It's a Wrap!

Q4 Issue Series of FY 2023-2024

It's a Wrap!

Heads Up!

Chicka-chicka!

PICPA NegOr—opens its New Office, a Dream Come True!

PICPAns Excelling in Excel

Learning to Manage Stress and 4th Qtr GMM

PICPA NegOr Practitioners Meet RDO 079 for EOPT Info

Negros Oriental CPAs in Education Joined NACPAE’s ATC @ UST

PICPA Snaps 📸

PICPA NegOr—opens its New Office, a Dream Come True!

May 18, 2024

By: Kristine A. Templado, CPA

Years in the making, PICPA Negros Oriental Chapter now has its office space! Thanks to the generous Atty. Florence A. Tangente, PICPA Negros Oriental Chapter President for the FY 2008-2009. Atty. Tangente offers free use of the office space to PICPA NegOr indefinitely!

Way back 2020, PICPA NegOr is truly blessed to receive 2 office space offers from its very own Past Presidents, Atty. Florence A. Tangente, and Mr. Don Ramas-Uypitching. Atty. Tangente’s offer at Florjacint Building (near West City Elementary School) , Cervantes Street, Dumaguete City, While that of Mr Uypitching’s offer is located at the Uypitching Multipurpose Hall (UMPH) at Valencia, Negros Oriental. Who could say “no” to these generous offers from PICPA’s very supportive Past Presidents?

May 18, 2024* – The PICPA Negros Oriental Chapter celebrated a significant milestone with the blessing of their new office space. The event took place at Room 4, Florjacint Building, Cervantes Street, near West City Elementary School. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was a highlight of the event, led by current president Rovelen Visor, president-elect Atty. Fe Marie Tagle, and donor Atty. Florence Tangente.

Following the blessing, the 2nd Quarter General Membership Meeting commenced. Highlights of the meeting are the Treasurer’s Report—presenting the financial statement of the chapter for the 2nd quarter of FY 2023-2024, and the President’s Report—presenting the activities conducted by the chapter.

PICPAns Excelling in Excel

June 14, 2024

By: Kristine A. Templado, CPA

Dumaguete City, June 14, 2024 – The Bethel Guest House on Rizal Boulevard was filled with learnings as both CPAs and non-CPAs gathered for the highly anticipated seminar, "Excel for Accounting and Finance Professionals." The event, was a resounding success, drawing participants eager to enhance their Excel skills.

The seminar was lauded for its engaging format. The speaker, Mr. Eric J. Magcale, provided participants with the same files to work on, allowing for a hands-on learning experience. Attendees completed Excel tasks alongside the speaker, ensuring practical application of the concepts discussed.

Learning to Manage Stress and 4th Qtr GMM

June 14, 2024

By: Kristine A. Templado, CPA

Dumaguete City, June 14, 2024 – The PICPA Negros Oriental Chapter hosted a highly informative seminar on "Mental Health and Stress Management" at their office in the Florjacint Building, Cervantes Street. The event, which began at 1:00 pm, featured Dr. Aileen Rosette M. Felix, the esteemed Director of the NORSU Gender and Development Center, as the keynote speaker. The seminar was very engaging, as the participants shared real life experiences and got professional pieces of advice from the speaker, an expert herself in the field of mental health.

Following the seminar, the 4th quarter general membership meeting was held. Key highlights included the President's Report by Rovelen G. Visor, Treasurer's Report by Mary Vanessa P. Amahit, and FY 2024-2025 Balanced Scorecard by President-Elect Atty. Fe Marie D. Tagle. In addition, PICPA EVR Junior Director Marylou Tan shed light to PICPAns as she shared statements from incoming PICPA National President’s statement, that the PICPA National Office will take actions to resolve matters on PICPA’s suspension of CPD accreditation as CPD provider.

Attendees were treated to free snacks, coffee, and refreshments. Of course, those who stayed until the end of the event are rewarded with the opportunity to “Sharon”. PICPA events wouldn’t be complete without the “Putos Committee”.

PICPA NegOr Practitioners Meet RDO 079 for EOPT Info

May 22, 2024

By: Kristine A. Templado, CPA

Dumaguete City, May 22, 2024 – A significant dinner meeting was held at Sol De Luna Cafe, bringing together public practitioners from Negros Oriental and personnel from BIR RDO079 Dumaguete City. The event, which commenced at 6:00 pm, focused on the newly passed Ease of Paying Taxes Law (EOPT).

The meeting was graced by the presence of BIR RDO 079 Revenue District Officer Remedios “Sonny” Advincula, Jr., who played a pivotal role in addressing the attendees. The primary agenda revolved around discussing the implications of the new law and its provisions during the transition period.

During the meeting, public practitioners raised several concerns, which were met with clarifications from the BIR personnel. The open dialogue fostered collaborative efforts between the public and the BIR to ensure smooth implementation.

Negros Oriental CPAs in Education Joined NACPAE’s ATC @ UST

June 13-15, 2024

By: Ma. Rosalina Arara-Besario,CPA,Ph.D.

Accounting educators representing the education sector of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Negros Oriental joined over 300 of their colleagues at the 31st Annual Accounting Teachers' Conference (ATC) held at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila. This year's conference, from June 13th to 15th, had a theme "Beyond Licensure Examination for CPAs: Redefining the Roles of Accounting Teachers in Sustaining the Accounting Profession." The event focused on an extensive discussion among educators, industry leaders, and regulatory bodies on the continually evolving landscape of accounting education and practice, specifically on the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) and its sustainability.

Day 1: June 13, 2024

Stepping onto the UST campus, attendees were surrounded by its erudite ambiance, proof of centuries of academic tradition. The conference took place in the UST Grand Alumni Hall. The conference greeted the attendees with an exceptionally organized registration process. The NACPAEs registration process is always the best. Upon arrival, participants went directly to the registration table, got their kits, and settled.

At 9 am, the conference offered the attendees the “Kapihan with Accounting Teachers and Industry Representatives.” This session, a platform for healthy discussions, was dedicated to the sustainability of accounting education and strategies to strengthen the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) program in the Philippines. The esteemed Prof. Patricia M. Empleo, Ph.D. Dean of UST, College of Accountancy, delivered the main lecture. The session's panel of reactors, a collective of industry leaders, included Mr. Roderick M. Danao, CPA, Chairman and Senior Partner, PwC Philippines; Ms. Sharon G. Dayoan, CPA, Chairman and CEO, KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co.; Mr. Romualdo V. Murcia III, CPA, Chairman and Managing Partner, P&A Grant Thornton; and Mr. Wilson P. Tan, CPA, Chairman and Managing Partner, SGV & Co. Their expertise and insights added depth to the discussions, making the session extremely informative.

Following this, a discussion was held on aligning the BSA curriculum with the new Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination (CPALE) syllabus.

Hon. Noe G. Quiñanola, Ph.D., Chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy, and Prof. Arnel Onesimo O. Uy, Ph.D., Chairman of the CHED Technical Committee for Accountancy, were the key speakers.

The conference formally opened in the afternoon with several events. Coro Tomasino sang the UST hymn, and Ms. Ruth E. Chew, Vice President - Internal, administered the Oath of CPAs. Ms. Jasmin May P. Baniaga, Chair of the 31st Accounting Teachers' Conference and NACPAE Vice President—External, declared the conference open. Rev. Fr. Isaias Antonio D. Tiongco, O.P., JCD, acting rector of the University of Santo Tomas, warmly welcomed all attendees. Hon. Maria Sheila Honrado Lacuña-Pangan gave her message and warmly welcomed the conference participants to the City of Manila.

Keynote Address and Technical Sessions

Ms. Heide L. Mendoza, CPA, former Commissioner of the Commission on Audit, delivered an informative keynote address on the symbolic relationship between government, society, and the university. The afternoon session was continued with three technical sessions. Technical Session 1 covered Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Designing the Right Classroom for a Productive Learning Experience by Assistant Professor Pilar I. Romero, Ph.D. The session discussed creating an inclusive and equitable classroom environment that promotes productive learning experiences for students from diverse backgrounds. Technical Session 2 was about Education in Ethics: Teachers as Purveyors of Ethical Leadership, with Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta as the presenter. This session emphasized the crucial role of educators in instilling ethical values and leadership qualities in future accountants. Technical 3 was about Dress for Success: Putting on a Professional Image for Accounting Teachers. Asst. Prof. Jorren T. Rocamora, Ph.D., did the presentation. This session highlighted the importance of professional attire and image in enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of accounting teachers.

Gabi ng Pasasalamat

The evening was dedicated to recognizing the pillars of accountancy education, followed by a dinner, fellowship night, and the presentation of candidates for the Board of Trustees members election for FY 2024-2025. During this event, special recognition was given to Attorney Valix and Dean' Irog' Ledesma for their significant contributions to the success of NACPAE and all CPAs who they mentored while they were with the academe. The sentiment, "We owe it to our educators—teachers, professors, and reviewers—to express our gratitude and congratulations," resonated throughout the evening, highlighting the community's deep appreciation for their dedication and impact. Sponsors of NACPAE's Faculty Development Programs were also recognized during the night.

