Episode 117

Lessons Learned from a Lifetime in the Accounting World

Published on: 27th August, 2020

Paul Dunn holds a Lifetime Service Award to the Accounting Profession in the UK and he’s been honoured as a Social Innovation Fellow in Singapore. He first rocked the Profession through the radical Accountants’ Boot Camp where over 17,000 Accountants found new ways to work with clients. He’s in Forbes Magazine with Sir Richard Branson as a ‘disrupter’ in business and his ‘Firm of the Future’ book, (with Ron Baker) is known as a breakthrough tool for professional firms. AccountingWeb honoured Paul with their Inaugural ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Profession Award. Shownotes:

  • How the globally successful Accountants Bootcamp was born in 1992 and what has changed since
  • Why it took a pandemic like covid to show the true value accountants can provide for their clients
  • The one thing that makes many accountants struggle to be trusted advisors
  • The most important thing accountants should be 'doubling down on' in these turbulent times
  • How accountants need to recognise the shift from value to values that the pandemic has caused
  • How income follows impact and profit follows purpose
  • The primary thing good accountants should be doing for their clients instead of merely reporting history
  • How effective the movement started by Ron Baker and others has been in moving accountants away from the billable hour
  • What makes leadership so critical in uncertain times
  • The three types of leaders who have emerged in all businesses, not just accounting firms
  • What it takes to lead a fulfilling life and make a difference in the world
  • Shout out to Steve Pipe, another accounting legend and dedicated servant to the profession
  • Why there are no silver bullets any more with accounting software
  • How alarmingly little entrepreneurs know about the numbers in a business, which is why they need accountants.

Paul Dunn on the Accounting Influencers podcast with BD Academy founder Rob Brown

Paul is the co-founder of Accountants for Good and the revolutionary B1G1, enabling businesses to connect in new ways creating over 209 Million giving impacts globally. He is based in Singapore and makes a point of running 5K every day. Contact Paul here:

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About the Podcast

Accounting Voices Podcast
Accounting Voices helps people in the accounting world stay relevant visible and vocal. Host Rob Brown interprets trends reshaping the profession and gives listeners insight to build authority influence and a stronger voice in firms and markets.
Accounting Voices, hosted by Rob Brown, helps decision makers and leaders in accounting and finance stay relevant, visible and vocal in a profession being reshaped by technology, private equity, regulation and shifting client expectations. Each episode interprets the trends disrupting accounting and finance such as AI, automation, M&A, talent and the move to advisory and translates them into practical insight that strengthens authority and influence.
Accounting Voices is also a platform for the wider ecosystem of networks, associations, educators, consultants, software vendors and technology experts who serve accountants and finance professionals worldwide. It extends into regular Accounting Voices networking sessions that connect this audience and amplify ideas that move the profession forward. With its international reach and long shelf life the show delivers credibility and commercial value for listeners and sponsors alike. Search for "Accounting Voices" on YouTube for all episodes and connect with Rob Brown on LinkedIn to find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

About your host

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Rob Brown

ob Brown is the creator and host of the Accounting Voices Network, a media platform that includes the flagship solo podcast Accounting Voices and the panel shows Accounting M&A and Accounting Tech. He chairs conferences, panels and virtual events worldwide and is recognised as a leading advocate for the accounting profession.

He is an accomplished speaker and authority on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, succession, executive presence and the forces shaping the future of accounting. Rob is the author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk The Personal Brand of You has been viewed more than 400,000 times.

A former co-founder of the Accounting Influencers Roundtable, Rob now focuses on amplifying the voices of leaders, firms, networks, vendors and influencers across the global accounting ecosystem.

Outside of work he is a stroke survivor, lives with epilepsy, holds a black belt in kickboxing and is based in Nottingham, UK. He plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.