Katherine Connolly

Background

Katherine (“Kate”) Connolly, CPA, is a licensed certified public accountant with a broad background in small business management, bookkeeping, and external audit. For more than 15 years, she served as a bookkeeper and office manager in Southern California, where she became known for streamlining back-office operations, implementing new accounting systems, and leading complex cleanup and recovery projects. In those roles, she handled day-to-day bookkeeping, cash-flow tracking, payroll coordination, and vendor management, while also developing practical processes that helped owners understand their financial position and make more informed decisions.

In 2022, Kate relocated to Philadelphia to join KPMG as an Audit Associate in the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications practice. There, she worked with dynamic, growth-oriented companies performing risk assessment, data analysis, and financial statement review, experience that deepened her understanding of accounting standards and regulatory requirements.

Kate now brings that combined small-business and Big 4 experience to McEldrew Purtell, where she oversees the firm’s accounting and financial operations, supports budgeting and forecasting, and helps design efficient, scalable systems to support the firm’s growth. Her focus is on accuracy, transparency, and building processes that give leadership clear insight into the firm’s financial health.

Outside of work, Kate lives in South Philadelphia and enjoys exploring her adopted city’s neighborhoods, public art, and historic architecture. She is especially interested in how communities evolve over time and how local businesses contribute to the character and resilience of the places they serve.