CLA merges in Dembo Jones

CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, a Top 10 Firm, has added Dembo Jones CPAs and Advisors, a firm with offices in North Bethesda and Columbia, Maryland, expanding CLA's presence in the U.S. Capital region, effective May 1.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but CLA earned over $2 billion in revenue in 2024, while Dembo Jones earned $24 million. CLA has nearly 9,000 people and more than 130 U.S. locations, while Dembo Jones has over 80 team members and two locations. CLA ranked No. 10 on Accounting Today's 2025 list of the Top 100 Firms.

The deal is part of CLA's plan to grow by $1 billion through the addition of new partner firms over the next five years.

"This is such a great time for us to embrace Dembo Jones into the CLA family," said CLA chief development officer Scott Engelbrecht in a statement. "At CLA, we understand that independence is key to innovation and growth. Our unique partnership model allows firms to retain local identity while accessing our global resources and our exceptional professionals across the country. This approach ensures that the firms that join us can continue to thrive in their markets while benefiting from the strength of a larger firm. Our friends at Dembo Jones talk about how their clients get all of Dembo Jones when they are working together. That is exactly how CLA operates, bringing all of CLA to our clients."

Dembo Jones has offered accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting services to businesses, government agencies, organizations and individuals for over 70 years. 

"Joining CLA presents an incredible opportunity for both our team at Dembo Jones and the numerous clients who depend on our specialized services," said Dembo Jones managing partner Brent Croghan in a statement. "Our shared values and mutual dedication to serving individuals, businesses, government entities and nonprofit organizations make this partnership a natural fit. With access to CLA's extensive national footprint, we are now better equipped to provide enhanced resources to our clients."

Last year, CLA added Axiom CPAs & Business Advisors, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Engine B, a London-based AI company, and Ronald Blue and Co, a firm with offices in Atlanta; Tempe, Arizona; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Santa Ana, California. 

In 2023, CLA acquired Richard, Witt & Charles in Garden City, New York; Frost & Co. in Tacoma, Washington; and Gilmore Jasion Mahler in Toledo and Findlay, Ohio. In 2022, it did a number of mergers and acquisitions, including with Hayashi Wayland in Salinas, California, Concannon Miller in Florida and Pennsylvania, and Price CPAs in Nashville, Tennessee.