Unscripted

What does it mean to move from serving clients to truly transforming their businesses? In this episode of Unscripted, Liz Young and Chris Hahn sit down with Jenny Patterson, Chief Growth Officer, and Gary Mudd, Chief Financial Officer, to discuss Dean Dorton's Client Relationship Model of the Future and what it means for our firm as we look ahead to 2027.

Jenny and Gary share the vision behind this evolution, including how we can build stronger client relationships, break down service silos, and bring together the right expertise to help our clients achieve their goals. We'll explore the role of the Relationship Director, how a more proactive and collaborative approach can create new growth opportunities, and how stronger relationships can drive better outcomes for both our clients and our firm.

Plus, we'll get to know Jenny and Gary a little better, hear about their leadership journeys, and discuss how each of us can contribute to this shift in mindset.

Because we don't just serve clients—we transform with them. Tune in to learn how we're building a future centered on stronger relationships, better outcomes, and greater impact together.

What does it really mean to be a trusted advisor?

In this episode of Unscripted, Liz and Chris sit down with Jay Fischbein to talk about the client relationship from a perspective we don't always get to hear: the client's side of the table. Jay shares his career journey and the perspectives he gained from working with professional services firms as a client, including what separates someone who simply completes the work from someone who truly shows up as an advisor.

The conversation explores what it means to understand the "pulse" of a client's business, build relationships that go beyond the immediate project, and proactively engage with clients before they even know what they need. Jay also shares his perspective on how technology and AI may reshape relationship management—and what clients will increasingly expect from their advisors.

Most importantly, we talk about what team members can start doing differently today to move from being viewed as service providers to becoming trusted business advisors.

Whether you work directly with clients or support those who do, this conversation offers practical perspective on what clients really want from their professional services partners—and what they may not always tell us.

In this episode of Unscripted, Liz and Chris sit down with Cincinnati Market Leader Beth Vice to talk about the evolving world of advisory and what it means for the future of our firm. Beth shares her perspective on how we can move beyond traditional services to become even more valuable partners to our clients—bringing insight, judgment, and decision support to the table.

Together, they explore what advisory really looks like, why client relationships are at the heart of this work, and how our people can recognize opportunities to think differently, ask better questions, and help clients navigate what's next.

It's a conversation about where we are today, where we're headed, and the opportunities we have to continue growing the value we bring to our clients.

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.