Sic Parvis Magna

“Sic Parvis Magna” – Thus great things come from small beginnings, this was the belief of Sir Francis Drake, one of the most famous strategists and privateers that had lived in the 16th century. An aphorism I would adapt to remind me of where I want to be.

I’ve always viewed the accounting profession as a two way path – either you go for external reporting (financial statement preparation, audit, and taxation) or internal reporting (cost & management accounting, and consultancy). I already confided myself to take the internal reporting path because I believe it is dynamic between the two. Having been employed as a management accountant in a multinational BPO, I’ve experienced interacting with a lot of business executives and learning from them. It also has a great sense of responsibility because, as consultants, what you advise to leaders often stirs up the organization to that direction as well. Whereas financial accounting has guidelines in reporting fairly financial results to stakeholders, management accounting uses simple logic and straightforward computations in reporting results of operation while driving them to act on matters to improve sustainability or growth. It was only then natural for me to get the credential for management reporting the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) title.

I started to do some research on how to get it and my readings took me to the IMA site where I also decided that it would be the most relevant for me because the headquarters of my company is located in the US. I also learned that IMA is endorsing Wiley CMA Review materials as their partner so I hurried to their site to get information where I can get it. This is where I learned of Insights Financial Review School as the official distributor of the materials in Philippines. What was supposed to be an initial email regarding the price of study materials (Wiley CMAexcel is the approved study material) became the official start of my CMA journey.

I met Sir Angel and instantly laid him my plans on taking the exams. I told him that I will be taking it on October 2014 since I needed time to prepare both mentally and financially. But he challenged me to take the exams earlier in the May/June window! It was from here that he invited me to his office as it would be best to discuss it personally rather than email exchanges. Perhaps it was his genuine sense of desire to help that I accepted his challenge though I was extremely reluctant. So my plan was pretty simple, take Part Two in May as I would need more time to review it while Part One will be delayed to June because I have more familiarity on its exam coverage.

Unlike before when I prepared for the CPA (Phil.) where I was a full time student back then, now I’m a full time employee and a part time student. I was always amazed by stories of people who worked while taking CPA board exams and passing it. Now I have the chance to experience it (though I only have two comprehensive exam parts compared to their 8) and it thrilled me more than anything. This is where time management is a critical success factor. There has to be a balance between work responsibility, study and that thing called “life”.

I know this has been mentioned like a million times before but I guess what they fail to emphasize is CONSISTENCY, all those careful planning will mean nothing if the plan will not be followed strictly. I was so determined to follow my schedule that even when I close my eyes, all I see is the word consistency in order to remind me of the task at hand. I made it a point to always answer multiple choice questions a day, even if it’s only for five items. I remember I had to receive notes and questions, a day before the exam just to make sure that I’d get the net tax effect on cash flow from sale of old asset in capital budgeting.

Of course this journey would not be one without any sacrifices. There was less socializing for me during company events; no summer outing in Palawan or Boracay; no scheduled trips for an out of town with family or friends. Virtually any time I could save away from work, I devoted to study. There were times that I wanted to just quit only to realize that it was I who wanted this in the first place and I have no right to complain. It was during these times that my determination was tested. Whenever I feel exhaustion, I’d tell myself to go back to the day I decided I’ll be a CMA with all the reasons I had back then and how I can let down all the people who helped me as well. Surprisingly it’ll move me off my bed and get to work on answering those exercises. Again, consistency is the key because it becomes a habit. And when it becomes a habit, you don’t have to drag yourself to answer questions, like breathing it becomes second nature to you.

A support system is very important to any candidate who wishes to pass the exam. I was very fortunate to have very supportive people around me while I was doing this. I had the best coach in Sir Angel, up until now I kind a feel the shiver when he messages me on Facebook with “How are you Ken?” and then I’d be like “Oh my! I haven’t finished yet the questions he gave me to answer!” A very supportive family who prepares the food I eat to the clothes I wear. They make sure everything is taken care of and that I have nothing to worry about. My team and bosses at work were helpful too. They would let me leave office earlier than usual so I can have ample time to review.

I believe the most important of all, the Almighty Father who had given me the opportunity to experience all of these. I would take this time to say my deepest “Thank You” to all. Know that none of this would have been possible if not for your individual contribution, patience and understanding.

I also think that a candidate must also stay healthy by taking necessary nutrition during the course of preparation. Remember that all the hard work will not pay-off if you’re sick during the examination day. Also, have time to relax. Putting too much pressure on something will break it and it could be you. In addition, reading success stories from other candidates who passed was helpful for me. It made me more inspired knowing that they have struggled too but was able to overcome it; if they did it, then so can you and I!

Finally I know that passing Part Two is only a portion of the beginning. I’m still waiting with Part One results and I’m extremely hopeful that I make it as well. I think the real challenge still lies ahead, after the certification has been awarded. It must be put into good use – by giving value in the organization. More than the mastery of knowledge, I believe that the CMA certificate is also a testament to the bearer’s character.

A CMA is a proven challenge taker, one who focuses the drive and perseveres to achieve their goals to become successful. I hope with all of this I am able to spark a fire somewhere and I would strongly recommend that you act upon it swiftly.

For always remember, great things come from small beginnings – SIC PARVIS MAGNA.

About the Author – Kenneth Lapez is a graduate of Colegio de San Juan de Letran in 2006, and passed and earned his CPA license in the same year. He is presently connected with Accenture Philippines as a Finance Specialist for more than five years now. Eyeing for a solid role as business consultant, he pursued the CMA designation early this year and had recently completed the requirements of the CMA Program, passing both parts of the CMA examinations in May/June 2014 testing window.

A Marvelous Detour

How do you tell a story when its climax is yet to unfold?

It’s a question I was tempted to ask Sir Angel, my mentor – but better decided not to. After all, I’ve already said “sure” to the task, hadn’t I?

So here I am. After passing hours of thoughts adrift and heaving sighs I lost count on, let me share to you my CMA journey…

It was the in-between of finals week and graduation when I was formally introduced to the path of becoming a CMA.  Though snippets about a certification for management accountants had been going around before, it was too short-lived to turn “interests” into actual “commitments”. On top of that, my mind is already preoccupied on planning that out-of-the-country vacation I have been saving for so long. Singapore, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia were in fact among the places pinned; and setting foot on the land of Wiley, Gleim or Hock is absolutely far off the grid.

However, my life – as always – had been an endless string of ironies.

While bracing myself for a last round of battle against one of my management subjects, Sir Randell, an accounting instructor in our college who is also under the mentorship of Sir Angel and not to mention among the new CMA passers, approached and offered me the ticket to this wholly unexpected trip. On the same day, I received a Facebook friend invite from “The Angel Valdenor Secerio” and upon accepting, was asked if I am interested in discussing the details of the program. As I said, I’m already set to what I want to do after graduation and NOTHING can pull me out of it. But perhaps inquiring “a little” about this opportunity will not hurt. Besides, this man is but a stranger who is miles away and the person I could least expect to drive me down a detour.

I underestimated him though – and missed the most obvious sign. The man is named “Angel” for a damn good reason! Not only was he prompt in responding to my questions but had the tenacity of a real angel as well when I almost let the chance slip away.

My justifications on turning down the offer at first were: too expensive (despite the privilege of availing a student discount), too soon (final exams are not even over), too late (already singing “Leaving on a Jet Plane”), too risky (could be a scam), too tired (give me a break) and the list went on. But truth is, all my excuses boils down to this…I was simply too scared – of the uncertainty, by the thought of failing and of the soundness of my capabilities.

In reconsidering the offer, I had to read and reread Sir Angel’s message countless of times until a point where I had to weigh between which taste I’d rather endure later on – the temporary bitterness of failure or the perpetual pungency of curiosity. Obviously, with fingers crossed, I picked the former. At an instant, my course is changed by two brief words, “I’m in”.

From there, everything seemed to have gone so fast. Before I can even make sense of what I just put myself into, I am officially a member of IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) and had registered for a 2-part exam.

The review stage was rigorous and demanding. And when an e-mail promises voluminous test drills? Buckle up because, indeed, “voluminous” knows how to live to its promise. With no exaggeration, it was my four-year undergrad accounting exams jammed in a three-month review. Through every unfamiliar intricate topic aggravated by the sweltering summer heat came the strong urge to desert the flight. But I’ve already taken off and lost sight of the ground hence there is no going back.

Then days turned into weeks…weeks into months…and alas, I have arrived at my destination (or checkpoint rather)! The actual exam is certainly everything you can expect from securing such a world-class title. It will not only drain your energy but also all that confidence you’ve earnestly tried to build-up during the months of review. And just when you thought you’ve scaled the most difficult phase, the agony of waiting will immediately prove you wrong – an agony from which I am yet to be released.

In view of this, I still couldn’t offer much on the “secret formula” to passing. However, in the context of taking risks, here’s what I’ve learned.

Everything starts and ends with you. The world can throw all the best opportunities on your way but it’s up to you to seize them. I’m not saying that the answer should always be a yes. It’s okay to take a moment and ask yourself, “Can I do this?” Definitely. “Will I succeed?” Well, that’s where risk comes aboard. You may or you may not. Nevertheless, you will realize as you go along that the more precious intangibles – such as the new bonds and lessons – are the ones that truly make the whole journey worth taking. But just in case you do fail…Guess what? You are not the first in history and life goes on! As for the climax of my story, I can only imagine the Big Boss from above calling out, “Coming soon, Erika”.

CMA, A Title Once Only A Vision
Julie Ann Orosco, CPA, CMA

What started only as a vision has now become a reality.  With the increase in the number of professionals in the finance and accounting industry, constant learning and update is critical to maintain one’s competitive edge.  Taking an international license not only shows your mastery and knowledge on the subject matter, but also indicates your commitment to excellence in the global sense.  With a number of certifications to choose from, it is but natural to be confused on which path to take.  But one thing’s certain, be it CIA, CMA, CFA, CISA and the likes, each is very promising, it will just depend on what you love doing the most.

