by Mary Spiller
July 12, 2025
Durran Dunn sat on a latest episode of the Journal of Accountancy podcast with Neil Amato.
Earlier than changing into a accomplice 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 accordance with a July 9 episode of the Journal of Accountancy podcast, Dunn’s path to skilled success wasn’t all the time 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 faculty,” 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 among the finest 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 educational scholarships to the College of Southern Mississippi. There, Dunn pursued accounting whereas working 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 might 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 Threat Advisory Providers, Dunn focuses on inner audit, compliance, ESG readiness, and enterprise problem-solving.
“You’ll be able to’t outwork me,” Dunn instructed Amato. “I’m most likely not the neatest or most gifted, however I’ll get it finished.”
Dunn credit a lot of his skilled philosophy to his athletic background.
“All the things about making ready for competitors—coaching, focus, execution—applies on to enterprise,” he mentioned. “I consider optimum outcomes come from being absolutely 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 discipline. 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 wish to pay that ahead,” he mentioned. “It saved my life.”
Dunn additionally emphasised the significance of range within the discipline. “There’s a whole lot of speak about getting extra range into the pipeline. I consider we have now to start out early—with consciousness and entry,” he acknowledged.
For Dunn, lifelong studying stays important. “I’m a scholar of every part I contact,” he mentioned. “Even now, as a accomplice, I’m nonetheless studying on daily basis. 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 properly, and all the time 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 not too long ago, Dunn launched his first official web site on July 1. The location showcases clips of his motivational talking work, media appearances, and testimonials.
By the positioning, organizations can guide Dunn for each talking occasions and breakout periods.
Dunn wrote of the web site launch, “This has been a divine challenge rooted in my mission to encourage, empower, and problem people and organizations to push past limits and lead with objective. 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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