Two BS in Accountancy students from the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) College of Management were recognized during the 25th Search for Outstanding Accountancy Students of the Philippines (SOASP). Ms. Ma. Daniella M. Arenas and Ms. Catherine Izza G. Reliquias received their awards as part of the SOASP’s Top 25 National Finalists at the Stratosphere in Makati City last March 14, 2024.
Data from the Punongbanyan & Auraullo (P&A) Grant Thornton revealed that a total of 435 participants, who are candidates for graduation by the end of the academic year 2024 from 111 schools nationwide, took the written qualifying examinations last February 17, 2024. Each school was allowed to send up to six students who competed in the first round. Of the 435 participants, only the top 25 students from 14 schools went to the national finals, who battled it out during the Quiz Bee round. The qualifying exams and quiz bee questions were based on the different subjects in the CPA Licensure Examination, including financial accounting, auditing, management services, taxation, and regulatory framework for business transactions.
The SOASP is organized by 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). Present during the competition were Partner-in-Charge of P&A Foundation Inc. Atty. Vier Aznar, National Chair of the PICPA Committee on Professional Development Dr. Henry Pahilagao, and ACPACI National President Mr. Elano Marcelo, among others.
Ms. Kate Wenjie Basoy, a CM alumna who ranked 7th in the October 2023 CPA Licensure Exam, gave an inspirational message during the event. Ms. Basoy is now an audit and assurance associate at P&A, the Philippine member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd.
Both students received a plaque of recognition, a cash prize, and a full review scholarship for the upcoming CPA Licensure Examination. The CM awardees were accompanied by Prof. Kim Rommel E. Panaguiton, adviser to the CM SOASP participants.
The SOASP is an annual nationwide competition highlighting the country’s top accountancy students and aims to represent a significant step forward in strengthening partnerships, building a legacy, and highlighting a positive change for remarkable public accountants (P&A, 2023). (With sources from P&A Grant Thornton)
