Paul L. Charles, formerly the managing partner at Richards, Witt & Charles LLP and now a principal with CliftonLarsenAllen (CLA) has practiced as a Certified Public Accountant for more than 40 years. He serves the firm's automotive retail clients as a consultant and accountant, specializing in systems setup and utilization, tax law compliance, and tax planning. He joined the original two partners in the firm in 1982, a year after graduating college and was admitted to the partnership in 1988 at 28 years old.

Mr. Charles earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Binghamton University in New York in 1981, and became a CPA in New York in 1983. He is a member of the AICPA and NYSSCPA.

Mr. Charles served as the president of Auto Dealer CPAs in 2014-2015, a nationwide affiliation of independently owned accounting firms committed to delivering exceptional financial and consulting services to auto dealerships and their owners. He has been a presenter at the Greater New York Auto Dealers Association Tax Forums for many years, focusing on the myriad of sales tax regulations affecting new car dealers.