CLA Names New Chief Data and Financial Officers

The eighth-largest accounting firm in the US, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA), has made two significant leadership appointments; Ray Price, Jr. as Chief Financial Officer, previously from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and Spencer Lourens, previously the Managing Principal of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at CLA, as its first Chief Data Officer. Both hires are part of CLA's strategic growth plan as the firm prioritises innovation in the ever-changing professional services industry.

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), the eighth-largest accounting firm in the United States, has announced two significant leadership appointments to support its strategic growth.

Ray Price, Jr. – Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Ray Price, Jr. joins CLA as Chief Financial Officer, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous role as CFO of Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Private Wealth Management. In his new position, Price will lead CLA’s financial operations, guiding the firm's fiscal strategy and growth planning in collaboration with the leadership team. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance from Old Dominion University and a Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from Queens University of Charlotte. Price is a lifetime member of NABA Inc. and serves as the Chair of the Corporate Advisory Board for the organization. He is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he resides with his wife and two daughters.

Spencer Lourens – Chief Data Officer (CDO)

Spencer Lourens has been promoted to the newly created role of Chief Data Officer. Since joining CLA in 2019, Lourens has accelerated the firm's digital solutions and previously served as the Managing Principal of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. As CDO, he will oversee data management, quality, utilization, and governance, while developing comprehensive data strategies as part of CLA’s $500 million investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology. Lourens holds a Ph.D. in biostatistics from the University of Iowa and has an extensive background in AI and data science. Prior to joining CLA, he was an Assistant Professor and directed the undergraduate Health Data Science program at Indiana University School of Medicine and the Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health.

Jen Leary, CEO of CLA, expressed enthusiasm about these appointments, stating, "With the professional services industry evolving at a rapid pace, we see an enormous opportunity to better serve our clients and are investing in top talent to drive growth. The addition of Spencer and Ray rounds out a true ‘dream team’ of leadership at CLA. We have the drive, energy, and talent to continue positively disrupting the profession."

Cathy Clarke, Chief Culture Officer at CLA, added, "This is an exciting time at CLA, with the addition of Ray Price, Jr. and the more than 700 advancements within our incredible team, including Spencer Lourens who is driving our data engagement. As we invest in the next generation of firm leaders, it’s exciting to imagine our future."

These strategic leadership appointments underscore CLA's commitment to innovation and growth in the rapidly evolving professional services industry.

Until next time…

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CLA Appoints New Chief Data Officer and Chief Financial Officer

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