JTaylor Brings in Growth Leader to Professionalize Sales at a CPA Firm

Most CPA firms say they want to grow. Very few hire someone whose full time job is making growth happen. JTaylor just did exactly that. The Fort Worth based accounting firm brought in David Cleveland as its first Director of Strategic Growth and Client Engagement. That is a signal the firm is moving from organic word of mouth growth to a more intentional sales and relationship model.

Why This Hire Matters for CPA Firms

JTaylor has been around since 1999. It started as a tax focused shop and slowly expanded into assurance consulting and advisory work for clients across the country. Like many mid sized firms, it reached a point where growth depends less on technical skill and more on how well clients are developed and retained.

Hiring a dedicated growth leader is a shift. Instead of asking partners to sell on top of billable work, JTaylor is separating sales and relationship strategy into its own role. That usually shows up when a firm wants more consistency in how it wins and keeps clients.

Who David Cleveland Is and What He Brings

David Cleveland brings a sales and relationship driven background rather than a traditional public accounting track. He has spent years building networks, managing long term client relationships, and helping teams grow accounts in a structured way.

He is also deeply rooted in Fort Worth and a Texas Christian University graduate. You can see more about his background and experience on his LinkedIn profile here
https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidclevelandtcu/

That local credibility combined with sales execution is a strong fit for a firm that wants to grow without losing its culture.

What the Role Actually Covers

As Director of Strategic Growth and Client Engagement, Cleveland is focused on strengthening client relationships across service lines, helping partners and managers think more intentionally about growth, and making sure clients can access the full range of the firm’s expertise without friction.

This role is not about cold outreach. It is about creating a repeatable system for expanding existing relationships and improving the overall client experience as the firm scales.

What This Signals About the Market

More CPA firms are realizing that technical excellence alone does not drive growth anymore. Clients expect proactive communication, clear ownership, and easier access to advisory services.

Hiring a growth leader is becoming a competitive advantage. Firms that invest early tend to scale more smoothly. Firms that wait usually feel pressure through partner burnout or stalled growth.

Conclusion
JTaylor’s hire of David Cleveland is less about one new title and more about a strategic shift. The firm is treating growth as a function that deserves dedicated leadership. Expect more accounting firms to move in this direction as competition tightens and client expectations keep rising.