Kara Darlington, CPA, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SEK, CPAs & Advisors, has been named to the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).

Founded in 1897, PICPA is the second-oldest CPA organization in the United States and the largest in Pennsylvania. Its mission is to serve, support, and advocate for the public accounting profession while providing valuable resources to nearly 18,000 members.

Effective May 1, 2026, Kara began serving a two-year term as a director-at-large, bringing 30 years of experience and a valuable perspective to support PICPA’s mission and the continued advancement of the accounting profession. She was formally sworn in on May 5, 2026, during the organization’s Annual Meeting & Celebration.

“We are proud to have some of the most influential professionals in accounting serving on our board and leading our organization into a new era,” said PICPA CEO Jen Cryder. “Hailing from a wide range of respected firms and companies, they are deeply familiar with the challenges and opportunities CPAs face every day. That insight equips them to help PICPA prepare our members for the evolution of our profession being driven by technology and a changing workforce.”

Kara began her career with SEK as an intern in 1996 and joined the firm full-time as a Staff Associate in 1997. On January 1, 2025, she was named CEO. Throughout her tenure, she has served in several key leadership roles, including Director of Assurance & Advisory, leader of the Employee Benefit Plan Audit practice, Member-in-Charge of the Hanover office, and a member of Management (Executive) Committee. Kara has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional client service, providing strategic leadership, and fostering the growth and development of future professionals.

Beyond her professional achievements, Kara is dedicated to serving the Hanover community. She sits on the Board of Directors and serves as Treasurer for Roots for Boots and is a Member of the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce. She has previously served in various other roles in the Hanover community, including sitting on the Board of Directors for UPMC Hanover, St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School, and United Way of York County. Kara has also served as a Finance Committee Member and Advancement Committee Treasurer at St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School.

To learn more about the PICPA’s leadership, visit https://www.picpa.org/about-us/who-we-are/volunteer-leadership-governance.

Pictured: PICPA's 2026 Board of Directors at the swearing-in ceremony on May 5.