Ms. Roxine Anne B. Barrion, a 5th-year BS Accountancy student from the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) College of Management, was recognized during the 27th Search for Outstanding Accountancy Students of the Philippines (SOASP). Ms. Barrion received her award as one of SOASP’s Top 25 National Finalists at the Makati Diamond Residences in Makati City on March 20, 2025.
The SOASP is organized by Punongbayan & Araullo (P&A), the Philippine member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd., and the P&A Foundation Inc., in partnership with the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) and the Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry (ACPACI).
Data from P&A revealed that a total of 516 participants, who are graduating by the end of the academic year 2026 from 113 schools nationwide, took the written qualifying examinations on February 21, 2026. Each school was allowed to send up to seven students to compete in the preliminary round. Of the 516 participants, only the top 25 students from 19 schools advanced to the national finals, where they competed in the quiz bee round. The qualifying exams and quiz bee questions were based on various subjects from the CPA Licensure Examination, including financial accounting, auditing, management services, taxation, and regulatory framework for business transactions.
Present during the competition were P&A Grant Thornton Chairman and Managing Partner Mr. Romualdo V. Murcia III, PICPA National President Mr. Gerard B. Sanvictores, ACPACI National President Mr. Marvin L. Madrigalejo, and P&A Vice Chairman and Deputy Managing Partner Atty. Olivier Aznar, among others. The CM awardee was accompanied by Prof. Kim Rommel E. Panaguiton, Chairperson of the Department of Accounting and adviser to the CM SOASP participants. Ms. Barrion received a plaque of recognition, a cash prize, and a review scholarship for the CPA Licensure Exam.
The SOASP is an annual nationwide competition that highlights the country’s top accountancy students and represents a significant step forward in strengthening partnerships, building a legacy, and promoting positive change for outstanding public accountants.
Written by Prof. Kim Rommel E. Panaguiton with sources from P&A Grant Thornton
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