Day 2: June 14, 2024

On day 2, the focus was on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the accounting profession and education. The conference wrapped up the day with five sessions. Technical Session 4 explored AI in the Accounting Profession: Ensuring the Responsible Use of AI in the Practice of Accountancy, with Hon. Noe G. Quiñanola as the speaker. The session explored the responsible integration of AI technologies in accounting practices to improve efficiency while upholding professional standards. Technical Session 5 addressed AI in Accounting Education: Boon or Bane? Atty. Josefe C. Sorrera-Ty led this session, discussing the benefits and drawbacks of incorporating AI into the accountancy profession.

The questions raised included whether AI will have a positive impact on the accountancy profession, especially in accounting education, by making it more efficient, effective, and relevant or whether it might lead to negative consequences such as potentially replacing human professionals, limiting critical thinking skills, or creating other unforeseen problems. Technical Session 6, presented by Dr. Rolando R. Lansigan, covered AI-enhanced Pedagogies for Sustainable Accounting Education, introducing innovative AI-driven teaching methods to support sustainable accounting education. Lastly, Technical Session 7 addressed the topic of AI and Professional Accountants: Is AI Coming for Your Job? This session explored the impact of AI on accounting jobs and discussed how professionals can adapt to technological advancements. Mr. Allan W. Ocho, CPA, concluded the session with the statement: “The future belongs to those who see AI not as a threat but as a tool for growth. Let’s choose to embrace AI, for the true risk lies in falling behind by those who do.” Technical Session 8, led by Prof. Florenz C. Tugas, Ph.D., CPA, focused on AI and Ethics: AI for the Good of Humanities, Societies, and Environment, exploring the ethical implications of AI in accounting and its potential to benefit society and the environment. The day concluded with research presentations from various contributors, showcasing innovative studies and findings in the field of the accounting profession.

Day 3: June 15, 2024

The final day focused on sustainability reporting and assurance. Key sessions included Technical Session 10, Developing the Course Plan for Sustainability Reporting and Sustainability Assurance. Dr. Fermin Antonio D.R. Yabut. This session provided recommendations for practitioners developing course plans and programs incorporating sustainability reporting and assurance. Technical Session 11 was about Preparing the Accounting Teachers for Sustainability Reporting in the Philippines. The speaker was Mr. Benjamin N. Villacorte. This session aimed at equipping accounting educators with the knowledge and skills necessary for teaching sustainability reporting in the Philippines.

The conference concluded at around 10 am with a closing program highlighting a talk from the NACPAE's President, Asst. Professor Francisco M. Caliwan Jr., CPA. Professor Caliwan reiterated the NACPAE's commitment to ongoing professional development. He also assured accountancy teachers and professionals that AI will not replace them if they remain relevant and continue upskilling. He highlighted NACPAE's commitment to conducting more training sessions on digital literacy and accounting information systems and controls in the next fiscal year, ensuring that educators are well-equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of the accounting profession.

Another significant event during the conference's closing was signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between NACPAE and Real Excellence Online (REO) Philippines. This MOA marks a crucial partnership in the pursuit of continuous faculty development.

An Afternoon of City Adventures

While the afternoon was initially planned for a team-building activity at the Enchanted Kingdon in Laguna, unforeseen circumstances led the conference team to change the plan. Instead, participants embarked on a spontaneous adventure through the city! After lunch, participants set off on a journey to explore the heart of Manila. The participants ended the tour with unlimited rides at Star City. Laughter and shared moments of excitement created memories that will be cherished. The group then dispersed; some headed to the airport for their flight back home, and others had their flight early the next day.

As the day ended and the thrill of the rides subsided, our group dispersed. Some headed straight to the airport for their homeward journeys, while others prepared for flights the following day. Despite the unexpected changes, our unity and the shared experiences of laughter, exploration, and creating lasting memories made it a day to remember.

The 31st Annual Accounting Teachers' Conference (ATC) at the University of Santo Tomas was a huge success. It brought together over 300 accounting educators from different regions to discuss and redefine the roles of accounting teachers in today's changing professional landscape. The conference provided a platform for in-depth discussions on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability in accounting education and practice. Respected industry leaders and educators led technical sessions, keynote addresses, and panel discussions that benefited the attendees. These sessions emphasized the importance of ethical leadership, inclusivity in education, and the responsible integration of AI in accounting practices.