Behind every successful business is a good accountant. Behind every accountant is a story of rewarding journey to becoming a CPA. So here goes mine.
It was a beautiful morning when I was surprised to receive the letter sealed from the school I attended in for the college admission test. I was overwhelmed. I passed the cut-off rating for Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. I decided to take the course although I was clueless of the word “Accountancy”.
In my four-year stay inside the four walls of the classroom, I could say that I was able to give the best in me. It was a bitter-sweet journey. A roller coaster. I was an officer of our accredited organization in our school – Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) – for four consecutive years and a journalist of our student organization publication. There were times when I could no longer attend my class because of my responsibility. There were times when I get low scores because I was not able to prepare for the quizzes. While these things were happening, I had come to realize that my journey to becoming a CPA was a battlefield.
Fast forward, graduation day had come. Wearing the black gown and cap made me reminisce my four-year stay of struggling and earning the degree I wanted for the rest of my life. Seeing my parents happy and proud softened my heart. Seeing my classmates graduate on time made me realize how fulfilling it was to start again for new battle for us, that was passing the CPA Licensure Examination.
The start of review session for the board came. All was well. The smooth flow of the review helped me gain the concepts in every board subject. I and my classmates used to burn the midnight oil. Blissful were the times we were reviewing as one reaching our CPA dream.
Four years and five months had gone until the first day of board examination just arrived. I felt the pressure. The feeling was different while sitting, taking the exam. The only one thing I had was my faith of passing and His divine will. While taking the exam, I thought of the expectations, particularly from my parents. These motivated me until the last days of examination. Last day was hopeless. Taxation in the morning, and Law in the afternoon, were both, at some point, considered as my waterloo. Amidst the pressure was the spirit of passing the board examination. Prior and after board examination, I and my classmates visited churches and asked the presence of the Holy Spirit for only prayer can make the impossible things possible when you believe.
Twenty-day waiting period for the results to come out. The cause of delay was due to government works suspension. I could remember how typhoon ‘Lawin’ hit the areas of Luzon. I was in the province. A power interruption happened, thus, network and internet signal lost. The feeling was too excited and at the same time nervous. Until the 20th day had come, I received a single text saying, “Congratulations! CPA ka na!”. Tears fell down from the hopeful eyes. It was tears of joy that even my father hugged me and said, “Agyaman nak balong, ada CPA ti pamilya tayon” (Thank you, son. We now have a CPA in the family).
Debt from good-hearted people, costly investments in education, late-night study habit, and cup of coffee, all these things were paid off. As the saying goes, ‘no pain, no gain’, truly you will never know how worthwhile the journey to becoming a CPA is until you do your bests.
Matthew 7:7 of the New International Version (NIV) says “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” I asked the Lord, He gave it. I sought, I found out how worth the wait the title is. I knocked, I was given the opportunity to have a good start in the practice of my profession. And these are all blessings worthy of gratitude.
This sums up my journey to becoming a Certified Public Accountant.
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About the Author
- Kim Jerome is a Certified Public Accountant who is currently working as an external auditor at Diaz Murillo Dalupan & Co. He earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Northern Philippines.
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