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The SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) and Campus Recruitment teams organized and facilitated a tax review session for staff taking the September to October 2023 CPA Licensure Examination (CPALE). More than 200 participants from the different SGV offices attended the in-person sessions and more than 500 participants joined the virtual review sessions. SGV Makati tax review session organizers and participants GCR Leader Sonia D. Segovia kicked off the tax review session. GCR Partner and Country Leader for Accounting Compliance and Reporting (ACR) and Global Payroll Operate (GPO) Aaron C. Escartin and GCR Partners Lee Celso R. Vivas and Maricris "Crissee" U. See discussed topics on Corporate Income Tax, Value-Added Tax (VAT), and other tax topics, respectively. After the lecture series, a short send-off activity was held for the board exam takers. Past CPALE topnotchers from the GCR team gave their respective testimonial messages. They shared their experiences and techniques on how to pass the board examination and overcome other challenges that came along with it.  Ace and Crissee (center) with the HR Core team and GCR Managers Crissee gave the closing remarks. She spearheaded the event along with Ace, GCR Tax Partner Hannah S. Rojo, GCR Senior Director Meynard L. Sardalla, GCR Director Jao Renzo Mercado, and the Talent team composed of Julie Ann R. Rubia, Julia-Anne J. Deypalan, Julia D. Villaos, and Marina Beatrice P. Lopez. GCR Leader Sonia D. Segovia guided the GCR team. They were also assisted by GCR People Pillar Managers – GCR Senior Director Fatma Aleah A. Datukon; GCR Directors Michelle T. Keng, Athena Mae R. Luce, and Leo I. Castillo; and GCR Associate Directors Stewart Herbie T. Po and Jan Lawrence G. Estrada. SGV Cebu tax review session organizers and participants SGV Davao tax review session organizers and participants GCR Partner Saha A. Bulagsak, Assurance Partner Jose Raoul J. Balisalisa and Assurance Senior Director Raphael Erickson M. De Leon led the teams in the SGV Cebu, Davao and Baguio offices, respectively. GCR Partners Francis J. Ricamora and Jay A. Ballesteros attended the sessions in the SGV Makati Office. 

SGV Consulting Senior Manager Mary Andrea Bacani and Managers Dexter Manabat and Jeffrey Yee participated in the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP) Supply Chain Conference (SCC) 2023 with the theme “We are one supply chain setting transformation in motion.” Over 320 delegates attended the event held at the EDSA Shangri-la Manila from 21 to 22 September 2023.  SGV Consulting Senior Manager Mary Andrea Bacani and Managers Dexter Manabat and Jeffrey Yee  Speakers from the logistics and retail sectors and heads of supply chain solution providers talked about future-proofing the supply chain through technology and people, managing supply chain risk, exploring resilience, and fostering sustainability. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) representatives discussed government strategic initiatives on supply chain and logistics. The SCMAP SCC is now on its 32nd year and is the premier event in the Philippines for supply chain professionals, drawing key players across the supply chain, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, logistics service providers, and other allied sectors.

SGV Tax Partner Atty. Auresana “Rhena” B. Ines was the keynote speaker at the “Transfer Pricing Rules & Electronic Invoicing/Receipting System Updates” webinar organized by the Association of Pharma Financial Executives, Inc. Around 50 financial executives attended the webinar, which was held via Zoom, on 21 September 2023. Atty. Rhena (center) with webinar participants Atty. Rhena provided an overview of the electronic invoicing and receipting system and discussed rules on Transfer Pricing. She also talked about the recent developments on Transfer Pricing audit.

SGV Consulting Partner Charisse Rossielin Y. Cruz was a speaker at the 2023 Insurance Asia forum held at Shangri-La The Fort Manila on 3 October 2023.  Charisse at the Insurance Asia forum Charisse talked about emerging trends, problem areas, and possible opportunities in the insurance industry. She also covered emerging focus areas insurers must be on the lookout for. Fellow distinguished insurers in the Philippines attended the forum.

SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Assurance Partner Glenda C. Anisco-Niño was a resource speaker at the joint webinar with EY Singapore and EY Malaysia entitled “Ignite your sustainability journey with the new ISSB standards” on 15 September 2023. A total of 456 financial institution representatives and regulators, with more than 300 participants from the Philippines, attended the webinar. Glenda presents her topic Glenda discussed the key features of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Sustainability Disclosure Standards, IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information, and IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures. Glenda with the other EY speakers during the Q&A session Other speakers provided an overview of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and its purpose and discussed other related topics such as impact on your companies’ sustainability disclosures, current state and next steps, and A deeper dive: Singapore. 

