Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants  Abu Dhabi chapter celebrated 15 years of uninterrupted service to its’ members and associates and the Filipino Community in Abu Dhabi on 22 September 2017, at the Sheraton Hotel.  Officers, members, associates, past PICPA Abu Dhabi presidents attended the celebration.

The highlight of the event was the speech of Ms. Dorotea Rafael,CPA the founding president of PICPA Abu Dhabi.  She reminisced the early days of PICPA Abu Dhabi and told the story of how it all began.  It was 2003 when a group of Filipino Accountants and Finance professionals initiated the organization of the PICPA Abu Dhabi chapter.  Ms. Rafael along with other Filipino Certified Public Accountants thought Filipino Accountants and Finance Professionals needed an organization that would represent the ideals of PICPA National in Abu Dhabi.  The 14 past PICPA presidents were also recognized that night for their valuable contribution and untiring support to the PICPA Abu Dhabi organization.

Mr. Iyad Mourtada, CFE, CIA, CMA, CCSA, CRMA, CPLP, CSX, M.A,  an international speaker, trainer and author also conducted a technical session dubbed as “Fraud-o-logy: The art of fraud and the science behind  uncovering it.” during the event.  

Hon. Constancio Vingno, Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, together with his wife, Madame Mrs. Yoko Ramos-Vingno, Vice Consul Rowena Daquipil and Vice-Consul Anna Guerra also graced the event.  Hon. Vingno congratulated and inspired the PICPA Abu Dhabi Chapter for its 15th anniversary.  Further, Vice Consul Daquipil administered the oathtaking and induction of PICPA Abu Dhabi officers 2017-2018.  PICPA Abu Dhabi members and associates were also inducted by Mr. Silveriano Prieto, Jr., President, 2017-2018.

For the past 15 years, PICPA Abu Dhabi has conducted hundreds of seminars and trainings like Bookkeeping and Accounting For Non-Accountants, Financial Literacy, Letter of Credit and Bank Guarantees, MS Excel and many others for very low fees – mostly just to cover the costs of the event.  This year, PICPA Abu Dhabi was the sole host for 8th PICPA Middle East Conference.  Also, PICPA Abu Dhabi conducts a sport-for-a-cause events for which proceeds are given to the distressed OFWs in Abu Dhabi.  The flagship program of PICPA Abu Dhabi is the PICPA Tutorial Group which has already produced 43 CPAs as of 2016 SPLE exams.  

-DSP