Get To Know Us
John O’Keefe, CPA, CA
Partner at O'Keefe Accounting Group CPA PC.
Meet John, your trusted CPA in Cobourg, driven by an unyielding curiosity about people and their business endeavours. This innate inquisitiveness fuels his perpetual quest to devise innovative solutions that enhance communication and streamline processes, ultimately leading to success.
John holds an Honour’s Degree with a joint major in Business and Computer Studies, a diverse educational background that empowers him to harness the synergy of modern technology and business acumen. His dedication to revamping traditional accounting methods to cater to the demands of the contemporary world has transformed our office into a boundary-breaking entity. Gone are the days of cluttered filing cabinets; everything is now seamlessly digital.
Equipped with a solid foundation, John has successfully completed the CPA In-Depth Tax Course and the CPA In-Depth HST course, placing him at the forefront of addressing the intricate tax requirements of today’s individuals and businesses.
John’s excellence has been acknowledged through a series of prestigious awards, including:
- Sage 50’s Accounting Partner of the Year in 2020.
- Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professional Award in 2019.
- Recognition as an “Emerging Leader” by Wolters Kluwer CCH in 2019.
Yet, amidst his professional accomplishments, John’s proudest achievement remains his role as a loving father to three beautiful children.
Phone: (905) 800-0909
Laurie Pelton, CPA, CA
Partner at O'Keefe Accounting Group CPA PC.
With over 40 years in the industry, there are not many situations that Laurie hasn’t had experience in. His strong analytical skills allowed him to comprehend that every business buys time, marks it up and sells it. Ultimately successful business owners must understand that mastery of the work is really a table stake, and by definition is a starting point that must be achieved before a business is really in a position to grow. The product or service will be different but the fundamental principals and processes do not change. Therefore, it must be constant that successful businesses fine-tune their processes to maintain success. Utilizing this paradigm, Laurie has been able to help many businesses owners see the value in harnessing their processes and empowering the people responsible for those processes. Together we grow.
One of Laurie’s significant roles in the firm is to provide mentorship to a capable group of young professionals on the aspects of operating a successful service business. He’s had a strong influence in developing a different business model that encompasses the needs of all stakeholder groups affected by our business including clients, suppliers and staff. The strong mandate of treating all of our stakeholder groups with the same level of respect, has resulted in the development of a strong culture that provides a consistently high level of service delivery to our clients.
Phone: (905) 800-0909
Natasha Brittain, CPA
Staff Accountant
Natasha is a Senior Accountant with a strong commitment to helping clients achieve their business goals. She excels in audit, review, and compilation engagements, along with related tax filings. With over six years of experience in the accounting field and having earned her CPA designation in 2022, Natasha brings a high level of expertise and professionalism to her role. Her exceptional ability to identify and resolve issues is a cornerstone of the firm’s success.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Natasha is a dedicated wife and mother of two. She takes great pride in supporting families within the business community.
Phone: (905) 800-0909
Email: nbrittain@okeefecpa.ca
Luc Aubin, CPA
Accountant
Luc Aubin is another one of our CPA graduates. After graduating from Ontario Tech University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in early 2020, with a major in accounting and a minor in finance, Luc has become extremely knowledgeable in the accounting field. Now, extending his education, Luc has enrolled himself in the in-depth tax program and is working towards increasing his ability to provide value to clients in all areas.
When not working, you can find Luc enjoying time with his niece, nephew and identical twin brother. He is known to play guitar and provide the best jokes in the office. When he is not binge-watching a new T.V show, you can find Luc immersed in an entertaining book.
Luc has become an integral part of the firm. His bright attitude and commitment to clients has been unwavering. Our firm is lucky to have him as part of the team.
Phone: (905) 800-0909
Email: laubin@okeefecpa.ca
Anna Mirsch
Staff Accountant
Anna is the newest CPA graduate in our firm. Anna has previously worked in small business environments for most of her career and has gained experience in various business functions. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from Gothenburg University in Sweden and an Accounting Diploma from McMaster University.
