GLOBAL CPA group bullish on PHL growth

The international group of financial consultants – DFK Accountants and Consultants, met this weekend in Bangkok, Thailand to assess the future of professional services in the light of the economic blights being suffered by the United States of America and Europe.

Venue of the 4-day annual regional conference was the Grand Centara Hotel at the World Commercial Center in downtown Bangkok. DFK world president Scott Hazy and Executive Director Martin Sharp presided over the conference which was organized by the Asia-Pacific Committee under vice president Navin Patel and director John Mann.

DFK International is a major global association of independent accounting firms and business advisers that has been meeting the needs of clients with interests in the last half century. It has offices in 380 countries and cities worldwide. It is among the biggest universal aggrupation of CPAs and professionals with headquarters in London, UK. It has
Speakers and conferees in the Bangkok conference were unanimous in observing that while the erstwhile economic powers are currently trying to simply survive, the GDP growths of Asian countries – more particularly ASEAN plus China and India – are continuing. Global investors are reportedly bullish on the Philippines, taking note of the honesty and integrity of the Aquino administration.

Specially noted were the improved economic fundamentals of the Philippines, highlighted by sustained tax collections and elimination of graft and corruption in public expenditures. Philippine delegation head CPA-lawyer Antonio P. Acyatan, chairman of DFK Philippines, explained that honest Filipino accountants and auditors are at the forefront of the clean business governance drive.

Atty. Arminda Acyatan-Guerrero, managing partner of Acyatan & Co. presented the Philippine country report. Other reporting delegates are from South and Southeast Asia, together with those from China, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. CPAs from DFK firms in North America and Europe willingly exchanged notes with their Asia-Pacific counterparts during the working sessions.

The regional confab was hosted by the Thailand member firm – ASV Associates led by its managing partner Anusorn Kiatgungwalgri. Next year’s host will be DFK Hyderabad (K. Vijayaraghavan & Associates) of India, to be followed by DFK Philippines (Acyatan & Co., CPAs) in Metro-Manila come November 2014.