Being an auditor, a financial analyst, and now, a management accountant, I have realized that analyzing data and reporting it for management has been one of the most enjoying and fulfilling things for me.  During these days, I met Mr. Angel Secerio, the executive director of the Insights Financial Review Services, a professional review course provider for US CPA, CIA and CMA in Manila.  Like a stray cat, he took me in as a student and gave me the opportunity to push through the management accountant career.

Having graduated and passed the CPA licensure exam in 2009, it has already been four years since I read my textbooks and review materials.  What I’ve been reading these days are just magazines, fiction books and online news articles.  Hence, picking up where I left off and moving on to study mode has been a bit hard for me as I now have my work schedule to consider.  Good thing with Insights, my review mates were mostly working as well; so, we share the same sentiment.  As such, we helped motivate each other, on top of Sir Angel’s constant reminder, to endure and push through with the path we’ve chosen.  With the weekly Sunday lecture session at Insights, at least an hour per day of online examinations, periodic comprehensive assessments; I was able to make it through the 2-part CMA examinations.

Having blessed with this new CMA title, I am more driven and excited to share this management-level skills and expertise to add value and drive business performance that can contribute to the success of the organization I am with.  I know that this is only the start, but being part of the Institute of Management Accountants, I am fairly sure that my knowledge and career opportunities will expand with their best practices to maintain their members’ competitive advantage.

As a last note, I would like to give my big thanks to our Almighty Father for this wonderful blessing; as well as to Insights, Sir Angel, my reviewers, my review mates, my family and friends for sharing this bumpy yet fulfilling CMA path with me.

Julie Ann Orosco, CPA, CMA

CMA, A Journey Worth Taking
Kenji Asano Jr., CPA, MBA, CMA

As a Licensed Accountant and a Masters Degree holder, I kept searching for further challenges that will make me not only a better accountant but also an excellent decision maker. Criteria such as international certification, in-depth analysis, and competitive skills are the main factors which influenced me to explore the world of CMA, the Certified Management Accountant. This certification and further studies challenged me to develop not only my scientific skills but more on my analytical ability to weigh each decision possibility and its effects.

Moving to reach my goal and dream, I had come across Mr. Angel Secerio Jr., Program Director of the exclusively accredited CMA review course provider in the Philippines, the Insights Financial Review Services. With Sir Angel and through Insights, I have come closer to my dreams to become a CMA professional in the world of work. Insights have pushed, shared and even accompanied me through my step by step registration, learning, and even processing my certification with IMA. Insights had been my close friend as I battle my difficult time management skills balancing my CMA study for the two-part examination and of course my incumbent corporate work.

As I had poured in my time, energy and even social schedules in preparing for my CMA examination, Insights helped me through its review lectures, accredited CMA books and materials, the Wiley CMA Learning System, and also evaluation examinations to test whether I am prepared for my final battle.

After all my efforts had been put into this CMA certification, I successfully and completely passed the 2-part CMA certification program last February 28, 2014. I am now bearing the certificate to put the suffix “CMA” annexed to my name. I am now more confident and competitive to be an asset not only of my company but also the greatest organization in my life…my family. I have upgraded my level of knowledge in the fields of finance, cost accounting, economics, and the most important, critical decision making. Thus, as I occupy a vital responsibility in my organization, I am now fully equipped to serve and lead as a Certified Management Accountant.

Thank you Sir Angel, Insights and of course to my family and friends who have been part of this worth taking journey!

Choosing The Road Less Travelled
Randel Da Dalire, CPA, U.S. CMA Passers

I could still vividly remember when my dad taught me to drive a motorcycle whenever we went to the farm. His instruction was simple – ‘follow the track others drove through,’ eagerly pointing at the road lines where other riders went through. As early as then, I wanted to ask him “how about driving through a new track, and not always following others?”

Since childhood, I always had the appetite to take the roads less travelled since childhood, and that attitude was reinforced by famous people we meet in history. The inventor of Tae Bo, Billy Blanks, quoted “To succeed, particularly early in life, you have to grab on to the thing that separates you from the herd, something that you love intrinsically, and go for it, all out.”

When I entered the academe with a fresh Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License last year, a lot of people were asking why I did not choose public practice or instead work for multinational companies, since most of new passers enter audit firms or become employed with private companies. I couldn’t sign audit reports until after three years, because I know I still need to learn a lot. Global competitiveness fascinates me – such an awesome undertaking to embark on.

Barely two months after the rigors of the CPA board examination, I met Sir Angel V. Secerio through a facebook chat expressing my utmost interest (or call it obsession) in the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential. I was worried of the financial requirements in gaining the certification, thus I planned to take the exam later the next year. It was a huge investment, and I was half-hearted when I was given the initial forecast of fees, not until I learned of the exclusive 50% discount given to fulltime instructors. My bill would be slashed in half, and before I knew it, I was filling out the Insights registration form after being offered a flexible payment plan. I eventually agreed to schedule my exam two months after, which I was happy about, as soon as I received my review materials after Christmas of 2013.

