Becoming a CPA with Ryan Claw (Dine’), Tohono O’odham Nation

Insight in Indian Country Podcast

Trusted Expertise to Serve Tribal Nations

The path to becoming a CPA is no easy feat. As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, join Wes Benally and Ryan Claw (Dine’) as they discuss what it takes to join the elite ranks of Certified Public Accountants. As REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader, Wes understands the dedication required to establish a career in accounting and this episode is sitting down with Ryan Claw, Interim Executive Director of Treasury for Tohono O’odham Nation, to discuss  obstacles they overcame to become CPAs and succeed in a demanding field. Tune in to hear candid insights from leading accounting professionals as they reflect on their shared experiences and how the industry has changed over the years.  

Have a question or want to request a topic for our podcast? Connect with Wes.

REDW LLC is proud to bring you the Insight in Indian Country Podcast, covering important advisory, accounting, and finance topics that impact Tribal Nations and business affairs. Thanks for listening!

Meet Your Host

Wesley Ryan Benally, CPA

REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader

As the leader of REDW’s National Tribal Practice, Wes is committed to improving financial literacy throughout Indian Country and hosts the Insight in Indian Country Podcast. He oversees audits of a wide range for Native American communities, state and local government agencies, and non-profits, nationwide, is a member of the Arizona State Board of Accountancy’s Peer Review Oversight Advisory Committee and serves as an instructor with Arizona State University’s American Indian Policy Institute. In addition, as a Board member for a tribal gaming entity that operates in two states, Wes keeps up with regulatory issues important to tribal gaming operations. Wes is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.

Compensation Studies—Your Key to Hiring & Retaining Top Talent.

It’s important to attract—and retain—the best employees to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your tribal organization. And given an exceptionally competitive labor market and the usual budget constraints, this means basing your employee compensation and benefits programs on relevant and reliable data.

The 2023 results are in! Learn more about REDW’s 2023 Tribal Compensation Survey Reports for Tribal Governments and Tribal Gaming.

More from Insight in Indian Country

• “We’re all fighting for our people.” Economic Growth, Diversification, and the Future of Indian Country with Chris James
  Chris speaks candidly about the role gaming has played as a transformational economic driver — and why Tribes are increasingly looking beyond it to federal contracting, technology, agriculture, tourism, and citizen entrepreneurship.
• Spring 2026 Single Audit Readiness
  If your organization receives federal funding — whether you’re a Tribal government, local government, or nonprofit — 2026 is a year to pay close attention to your Single Audit readiness.
• NAFOA 44th Annual Conference
  REDW is proud to return as a Gold Sponsor of NAFOA’s Spring Conference, taking place April 27–28 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. Join us as we connect with tribal leaders and industry experts to discuss the economic issues shaping Indian Country — and don’t miss REDW Principal and Cybersecurity expert John W. Graham’s session, “What Could Go Wrong? Cybersecurity Essentials for Tribal Governments,” on April 28.
• “We’ve got to generate revenue for the nation.” How DDC Is Winning in Federal IT for the Navajo Nation with Austin Tsosie
  What does it look like when a Tribally-owned enterprise deliberately goes off the reservation to generate economic returns for its Nation? Austin Tsosie, CEO of Diné Development Corporation (DDC) — the Navajo Nation’s 8A federal contracting arm — joins host Wes Benally to answer exactly that.
• REDW Advisors & CPAs Welcomes Soaring Bird Solutions, Expanding Advisory Services to Tribal Nations and Enterprises
  Soaring Bird Solutions, LLC has joined the firm through a strategic acquisition, integrating its operations into REDW’s national advisory platform. Through this partnership, REDW will expand its capabilities in supporting Tribal Nations and Tribal enterprises, particularly in the areas of human resources strategy, leadership development, and organizational consulting.