range for this position in New York is: $156,00.00 – $235,000.00
The compensation range for this position in Virginia is: $150,00.00 – $227,000.00
The compensation range for this position in Washington is: $130,00.00 – $219,000.00
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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
- LLM or Master's degree in Taxation
- CPA certification; Juris Doctorate or Enrolled Agent may be accepted instead
- 6 years of experience in a large professional services or public accounting firm, including strategic management
- 10 or more years of experience in tax advocacy, examination, controversy, or account resolution
- Prior experience at the IRS
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, leadership, collaboration, tax research, problem-solving, organizational, judgment, integrity, and dependability skills
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) and has not been reviewed or approved by CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen).
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellness resources are positioned as a differentiator, including a recurring wellness stipend and expanded mental-health support options. Flexible work arrangements such as work-from-home and flex time are also framed as meaningful non-cash rewards.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-building support is broad, including paid parental leave, adoption assistance, and fertility benefits. Additional programs like support for nursing parents who travel further strengthen the family benefits set.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits include a 401(k) match and profit sharing, with vesting time reportedly reduced in recent updates. This provides a clearer long-term value component beyond base pay.
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) Insights
What We Do
CLA is a professional services firm delivering integrated wealth advisory, outsourcing, audit, tax, and consulting services. Learn more about CLA.