I was leisurely talking to close friends and celebrating the holidays, watching the TV Series Suits when I received the complete set of Wiley CMA Review Materials last December 2013. I told myself “this is it.” The size of the books was overwhelming, some twice my definition of a ‘large book’ in the undergraduate, (two books of that size), plus another two books of compressed outlines. I will be celebrating my 2nd decade birthday 3 days onwards, and there were the four Wiley books at my doorstep waving at me. I always wanted to pursue the CMA title, but that was one of the few days I smiled and jokingly told myself “be careful what you wish for”. So I scanned, smiled at every familiar topic, and got the chill with every unfamiliar topic I saw. I ended up chilling that day, so I planned out a review schedule to start after my birthday.

When work resumed in January, I started using the Wiley online testbank. It was just as overwhelming as the books, daunted at seeing the “unanswered questions” versus the “answered correctly” and “answered incorrectly.” It was then that I disapproved the thought that it was as simple as the Management Advisory Services in the Philippine CPA Board Exam. I knew a two-month preparation plus work was Herculean, certainly not enough to cover all topics, so I ended up categorizing topics according to time allocation. I lingered studying for Part 2 Exam, which covers most of the topics not taken up in the undergraduate like international investment terminologies, US GAAP vis-à-vis IFRS, investment topics unique to US, and US Laws on Financial Reporting and Auditing such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

The two-month preparation was way fast-tracked. I planned a quota of 100 MCQs per day in each of the parts the test bank, but I knew I still need to read through the theory parts. Just like the BIR missing earnings targets, I always answered short of my quota per day, hence adding more and more to my backlogs. I scheduled reading during my free time in the office, but each time didn’t always finish the schedule topic, which replaced my schedule at night assigned to answering the test banks. In most instances, I got too tired after work that I needed to take a good rest. It was mad race against time, against ensuring that I covered all important topics within schedule while ensuring mastery. As the exam date drew closer from months to weeks, I honestly began to worry a lot. I prayed for the topics I did not understand, asking God to shuffle the testbank excluding those topics, or to give me only easy questions instead. The earliest sleeping time was 1AM, and I needed to be ready for work by 7AM. Nevertheless, though the stream of topics was overwhelming, the pacing and strategies of the Wiley Testbank and other Wiley materials greatly helped me to reach ‘safe-zone’ scores. Just as when you thought you learned enough after the CPA Board exam, going global demands lifetime learning. Wiley materials remind financial professionals that: “Wait, there’s more [to learn].” I travelled to Manila a day ahead of the exam schedule. I entered the building ahead of time, so I had a chance to calm down the excitement rush inside the prayer room. I entered the Prometric testing center, verified my schedule, and was instructed to leave everything in the locker, even my rosary. I only got my red hanky inside, which I needed to spread before entering the testing room. The strategy at answering MCQs was the same, you can leave questions consuming much time. On answering the essays, I typed every key as if the keyboard was moving away with time, and I knew I was making noise. On honest regard, the two exam days were filled with the rush of experiencing something new, especially when I realize, “hey, I’m in Ateneo dude!”, and it’s CMA!

The next six weeks was an ‘agony in the garden.’ Waiting for the exam result was like singing “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri – an LSS on the line “I have died everyday waiting for you.” Of all the questions asked, all I dreamt about were the questions I knew I answered incorrectly. That was when I asked myself ‘what about the rush?’ of taking the exam with barely two months to prepare when I could have sat for the testing window in June. I remembered I was not well prepared for the February exam.

April 11. I was in Manila for an audit field work in the Philippine Cooperative Center in Quezon City. I received an SMS from Insights asking me to check my mail and give them a feedback right away. Time stood still. I occasionally sipped coffee to calm my nerves. While I was doing an aging analysis for their receivables, an unknown contact called me up. I knew it was not a domestic call, with a number extension +968, I knew it was Sir Angel. It took a bit of courage to answer my phone, and I greeted him “Hello sir!”

“Hey Randell how’s everything?”

“Okay lang po ako sir. Nasa Manila po ako, nakafield po sir. May result na raw po pero ichecheck ko po mamaya” I answered. I planned to secretly peek at the results after the call, so I can pretend I did not take the exam in case I fail, but I stumbled when I realized, “pero wait sir, ‘di ba may access po kayo sa account ko?”

“Hahaha. It’s ok. You passed!” was all he answered. I was like a delighted 5 year-old boy receiving a dream helicopter toy. And it took a bit of time lag to confirm: “Talaga sir? Whoah. Sure na po ba?” I came back to the ‘doubting Thomas’.

“Yes, you made it Randell!” was few of the best words I heard from a very supportive mentor. Even the staff in PCC was overwhelmed, and I couldn’t contain such excitement any further, so though it was my first time to conduct a field work in PCC, we had a good time smiling at another God’s blessing. Again, it’s CMA dude!

