Strategic use of diplomacy with one accountant over loss-leader (8)
I believe the answer is:
tactical
'strategic' is the definition.
(using certain tactics)
'diplomacy with one accountant over loss-leader' is the wordplay.
'diplomacy' becomes 'tact' (tact can mean diplomacy or sensitivity).
'with one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral. I am not sure about the 'with' bit.).
'accountant' becomes 'CA' (abbreviation for chartered accountant).
'over' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (in a down clue, some letters go over others).
'leader' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'loss' is 'l'.
'tact'+'i'+'ca'+'l'='TACTICAL'
'use of' acts as a link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tactical that I've seen before include "Strategic" , "Relating to manoeuvres in the presence of the enemy" , "Calculated" , "according to plan" , "Clever - prudent" .)