Robin Thieme, Founder, CEO and Chief Anticipation Officer
Robin, supported by the KBS team, provides strategic guidance and system-based solutions for entrepreneurs. She has over 30 years of financial and accounting experience, a passion for the efficiencies that new technologies enable, and a dedication to small businesses.
Long before “cloud computing” was a mainstream term, Robin built her own company, KBS, as a virtual organization. She takes this same innovative and thoughtful approach to establishing efficiencies and solutions that fit the current business environment for her clients.
Robin has earned designations from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), including Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP), and Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Recent certifications include Certified Intacct Service Provider, PlanGuru Advisor, and Certified LivePlan Expert. Robin is an active member of the Maryland Association of CPAs (MACPA) and a frequent speaker on accounting technology trends and tools. Her expertise coupled with decades of first-hand knowledge about the unique challenges faced by small businesses, enables her to serve as your trusted strategic advisor.
When Robin isn’t working at KBS, she is enjoying walks in the woods with her dog Jackson and trying to keep up with her millennial young adult children. She can also be found enjoying her favorite Malbec, or whatever beer the KBS Clients are producing this month.
Ilana Knab, Accounting Manager and IT Director
Ilana joined KBS in the spring of 2008. She provides financial management services for several clients. Ilana also provides technical support to both KBS clients and staff, assisting with various hardware and software installations. She brought years of experience to KBS in benefits consulting and defined contribution plan administration. Ilana lives in Bethesda, MD, where she enjoys spending her spare time with her family (husband, four kids, two cats, one dog), scrapbooking and knitting.
Nicole Myers, Accounting Manager
Nicole joined the KBS team in November 2018. She provides financial management services for several clients. She has years of finance and accounting experience in the hospitality industry in a variety of roles including internal audit, financial training, systems conversion, and financial reporting and analysis. She also serves as Treasurer on an all-volunteer board for a local non-profit, Aschiana, that supports the education of street children in Afghanistan. She lives in Falls Church, Virginia with her husband and three children and spends her spare time playing tennis, reading, and chauffeuring children.
Amy Oristian, Senior Transaction Specialist
Amy has worked for KBS since September 2009. She provides financial services for several clients. Amy is also instrumental in training new employees, as well as handling many KBS administrative activities– she can master the most complex invoice KBS has ever seen. She brings years of experience in banking and financial services to KBS. Amy lives in Ocean Pines with her husband and enjoys spending as much time as possible on the beach.
Diana Farina-Borlase, Transaction Specialist
Diana joined KBS in the summer of 2010. She provides financial management services and technical support for several clients. She brought to KBS over 10 years of experience in regional planning and economic and demographic analysis. Diana lives in Kensington with her husband and two children, and together they’re attempting to hike in all of the National Parks. When she’s not working, Diana enjoys knitting, gardening (harvested corn and potatoes), playing the ukulele, and sipping on prosecco.
Dina Giannone, Transaction Specialist
Dina joined the team in August of 2021 as a Transaction Specialist. Both her Bachelors and Masters degrees are in Accounting and she has worked in the service, retail and construction industries. She lives in the Chicago area with her husband and their children. When not working she loves to entertain and is an aficionado of seasonal home décor.
Helena Finnegan, SoGo Manager
Helena joined the team in July 2013 with experience in retail and corporate customer service. Helena provides transactional and research support for KBS clients, and manages the SOGO facility. She lives in Kensington with her husband and two children. When she can escape from KBS for a bit, you’ll find Helena enjoying a good book or indulging in a yummy dessert. She also just recently obtained her second citizenship as a Dutch citizen!
Additional Teammates
To ensure there is a deep bench of support for our clients, KBS CFO enlists the assistance of entry level Transaction Specialists. Currently, we are very glad to have the assistance of Aidan Knab and Khadija Sow. In addition to the local team, KBS CFO also works with extremely talented individuals across the globe based on the needs of the situation. Over the years, KBS CFO has worked with highly qualified people, in a secure manner, across the globe, including Chennai, India, Rome, Italy, and Medellin, Colombia.
Michele Santy, Transaction Specialist
Michele joined KBS in November 2020. She is a transaction specialist and provides accounting support for several clients. She brought to KBS years of experience in bookkeeping, data analysis, and project management. Michele lives in Kensington, MD with her husband and two children. Michele has dedicated much of her life supporting the education of her children and others. She began her career as a math teacher, ran a non-profit dedicated to profoundly gifted youth, served on PTA boards, and gladly helped many family and friends through the college selection and admissions process. Michele enjoys being part of a large, close-knit family that’s centered in southern California.
Natalie Erickson, Transaction Specialist
Natalie completed her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting at Towson University in 2015. Since then she has gained valuable experience working as an Accounting Assistant, Accounts Payable Clerk, and various other positions. In her free time, Natalie enjoys baking, outdoor activities and watching sports.
Chris Loo, Transaction Specialist
Chris Loos is an accounting graduate from Thomas More University in Crestview Hills, KY. Before coming to KBS CFO, he worked most recently as a Data Entry Specialist, and an Accounting Salaried Professional.
Jenny Dao, Transaction Specialist
Jenny rejoined KBS team Winter 2022. She provides transactional, compliance and research support for KBS clients and KBS internal administration. Jenny brings many years of financial reporting, analysis from banking, financial services industry, and executive administration support for a Sole Proprietor. Jenny was educated at the Robert H. Smith, School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park with a bachelor’s in Accounting. Jenny also has earned designation as a Registered Representative, and recent certifications of Bill.com for Account Receivable and Account Payable. Jenny lives in New Market, when she is not working, she enjoys spending time with close-knit family in Maryland, cooking, playing tennis and walking. Jenny is bilingual, proficient in speaking and writing in English and Vietnamese.
Esther Raab, Transaction Specialist
Esther joined the KBS team in November 2022 with experience in event management, bookkeeping, human resources, and sales. Esther's colleagues and clients note that her success lies in her unwavering commitment to service, keen eye for detail, and calm demeanor. She lives in Kensington, MD with her husband, three children, and rescue dog. When she is not working, you will find Esther at a park with her kids, cooking, or taking long walks along one of the many trails in the DC area.
Join the KBSCFO team
We’re always looking for great people to join the KBSCFO family. If you’re interested, please get in touch online and tell us a little bit about yourself.