It took a lot of courage, self-confidence, and faith in God. Two months straight preparation brought back the exam anxiety during the CPA board, only it’s an entirely new level, and it also brought back the unwavering hope of reaching the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’. Warm congratulations from friends after conquering one of the most sought-after certifications worldwide is an honor and a privilege, indeed.

I have a long list of reasons to be thankful for, but on top of it is our Almighty God, who always conquers my stubbornness in reviewing my notes by renewing my strength every day, for his wonderful ways, for every great people he sends in my life. Again, I still could not believe that Sir Angel, whom I only met through facebook, offered me flexible payment terms for the fees barely five days after we met, mentored me all throughout my review, and was the one who called me up all the way from Oman to tell the great news. I’ve already passed the two part exam, but I am yet to meet him in person. Some might think of it as coincidence, but in reality, it’s God’s plan that’s slowly working out. Undeniably, it is one of the best pleasures in life – to witness how his blessings unfold to those who believe in him. At the end of the day, we are all, in fact, entrusted with duties to accomplish great things. In so doing, we are in turn privileged that we may help others accomplish theirs.

And as for me, great achievements spring from a steadfast commitment – a single-minded passion for what we do; an unwavering desire for excellence in the way we think and the way we work. Genuine commitment is what launches us out of bed in the morning, and through the day with a spring in every step. No matter how short the preparation time is, the most basic things should be done, quoting from the words of Padre Pio – “pray, hope and don’t worry.”

My memory is still glued at the “Congratulations!” part of my e-mail from the ICMA Senior VP, Sir Dennis Whitney. For young Filipinos with ambition, there is really no other way to go than to go global, and as for me, dreams are really one of the few great things God purposefully made without limits. Dreams are the ones which separate us from the herd. Dreams define our potentials, our motivations, and our attitude at pushing out limits – the imbued burning passion to conquer the world is every Filipino’s dream. We have just begun doing things we are known to be good at.

Taking the road less travelled such as entering the academe gives us academicians a headstart and an extra mile. My extra mile was not passing the 2-Part CMA Exam, but instead the courage to take the risk, to invest, against all odds, all out, and at all cost. The extra mile was doing things we have never done, to achieve things we have never achieved before.

It pays to move out from the crowd and dare to make a difference.

To God be All the Glory.

Reaching for the Star

From being a scavenger of junk to being the first ever The Voice Kids Grand Winner… That is Lyca Gairanod’s Cinderella story.

Her powerful performance of Basang basa sa Ulan, originally by the local band Aegis, captured the heart of the viewers thus earning her a standing ovation not to mention getting the highest percentage of votes. From not having enough to now owning millions-worth of properties and cash prizes, her life was changed forever. After nine years of poverty, Lyca was able to turn her life around through her God-given talent in singing.

As used by Milo for its tagline, great things indeed start from small beginnings and Lyca is the epitome of this popular saying.

The kid’s story is close to my heart because it reminds me of a friend’s journey to being a Certified Management Accountant (CMA). He did not scavenge junk but instead, scavenged a lot of disappointments before he finally became a CMA.

Failing three times was not easy. It broke his self-esteem in shattered pieces. To fail once was tolerable, twice was breaking but three times? Can you just imagine how so down he felt to not make it the third time? However, like Lyca, he was determined to make his dreams happen. He perfectly knew that the only way was to take the exam again.

And so he did.

He used his disappointments to push himself to give more. He hung on to his faith that he was meant for greater things such as being a CMA, and beyond. He studied night and day and in between breaks during weekdays and was almost an anti-social during weekends. He treated his goal as if his life depended on it. He believed in himself and never entertained negative thoughts during his conquest.

After two to three months of waiting, his determination and commitment to win over his failures rendered him positive result. Alas, he passed. True enough, nothing worth having comes easy. He’s now working as a Senior Finance Analyst in one of the biggest utility companies in the Middle East.

I cannot picture the amount of positivity that my friend still has even after failing three times. Could you?

I guess it’s really just about perspective:  Seeing the glass as half-full rather than half-empty.

Nonetheless, the fact that he never stopped believing in himself played a vital role on his success. His is a story that is worth sharing and also inspiring in so many ways. Perhaps, it’s through his story that we may realize that our failures do not seal our future. What we do after failing in our individual endeavor does. It is not what we achieve but the setbacks that we overcome that really matter. That’s what makes the fruit of every labor and sacrifice so much sweeter.

How we are able to rise above unfortunate situations is what makes us a better person. Like my friend, let us use our failures and struggles to better our self, equipped with the realization that obstacles are thrown our way to test us and our resolve from time to time on how much we really want to achieve our goals.

My Remarkable CMA Journey
Claudine Jade B. Mata, CMA, CPA

Truly, the best things come when you least expect them to. My journey to CMA is really an unpremeditated and an unexpected one, but I cannot repudiate for a second that becoming the first SPCian to pass the Certified Management Accountant Examinations is one of the momentous and the most remarkable I have ever accomplished.

