In this episode of Doc Secret, our guest is Ken Kaufman, CFO, author, and seasoned leader in the dental support organization (DSO) space. With decades of experience scaling multi-location practices and guiding private equity-backed groups, Ken shares how financial clarity—through tools like accrual accounting, cash flow insights, and ROI-based decision-making—can transform dental businesses. Drawing on lessons from his book and real-world DSO leadership, he explains why prioritizing systems, data, and education are key to sustainable growth in a rapidly evolving dental landscape.

Doc Secret is sponsored by Quantics Marketing, LLC. https://www.quanticsmarketing.com/

00:00 – Meet Ken Kaufman: DSO CFO, investor, and co-author of Financial Secrets 

01:13 – Ken’s journey from fractional CFO to dental finance leader 

02:11 – Unlocking growth: How culture and latent opportunity drive DSO success 

04:29 – The hardest leap: Why going from 1 to 2 practices is a make-or-break move 

06:52 – What “financial clarity” really means and why it matters 

09:38 – Red flags: How to tell if your practice is financially disorganized 

11:35 – The #1 clarity tool owners ignore (and why prioritization matters) 

12:55 – Cash flow: The ultimate measure of business health 

16:30 – Why accrual accounting is critical—and how it impacts valuation 

26:14 – Post-PE: Why great operators and clear systems determine who thrives

39:41 – Lightning Round and Close

Follow and listen wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.