President's Report

The President's Report

The nACPAE board for the fiscal year 2019-2020 started with one clear vision in mind – that is for our profession to be a learned one, a distinction currently enjoyed by divinity, medicine, and law. We have envisioned nACPAE to be a community of learned accounting teachers leading the Accountancy education in Southeast Asia.

Articulated into statement of purpose, nACPAE exists to advocate a better quality of life for accounting teachers, promote holistic professional development for accounting teachers and aspiring CPAs, uphold professionalism inside and outside the classroom, foster genuine respect among members of the academic community and other stakeholders, and strengthen faith in God and love of country. These directly correspond to the core values which the association believes deeply and embraces fully – care, lifelong learning, professionalism, respect, and God-centeredness, respectively.

The theme for this fiscal year has been “Living the Role of Learned Accounting Teachers in Shaping a Learned Accounting Profession.” All our projects are anchored and aligned to this theme.

Before COVID-19

Our maiden project was a strategic planning workshop held on June 8-9, 2019 in Antipolo City. It was there when we revisited the nACPAE’s vision and mission and eventually came up with revised ones – statements that are responsive to the challenges and opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Then we had the induction ceremonies and educators’ day in celebration of the 2019 PICPA Accountancy Week at De La Salle University on July 15, 2019. The three technical sessions were A Learned Accounting Teacher (by Dr. Arnel Onesimo O. Uy of CHED), Sustainability Reporting: The Future of Regulations (by Atty. Emmanuel Y. Artiza of SEC), and PRBOA Hour: IPD and CPALE (by Hon. Dr. Noe G. Quiñanola of PRBOA). This was sponsored by accounting firms (Deloitte Navarro Amper & Co., KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co., Punongbayan & Araullo Grant Thornton, Pwc Isla Lipana & Co., SGV & Co.), review centers (PRTC, ReSA), professional organizations (ACCA, IMA, PICPA), De La Salle University, and JPIA-DLSU. We also actively participated in the PICPA-Laro during the same week.

For the fiscal year 2019-2020, we have planned five (5) Accounting Teachers’ Development Seminars (ATDS) with community engagement activities.

The first one was held in Zamboanga City on September 14, 2019. The three technical sessions were PRBOA Hour: IPD and CPALE (by Hon. Dr. Noe G. Quiñanola of PRBOA), Updates on TRAIN Law (by Mr. Francis J. Ricamora of SGV & Co.), and Sharing of Good Practices in Teaching Accounting Courses (by Mr. Francisco M. Caliwan Jr. of UST). This was co-hosted by Universidad de Zamboanga and Ateneo de Zamboanga University, with their JPIA, and in partnership with PRBOA, SGV & Co., PRTC, ReSA, and PICPA Zamboanga-Basilan Chapter. For the community engagement activity, the beneficiary was Universidad de Zamboanga. Community engagement partners were CPAR, PRTC, ReSA, and Vibal Publishing.

Prior to holding the second ATDS, we took part in PICPA Northern Mindanao Region Joint Sectoral Summit for CPAs in Public Practice and Education in Cagayan de Oro City on October 10-11, 2019. We were tasked to be the resource speaker on CPD in the Accounting Education Sector.

Moreover, we organized the 6th Mid-Year Accounting Teachers’ International Conference (MYATIC) in Bali, Indonesia on October 24-26, 2019. The keynote speaker was Dr. Koh Sze Kee of Singapore Institute of Technology. The partner-university, Universitas Udayana, was represented by Dr. Ida Bagus Wyasa Putra, the Vice Rector for Planning, Cooperation, and Information Affairs, who delivered the welcome message. During the conference, nACPAE also entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Universitas Udayana for partnership and collaboration projects on teaching, research, and community engagement. The technical sessions were Accounting for Heritage and Cultural Assets (by Dr. Henly S. Pahilago of FRSC), Skills in the Workplace from Public Accounting HR Perspective (by Ms. Marnelli Eileen J. Fullon of SGV & Co.), The Accounting Education: The Case of Indonesia and the Philippines (by Dr. Nanny Dewi Tanzil of ASEAN Accounting Education Workgroup or “AAEW” and Universitas Padjadjaran, Dr. Florenz C. Tugas of DLSU and ReSA, and Dr. I Putu Sudana of Universitas Udayana), andPRBOA Hour: IPD and CPALE (by Hon. Dr. Noe G. Quiñanola of PRBOA). In addition, thirteen (13) research papers were presented. We had PRTC and SGV & Co. as major sponsors during the 6th MYATIC.

Together with PICPA, we partnered with the University of Santo Tomas in hosting the 10th AAEW Meeting on November 6-7, 2019. The theme of the meeting was “AAEW@10: Working Together for a Learned Global Accounting Profession.” During the said meeting, nACPAE, being an accounting professional body, was admitted as member of the AAEW under organizational membership.

We also actively participated in several PICPA-related activities. Among them is our involvement during the PICPA MMR GAO Sectoral Summit: Spotlight on Education which was held at PICPA Building, Mandaluyong City on November 15, 2019. We sat as one of the panelists in the discussion on Envisioning the Professional Accountant focusing on new sectoral frameworks for professional accountants. Our association was also represented during the Sectoral Forum on Education held at Northern Christian College, Laoag City on November 21, 2019 in the occasion of the 74th PICPA Annual National Convention (ANC). We were tasked to be the resource speaker on Reinforcing the Future: Our Digital Experience.

On November 18, 2019, we were designated by PRBOA under Resolution No. 90 Series of 2019 to spearhead the conduct of syllabus and table of specifications (TOS) review of the licensure examination for certified public accountant (LECPA). We convened a group of experts from the academe and other sectors thereby forming a team of three for each subject. The work is still in-progress with the first draft already presented to PRBOA.

Then came December. The second ATDS with community engagement activity was held in Laguna on December 7, 2019. The three technical sessions were PRBOA Hour: IPD and CPALE (by Hon. Atty. Samuel B. Padilla of PRBOA),Concepts and Practices in Accounting Education: Towards Becoming Learned Accounting Teachers (by Mr. Fermin Antonio DR. Yabut of UST and ReSA), and Updates on PSAs (by Dr. Florenz C. Tugas of DLSU and ReSA). This was hosted by CARD MRI Development Institute, Inc., with its JPIA, and in partnership with PRBOA, PRTC, ReSA, and PICPA San Pablo City Chapter. For the community engagement activity, the beneficiary was Laguna University. Community engagement partners were CPAR, CRC-ACE, LEAD, PRTC, ReSA, and Vibal Publishing.

The third one was held in South Cotabato on January 11, 2020. The three technical sessions were PRBOA Hour: IPD and CPALE (by Hon. Dr. Noe G. Quiñanola of PRBOA), Accounting for Small Entities (by Mr. Jose Raóul J. Balisalisa of SGV & Co.), and Sharing of Good Practices in Teaching Accounting Courses (by Mr. Francisco M. Caliwan Jr. of UST). This was hosted by Notre Dame of Marbel University, with its JPIA, and in partnership with PRBOA, SGV & Co., PRTC, ReSA, and PICPA South Cotabato Chapter. For the community engagement activity, the beneficiary was Korbel Foundation College, Inc. Community engagement partners were CPAR, LEAD, ReSA, and Vibal Publishing.

The fourth one was held in Palawan on February 15, 2020. The three technical sessions were PRBOA Hour: IPD and CPALE (by Hon. Dr. Gloria T. Baysa of PRBOA), IT Governance (by Ms. Maria Rosell S. Gomez of PwC Isla Lipana & Co.), and Sharing of Good Practices in Teaching Accounting Courses (by Dr. Christopher B. Abelinde of Ateneo de Naga University). This was hosted by Palawan State University, with its JPIA, and in partnership with PRBOA, PwC Isla Lipana & Co., PRTC, and PICPA Palawan Chapter. For the community engagement activity, the beneficiaries were Palawan State University, Holy Trinity University, Palawan National School, Puerto Princesa City Science High School, San Jose National High School, Port Barton National High School, and Central Taytay National High School. Community engagement partners were CPAR, CRC-ACE, LEAD, PRTC, ReSA, and Vibal Publishing.

During COVID-19

The fifth one should have been held in Tacloban City on March 14, 2020. The three technical sessions should have been PRBOA Hour: IPD and CPALE (by Hon. Dr. Marko Romeo L. Fuentes of PRBOA), ABCs of Research: A Leap Towards a Learned Accounting Profession (by Dr. Fe R. Ochotorena of FEU), and Hurdling the CPALE: An Advice from an Accounting Teacher (by Dean Paz L. Bobadilla of MSEUF). This should have been hosted by Saint Paul School of Professional Studies, with its JPIA, and in partnership with PRBOA, PRTC, PICPA Eastern Visayas Region, and PICPA Tacloban Chapter. For the community engagement activity, the beneficiary was set to be announced still during the ATDS. Community engagement partners should have been CPAR, CRC-ACE, ReSA, and Vibal Publishing.

As one of the culminating projects, the 28th Accounting Teachers’ Conference (ATC) should have been held at Summit Hotel on April 27-29, 2020. This should have been hosted by Saint Paul School of Professional Studies, with its JPIA, and in partnership with PICPA Eastern Visayas Region and PICPA Tacloban Chapter. Moreover, ten (10) research papers were accepted for oral presentation. But due to COVID-19, we have decided to postpone the 28thATC. As of this writing, the new schedule is April 29 to May 1, 2021 at the same venue. We were also set to sign three MOUs during the 28th ATC: (1) with PwC Isla Lipana & Co. for the PwC National Accounting Teachers Awards (NATA); (2) with Punongbayan & Araullo, in partnership also with PICPA and Association of CPAs in Commerce and Industry (ACPACI), for the Search for Outstanding Accounting Students of the Philippines (SOASP); and (3) Deloitte Navarro Amper & Co. for the Research Award for Accounting Teachers.

Despite this, we have managed to put together contents of the Volume 3 Issue 1 of The Dividends. We feature six research articles, the highest number so far, that were previously presented in various nACPAE-organized conferences. These have passed the blind review process, each of them subjected to rigors of research and scrutiny of our competent reviewers. And for this issue also, introducing our research journal to the international arena, we feature for the first time a research article authored by accounting teachers from Indonesia.

Our remaining projects such as community engagement activities on Capacity Building for Accounting Teachers in Public Senior High Schools in Makati City (with SGV & Co.), 2nd Search for Outstanding Accounting Student Leaders [SOASL] (with SGV and PICPA), and 2nd Joint National Accountancy Research Summit and Conference (with PICPA National Committee on Accountancy Research and PICPA Foundation Research Committee) would also be deferred.

Online presence

The official website of nACPAE is www.nacpae.com with April performance of 210 clicks and 2,900 impressions on Google Search. We also have our official Facebook public group National Association of CPAs in Education with 1,705 members to date. These have been our resource for CPD materials, updates, and other announcements.

Operations

Anchored on good governance, we have drafted our operating manual beginning with the clarification of the duties and responsibilities of the board and the different committees of nACPAE. We have also crafted supplementary policies on the conduct of ATDS and conferences (including CPD application and CHED endorsement), membership, recordkeeping, and documentation in general. Though still a work-in-progress, these efforts have yielded satisfactory results – smoother implementation of our projects due to leaner processes.

Financial

The fund of nACPAE comes from three sources – membership fees, registration fees, and sponsorships. These resources are used to fuel our projects and sustain our operations. When necessary, we also give financial support in the form of sponsorship to projects of other organizations like PICPA. Excess cash generated are appropriated for future projects that benefit our stakeholders. As of this date, our association is liquid and solvent. Stewardship role and internal controls were clarified and reinforced in the areas of asset custody, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance. More specifically, policies on cash advances, liquidations, and reimbursements were strengthened. We have also been filing periodic tax returns and reports with the BIR and SEC, respectively, within schedule.

Moving forward

As to nACPAE leadership, it was decided during the April 30, 2020 board meeting that the incoming fiscal year would be treated as a hold-over year keeping the current lineup of nACPAE board. Those officers with one more year to serve would still be part of the board for fiscal year 2021-2022 together with other officers who will be elected during the rescheduled 28thATC. During the hold-over year, we will be bannering the theme “Embracing Lifelong Learning in the New Normal.”

Our projects, deferred and new, would still be undertaken during the hold-over year while observing health and safety policies of the government on the new normal such as wearing of masks, washing of hands, and observing physical distancing. These projects include review of LECPA syllabus and TOS (in partnership with PRBOA), research (Volume 3, Issue 2 and Volume 4, Issue 1 of The Dividends and online research conference), webinars for accounting teachers, ID system for nACPAE members, online newsletter, and partnership projects with accounting firms, review centers, PICPA, AAEW, and other professional organizations.

Acknowledgment

We would like to express our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to our members, partners, and sponsors for staying with nACPAE and for believing in what it stands for. The same goes to our nACPAE board, our creative and artistic team composed of Mr. John Jay S. Barbadia of Southland College, Negros Occidental and Mr. Cedric Ligon and Ms. Charlene Grace K. Tiong of JPIA-DLSU, and to everyone who has helped nACPAE to be where it is now. Sa inyong lahat, maraming salamat po!

It has been a journey of ups and downs, twists and turns, certainties and uncertainties. But amidst all these, we have emerged victorious. And we will continue to. This is because we have God and we have each other. Indeed, as an association of learned accounting teachers, we love and heal as one. Stay safe and healthy, everyone.

All glory to God!