At ADKF, we are fortunate to work alongside individuals whose journeys and values bring richness and depth to our team. One such individual is Jinsu Kim, a recently promoted Tax Senior III, whose story is marked by resilience, curiosity, and a deep commitment to personal and professional growth.
Jinsu was born in South Korea and moved to Vermont in 2008 as a high school exchange student. At the end of the program, his parents gave him a choice: return home or stay in the United States to continue his education. The decision came down to more than geography—school in Korea was heavily academic, with few opportunities for extracurricular involvement, while the U.S. offered a more well-rounded experience. Jinsu chose to stay. He then moved to Virginia to attend a private high school there, where he met and lived with his American host family until he left for college.
His college experience took him to Texas, though not quite where he originally thought. He enrolled at Austin College, believing it was located in Austin. It wasn’t until he went to buy a plane ticket that he realized the school was in Sherman, Texas, over 250 miles north of Austin. Despite the surprise, his time at Austin College was transformative. He double majored in finance, for its practicality, and environmental science, which had always been an interest. More significantly, it was there that he met his wife and formed lifelong friendships. After graduating, Jinsu continued his education at Oklahoma City University, where he earned his Master of Accounting.
In 2021, Jinsu and his wife moved to San Antonio so she could pursue further education. He continued working remotely for his previous firm but, by 2023, the couple began thinking about their future. They agreed that San Antonio felt like home and was where they wanted to build a life. With that decision, Jinsu knew it was time to find a local firm, somewhere he could truly plant roots, grow in his career, and connect with the community. Joining ADKF was a natural fit. It offered not only the opportunity to meet people in person after years of remote work, but also the chance to be part of something larger than himself.
At ADKF, Jinsu quickly embraced his new role and the firm’s culture of leadership and trust. Here he has had the opportunity to lead client groups, manage teams, and coordinate projects. He was drawn to ADKF specifically because of the leadership opportunities available, and the trust placed in team members to manage real responsibilities from the start. Since joining, he’s gained and strengthened essential skills in project management, delegation, team coordination, and communications, skills that continue to shape his success.
One of Jinsu’s proudest accomplishments to date is passing the CPA exam while working full-time in his first year out of school. It was a personal goal he set for himself, with a clear deadline, and reaching it remains one of his most meaningful achievements. That same goal-setting mindset continues to drive him in his career. Jinsu believes in having a clear purpose and setting both long-term and short-term goals to stay motivated. For him, challenges become manageable when you can tie your work to a broader vision of where you want to go.
To those starting out in the field of accounting, his advice is simple and direct: take the CPA exam as early as possible. He explains that the exam is based on textbook knowledge, while actual work draws more from practical application. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to revisit academic material. “Take the exam while everything is still fresh,” he says.
Among the many lessons he’s learned, one in particular continues to influence his approach to leadership and work. During his master’s program, a professor said, “A good leader is authentic.” That idea resonated deeply with Jinsu and has shaped how he builds relationships and leads both at work and in life. He believes that authenticity fosters trust and that showing up as your real self is the key to building meaningful connections with both clients and coworkers. This commitment to being genuine, thoughtful, and intentional is how he personally defines a successful leader.
Outside of the office, Jinsu brings the same energy and curiosity to his personal life. He’s a regular at a local ping pong club, often playing after work, and enjoys cooking and gardening in his free time. He’s currently learning Spanish, adding another layer of connection to the vibrant, diverse community he now calls home. A fun fact about Jinsu is he served two years in the Korean army while in college, returning to the U.S. after his service to complete his education.
Jinsu’s journey is a powerful reminder that leadership is not about titles, it’s about showing up, staying grounded, and always moving forward with intention. His story adds something special to our team at ADKF, and we’re proud to highlight the path he’s taken and the perspective he brings.