“First of Many”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? When I was young, I never saw myself doing anything in the future. I often change my answer when asked about my dream job. Not once did I think of being an accountant. I chose practicality because I was indecisive about what program to take. I enrolled in the Accountancy program of the University of San Carlos. However, I failed the qualifying examinations. With this redirection, I paused, grieved, and picked myself up to explore other options. I could transfer to a different school and continue the program or shift to a different one. Then I found out about the Certified Management Accountant examination from the Facebook page of Insights Financial Review Services Inc. With the nearing start of the school year, I decided to stay in the same University and shift to the Management Accounting (BSMA) program. It was not easy. I faced the discrimination of being a Management Accounting student.
One of the Insights professors mentioned that no medalists were from the BSMA program. He motivated us that we are not “just” Management Accounting students. For the first time, I received validation from someone of authority who is both a CPA and a CMA. The different professors built my confidence, motivating us that I can do more and achieve more. With this, I strived hard and aimed higher. Little did I know that waiting for me was the Student Certificate of Distinguished Performance. I achieved my goal, I brought pride to the BSMA program, and I was able to prove them wrong. I am not “just” a BSMA graduate; I am a BSMA graduate and I am proud of it.
It was attainable with the study materials from Insights, which made reviewing more convenient. The option to know the reason why an answer is wrong for every question helped me understand the concepts more deeply. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Insights team for their assistance. I was very close to taking the exam on two testing windows because of the tight availability of the slots. I would have been disqualified from receiving the award if it happened. More importantly, this was made possible by the professors from Insights, who went out of their way to motivate us, on top of their dedication to teaching the students. Knowing that someone believes in you does wonders. Glory to God!
About the Author:
Jocelyn Faith Sumbi graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting from the University of San Carlos. In September/October 2023, she successfully completed the Certified Management Accountant examination administered by the Institute of Management Accountants, earning the Student Certificate of Distinguished Performance Award for achieving the second highest exam score worldwide. As the first among her peers to receive this honor, Jocelyn exemplifies the exceptional capabilities of BSMA graduates, dispelling any notion that they are merely “only BSMAs.”
