Straight to the Point

By: Zyx Raxie Cuartero

As the Dean of the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and the vanguard for the soon to be CPA’s, Dean Matilde S. Gascon gives an update of her department.

1. W hat are now your plans that your pet course, the BS in Accountancy, has reached already the third year stage under your supervision?

Dean Gascon: Aside from the standards set-forth by the Commission on Higher Education, the department is pushing through possible ways and means that will help uplift the academic standards of the accountancy program such as:

1. A separate computer laboratory provided with internet connection is being requested from the administration for the exclusive use of the accountancy students. This laboratory will serve the IT subjects and other accounting and auditing subjects that will need the computer laboratory like computerized accounting and computerized auditing.

2. Establish a close relationship with my colleagues in the profession and request their services in support to the faculty requirement of the program. For instance, CPA’s from the Provincial Accountants Office, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Dep. Ed. Accountant’s Office have manifested their support in case their services are needed.

3. Establish a linkage with practicing CPA’s to hold office or to open an accounting/auditing firm here in Tandag City that will serve as a laboratory for on-the-job trainings.

4. Made linkages with some review centers for possible tie-ups. In fact, initial discussion has been made between the BSA Department and the Director of the Excel Professional Services, Inc. in Manila for possible services that would help the academic preparation of the accountancy students. This undertaking was discussed with the parents and earned positive response.

5.Maintain a close relationship with the administration and the parents, since making these students pass the board exam is likewise a responsibility of all molders of the youth.

6.Last but not the least, to continue the close supervision and monitoring of the accountancy students’ performance.

2. What is the status of the students in coping up with the high standards of the course?

Dean Gascon: There are students who could cope up well with the high standards of the course. Definitely, the retention policy set-forth by the department/program will be implemented to ensure that quality products will be produced.

3. Based on the performance of the students are you confident enough that we can produce CPA’s 2 years from now?

Dean Gascon:  The students will be in their 4th year. But a year after, Yes! I am confident some of the students will turn-out to be CPA’s.

Some of the BSA students were also interviewed regarding their insights about the course.

Question: Are you pressured that the whole school is expecting you to be CPA’s 3 years from now?

Elisa Demetria: As one of the Accountancy students enrolled in Saint Theresa College, I am not pressured. I’d rather say I am challenged. This is the profession I wanted to be since my childhood years. I find myself enjoying solving a lot of accounting problems which require deep analytical skill. Becoming a CPA 3 years from now will be my greatest achievement.

Question: We’ve heard that you are supposed to join the world of priesthood, but what made you decide to take up BS in Accountancy here in STC instead?

Kim Intelligando: it’s true that I have a desire and once thought of entering the seminary; that was during my early years in college. I have attended some “search-in” and I took and unexpectedly passed the entrance exam in a certain seminary. However, because of my friends’ advises and God’s guidance, I realized that making big decisions is not made overnight. It must be done in a long process of the so-called discernment. In making that, I have chosen to finish first my tertiary education in STC with the course BS Accountancy. With highly competitive and self-actualizing instructors, well-equipped and updated books and also rooms which are conducive to learning and in making an edge to other courses offered by the school, I developed trust to school and to the course particularly, and by making the most out of it and hopefully become one of its many CPA’s they could probably produce.

Norlito Dapiton: Before graduating high school, my mind was set for a decision that I will enter a seminary. Unfortunately, I was not lucky enough to pass the entrance examination for a certain congregation. And I have no other choice but to take up a 4-year course. I have heard that STC was offering a new program that time which is the BS in Accountancy and during the enrolment campaign conducted by the faculty members of this institution, I have learned that this program has a high standard and the instructors for the major subjects are all highly skilled and professionals that could stand out among other programs so I have decided to take up this course as a challenge to myself and hopefully be one of the first batch of CPA’s in this school and accept the reality that priesthood might not be the right profession destined for me.

Question: Being in the second year of the course BS in accountancy, are you confident enough that the training you have encountered and soon to be encountered to fulfill your dreams in becoming s CPA?

Elmer Daga-ang: Becoming a CPA is a hard task to fulfill. But because of the learnings and knowledge that I have acquired and soon to be discovered, I have a strong feeling that I can achieve my goal of being a CPA. Perseverance and dedication are some of the ingredients that a student must apply and to have enough courage and motivation to face each problem encountered. By these, the time and efforts that I have planted will surely bear a good harvest.

Question: What made you decide to take up BS in Accountancy here in STC?

Hel Curada: We’ll, I’ve opted to enroll in BS Accountancy because I have the determination to become a CPA someday. And I know that here in STC, with the help of the competent and credible teachers, I can achieve my goals in life.

Question: You’re still in 1st year but have you already experienced rigid training with your dean?

Hel Curada: Our dean wanted us to be prepared to whatever trials that we may encounter in our course. And it helps us a lot. It has nothing to do except for molding us, to have a brighter future.

Marjorie Irizari: Yes, even though we are still in 1st year, we have already experienced rigid training with our dean. She doesn’t want to spoon-feed us in our class; she gives us activities that enhance our analysis in solving problems. Though it’s a tough work for us but we know it’s for our own good.