DEVELOPING DIVERSITY: CLA Accounts for Opportunity
western Wisconsin accounting and advisory firm works to create opportunities for all in changing profession
Exciting things are happening in the accounting and professional services professions in western Wisconsin and across the country. Yes, you heard that right. Accounting, advisory, and wealth management are exciting professions. At a time when fewer young people are pursuing accounting careers, technology is transforming the profession, creating new opportunities for those just starting on a career path, as well as experienced professionals. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), with six locations across the western Wisconsin region and 130 offices nationwide, is embracing this industry transformation with an unwavering commitment to providing a diverse and inclusive culture for those who choose an inspired career.
CLA’s western Wisconsin locations include Eau Claire, Hudson, Rice Lake, Tomah, La Crosse, and Sparta, where the firm’s professionals are actively involved in the community. CLA team members are often on campus engaging with students at UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, Chippewa Valley Technical College, and UW-River Falls. They’re also active with accounting groups on campus, hosting events and speaking at meetings. CLA invites students to offices to connect with staff and tour the office. Campus involvement has led to other opportunities to support young people.
“Through our involvement at UW-Eau Claire, we were able to show our support to a growing high school program titled, ‘Youth in STEM,’ ” said Julia Lokken, a CLA impact/people coordinator, who coordinates recruiting efforts across the region. “One hundred students – Latina and Native American attended. We’re excited about where this program is headed and how their focus is on underserved populations, promoting accounting and other STEM careers to students in schools with a high diversity rate.”
CLA believes deeply in creating a culture of belonging and in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. From the newest recruits to principals who have been with the firm for years, culture is what sets CLA apart in the marketplace.
“We found it very helpful to host office listening sessions this year,” said Brock Geyen, managing principal for the CLA office in Eau Claire. “We did this to really understand what our people want from their inspired careers, office culture, and communication. We want everyone to have the opportunity to share their thoughts and have a voice.”
The firm’s western Wisconsin regional offices also support the CLA Foundation, nominating area nonprofits that fit the firm’s DEI criteria for foundation grants. Locally, Junior Achievement and the Boys & Girls Club have received commitments from the CLA Foundation.
A 2023 recipient of RippleMatch’s national Campus Forward Award for DEI-centered recruiting efforts, CLA intentionally creates a culture that embraces all voices and welcomes different beliefs and perspectives to create a sense of belonging. The firm’s DEI plan focuses on five areas: leadership, recruiting, operations, employee engagement, and community and client impact. More than 300 CLA employees serve as DEI ambassadors across firm locations, including western Wisconsin offices.
Becky Ostedt from CLA’s Eau Claire office recently returned from the firm’s Belonging & Inclusion Summit, a gathering to celebrate the concept of belonging and the idea that everyone should be comfortable to bring their “full self” to work.
Interested in pursuing your inspired career at CLA? Learn more at CLA’s Careers page at www.claconnect.com/en/careers.
The information contained herein is general in nature and is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal, accounting, investment, or tax advice or opinion provided by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CliftonLarsonAllen) to the reader. For more information, visit CLAconnect.com. CLA exists to create opportunities for our clients, our people, and our communities through our industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. Investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor.
