Principal Director – National Exempt Tax

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)

Principal or Signing Director delivering exempt-tax advisory and compliance services for CLA’s healthcare, higher-education, and nonprofit clients. Leading engagements, technical research, returns, staff development, and practice growth.

Posted 8/12/2026full-timeArlington • Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $165,000 - $400,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive expertise in tax compliance and operational excellence for tax-exempt organizations, with strong leadership and mentoring capabilities to build and manage client engagement teams effectively.

Highest-signal resume keywords

CPA CertificationTax Compliance ExpertiseLeadership SkillsStrategic Practice DevelopmentExperience with Tax-Exempt Organizations

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Tax ResearchTechnical Tax Memoranda DraftingExempt Organization Returns ReviewOperational Excellence ManagementEngagement Management

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsCommunication SkillsProblem-Solving AbilitiesCreative ThinkingIntegrity

Certifications & Qualifications

CPAJDEnrolled Agent (EA)

Industry Keywords

HealthcareHigher EducationNonprofitTax-Exempt OrganizationsPublic Accounting

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve tax-exempt clients in the Healthcare, Higher Ed, and Nonprofit industries
Demonstrate command of a major area of specialization and deep technical skills
Manage engagements and deliver operational excellence
Assist clients with tax and day-to-day compliance needs
Research and draft technical tax memoranda on various tax issues
Review and sign exempt organization returns
Serve as a subject matter expert when appropriate
Develop and mentor staff
Oversee client engagement teams
Build a strategic tax-exempt practice

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
Minimum of 10+ years of experience serving in a tax role with a public accounting and/or professional services firm
CPA required; JD or Enrolled Agent (EA) may be accepted in lieu of CPA certification
Experience specializing in tax-exempt organizations preferred
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Strong leadership skills and ability to manage a team of controversy professionals
Problem-solving and creative abilities with sound judgment
Ability to manage multiple matters
Strategic skills to build a practice
High level of integrity and dependability
Strong sense of urgency and results orientation

Benefits

Comp & perks

Growth opportunities
Opportunities for advancement
Flexibility
Collaborative work environment
Health benefits
Dental benefits
Vision benefits
401k
Wellness support focused on physical, financial, social, and emotional well-being
Career growth and exposure to different roles
Choice of industry specialization, service capability, career path, and mobility