At Dunn CPA Firm, everything we do is rooted in service to our clients, our team and our community. That clarity starts at the top, and it’s been that way since the very beginning. When Tom Dunn launched this firm over 25 years ago, he didn’t just start a business—he set his personal mission in motion.
It’s a simple one: “Advance the world around me.”
That’s it.
Why It Matters
Tom’s mission statement has shaped the culture of Dunn CPA Firm and how we do business. It reflects a mindset that success isn’t just about personal achievement; it’s about lifting others up along the way.
Yes, Tom wanted to grow a successful practice. But he believed the best way to advance personally was to help as many people as possible do the same. That belief is woven into every client meeting, every consulting call and every internal conversation about how we can support our team and serve our clients better.
Growth with Purpose
From a one-person firm to a team of over 30 partners and thousands of clients, the growth of Dunn CPA Firm is a reflection of that mission in action. The goal has always been to grow with intention, bringing others along and creating meaningful, lasting value for the people we serve.
That’s why we work closely with small business owners on both their books and tax filings, as well as the long-term health and clarity of their operations. We believe every client we serve should have the chance to advance financially, strategically and personally.
Simplicity Is Powerful
Tom often encourages others to create their own mission statements—but to keep them short. Anyone can write a two-page document full of goals and values. But the real challenge (and power) is in distilling it down into a phrase you can carry with you every day. A mission you can live out in every conversation, every decision and every opportunity.
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“Tom Dunn’s Personal Mission Statement”
My personal mission statement is to advance the world around me.
So why do I think that’s such a great mission statement? Because it’s very short. So when I remember when I wrote it, I used to give myself points for the fewest number of words I could come up with. I worked really hard to get it down into this phrase or this very short sentence.
It just says it all. I’m looking for the win. Win. I want to advance in the world as well, but I think the way to do that is to bring everybody else along with me, as many people as I can. And I can tell you that this firm is one of the best examples I’ve ever seen. I started this firm 25 years ago with just me.
And we are now up to 30 partners.
And we’re huge, and we help so many people. We have thousands of clients, and it’s all because of that mission statement.
So keep it simple.
It’s my best advice is you could write a paragraph or two page, but then figure out a way to make it into a short phrase.
Or sentence so you can remember it every moment of your day.
