Accountants play key role ‘in sustainable development’

Accountancy is more than a career. It is a fertile ground for leadership, responsibility and accountability. Values that society must always be reminded of.

These are from two certified public accountants (CPAs) in the past 18 to 24 years, asked about the relevance of numbers and accountancy in these insidious times; from the recently-celebrated Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants-Dubai Chapter (PICPA-Dubai) 10th anniversary and its “Leadership Excellence and Development Program” (L.E.A.D.) inauguration.

At the event graced by Philippine Consulate General-Dubai Economic/Cultural/Public Diplomacy Vice Consul Jim Jimeno, chief guest Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, who commended the organisation for its continued contributions to the Filipino Community and the accounting profession, inducted into office the 2026-2027 leadership.

They are Maria Jaqueline Gonzales (president); Mary Jean Matildo (senior vice president-SVP/Membership Committee head); Regina Angela Gonzales (vice president/Sponsorship head); Anna Lynne Carino (Events & Communications head); Daisy Cureg (Finance head); Loise Ann Cruz (Corporate Social Responsibility - CSR head); Ranelo Angelo Cureg (Sports head); Ruddy Castro, Dave Christian Cabo, Bernarda Parada , and Jenn San Pedro (Membership co-heads); Noel Untalan (Sponsorship co-head); Regina Malabad (Social Media co-head); Emie Rio Titular and Regine Lei Concepcion (Events co-heads); and Glaiza Hortaleza (CSR co-head).

Lyndon Magsino, who earned his Philippine licensure in 2002 and his American licensure in 2013, said: “Accountancy is far more than working with numbers and preparing financial statements.”

The PICPA-Dubai founder/chairman added: “It is a profession built on trust, integrity, and sound decision-making. It equips individuals with analytical and leadership skills that are valuable across industries.”

He even pushed for “adult learners” to dive into accountancy as a “second career” or for “professional advancement” because it bears “limitless opportunities for growth, lifelong learning, and service. More importantly, accountants play a vital role in transparency, accountability, and sustainable development in organisations and communities.”

Matildo said that governments and the education sector can enable the youth to prioritise accountancy by “making it more appealing.”

This is engendered, according to the CPA since 2008, via “stronger industry-academe partnerships, scholarship programmes, financial literacy campaigns, mentorship tracks, internships, and technology-driven learning platforms.”

“By exposing young people to real-world applications for accounting and showcasing the diverse career opportunities available, from public practice and corporate finance to entrepreneurship and technology, governments and schools can inspire future generations towards meaningful contributions to economic development,” pointed out Matildo, a UAE resident since 2011.

On L.E.A.D., Magsino, who walked Gulf Today through the establishment of PICPA-Dubai – among the 19 international chapters spread across North America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East – of the 1929-formed PICPA, said that the programme is built around the “broader” mission and vision of the 2016-organised professional association. The mission “to empower Filipino CPAs, auditors, and finance professionals in Dubai by providing opportunities for professional development, networking, and community involvement, while upholding the highest standards of excellence and ethics in the fields of accounting, finance, and audit.” The vision “to be the premier and most trusted professional organisation for Global Filipino CPAs, auditors, and finance professionals in the Middle East, recognised for advancing the high competence, integrity, and excellence of its members, and for making a profound impact on companies and communities.”

The underlying principle is the continuous development of “future-ready leaders who embody professional competence, ethical integrity, and a spirit of service” that radiates within and outside of PICPA.

Embedded therein are periodic “leadership talks, mentoring sessions, coaching opportunities, and structured developmental activities.”

Not only for “life-long learning” experiences; but, more importantly, that which is germane to “leadership excellence” towards “greater leadership responsibilities.”

Among the over 200,000 Filipino CPAs and over 34,000 active PICPA members worldwide, PICPA-Dubai members, are in the sectors of banking and financial services, oil and gas, construction and real estate, aviation, retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, consulting, and “shared services.” They are auditors, accountants, finance managers, controllers, chief financial officers, and business executives.

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter