After being named the top accounting firm providing services for businesses in the construction industry for five of the last six years including last year, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) was dethroned by CBIZ in Construction Executive‘s 2025 rankings.
One thing that helped CBIZ claim the No. 1 spot for 2025 is its 2024 acquisition of fellow midtier accounting firm Marcum. CBIZ ranked eighth in the trade magazine’s 2024 ranking, while Marcum came in fifth.
- Related article: CLA Named 2024’s Top Accounting Firm For the Construction Industry
CBIZ earned the top spot through a combination of factors, including the number of CPAs, principals, and team members with CCIFP (Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional) certification; total revenues; geographic reach; and the number of construction clients served.
Joe Natarelli, leader of CBIZ’s construction practice who previously was Marcum’s national construction industry leader, attributes the recognition to how well both firms’ construction practices have meshed post-acquisition.
“It’s a true honor to receive this recognition. It’s a reflection of our investment in growth and ongoing commitment to serving the construction industry. Furthermore, it celebrates the success of our efforts to combine and strengthen our capabilities by bringing together two of 2024’s top 10 firms in the industry,” he said in a statement.
Natarelli also celebrated the firm’s approach to client service, which he sees as the driving force behind CBIZ’s growing reputation in the construction sector.
“We work hard as a firm to never lose sight of our responsibility to clients. That means that no level of growth or increase in activity distracts us from the personalized client service, high-touch attention, and responsiveness that have gotten us where we are today,” he said. “Results matter, and we’re proud of the success that we’ve helped our clients achieve. But how you get there matters too—while assisting clients in overcoming industry challenges, like those we see today with tariffs, tax law changes, emergent technology, and in a myriad of other areas, we remain dedicated to earning and retaining their trust and grateful for each opportunity. Because we’ve made that so central to our culture, it’s something being No. 1 won’t change.”
CLA took the demotion in stride, saying in a media release that finishing in the top two in Construction Executive‘s rankings the past six years “is a powerful testament to the trust CLA’s clients place in the firm and the deep experience and ability that the firm’s construction professionals bring to every engagement.”
“Very few firms nationwide can rival our legacy and unparalleled knowledge in the construction sector,” said Paul Bailey, chief growth officer for CLA. “The construction industry is constantly on the move, with new challenges around every corner—tariffs, shifting interest rates, evolving tax codes, and more. Our teams don’t just deliver accounting talent; we anticipate market shifts, stay ahead of regulatory changes, and proactively equip our clients to seize every opportunity and tackle any obstacle. We are relentless in driving our clients’ success and preparing them for whatever comes next.”
“We’re honored to be recognized again, but the biggest honor comes from the trust and respect our clients have for CLA,” added Tom Dearnley, managing principal of CLA’s construction industry. “Our team is dedicated to understanding the unique challenges and opportunities facing contractors and construction-related businesses. By working side-by-side with our clients, we deliver tailored guidance and proactive solutions that help them navigate the industry’s complexities and seize new opportunities. We’re proud of the meaningful relationships we’ve built and the lasting impact we help bring to our clients and the industry as a whole.”
The top 50 construction accounting firms for 2025 are:
- CBIZ
- CLA
- Forvis Mazars
- Baker Tilly
- Crowe
- Wipfli
- Moss Adams
- Plante Moran
- CohnReznick
- Eide Bailly
- Grassi
- Citrin Cooperman
- RubinBrown
- UHY
- Doeren Mayhew
- Cherry Bekaert
- Withum
- Aldrich CPAs + Advisors
- Carr, Riggs & Ingram (CRI)
- Aprio
- Horne
- Warren Averett
- Anchin
- Weaver
- The Bonadio Group
- Rehmann
- Armanino
- Sax
- Rea
- Schneider Downs
- Berman Hopkins CPAs & Associates
- YHB | CPAs & Consultants
- HBK CPAs & Consultants
- Brown Edwards & Co.
- Redpath and Co.
- PBMares
- Dean Dorton
- Sikich
- Moore Colson
- Gelman
- Adams Brown
- Katz, Sapper & Miller (KSM)
- Wiss & Co.
- Hannis T. Bourgeois
- E.J. Callhan & Associates
- Melton & Melton
- Kreischer Miller
- Lane Gorman Trubitt
- Harding, Shymanski & Co.
- Honkamp
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