Naples committee unanimously recommends CliftonLarsonAllen as top-ranked auditor
May 11, 2026 | Naples, Collier County, Florida
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The Auditor Selection Committee for the City of Naples voted unanimously May 11 to recommend CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) as the committee's top-ranked firm and to forward that ranking to City Council for final approval on May 20.
The recommendation followed presentations from three finalists. CLA's engagement principal, Chris Kessler, told the committee that CLA would assign a local engagement team and tailor its governmental audit program "to the city of Naples," combining local knowledge with the firm's national resources. Alex Mitchell, who said he would be the lead manager on the engagement, described a four-phase transition plan and detailed testing for governmental funds, enterprise funds and pension accounts.
Committee members said CLA's local presence and data-driven approach helped distinguish it. "I lean towards CLA for the resources and for the local presence," said Ted Blankenship, the committee chair and a member of the Naples City Council. Members also noted CLA's stated plan to perform much of the work during interim periods to limit year-end disruption in Naples's seasonal workload.
CLA emphasized its use of analytics and automation during the presentation. Chris Kessler described the firm's technology investments and said the firm would load Naples's general ledger into its analytics environment to perform journal entry and anomaly testing and to inform risk-focused audit procedures.
The other two finalists outlined competing strengths: one described a deeper national bench and experience transitioning clients from predecessor auditors; the other emphasized IT audit capability, CaseWare/IDEA analytics and a tailored approach for high-profile capital projects such as the Naples Beach stormwater outfall project. Committee members praised all three firms as well qualified but said CLA's mix of local staffing, analytics and interim testing made it their top choice.
A committee member moved to forward the panel's ranking (CliftonLarsonAllen first) to City Council; the motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous voice vote by the committee. The committee's recommendation will be presented to City Council on May 20; council approval is required before any contract is executed.
The meeting record shows no public comments were received and the committee adjourned after completing its recommendation.
Next steps: the ranking will be placed before City Council on May 20 for consideration and final action.
The recommendation followed presentations from three finalists. CLA's engagement principal, Chris Kessler, told the committee that CLA would assign a local engagement team and tailor its governmental audit program "to the city of Naples," combining local knowledge with the firm's national resources. Alex Mitchell, who said he would be the lead manager on the engagement, described a four-phase transition plan and detailed testing for governmental funds, enterprise funds and pension accounts.
Committee members said CLA's local presence and data-driven approach helped distinguish it. "I lean towards CLA for the resources and for the local presence," said Ted Blankenship, the committee chair and a member of the Naples City Council. Members also noted CLA's stated plan to perform much of the work during interim periods to limit year-end disruption in Naples's seasonal workload.
CLA emphasized its use of analytics and automation during the presentation. Chris Kessler described the firm's technology investments and said the firm would load Naples's general ledger into its analytics environment to perform journal entry and anomaly testing and to inform risk-focused audit procedures.
The other two finalists outlined competing strengths: one described a deeper national bench and experience transitioning clients from predecessor auditors; the other emphasized IT audit capability, CaseWare/IDEA analytics and a tailored approach for high-profile capital projects such as the Naples Beach stormwater outfall project. Committee members praised all three firms as well qualified but said CLA's mix of local staffing, analytics and interim testing made it their top choice.
A committee member moved to forward the panel's ranking (CliftonLarsonAllen first) to City Council; the motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous voice vote by the committee. The committee's recommendation will be presented to City Council on May 20; council approval is required before any contract is executed.
The meeting record shows no public comments were received and the committee adjourned after completing its recommendation.
Next steps: the ranking will be placed before City Council on May 20 for consideration and final action.
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