In this special episode of Unscripted, Liz and Chris welcome Rob Brown, host of the Accounting Voices podcast, for a conversation about the future of the accounting profession. Drawing from more than 1,000 interviews with firm leaders across North America, Rob shares the biggest trends shaping the industry, the challenges firms are facing, and the three priorities every firm should focus on over the next two years. Whether you're wondering why the profession is evolving or how Dean Dorton is preparing for the future, this episode offers valuable insight into the opportunities ahead—and the important role each of us plays in shaping what's next.

Dean Dorton's modernized core values are more than words on a page—they guide how we work, serve our clients, and support one another every day. In this two-part Unscripted series, firm leaders share their perspectives on what our values mean, why they matter, and how they come to life across the organization.

Success is rarely achieved alone, and continuous improvement is at the heart of what we do. In this 2nd episode of Unscripted: Living Our Core Values, Lance Mann and Justin Hubbard discuss Dean Dorton's core values of Collaboration and Growth, highlighting how teamwork, learning, and innovation help drive both individual and firm success. Join us as they share experiences and perspectives on working together, embracing new opportunities, and growing with purpose.

Dean Dorton's modernized core values are more than words on a page—they guide how we work, serve our clients, and support one another every day. In this two-part Unscripted series, firm leaders share their perspectives on what our values mean, why they matter, and how they come to life across the organization.

What does it mean to do the right thing and build meaningful connections in today's workplace? In the first episode of our Unscripted special two-part series about our core values, Jason Miller and Elizabeth Woodward explore Dean Dorton's core values of Integrity and Relationships, sharing insights on how these principles shape our culture, strengthen client partnerships, and influence the decisions we make every day. Tune in for a candid conversation about trust, accountability, and the importance of putting people first.

In this episode of Unscripted, we sit down with Chief AI Officer Jon Adams to talk about what AI really looks like inside an organization—and where it's headed next.

Jon shares an inside look at his work with Dean Dorton, including how the firm has built out its AI Leadership group and AI Champions network, what's already been accomplished, and what's still on the horizon. He also discusses his goals for the engagement and what success ultimately looks like.

Beyond the firm, the conversation zooms out to tackle the bigger picture of AI. With so many headlines, tools, and opinions flooding the space, Jon offers a grounded perspective on how to separate signal from noise—what's worth paying attention to, what can be ignored, and how to stay focused amid constant change.

The episode wraps with a forward-looking discussion on where AI is going and, more importantly, what individuals and organizations should be doing now—and over the next year—to stay ahead.

Whether you're AI-curious or already experimenting, this episode delivers practical insight without the hype.

In this episode of Unscripted, Chris and Liz sit down with Jayna Newcomer and James Wood to explore the recent enhancements to Dean Dorton Central and the strategy behind bringing those changes to life. From reimagining how information is organized to improving the overall user experience, Jayna and James share the "why" behind the updates and what they mean for our teams day-to-day.

We also take a closer look at the role communication played in the rollout—how a thoughtful, intentional approach is helping drive awareness and engagement across the firm.

On this episode of Unscripted, we're joined by Philip Massey to talk about a common—but often overlooked—client challenge: outgrowing accounting software.

As organizations grow, complexity increases—and entry-level or legacy systems can quietly become roadblocks. Philip shares the key warning signs that a client's system is creating more frustration than insight, from heavy Excel reliance and manual processes to reporting gaps and integration headaches.

We discuss what life looks like before and after modern financial systems, why waiting makes the problem worse, and how DD team members can recognize "here's your sign" moments early. If you've ever sensed that a client's systems are holding them back but weren't sure what to do next, this episode is for you.

We're kicking off 2026 with a special episode of Unscripted, welcoming Jason Miller as he officially steps into his role as President & CEO of Dean Dorton. In this candid conversation, Jason reflects on his first weeks fully in the CEO seat—sharing how he's doing, what's encouraged him most, and where he's feeling both momentum and challenge as he leads the firm forward.

Jason also provides an update on the firm's vision and strategy following our recent All Firm meeting, offering insight into where the work stands today and what's taking shape behind the scenes. Looking ahead, he discusses what the firm can expect in the coming months, what excites him most about this next chapter, and how we can continue to support one another as we look ahead to the new year.

In our final Unscripted episode of 2025, we're joined by AFO Manager Emily Anderson, who shares her experience recording a professional podcast episode with our learning and development partner, LumiQ. Emily walks us through how the opportunity came about, what the recording process was like, and why she encourages other team members to step outside their comfort zones and say "yes" to similar opportunities. A great listen to wrap up the year and look ahead to what's possible in 2026!

In this episode of Unscripted, Chris and Liz are joined by Abby Riggs and Mike Ballenger, two recent graduates of the Dean Dorton Leadership Academy. Abby and Mike share candid reflections on their DDLA experience—from the sessions that stretched their thinking to the lessons that will stay with them long after graduation. They discuss the skills they honed, the moments that resonated most, and how the program is shaping their approach to leadership at Dean Dorton. Tune in for an authentic conversation about growth, confidence, and what it means to lead with purpose.

In this episode of Unscripted, we're joined by Jason Miller, Dean Dorton's incoming CEO. Jason shares his excitement about the future of Dean Dorton and gives us a preview of what to expect at our upcoming firmwide meeting on October 30!