As a Manager and group leader (Pod Leader) at DZA, Clint Moquist plays a key role in delivering high-quality audit services while fostering collaboration, growth, and a strong team-first culture. From guiding staff development to building meaningful client relationships, Clint’s approach reflects both technical expertise and a genuine investment in people.
Current Role & Responsibilities
Clint currently serves as a Manager at DZA, where he oversees audits and works closely with both clients and staff to ensure audit quality remains exceptional and deadlines are met in a thoughtful, realistic way. A major focus of his role is training and mentorship, providing guidance and learning opportunities that help staff grow confidently in their careers. Clint is also committed to his own professional development, staying up to date on DZA initiatives and continuously seeking ways to expand his knowledge and skill set.
In addition to his managerial role, Clint is a Pod Leader, where he runs weekly group meetings to help balance workloads and reinforce a team-first mindset. He prioritizes open communication, making himself available to team members for questions or support as needs arise. Clint collaborates with other Pod Leaders across the firm to ensure DZAers are supported and positioned for success.
What Clint enjoys most about accounting isn’t just the work itself, it’s the people. He values building strong client relationships and finds it especially rewarding to watch colleagues grow and succeed. He’s also motivated by the challenge, appreciating that each client brings unique situations where DZA’s value truly shines through problem-solving and thoughtful support.
Career Path
Clint’s journey into accounting wasn’t exactly linear. Growing up, the importance of education was always emphasized, but he didn’t have a clear career direction early on. He attended Eastern Washington University primarily to play football, and as he explored different academic paths, he quickly ruled out options that didn’t align with his schedule or long-term goals. Business ultimately made the most sense.
After realizing he would likely redshirt and have an additional year of eligibility, Clint saw an opportunity to pursue a degree with higher credit requirements. The Professional Accounting program fit that need, and was highly recommended, making it a natural choice.
While Clint didn’t always plan to become an accountant, his perspective shifted after graduation. Although he explored roles outside of public accounting, he quickly learned that many business opportunities favored candidates with CPA firm experience. What began as a plan to “stick it out for a couple of years” evolved into a rewarding career path that continues to challenge and engage him, especially through one-off projects that require creative, analytical thinking.
Expertise & Professional Growth
Clint specializes in audit services, including Single Audits and Pension Audits. He stays current on changes in the accounting field through DZA best practices, continuing professional education (CPE), and maintaining relationships with peers at other firms, building connections through experience and collaboration across the profession.
Life at DZA
For Clint, DZA’s status as an independently owned and operated firm makes a meaningful difference. “DZA’s commitment to independent ownership ensures that employees do not have to worry about outside decisions impacting them. It also allows us to keep the focus on the client” he explains.
That independence carries through to daily work, where excellent client service and high-quality deliverables are core values consistently reinforced by DZA’s ownership group.
Collaboration is another defining element of DZA’s culture. Clint appreciates that teamwork is encouraged not only within client work, but also through firm-sponsored opportunities to connect beyond day-to-day responsibilities. In his experience, having autonomy over his schedule and specialization has been invaluable and sets DZA apart from many other firms in the industry.
Outside the Office
Clint was born in Northern California but grew up in Spokane Valley, which he now considers home. He loves the strong sense of community and the balance of long-standing relationships, alongside new connections formed over the years in the area. With lakes, rivers, mountains, and everyday essentials all within a short drive, the area offers nearly everything he could want. However, Clint notes, “a little more ocean wouldn’t hurt.”
Family is central to Clint’s life. He and his wife, Miranda, have been married for 12.5 years and are raising three energetic kids: Harper (9), Brooks (7), and Adeline (5). Their family stays busy with school activities, sports, church, and travel, embracing the full adventure of this stage of life.
Outside of work, Clint enjoys hiking, reading, kayaking, bourbon, disc golf, poker, sports, and music. He’s also actively involved in the community as a member and supporter of the Eagle Football Network and through the Valley Real Life Kids Ministry. Giving back is important to Clint, who is driven by gratitude for the opportunities and support he received growing up in Spokane and a desire to help create similar opportunities for future generations.
“I thoroughly enjoyed growing up in Spokane. I am thankful for all the people that supported me and all the opportunities I was provided. My hope is that everyone is presented with opportunities that can propel them into adulthood,” Clint notes.
Fun Fact
One quote that resonates deeply with Clint comes from The Shawshank Redemption: “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”
To get in-touch with Clint, email cmoquist@dza.cpa.
