Meet Robin Thieme, Anticipatory Financial Strategist and Virtual CFO
Robin Thieme is the Founder, CEO, and CAO (Chief Anticipation Officer) of KBS CFO, LLC. With over 30 years of financial and accounting experience, Robin is a seasoned expert with a passion for seeing around corners and leveraging new technologies to drive business growth. Together with the dynamic team at KBS, she provides strategic guidance and innovative system-based solutions to entrepreneurs across various industries.
As an early adopter of virtual organization practices, Robin built KBS as a pioneering virtual entity long before "cloud computing" became a mainstream term. This forward-thinking approach continues to shape her client-centric strategies, enabling her to establish tailored efficiencies and solutions that align seamlessly with the ever-evolving business environment.
Robin's impressive qualifications include prestigious designations from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), such as Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP), and Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She continually enhances her expertise with recent certifications as a Certified Sage Intacct Accounting Partner Provider and proficiency in cutting-edge accounting systems like Orchestra Software, Unanet, Sage Intacct, and Intuit QuickBooks.
Recognized for her industry knowledge, Robin actively contributes to the accounting community as an AICPA instructor, author, and subject matter expert. She remains an engaged member of the Maryland Association of CPAs (MACPA) and frequently shares her insights on accounting technology trends and tools through speaking engagements. With decades of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by growing businesses, Robin serves as a trusted strategic advisor to her clients.
Robin's expertise has garnered her recognition in the form of podcast appearances, including Distillery Nation, Journal of Accountancy, Go Beyond Disruption, Future-Proof, Where Accountants Go, and Change Your Mindset. Additionally, she authored the first continuing education class for Virtual CFOs offered by the AICPA in 2019, cementing her status as a thought leader in the industry.
Beyond her professional achievements, Robin finds joy in her personal life. She resides in Kensington, Maryland, alongside her supportive husband. Embracing an active lifestyle, she enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and golf. Robin's thirst for personal growth is evident as she regularly attends improvisation classes, adopting the "Yes, And" mindset that fuels her professional and personal endeavors.
As an anticipatory #FutureReadyCPA, Robin Thieme embodies innovation and a solution-oriented approach. Through KBS CFO, she specializes in a diverse range of industries, including construction, manufacturing, fermented spirits (craft distilleries and breweries), startups, eCommerce, professional service with project management, and government contracting. Whether you need CFO services, a trusted controller, or comprehensive accounting department solutions, Robin and her team are adept at simplifying complexity and building automation-driven processes to suit your unique needs.
Contact Robin to unlock unparalleled financial expertise, cutting-edge technological insights, and an unwavering commitment to your business's growth.
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.
Pamela High, Accounting Manager
Pamela joined the KBS team in January 2023. She provides financial management services for several clients. She brings years of finance and accounting experience in the manufacturing, banking and non-profit industries in a variety of roles including financial reporting and analysis, SEC reporting & compliance, regulatory reporting, and HR-related functions including payroll, benefits and plan compliance. Pamela also serves as a Financial accountant on a volunteer basis for a local non-profit, Insync Exotics, which is dedicated to the rescue, life care and education of neglected, abused and unwanted exotic cats (lions, tigers etc). She lives outside the Dallas metroplex area with her husband and two children and spends her spare time with family, reading and scrapbooking.
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.
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.
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.
Mary McCarty, Transaction Specialist
Mary joined KBS in May of 2023, bringing with her a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota. With prior experience in math education, Mary is excited to embark on a new chapter in her career by transitioning her expertise to the field of accounting. Residing in Vermont with her husband, she finds joy in exploring the beautiful New England outdoors.
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. 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.
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 KBS CFO team
We’re always looking for great people to join the KBS CFO family. If you’re interested, please get in touch online and tell us a little bit about yourself.