My voyage started when God sent an Angel in disguise granting me a scholarship for the CMA Program last December. It was an early Christmas gift from Him. At first I thought it was a hoax, but soon I realized that it was not, thus I grabbed it immediately.

Pressure hovered all around my whole being because I did not want to fail Sir Angel, the Director of Insights Financial Review Services, who approved assistance for the course. I gathered straightaway all review materials I could use for the exams together with the resources Insights provided me. It was Christmas Seasons and on Christmas Day itself, I was supposed to relax and enjoy, but I chose to linger with my pen and calculator, and train for the battle with them. The same was the scenario during the New Year’s Day. January made me as busy as a bee; I ought to attend review classes in Insights during Sundays where I needed to travel all the way from the province. I had a tough time dividing myself between school and review since I needed to be physically and mentally present in school activities, take term quizzes and exams, and accomplish the thesis which was the most time consuming of all. The bags under my eyes became luggages because of sleepless nights. The only side effect I loved was the loss of the flabs in my stomach which I kept for years.

My Part 1 exam schedule was on Feb. 21st. I was utterly devastated on that day, not because the exam was difficult. I was not allowed by Prometric Testing Center proctor to take the exam because, according to her, my IDs were “not acceptable”. Having appealed the matter to IMA, I was then permitted to take Part 2 on Feb. 26th. Unfortunately, rescheduling Part 1 became tough though, for no single date in the remaining days in February was available in Prometric Makati. The only option left was to fly and schedule it in Cebu. With the help of Insights, Part 1 Exam was rearranged in Cebu and I was able to take it.

Waiting for the results was the most heart throbbing times for me. I found Part 1 more difficult than Part 2, and I felt really uneasy about it. I kept on praying, and offering and writing requests in the Carmelite Monastery so that the Dear Sisters there would pray for me as well, believing that they are closer to God than I am. God didn’t fail me. He never did. All sacrifices and hard works pay off as I received the confirmation for passing both parts of the CMA Exams. It was like, “Hey I’m ready to die. Shoot a gun on me. Wait– NO! Not yet!” It was a mixture of contentment and anticipation. Hooray!

The road was not really a rough one for me. It was just deceiving due to the circumstances, but the fact isn’t. Maybe because I’ve got the best people behind who pushed me, supported me, motivated and inspired me to keep striving. I would like to take this opportunity to send my deepest gratitude to each of them.

First, my enormous thanks to Insights specifically to Sir Angel for believing in my capabilities, for granting me the scholarship, for providing all the materials I needed, and for assisting me all throughout this journey.

Second, I would like to show appreciation to San Pablo Colleges, its Board of Trustees, for the Academic Scholarship they have given believing that I deserve to enjoy its privileges. I was able to study and finish my degree in Accountancy for free almost. Thank you SPC for developing me as a total person.

Third, my acknowledgement to Dean Olivia Oabel and to all my Professors especially Sir Rene Belen for being so supportive and considerate when I failed to comply on time with your class requirements, and for allowing me to be excused in all classes due to the Examinations, for enriching my mind not only with the subject matter, but also with values and ideals.

Fourth, my huge thanks to my Family – my parents and siblings (particularly to Kenneth and Kristina) for taking care of me, for the love and assistance you have tendered.

Fifth, thanks to all my friends and classmates, mainly for the moments where you made me laugh and somehow forget the weights in life.

Next, my sincerest thanks to Alfredo Belen, Jr., for the love, care, and support you’re giving, for helping me in becoming prepared for the Exams in all aspects, and for the inspiration. Thank you for bringing out all the best in me.

I would also like to thank everyone who had prayed in behalf of me for the success of the Exams, and for believing and reminding me that I am capable of accomplishing it. I thank you for being certain that I am worthy for all these blessings.

And of course, the greatest thanks to the Lord our God, the provider of everything. Thank You Lord for all the blessings even though I know that I do not deserve most of these, for the wisdom, for Your guidance, for staying by my side, for listening and answering my prayers. You never fail me, Oh Lord despite my iniquities and shortcomings.

Someone always tells me, “Everything that has a beginning has an end.”, but let me just add, that for every ending is a new beginning. May this be a constant reminder to everyone, that no matter how sorrowful and devastating, or successful and prosperous the ending of each story in our life is, there is always a room to start over to correct the mistakes we have committed, to stand up and try again despite the failures, to improve ourselves by learning from our experiences, to aspire more and dream bigger, to achieve and accomplish our goals which are to be set higher, to continue the good deeds and not end them, but end those which made us uncomfortable and made us unworthy of ourselves and what we have, to never give up and lose hope, and to always have faith to the Lord our God. As quoted from Thomas A. Edison, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”

My CMA Exams have just ended, and my collegiate days as I marched to get my College Diploma. My journey to this destination is not a smooth sailing one, as I doubt if there is any such thing. It will always be a mixture of sweetness and bitterness. But as it ends, another chapter of my life begins. Lies ahead of me are more challenges, trials, and hardships, but I know that this is just the perfect time to assimilate all learnings and knowledge I have gained for the last 20 years, in order to taste the sweetness of the success and great triumph God placed when He made the master plan of my life. I will never stop praising God for all His works. I know like Steve Rogers said to Bucky Barnes /The Winter Soldier, God is also saying, “I am with you ‘til the end of the line.”

