Filipino CPAs: A growing force in Asean?
- Michael Lipura
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
SITTING at the recent Asean CPA conferment, I couldn’t help but notice that among those at my table, most were from public practice, including my former boss. This quickly led me to a key insight: for those already immersed in the daily grind of public practice, the often-daunting requirement of continuing professional development (CPD) units, crucial for Asean CPA eligibility, becomes an easy ticket.
Last July 9, 2025, the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel buzzed with pride as over 200 Filipino certified public accountants (CPAs) received their Asean CPA sashes and medallions. It was a moment of well-deserved recognition, a testament to their dedication and expertise. But amidst the celebration, a sobering statistic lingered: with a total of 228 Asean CPA members as of June 2025, the Philippines currently ranks a distant seventh in the region. This pales significantly when compared to Indonesia’s robust 2,800 registered members. While we rightfully celebrate our recent strides, this disparity begs the question: Are we doing enough to truly raise the banner of Filipino CPAs across Asean?
Perhaps the answer lies in making the Asean CPA designation even more compelling. Imagine breezing through immigration at international airports, bypassing the usual queues. This isn’t just a dream, but a tangible benefit recently revealed by Charito Zamora, chairperson of the Asean Monitoring Committee on Professional Accountancy Services of the Philippines. She announced that membership as an Asean CPA now grants access to the coveted Asean Lane. This practical perk, along with others her dedicated team is actively pursuing, signals a clear intent: to make the Asean CPA designation undeniably attractive and encourage more Filipino CPAs to join this regional community and help bridge that significant membership gap.
So, what exactly does it take to join the ranks of Asean CPAs and potentially enjoy these perks? The requirements, while rigorous, are designed to ensure a high standard of professional excellence across the region. To become an Asean CPA, candidates must meet several key criteria: they must be an Asean citizen with a valid professional accounting registration in their home country and hold either an accredited accountancy degree or have passed a recognized professional examination, with provisions for equivalent qualifications.
Additionally, a minimum of three years of relevant practical experience accumulated within five years prior to application is essential to bridge theoretical knowledge with real-world skills. Finally, aspiring Asean CPAs must rigorously comply with their home country’s CPD policy and maintain a record free from any serious ethical or professional violations, ensuring the high standards and credibility of this designation.
Once a CPA has satisfied these requirements of the Asean Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Accountancy (MRAA) Services, they are emplaced with the prestigious Asean chartered professional accountant title. The MRAA itself is a powerful mechanism, fostering a greater exchange of information among accountancy professionals across Asean. This critical collaboration promotes the adoption of best practices in standards and qualifications, contributing significantly to the overall development and harmonization of the accountancy profession throughout the region.
Beyond mere bragging rights, the Asean CPA designation unlocks a world of collaboration and opportunity within the region. It’s a formal invitation to engage with fellow professionals across Asean member states, where this designation allows you to offer your services. The core advantage is the facilitated mobility of accountancy professionals — as an Asean CPA, you’re legally permitted to provide most non-regulated accountancy services in other Asean markets without extensive retraining. This opens up new career paths and broader market access in one of the globe’s fastest-growing economic zones.
Furthermore, holding the Asean CPA title significantly validates your expertise regionally, adding a prestigious credential that enhances your credibility with both clients and employers. For those aspiring to practice elsewhere in Asean, the designation greatly streamlines the registration process as a registered foreign professional accountant with the host country’s regulatory body. While you’ll still need to collaborate with local accountants and comply with domestic laws, the MRAA dramatically lowers previous barriers, making regional practice a tangible reality.
The future, it seems, holds even more promise for Filipino CPAs. During the recent conferment ceremony, Chairperson Zamora delivered exciting news: the Philippines will host the next Asean CPA conference. This upcoming event presents a monumental opportunity to further showcase Filipino accounting excellence and, more importantly, to significantly boost our numbers within the Asean CPA community. We eagerly anticipate witnessing this growth, solidifying our nation’s standing and truly raising the banner of Filipino CPAs on the regional stage.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This article was written by Michael S. Lipura, CPA, ACPA, CMC, CrFA, the chapter president of Acpapp Southern Mindanao. He is the managing partner of MSL CPAs & Co., and the director of operations at Behind Numbers Consultancy, Inc. The views expressed here are his personal opinions and do not necessarily represent those of his firm or the Acpapp.
Comments