Regional accounting firm RKL LLP has completed its planned leadership transition. Effective Sept. 1, Mike De Stefano officially assumed the role of chief executive officer. He steps into the role following a one-year transition period: he was named CEO-elect in September 2025.
De Stefano succeeds Ed Monborne, who served as RKL’s CEO for 15 years. During Monborne’s tenure, the firm experienced significant growth, expanding from a regional accounting business into a leading advisory firm serving clients across the U.S. and internationally, the company announced.
The firm has expanded to include outsourced accounting, HR outsourcing and consulting, technology, wealth management, cyber security and transaction advisory services.
“I’m excited for this next chapter for RKL,” De Stefano said in a statement. “We remain focused on delivering the client service, trusted advice and deep expertise our clients count on while continuing to build on the firm’s strong momentum.”
Mike De Stefano (Courtesy RKL)
De Stefano joined the firm in 1995, serving in the Tax and Audit Services Groups for 14 years before leaving in 2009. He returned to RKL in 2019 as chief financial officer, becoming chief operating officer in 2022, where he led administrative functions including people operations, finance, IT, business assets and administrative services.
In a May interview, De Stefano told MediaNews Group that several factors brought him back to the firm: Monborne’s leadership, the role and the evolution of the company in the 10 years he was gone.
“We exist to service our clients. Having grown up in the firm professionally I never lost that, and I was drawn back to RKL because they never lost that either,” De Stefano said in the interview.
Additional Changes
As part of the planned leadership transition, Rachel Sargent assumed the role of chief operating officer in August 2025.
Effective Sept. 1, David Morais succeeded Laurie Peer as president, and Tom Reardon became executive vice president of RKL Private Wealth. The changes are part of RKL Private Wealth’s planned leadership transition, according to the company. Morais joined RKL Private Wealth in 2018. Peer will retire in December 2026 after 34 years with RKL.
Headquartered in Lancaster, RKL is made up of four companies: RKL LLP, its CPA and advisory firm; RKL Virtual Management Solutions, its outsourced accounting and financial management and workforce strategies firm; RKL eSolutions, its IT consulting firm; and RKL Wealth Management, its investment advisory firm.
Nearly 700 employees serve U.S. and international clients from 10 Pennsylvania offices — including offices in Spring Township, Berks County, and Uwchlan Township, Chester County — as well as one office in California.