People say that journey is defined as the progress of a person from one stage to another. Here I am to tell you my CPA Journey — how it started and how I got here.
Accountancy was introduced to me by my parents when I was still a fourth grader. They gave me the liberty to choose the path I’d like to take but I’ve always been curious of what accountancy is and why my parents talk about it all the time— so I chose to take up Accountancy. It was during my third year in college then did I realize that I love what I was doing. I felt it in my gut that this was made for me. I wasn’t the overachiever type of student but I always make it a point that I would pass all my subjects. Little did I know, fourth year was going to be tough. It was tough not only because the subjects were getting harder but also because it was the year my father was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. I am a proud papa’s girl and it breaks my heart to see how cancer was slowly taking him away from us. My father has undergone lung surgery (Thoracotomy with Pneumonectomy, left). I remember being in and out of the hospital during weekends because I wanted to show my support to my dad. It was hard because I had to study at the hospital but seeing my father’s determination encouraged me to do well. After his surgery, he needed to undergo chemotherapy every Thursday. There are times when I can’t be with him during his chemo sessions because of our exams. Fifth year came and I noticed something different about me. I used to be a cheerful and positive person but my spirit slowly withered away. I cried every night. I’ve lost interest in the things I used to love. But my ultimate goal was to graduate on time so that my papa could see me march. Sadly, papa passed away in February 2017. I felt like I was drowning in my own thoughts. I felt so lost. I didn’t know how to cope with this pain. I felt like a part of me died with him. The only solution I could think of was SLEEP. I would sleep for about 12-16 hours, not caring about what was happening around me. Sleep became my shell, protecting me from all the pain I was feeling. My mind kept saying “at least even for a little while, the pain would stop.” I didn’t study anymore. I didn’t attend my classes. But, these actions resulted to serious consequences. I had to take removal examinations for 4 subjects and thank GOD, I passed all of them. Unfortunately, one subject didn’t make the cut for the grade requirement for the removals. Hence, my first failure happened during supposedly my last semester in college. This almost took what was left of me. I kept wondering “Why me?”, “Why now?” and “Do I deserve all of this?” I became suicidal and I felt as if my world was shattering before me. But it was God who kept reminding me that hope is always there. God made me realized how blessed I am because of the people around me. He has blessed me with a mom who is so loving and supportive. My mom became my anchor. She was dealing with her own pain but her strength really transpired. She became the rock of our family. At that time, I no longer understood what I was feeling and I just let the days pass. I finally cleared the only subject left and graduated last July 2017. As I was reviewing for the October 2017 board exams, I realized that I never really gave myself a chance to heal. I asked my mom if I could rest first and take the May 2018 boards instead. Without hesitation, my mom allowed me. I surrendered everything to the Lord— my pain, my failures, my disappointments, my dream and my future. When I was finally doing better, I began preparing for the May 2018 board exam. May 2018 came and finally I passed the boards. I am now a Certified Public Accountant.
The journey I have may have been a bumpy one but I will never trade it for anything. I have learned a lot. Those adversities where blessings in disguise because it made me into who I am today. Trust the Lord and trust the process. Each of us has our own season. Be patient and your time will come! So to all board takers, do your part and offer it to the Lord. Cast out all your fears, doubts and anxieties for His plans are truly better than ours. God bless on your upcoming board exam!
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About the Author
- Anita is a BS Accountancy graduate from the University of Santo Tomas. She launched her career as a Certified Public Accountant in R.G. Manabat & Co (KPMG in the Philippines).
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