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Kara Darlington

Guidance You Can Count On

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Education

B.S. Accounting – York College of Pennsylvania

Certifications

Certified Public Accountant – Pennsylvania

Professional Affiliations

American Institute of CPAs - Member

CPA Firm Management Association - Member

Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs - Member

Allinial Global – Employee Benefit Plans Community of Practice

Awards & Recognition

Best-In-State CPAs for Pennsylvania - Forbes, 2025, 2026

CPBJ300 List - Central Penn Business Journal, 2026

Power 100 List - Central Penn Business Journal, 2025

Women of Influence - Central Penn Business Journal, 2011

Kara Darlington

CPA

Chief Executive Officer

Hanover, PA

[email protected]

717.637.5915

Kara assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on January 1, 2025. She is the fifth individual to hold this position in the firm’s 62-year history and the first woman to lead the firm.

Kara began her career at SEK in 1996 as an intern prior to her full-time hire in 1997 as a Staff Associate. Throughout the years, she has held several key leadership roles, including Director of Assurance & Advisory Services, leader of the Employee Benefit Plan Audit practice, Member-in-Charge of the Hanover office, and a member of Management Committee.

With 30 years of experience, Kara has earned a reputation for her exceptional client service, strategic thinking, and dedication to mentoring future leaders within the firm. As CEO, she is focused on driving SEK’s strategic growth and fostering a culture of innovation.

Kara has been named to the 2026 Forbes Best-In-State CPAs list for Pennsylvania, recognizing her outstanding leadership and excellence in the accounting profession. She has also been honored as one of Central Penn Business Journal’s 2026 CPBJ300, which highlights the region’s most influential and respected leaders and change-makers.

 

Areas of Practice

Industries

  • Nonprofit
  • Private Sector Insurance Trusts
  • Public Sector Insurance Cooperatives

Community Involvement

Roots for Boots – Treasurer, Board of Directors

Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce - Member

UPMC Hanover – Past Member of the Board of Directors, Past Professional Affairs Committee Member

St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School – Past Member of the Board of Directors, Past Finance Committee Member, Past Advancement Committee Treasurer

United Way of York County – Past Member of the Board of Directors

Sweet Charities of Hanover – Past Member of the Board of Directors

Hanover Symphony Orchestra – Past Member of the Board of Directors

Annunciation of BVM Parish – Past Finance Committee Member

Q&A with KARA DARLINGTON

I worked at Kleffel's, a retail clothing store, at 19 years old.
"If you can't find your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose." ~Pastor T.D. Jakes
Teleportation

Client Testimonials

We are very happy with Kara and SEK. We've had our audits completed by SEK for more than 15 years and have been pleased. Kara is very helpful and quick to respond to questions we pose.

A Hanover Audit Client

Kara is well versed on relevant subjects or researches them to provide the advice I need every time. She is always pleasant to work with and very engaged in my business needs.

A Hanover Audit Client

Kara is always available to me when I have an issue. She is extremely qualified in explaining how and why errors can be rectified.

A Hanover Audit Client

Kara knows my business well and her experience in non-profits is extensive. She anticipates my needs and is quick to respond to my questions. Kara is always very pleasant to work with and goes out of her way to assist me wherever needed. She goes above and beyond to make sure we get the best service from SEK.

A Hanover Audit Client

I have worked with SEK for many years and they are always consistent with service and quality. They are always professional and very responsive. Kara Darlington and her team are all excellent at what they do and so easy to work with.

A Hanover Audit Client

I feel a strong sense of trust with SEK and particularly with Kara as she leads with moral conviction and professionalism. Kara sincerely wants to know about our organization’s operational interests and needs. She makes it a priority to listen to us and wants to know our challenges and triumphs.

A Hanover Audit Client

We continue to be very happy with the services we receive from Kara Darlington and SEK…It’s been extremely valuable to our organization to work with an accounting firm that knows us as well as the communities we serve. We would gladly recommend their services to other organizations.

A Hanover Audit Client

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