Kaelin Korb, Accountant
Accountant
Current Experience:
Accountant at CFO360 UK · Full-time Mar 2022 - Present · (3 yrs 7 mos)
Owner at Young Minds Education Academy · Self-employed Jul 2016 - Present · (9 yrs 3 mos)
Past Experience:
Associate Accountant at Nimble Accounting Ltd · Full-time Oct 2020 - Feb 2022 · (1 yr 5 mos)
Personal Financial Advisor at We-Sure Worldwide Insurance Brokers · Full-time Dec 2019 - Sep 2020 · (10 mos)
Tutor at Kumon Education South Africa Feb 2019 - Dec 2019 · (11 mos)
Qualifications:
BCom Finance, General
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
A night owl by nature, Kaelin didn’t follow the traditional CA route, and that’s exactly what makes his story matter.
Starting out as a bookkeeper with just theory in his back pocket, he climbed fast, proving not just his skills but raising the standard for everyone around him. Today he’s shaping teams, not just spreadsheets, as Finance & Advisory Manager and Training Officer at CFO360 UK.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
07:00 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night Owl
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
I’m more of a night owl, so my first hour in the morning is usually just about waking up and getting myself ready to face the rest of the day.
What sparked your interest in accounting or finance?
My interest began back in high school. I discovered I was good at it and it came naturally to me. As I continued, I realized some of my passions aligned with it, and knowing I wanted to run my own business one day motivated me to dive deeper into the field.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
One key milestone was starting out as a bookkeeper at Nimble Accounting, which later became CFO360 UK. While I had the passion and theoretical knowledge, I wasn’t sure how I’d manage putting it all into practice. Once I got the opportunity, I pushed myself and discovered new levels of growth. I was able to set the benchmark for what top-quality bookkeeping looked like, build strong connections with multiple companies after moving into an accounting role, and eventually step into management. What stood out most was seeing the standards I worked hard to maintain become the very ones my colleagues aimed to reach as well.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
I serve as the Finance & Advisory Manager as well as the Training and Technical Officer.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
My role is centered on making sure our clients remain satisfied and supported, because without them and the relationships we build, the company wouldn’t thrive. While I’m not directly involved in managing the company’s own financials, I ensure that my team and I deliver high-quality service and accurate reports to our clients, which ultimately supports the business’s overall financial strategy.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been the steep learning curve. I studied South African taxes, but my role requires working with UK taxes, which meant adjusting to a completely different system and processes. It was overwhelming at first, but what helped me push through was facing those challenges head-on, even when they felt intimidating.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
That doesn’t apply directly to my role.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods.
For me, having a daily framework is key. I make sure to set aside time for specific tasks and avoid getting stuck on just one activity, especially during busy periods. I also find it important to take short breaks, whether that’s going for a walk, having a quick chat, or even solving a Rubik’s cube for a few minutes. Those moments give me a reset, clear my head, and help me refocus so I can approach the next task as if it’s the first of the day. And of course, remembering to smile or laugh goes a long way, the relief it brings is unmatched.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I have quite a mix of hobbies. I enjoy building Lego, drawing, reading, playing sports, and spending time with different instruments.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department?
Yes, I do. My role has always been supportive, and now that I’m officially the training officer, I assist with just about any task when needed. Whether it’s answering a quick question or helping someone work through a more complex client issue or system, I make sure I’m available to guide and support my team.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
Every company operates a little differently, whether it’s the systems they use, their processes, record-keeping methods, or communication platforms. My advice would be to stay adaptable and open to learning. Strong communication skills are crucial, and it’s important to have a solid grasp of the basics and know how to apply them within the specific system or environment you’re working in.
“Grey words can’t make anything happen”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
A key leadership lesson I’ve learned is that very little is truly urgent, except, of course, when the tax authorities are at the door or the building is on fire. Beyond that, it’s important to understand the people around you. Everyone is different, so being mindful of their strengths and knowing how to work effectively with them makes all the difference.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
Something people might find surprising is that I play several instruments and have quite a few tattoos.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
I’d choose the ability to read minds. When working with clients, knowing what they’re thinking before they even say it can be a huge advantage in understanding the real issues.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
My go-to strategy is taking short 5–10-minute breaks and having a laugh. That little reset really works wonders for staying productive.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why?
There are two days I’d choose. The first would be my last days at the two Kumon centres I worked at. Hearing the kind words from both my colleagues and the kids I taught really reinforced my desire to be the person I am today. The second would be my first quarterly performance review as a bookkeeper. The feedback I received boosted my confidence and showed me that I could truly succeed in the real world as an accountant.
Kaelin isn’t just solving problems, he’s creating frameworks, mentoring teams, and redefining what leadership looks like in the trenches of finance.
From UK tax hurdles to Lego builds and lunchtime resets, his story reminds us: You can stay human in this profession, and still crush it.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to lead like Kaelin, with confidence, clarity, and credibility that clients will pay for.
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