CLA recognized for its investment in high school, college, and emerging early-career talent internships.
U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, has named CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) one of the 2026-2027 Best Companies to Work For. The recognition highlights companies meeting the needs of employees and early-career professionals based on factors most heavily considered by job seekers during their employment search.
CLA was specifically chosen for its robust and innovative internship programs, spanning high school, college, and the newest edition, the IGNITE program. For CLA, this recognition represents something bigger than a workplace designation. It affirms a deliberate choice to invest in people at the same moment the firm is investing boldly in technology. CLA leaders believe even the most powerful technology can’t create impact without curious, capable, future-ready talent behind it.
“The best way to protect the future of our profession is to protect the first rung of the career ladder,” said Kirthi Mani, chief people officer at CLA. “That initial opportunity can create confidence, belonging, and financial stability that changes the trajectory of a young person’s life. If technology eliminates the starting point, we risk losing an entire generation of talent before they have the chance to discover what they can become. At CLA, we are making a different choice: As we invest in technology, we are investing just as boldly in human potential, opening doors earlier, developing talent sooner, and building the future of this profession with intention.”
CLA is intentionally opening doors earlier and creating meaningful pathways into accounting and professional services, from high school internships to college experiences and emerging early-career programs.
Now in its fourth year, CLA’s high school internship program welcomed more than 80 students in 2026 into its offices across the country, one of the few high school internship programs of scale in the accounting profession. CLA also welcomes hundreds of college interns annually across its 120 locations, giving students opportunities for hands-on learning, mentorship, real-world experience, and meaningful connection with CLA professionals.
This year, the firm launched CLA IGNITE, a transformational internship experience designed to build future-ready talent. Through service-line exposure, mentorship, access to executive leaders, and strategic project work, students develop both professional knowledge and distinctly human capabilities the future demands: judgment, communication, collaboration, curiosity, and grit.
“Our clients are investing in the future of their businesses, and we have a responsibility to invest in the people who will guide them there,” said Jen Leary, CEO of CLA. “That is why CLA continues to build talent pathways here in the United States, close to the communities we serve. When we give young people meaningful opportunities to learn, contribute, and belong, we do more than prepare them for a profession — we strengthen families, communities, businesses, and the economic future of our country.”
U.S. News & World Report’s Best Companies to Work For ratings offer a single location for employers, job seekers, budding professionals, and HR leaders to see which companies are meeting employees’ needs. The ratings examine employee sentiment using factors including quality of pay and benefits, work-life balance and flexibility, job and company stability, physical and psychological comfort, belongingness and esteem, career opportunities, and professional development.
“The 2026-2027 job market is rapidly shifting the way employers, employees and job seekers think about work, and subsequently, workplace culture,” said Carly Chase, vice president of careers at U.S. News & World Report. “The list spotlights companies that scored high on multiple metrics that promote a positive work environment and everyday employee experience.”
To calculate the U.S. News & World Report Best Companies to Work For ratings, U.S. News & World Report considered private companies with at least 1,000 employees and more than $500 million in annual revenue, as defined by ZoomInfo, and the 5,000 largest publicly traded companies by market capitalization. Considered companies were required to have at least 75 Glassdoor reviews written between 2021 and 2025, and the methodology factors in employee sentiment and regulatory enforcement data gathered from partners including Revelio Labs, QUODD, ZoomInfo, and Good Jobs First.
For more information, explore U.S. News & World Report’s Careers offerings and share the ratings using #BCTWF.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders, and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News & World Report provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News & World Report is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, insurance, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers, and consumer products and services.
About CLA
CLA exists to create opportunities for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. With nearly 9,000 people, more than 120 U.S. locations, and a global vision, we promise to know you and help you. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) is an independent network member of CLA Global. See CLAglobal.com/disclaimer. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC.