Leslie Brown & Kathleen Mills Win 2021 NYSSCPA Emerging Leaders Award
Audit leaders recognized for positively impacting accounting field in annual “40 Under 40” listing
PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP, one of the nation’s largest accounting, tax, and advisory firms, is proud to announce that Leslie Brown and Kathleen Mills have each been named a 2021 Emerging Leader by the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants’ (NYSSCPA) “40 Under 40” listing. The annual award recognizes NYSSCPA members who have demonstrated leadership in their organizations, made significant professional achievements in the past year, and have gone above and beyond in giving back to their communities.
“Throughout their tenure with the Firm, Leslie and Kathleen have distinguished themselves as accountants and auditors as well as respected managers whom colleagues have come to rely on for insights and advice,” said Kevin J. Keane, Managing Partner at PKF O’Connor Davies. “I congratulate them both on this outstanding recognition, and I look forward to their continued leadership and growth.”
Brown and Mills together bring almost 20 years of public accounting experience to their work with the Firm. Brown, a Manager who has been with the Firm for almost four years, oversees a number of audit engagements and specializes in serving commercial entities and not-for-profit organizations, including clients involved in both education and health care. A Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York, Brown is a Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, a Board Member of Fearless! Hudson Valley, and a graduate of the Leadership Orange program. She holds a Master of Science in Accountancy from Pace University.
“I’ve always believed in the power of a growth mindset, and I encourage those around me to adopt a similar outlook,” said Brown. “This recognition from the NYSSCPA is a true honor.”
Mills, a Senior Manager who has been with the Firm for almost 12 years, specializes in providing accounting and auditing services for a range of industries and entities, including real estate, hospitality, employee benefit plans, not-for-profit organizations, and commercial clients, including publicly traded companies. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to gain valuable experience overseeing various engagements, as well as evaluating, supervising, and training fellow audit personnel. A Certified Public Accountant in the State of New York, Mills is a Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, a Board Member and Treasurer of a non-profit organization called Visiting Neighbors, and an adjunct professor in the accounting and business law department of St. Francis College, where she teaches elementary accounting, intermediate accounting, and auditing classes. She holds a Master of Science in Accounting and Business Law from St. Francis College.
“Helping my colleagues chart a course for career development is one of the most rewarding parts of my job, and it is an honor to receive industry recognition for this work,” said Mills “I’m proud to work for an organization that challenges its employees to remain at the cutting edge of both accountancy and client service.”
PKF O’Connor Davies has 14 offices in six states and continues to expand through organic growth and acquisitions on the East Coast. It has supported this growth with a strategic combination of promoting from within coupled with tactical external hires.