NEWS

Over 130 Filipino Accountants Gather for VAT Seminar

To prepare themselves for the new Value Added Tax Law to be implemented in the UAE starting January 2018, more than 130 Filipino Accountants and Finance Professionals attended the VAT seminar hosted by the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Abu Dhabi Chapter on 11^th August 2017 at the Universal Hospital, Abu Dhabi. 

Mr. Arnel Gagani, CPA, Manager of Alliot Hadi Shahid Chartered Accountants who has over 20 years of experience in audit, consultancy and VAT was the speaker.  The first half of his talk focused on the definition, history and characteristics of VAT.  He also highlighted the salient features of GCC VAT Agreement and the possible effects of VAT on different industries. Mr. Gagani also gave the participants an overview of UAE’s Federal Law No. 7 of 2017 also known as the Tax Procedures Law issued on 16 Ramadan 143H (11 June 2017). 

The attendees coming from different companies with different industries in the UAE, actively participated in the quizzes on sample basic VAT computation.  They believe that VAT implementation in the UAE would open more opportunities especially to those who have experience in accounting of VAT in the past.  Also, the attendees were grateful to PICPA Abu Dhabi for hosting a very timely and relevant seminar considering VAT’s implementation in less than five months.

Due to overwhelming turnout of the event, PICPA Abu Dhabi plans to conduct the same seminar to cater more Filipinos who wish to equip themselves of the upcoming VAT implementation.  Further, PICPA Abu Dhabi would also organize more in depth VAT workshop in the next few months.  

PICPA Abu Dhabi Goes Fitness First

For the first time in the history of PICPA Abu Dhabi, Filipino Accountants and Finance Professionals shifted their focus from the usual numbers, financial analysis, audit, and other finance/accounts related topics to tackle about health and fitness on 11^th August 2017 during the “Work-life Balance Thru Fitness” activities at the Universal Hospital, Abu Dhabi.

Over 100 participants stretched their muscles and dripped their sweats as Mr. Enrique Aligato, CPA, CISA, Fitness Instructor at Lesmills Elite, led them in various physical activities including squats, push-ups, planks, among others.  Mr. Aligato, who is also an internal Audit Manager by profession, shared to the participants the importance of at least 90-minute work-out per week to maintain a fit body.

During the event, three doctors from Universal Hospital also gave talk on health awareness.  Dr. Lally Alexander, a neurologist, emphasized how stress could affect the brain.  Thus, she shared the importance of a positive outlook for a healthy brain.  Further, Dr. Anna Marie Diaz, a general practitioner discussed the lifestyle diseases which are primarily based on the daily habits and results of relationship of people.  These habits include smoking, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity that affects not only adults but also children.  Finally, Dr. Elizabeth George, a dermatologist shared the common cosmetic problems and how to deal with them.

In summary, the event highlighted the importance of healthy habits, healthy diet, physical activities, positive outlook and regular screening for a fit and healthy body.  After all, “Health is wealth”.

A new batch of dedicated officers of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountant in Abu Dhabi held their induction and oath taking ceremony last 28 July 2017 at the Philippine Embassy, United Arab Emirates.  Atty. Anna Marie Guerra, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Head, Assistance to Nationals Section of the Philippine Embassy, UAE administered the ceremony.

The PICPA Abu Dhabi chapter led by the incumbent President Silveriano Prieto, Jr., CPA is composed of 37 set of officers. These consist of old and new breeds set to train in order to keep the leadership wheel going.

During the ceremony, Vice Consul Guerra extends her warm congratulations to the new set of officers. Further, she thanks PICPA Abu Dhabi for their support to the works of the Philippine Embassy and wishes for more partnership between the embassy and the organization.

This year, PICPA National’s theme is SHINE- Service, Honesty, Innovation and Nation-building through Education. “As CPAs professionals, we are called upon to be exemplars, not only of ethical behavior and professional competence, but also of inclusive, intelligent and proactive service for our country, our companies and our community. As CPAs, we are called upon to serve the public to the best of our ability. As progressive and future-looking professionals, we are called upon to be beacons of unshakable integrity, innovative thinking and a deep and continuing passion for learning.  PICPA, we are called upon to SHINE!” – source picpa.com.ph

Service Honesty Innovation Nation Building through Education (SHINE).  Using this year’s PICPA National theme, over 25 PICPA Abu Dhabi 2017-2018 officers (Officers) attended the team building activity held at the Adagio Hotel Apartment on 20-21 July 2017. The two-day activity encourages the newly elected officers to build camaraderie among each other and discuss leadership strategies to achieve the goals of PICPA Abu Dhabi for the year.

The Officers were elected during the PICPA general assembly held last June 2017.

During the event, the participants were divided into three groups – Red-Service, Blue-Honesty and Green-Innovation.  PICPA Abu Dhabi past presidents, Marybeth Junio, CPA and Williard Maquirang, CPA facilitated the event which kicked off on Thursday night with a cheer/chant from each team.

The getting-to-know each other game followed discussing the Officers’ view on random things which include questions like “Who motivates you to succeed?”, “Which do you prefer: Jack of many trades or Master of One?”, “What animal best describes you?”, etc. 

The highlight of the event was the presentation where each teams expressed their thoughts on this year’s PICPA theme, “SHINE”.  Mr. Aladdin Masayon, CPA, Assistant Director for Public and Press Relations stressed the importance of Service the accountants provide, not only to the company we are working with, but towards our social responsibility, in general.   Ms. Sharina de Dios, CPA, Vice President, emphasized how CPAs should deal with honesty and integrity in all aspects of our lives, especially at work. Mr. Johann Salangsang, CPA, Director for Education, discussed the innovation as key to becoming a greater version of ourselves and of PICPA Abu Dhabi.  Meanwhile, Mr. Maquirang conveyed his thoughts on leadership.  The Officers also participated in various games such as Kahoot.it, marshmallow tower, puzzles, relay, poster making and most-liked photo on Facebook.

Finally, the event concluded with an awarding ceremony which hailed the winning team who garnered the most number of points from all the games/activities completed in the two-day event.   The Green-Innovation Team emerged as the champion and claimed victory through their chant –“Ehem, Ehem, Green! Ehem, Ehem, Win!”