“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will SUCCEED.” – Proverbs 16:3
I started my CPA journey through faith. My dream-turned-reality was a six-year prayer, a struggle and a success. Without really knowing what the Accountancy program is, I heeded to my parents’ advise and enrolled myself. But after reading a fundamentals of accounting book, I started to visualize a small part of where I am heading for. Thus, I started to love the path I was taking.
Back when I was in elementary and high school, I did not develop any kind of study habit neither was I a consistent honor student. More often than not, I used to cram and procrastinate. However, everything changed from when I had my first major heart-break. Instead of entertaining vices, I coped with the pain by reading books and strengthening my spiritual relationship with the Lord. That experience gave me a 180-degree change from being a happy-go-lucky student to a goal-getter person. I set goals. Big ones, that even I get chills every time I thought of them. As the saying goes, “Set a goal so BIG that you can’t achieve it until you grow into the person who can!” And these goals gave me the drive to study harder and harder each day.
Having those goals in mind, I strived harder as a student. Yet, I was not your typical student who only goes to school and back home. As I reminisce my undergraduate studies, I feel very blessed that I was able to balance my studies, my part-time jobs, my social life and my spiritual commitment to the church. In my college days, I didn’t entertain parties, vacations nor drinking sessions. All I wanted was to fulfill my dream of speaking in front of a crowd glorifying God’s name. So instead of going out to over-enjoy, I stayed at home to study. But never misconstrue, I enjoyed my college days. I slept a lot, read mangas, watched animes and did various stuffs but I did not waste my time with nonvalue-adding activities. It’s all about priorities and managing oneself.
Of course, my CPA journey was not an instant bed of roses. Before reaching the top, I had numerous struggles – financially, emotionally, spiritually and mentally. That was why I needed to do part-time jobs to help my parents; I had various troubles with relationships and loss of family members during my review proper which almost led me to the point of giving up my dreams. Nonetheless, I constantly reminded myself that God has better plans for me, that I was a construction in progress and that He will never fail in fulfilling His promises. And indeed, God never failed to bless me and strengthen me. And through faith I overcame the challenges.
After those challenges, I told myself that I know I’ve already won life’s battle. And I’m ready to win God’s victories. Then I took the board exams. I never felt nervous before and after the exam because I know I have prepared well during my five-year undergraduate studies and one-year review. More importantly, I have faith that God will do the rest. Right after the examinations, I was confident that I would pass the board exam yet I didn’t expect to top the exams. But I unceasingly prayed to God to be able to accept whatever His will for me.
But then again, God never fails to amaze me. Eureka! When I refreshed the webpage of PRC, I saw my name at the number two spot. Even though I’ve always reminded myself that there are a lot of people who are better and more knowledgeable than I am, especially those that came from premier schools, I found myself awestruck. I immediately ran to my parents and signaled my rank. They were very happy and congratulated me for a job well done. It was a blissful moment. Alas, I was able to give my parents a gift.
And I would like to take this opportunity to thank my parents, Mama Marivic and Papa Albert for all the sacrifices they have done for our family, to my Alma Mater, Saint Paul School of Professional Studies through the leadership of Dean Erwin Vincent G. Alcala, CPA, MIB for all the support, to my friends for their prayers and to my mentors and teachers who untiringly guided me towards this dream. I owe them this success. After all this is not only my success but ours.
May God be Praised!
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About the Author
- Jomari is an Accountancy graduate from Saint Paul School of Professional Studies, Leyte. He placed second in May 2018 Licensure Examination for Certified Public Accountants.