Once again, I’m extending my appreciation and gratitude to God and to all the people who have been a part of my journey, and will always be. Thank you so much!

In The Face Of Strong Adversity

There are times when we believe we have on hand a good plan to achieve our aspirations in life. Just for the sake of hitting the mark, we prepare ourselves physically and emotionally, willing to do everything humanly possible, and apply every thinkable strategy to mitigate, if not obliterate, the possibility of failure. After all, who would like to fail?

Sometimes, though, what we dread most ends up happening anyway. Defeat stares upon us despite following our master plan with utmost diligence. Things go awry as we execute our plan. We’re left to wonder where we had gone wrong; what we could have done better that could have averted the negative result.

Indeed, earning the prestigious CPA title means confronting a worthy adversary. But if, in the face of strong adversity, we decide to surrender our position, feel daunted at the fear of failing once again, if we continue to focus our mind at the fear of receiving another failing score, years from now we will find ourselves being more disappointed by the things that we didn’t do than by the ones we did.

Setbacks happen every now and then in our personal lives, even in our quest for professional and career development. It’s part of every human’s very existence. Not being able to achieve our goals can tend to bring us down and lead us to think that everything we did was just a colossal waste of time.

If you’ve reached this point, there are but two ways your life could go, and it all depends on your attitude and how you accept this “hump”. You could view it as a total failure or as a sign that you shouldn’t have pursued your dream to become a CPA in the first place, which then make you give up on your goal altogether and train your sight somewhere else.

Otherwise, you could view it as an opportunity to learn and do better. As daunting as it may sound, the latter requires uncommon valor, and makes you summon every ounce of courage from inside of you. After all, it’s never easy to pick yourself up, and give it one more again.

Most people will just choose to withdraw, brood about their mistakes, and then stop trying again. Well, it’s the easy way out anyway. But if you’re truly set on achieving your goal, come strong wind and high waters, you will push forth, sail on, ‘til you cross the finish line.

Being able to handle temporary defeat is the key to becoming triumphant in this journey. Many candidates tend to feel utterly discouraged when they encounter setbacks, and allow a failed exam to consume all their energy and will to go forward. Of course, when we don’t achieve our goals, we tend to be plagued with self-doubt, thinking that we’re not good enough, that maybe we should stop our obsession to earn the CPA title.

Rather than seeing it as a failure or as something that puts an end to your hopes and dreams, look at it for what it truly is:  A mere temporary setback that should not hinder you from reaching for your goal. Run a self-check and do the following:

1. Recap what you did. This is a good way for you to see where you went wrong and what you should do better next time.

2. Accept that things didn’t go as expected, and move on. You could dwell on your problems and your mistakes, but that won’t change your situation or bring you any step closer to your goal.

3. Prepare better. This is an offshoot of #1. Once you know where you went wrong, you will be able to take appropriate measures to prevent foreseeable problems in the future.

4. Give yourself time to recover. You don’t have to go for your goals right away. You need time to gather your wits together, as you plan your next move.

Make no mistake. The CPA title is something not to be missed. When things don’t go according to plan, always remember that missed goals are not missed opportunities. Instead, they are opportunities to do things better on your next try.

Allow me to leave you with this inspiring quote:

“The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.” – Vince Lombardi

Never Too Late, Never Too Old
Learn to Lead

Do you know what Richard Branson’s greatest motivation is? It is “to keep challenging myself. I see life almost like one long university education that I never had—each day I am learning something new“.

Most people like to say that they’d like to do and experience everything that they can while they’re still young, insinuating that after a certain age it might be too late. This young generation of technocrats believes that people stop being motivated and creative as they reach middle age.

On the brighter side, this way of thinking can fuel your desire and determination to see and do everything possible while you still have the energy and will to excel at the early stages of your life. I personally know of one colleague who, after earning his baccalaureate degree in accounting and passing the Philippine CPA examination, immediately pursued the MBA course, then the CMA certificate thereafter. At the age of 25, he has a CPA, MBA and CMA title. If you think these are remarkable achievements, wait ’til you hear this other one. He completed his accounting degree and passed the Phil. CPA exam in 2011 at age 20. As family migrated to the U.S. he took and completed all four parts of the Uniform CPA examination last year. This June, he took Part 1 of the CMA examinations.

Sometimes, though, it makes you think that once you hit a certain age and you feel you still haven’t achieved anything in your professional career, you start to believe that you have pretty much failed and that you can’t do anything about it anymore.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there who think that they’ve let so many chances pass by and that they already failed to grab any opportunities in life. Others also tend to adopt the idea that they’re just too old to try and learn anything new, and that whatever they know is sufficient. Thus, many of them just plod along without striving to be better at their jobs or in life, and without exploring any possible new opportunities that could improve their career. They just stop being enthusiastic anymore. Some people become complacent as they mature, and no longer have interest in learning current industry trends. I am glad I fought this off as I realized that even in mid-40s I could still motivate myself to pursue international certifications (CMA and U.S. CPA).

