Ozarks Profile

Manager in charge of the Branson office, participant of the management group for Whitlock, Selim & Keehn LLP, 150 Corporate Place, Branson. Through the firm, Dunton provides accounting, business and tax consulting to clients in both Branson and Springfield. "Our offices serve clients in both locations with quality accounting, auditing, tax and management consulting assistance," Dunton said. Whitlock, Selim & Keehn and its predecessor firms have been in Springfield for more than 80 years. Whitlock, Selim & Keehn evolved into the present partnership in 1985, when the local partners purchased the practice from the national firm of Fox & Company. Dunton joined the firm in December of 1992 with the purpose of developing a Branson office. "Our Branson office has shown substantial growth and has matured to a well-staffed, full-service accounting practice," Dunton said. During this growth process, he has also attracted a significant clientele in the Springfield marketplace, he added. Dunton is chairman of the board of the American Board of Forensic Accountants; a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; a member of the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants; a member of the American College of Forensic Examiners; on the board of directors for Sigma House; and a member of the Second Baptist Church.

Age: 35.

No. of years in Springfield/area: 11 years.

Education: Graduated from Bangor Christian High School in Bangor, Maine; attended Baptist Bible College from 1982 to 1984; transferred to Southwest Missouri State University and graduated with a comprehensive bachelor of science degree in accounting in 1986.

Early career: While finishing his accounting degree, Dunton was an intern for Whitlock, Selim & Keehn. Upon graduation, he was recruited to the Kansas City office of Deloitte & Touche, an international accounting firm. He divided his five years at Deloitte & Touche equally between tax and audit, "pursuing my goal to be a well-rounded professional," Dunton said. He was offered and accepted a position with one of Whitlock, Selim & Keehn's clients, Mid-America Dairymen, which enabled him and his family to move back to the Springfield area. "I managed tax and internal audit for this Fortune 250 company until I was approached by Barney Whitlock in late 1992 with the opportunity to develop a new market for the firm," Dunton said.

Current projects: "Continually striving for increased excellence as we seek to meet our clients' needs with improved effectiveness and efficiency. Year-end accounting and tax compliance with an emphasis on future planning occupy a great deal of our energy during this time of the year," Dunton said.

Management philosophy: "Simply put: Treat people honestly and with respect. Communicate with employees and clients as equals, valuing the individual. The core to 'good management' is relationship, as is the core to good client service. Through a supportive environment, extend trust and enable associates to grow and to work effectively," Dunton said.

Spare-time pursuits: Enjoys golf, yard work and landscaping, learning adult Bible studies, coaching youth sports and attending SMSU basketball games with his family.

Family data: Lisa, his wife of 12 years, "is a wonderful full-time mother to our two children," he said. Children are Drew, a first-grader at New Covenant Academy, and Alexandra, 3, who is learning to write.

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