Can you be the modern Caleb?
- Wilma Miranda
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
ONE observation I have made over the years is that certified public accountants in public practice seem to work far longer than professionals in many other industries.
Consider the late Washington SyCip, founder of SGV & Co. He was 96 years old when he passed on Oct. 7, 2017, after suffering a heart attack while on a flight to Vancouver, Canada. Even in his later years, he remained active — not necessarily in the audit firm — but as a consultant, adviser and independent director of several companies.
My father was much the same. He continued working until he became bedridden shortly before his death. He genuinely enjoyed what he did, despite our repeated efforts to persuade him to slow down and rest. Another practitioner in our city worked until he was 92 years old, remaining active almost to the very end. I know many other senior CPAs who continued practicing until they were no longer physically able to do so.
For those who gradually transition to consultancy and advisory work, like Mr. SyCip, it is no longer simply a job. It becomes a calling — a way of helping businesses through the wisdom accumulated over decades of experience. But why do these professionals continue working long after reaching retirement age?
First, the accounting profession is built on knowledge and experience. Whether as accountants or lawyers, professionals accumulate expertise through years of exposure to different industries, regulations and business environments. Unlike many assets that depreciate over time, professional wisdom often becomes more valuable with age. After all, who can replace decades of experience and sound judgment?
Second, clients naturally seek seasoned professionals. Experience cannot be fully replicated by technology, training, or formal education alone. Clients value the insights that come only from years of practice and exposure to real-world challenges.
Third, the profession offers flexibility. As practitioners train capable successors and gradually delegate responsibilities, they can shift toward advisory, consulting, or part-time engagements. This allows them to continue contributing meaningfully while enjoying greater work-life balance and more time with family and personal interests.
Another factor that I personally find fascinating is the intellectual stimulation the profession provides. We continue learning — not merely because continuing professional development (CPD) units are required to maintain accreditation, but because many of us genuinely enjoy the challenge of acquiring new knowledge and adapting to change.
Personally, I still aspire to pursue further studies and deepen my understanding of artificial intelligence. Continuous learning keeps the mind active and engaged. It helps protect against mental decline and keeps professionals intellectually sharp. Retirement, therefore, becomes less appealing because accounting is not physically demanding; rather, it relies on mental agility and critical thinking. As long as one maintains good health, the profession can remain both rewarding and sustainable.
Financial security may also play a role, although perhaps to a lesser extent. Continuing to work can provide additional protection against inflation and the rising cost of living. Consider this: if you retire at 60 and live until 80 or even 90, your retirement savings must sustain you for another 20 to 30 years. That is a significant financial challenge.
Today’s senior practitioners are also more technologically adept than previous generations. Modern accounting software, cloud-based systems and artificial intelligence tools have transformed the profession. These technologies improve efficiency, streamline compliance and allow practitioners to serve clients more effectively than ever before. Rather than forcing older professionals out of the workforce, technology often enables them to remain productive longer.
Perhaps most importantly, many continue working because of a deep sense of purpose. At that stage of life, it is no longer primarily about earning income. It is about making a difference — helping businesses grow, guiding entrepreneurs, supporting small and medium enterprises, ensuring compliance with regulations and contributing to economic development.
The Bible gives us a powerful example in Caleb. At the age of 85, he declared that he was still as strong as when he was 40. Rather than slowing down, he continued conquering new territories, including Hebron and Debir (Joshua 14:10-12). Caleb’s story reminds us that age does not necessarily diminish our capacity to contribute. What matters is maintaining purpose, faith, continuous learning, and the willingness to serve others.
Perhaps retirement should not be viewed as the end of productivity, but as a transition to a different way of contributing. The question, then, is not whether you can retire. Can you be the modern Caleb?
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