Durran Dunn Discusses Journey From CPA To Companion

Earlier than turning into a associate at Bennett Thrasher and a revered voice in accounting, Durran Dunn was a monitor athlete and an nameless crowd favourite at Atlanta Braves video games, the place he entertained followers as a full-body-suited mascot generally known as “The Freeze.” However in line with a July 9 episode of the Journal of Accountancy podcast, Dunn’s path to skilled success wasn’t at all times clear or standard.

Hosted by Neil Amato, the latest episode featured a dialogue on Dunn’s journey from being a collegiate sprinter to working in accounting.

“I didn’t know what a CPA was till my senior yr of school,” Dunn admitted.

“I didn’t develop up across the occupation. I simply checked the accounting field on the record of majors as a result of it was on the high. It turned out to be the most effective choices of my life.”

Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Dunn’s adolescence included dramatic transitions—from the Caribbean to New York and later to Mississippi, the place he earned athletic and tutorial scholarships to the College of Southern Mississippi. There, Dunn pursued accounting whereas operating monitor.

“I used to be doing 21 credit score hours a semester whereas competing within the 100m, 200m, 4×100, and 4×400 relays,” he defined to host Neil Amato. “I didn’t even know you would change your main. I used to be simply all in.”

That very same self-discipline carried over into his skilled life. Now a frontrunner in Danger Advisory Companies, Dunn focuses on inside audit, compliance, ESG readiness, and enterprise problem-solving.

“You’ll be able to’t outwork me,” Dunn instructed Amato. “I’m in all probability not the neatest or most gifted, however I’ll get it finished.”

Dunn credit a lot of his skilled philosophy to his athletic background.

“The whole lot about making ready for competitors—coaching, focus, execution—applies on to enterprise,” he mentioned. “I imagine optimum outcomes come from being totally current within the second.”

Past his profession, Dunn is dedicated to mentoring younger professionals, particularly college students who, like him, might not initially concentrate on the alternatives throughout the accounting area. He opened up on the Journal of Accountancy Podcast to spotlight {that a} main level of ambition for him is to be a mentor.

“I am going into excessive colleges and discuss to college students who don’t even know what a CPA is. The occupation discovered me, and I need to pay that ahead,” he mentioned. “It saved my life.”

Dunn additionally emphasised the significance of variety within the area. “There’s plenty of speak about getting extra variety into the pipeline. I imagine we’ve got to begin early—with consciousness and entry,” he said.

For Dunn, lifelong studying stays important. “I’m a scholar of all the things I contact,” he mentioned. “Even now, as a associate, I’m nonetheless studying day by day. That mindset will take you far—it doesn’t matter what path you select.”

Dunn left Amato with a chunk of recommendation to finish the interview.

Dunn suggested, “Be disciplined, clear up issues, talk nicely, and at all times be studying.”

Dunn’s exhausting work has been paying off in recent times. The previous Jamaican sprinter was honored in 2024 by Forbes’ inaugural record as a member of the highest 200 licensed public accountants.

Extra lately, Dunn launched his first official web site on July 1. The positioning showcases clips of his motivational talking work, media appearances, and testimonials.

Via the location, organizations can ebook Dunn for each talking occasions and breakout classes.

Dunn wrote of the web site launch, “This has been a divine mission rooted in my mission to encourage, empower, and problem people and organizations to push past limits and lead with goal. Whether or not you’re planning a convention, company retreat, scholar occasion, or management summit – I’m right here to ship a message that strikes folks and drives motion.”

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