Anna is a fanatic for all things outdoors. Digging into her Finnish roots, she enjoys hiking and cottaging with her family. Having three teenage daughters of her own, Anna’s tenacious work ethic has proven that you can achieve your goals no matter where you are in your life.
Anna has made an impact with O’Keefe Accounting Group with her bubbly demeanour and positive attitude. .
Phone: (905) 800-0909
Email: amirsch@okeefecpa.ca
Jessica Foster
Accounting Administrator
Jessica joined our firm in January 2019 and is part of the administration team. Jessica manages the daily activities at the firm while also supporting the accountants when needed. Jessica has her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Lakehead University and over 10 years in administration experience.
Jessica grew up in Thunder Bay and eventually made her way to Port Hope in 2010.
Grateful to find O’Keefe Accounting group and a wonderful team to work with, Jessica is looking forward to learning more from her co-workers and enjoys the work-life balance O’Keefe Accounting Group offers to allow her to spend time travelling and attending local events with her husband & two daughters.
Phone: (905) 800-0909
Email: jfoster@okeefecpa.ca
Sarah Johnston
Accounting Administration
Sarah was born in Bowmanville and grew up in Whitby, the youngest of 4 siblings. From a young age, she developed a passion for learning and a love for all things crafty. With a curious mind and an innate desire to understand human behaviour, she pursued a university degree in Forensic Psychology. This academic background has equipped her with an understanding of the human mind and an analytical approach to problem-solving, which she applies to not only her professional but also her personal life. In 2021 she and her fiancé bought their first home in Port Hope and have loved every minute of living in this great community ever since. She joined the O’Keefe Accounting Team in April of 2021 as part of the administrative team. In her spare time, you can find her reading a good book or on her mat at a fitness class. Aside from academic and recreational pursuits, Sarah is a devoted pet parent to a dog and 2 cats.
Email: sjohnston@okeefecpa.ca
Kim Freemantle
Accounting Administration
Hailing from Northern Ireland, Kim joined the O’Keefe Accounting administration team in January of 2022, bringing with her a BA in psychology from the University of Waterloo and over 18 years of administrative experience. Kim works as part of the administration team to complete the corporate and personal tax filing process.
Kim enjoys the friendly, collaborative group atmosphere at O’Keefe and being a part of such a hard-working and dedicated team.
In her spare time, Kim delights in cooking for her family and pursuing great travel adventures.
Email: kfreemantle@okeefecpa.ca
Olivia Caughey
Administrative Coordinator
With over a decade of dedicated customer service expertise and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and Legal Studies from Carleton University, Olivia holds the pivotal role of Administrative Coordinator and Receptionist at O’Keefe Accounting Group. As the firm’s welcoming ambassador, she is the very first point of contact, extending a warm greeting, inviting smile, and a genuinely friendly voice to all our valued clients.
Beyond her professional commitments, Olivia finds joy in the simple pleasures of life. Her passion for literature and writing has been at the forefront of her pursuits. When Olivia isn’t binge watching reality T.V or true crime documentaries, she is cherishing moments with her daughter, embarking on unexpected and fun adventures.
Olivia has recently received her diploma in Corporate Governance from the Corporate Governance Institute where she hopes to utilize her new knowledge to make an impact in the Northumberland and Durham communities. Olivia’s welcoming demeanour and unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional service make her an indispensable asset to our team.
Phone: (905) 800-0909
Email: ocaughey@okeefecpa.ca
Hayden Howe
Junior Staff Accountant
Hayden, a B.Com. (Accounting) student at the University of Guelph started working as a summer student in 2023 and is returning for an internship in January 2024. Hayden is keen on continuing to educate himself at school and in the workplace. When not working, you can probably find Hayden watching a sporting event with friends or family or immersing himself in a film.
Address
O'Keefe Accounting Group
25 King Street east
Cobourg, Ontario
K9A 1K6
Phone: (905) 800-0909
Email: info@okeefecpa.ca