It is important for us to realize that age is indeed nothing more than a number. It doesn’t say anything about one’s ability to learn something new. It doesn’t restrict us from achieving. And it certainly shouldn’t be a barrier to how much we could change and how much better we could become. Opportunities should not just be restricted to younger people, after all. For “old-timers” (like the author), it is imperative that we recognize that having the right attitude and positive outlook in life is still the key factor to success. Equally so, being cautious should not be mistaken with looking at situations or opportunities negatively.

In addition, you want to stay relevant in your field, or at the very least be able to understand what other people are talking about. You don’t want to get left behind, and you certainly don’t want to become the kind of person who just looks on as new developments arise and are unable to get on board because you didn’t bother to learn new things. It is the ability to adapt and embrace change that can bring success to us as professionals.

So the next time you catch yourself thinking that you’re too old to try something new, take a course, or learn how to use a new gadget or software, stop and think for a few minutes. By merely contemplating to pursue a post-graduate course, or to upgrade your skills by enrolling in personality development training or seminars, these already are important indicators as these circumstances show that you still want to learn.

Don’t let others write you off just yet; prove you still can, despite your age.

Life After Conquest

Studying for the CPA examinations is kind of addictive. You may find yourself crawling in the first two weeks in to exam preparation, but as soon as you get your groove going you soon feel something’s lacking each time you do not open your FAR book in a rest day, or knock off a few Wiley exercises on AUD, or listen to your Ninja Audio on REG.

It’s been almost a month since I learned I passed REG, the final leg of my CPA journey. I want to share with you how more meaningful life has become after winning it back.

I had gone for a short stop to Manila in March 2013 to celebrate my victory with my mom, siblings, friends, and employees of our small public transport business, Pamana Transport Services. The feeling is just so consuming when you look back and think about how you had successfully overcome a worthy adversary. Every ounce of sacrifice that I have invested in this journey is truly gratified, with hefty dividend paid in full.

One of my immediate plans is to start writing a book on Financial and Management Accounting and, hopefully, to release it toward the middle of next year. Indeed, life’s opportunities just become too manifest after a professional’s conquest of the CPA title. I have earned my Philippine CPA license more than two decades ago, but having the U.S. CPA title tucked under my belt just takes everything to a whole new level.

From the time I first joined Another71.com as a Ninja candidate way back in 2011 I have seen several Ninja posts shouting at the top of their lungs how jubilant they were upon completing their own CPA journeys, yet oddly asking how they’d now spend loads of their spare time previously allotted to studying. To be honest, my first impression was that these Ninjas were just being plain “arrogant”. Surely, they could always go back to doing what they used to be doing previously was what I thought was just pure logic. They could go back to being the loving, caring dad that they used to, or the wife or mom who consistently takes good care of her husband and kids on a full time scale.

If you’re not among the extraordinary CPA candidates who breezed past the CPA journey in just less than 6 months, chances are you will be able to relate to what I’ll be talking about.

CPA candidates on the average take about 12-24 months to complete the CPA journey. Yes, the often rocky road to success requires you to focus your whole being to studying that long to be able to reach your destination. Deviate from this even for a little and you expose yourself to receiving some heart-breaking 74s and discouraging 60s. And so, all for the sake of conquering this monster we learn how to say no when our kids ask us to play chess or badminton with them.

For a long while I thought I had fallen in love once again, not to a woman thank goodness, but to something known in this community as “CPA”. I knew I was “in the groove” when all I thought about then was studying for my next exam; when nothing else mattered anymore but passing.

When even in deep slumber you could hear Ninja Audios reverberating like a cool sound of morning dew, you are definitely on your way to your CPA.

Then, come the day of emancipation. Freedom. Sheer radiance at the end of the tunnel. Just as any CPA candidate had always looked forward to. Yet you suddenly find yourself disconcerted, confused with mixed feelings.

So, what is life after conquest? Without sounding negative, things will never be the same again. The things that you do and had grown living during your journey will linger on. Whatever it is that you continue doing afterwards is a matter of preference. I chose to continue listening to my REG audio because I didn’t want to lose this precious knowledge about federal taxation that I have already acquired. I still try to knock off about 20 MCQs twice a week for, honestly, how many of you REG passers do still remember the intricate rules on “basis of partner’s interest”?

On the personal aspect of things I am so thankful because my CPA journey has taught me how to reflect on the real value of spending time with the true VIPs of my life: My wife and my children. I missed a lot of quality play time with my kids for almost two years, but now can enjoy life to the fullest by redirecting all my spared energy to the very same people who supported and inspired me in each battle.

After CPA, life is truly no longer the same, because this journey do not only teach us become better accountants but, more importantly, make us become better persons.