SGV Partners and Managers joined the 2023 Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Metro Manila Region (MMR) Geographical Area Office (GAO) Tax Conference with the theme “Beyond Numbers: Reinforcing the Roles of Regulators and Accountants for Effective Tax Compliance.” The event was held from 14 to 15 September at the Century Park Hotel Grand Ballroom in Malate, Manila. Around 400 participants per day attended the event. Group photo with Earvin, Sonia, Crissee and Meynard PICPA MMR Chair and GAO Regional Director Sonia D. Segovia and Tax Conference Committee Chair Maricris “Crissee” U. See led the PICPA MMR GAO team. Tax Conference Committee Co-Chair Meynard Sardalla and Tax Conference Committee Member Earvin Darren Lee were the Masters of Ceremonies during the event. MUS discussed the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR’s) 2023 Priority Plans highlighting its Digital Transformation Program, as well as its focus on Taxpayer Services, and Audit and Enforcement Program. Philippines and Asean Business Tax Services (BTS) Leader Jules E. Riego capped off Day 1 with his discussion on “How to Properly Manage a Tax Audit.” He highlighted the basic procedures of a tax audit, cited real cases, and provided tips in handling various situations which may occur during a BIR tax audit. Jules discussing the BIR tax audit process SGV Tax Partners Atty. Margaux A. Advincula and Atty. Cherry Liez Rafal-Roble were panelists in a roundtable discussion covering fake receipts and ghost companies in fake transactions. MUS moderated the roundtable discussion. Earvin presents certificates and tokens of appreciation to Crissee, Liez, and Margaux Margaux also joined another roundtable discussion which covered hot tax topics and some controversial taxpayer issues and concerns. PICPA Southern Metro Manila Chapter (SMMC) President Aileen L. Saringan and PICPA Western Metro Manila Chapter (WMMC) President Peter John R. Ventura introduced some of the speakers. SGV Tax Partners Atty. Tesi Lou Guanzon and Jay Ballesteros also joined the conference. The conference was also graced with the presence of Albay Representative Hon. Jose “Joey” Salceda and the virtual presence of BIR Commissioner Hon. Romeo “Jun” Lumagui, Jr. As the conference’s guest speakers, they answered tax questions and tax concerns from the participants.

Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Metro Manila Region (MMR) Chair Sonia D. Segovia, with the assistance of PICPA MMR Professional Development Committee Chair Maricris “Crissee” U. See, organized the PICPA MMR’s Non-government Organization (NGO) Summit held from 11 to 12 September 2023 at the Century Park Hotel Manila. More than 160 participants attended the event. Sonia and Crissee (center) with the PICPA MMR NGO Summit speakers and panelists The summit’s theme was “Beyond Numbers: Building Resilience in NGOs through Effective Compliance, Governance and Financial Management.” The summit covered topics related to Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) accreditation process and guidelines, areas of evaluation, and the applicable taxes for NGOs. It also covered the tools or accounting systems for NGOs, tips on how to properly handle the challenges and risks faced by NGOs, and common issues encountered by NGOs in relation to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) matters. PICPA MMR NGO Summit attendees PICPA Southern Metro Manila Chapter (SMMC) President Aileen L. Saringan and PICPA Western Metro Manila Chapter (WMMC) President Peter John R. Ventura introduced some of the speakers, while Crissee moderated the technical session on “Common Findings in Evaluating NGOs: Strategies for Addressing and Implementing Corrective Measures.” The roundtable discussion panelists comprised PCNC evaluators and executives from various companies. 

SGV Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS) Partner Benjamin “Benjie” N. Villacorte and Business Tax Services (BTS) Partner Atty. Cherry Liez O. Rafal-Roble were speakers in the 2nd World Clean Energy Philippines Conference + Expo 2023 held at the Novotel Hotel. Benjie and Liez talked about “Carbon Emissions Reduction: Replacing Fossil Fuels in Electricity Generation” and “Philippine Sustainability Laws, Incentives, and Taxation,” respectively.  Liez and Benjie at the at 2nd World Clean Energy Philippines Conference + Expo 2023 Benjie described decarbonization as one of the solutions in mitigating the effects of climate change. He also emphasized shifting to renewable energy as one of the means to securing a sustainable energy future. Liez discussed the impact of relevant legislation favoring cleaner energy sources. The event was organized by Escom Events.

SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Technology Consulting Principal Anurag Mishra was a speaker at the 2023 Asian Banking and Finance forum. It was attended by regulators, prominent bankers, and industry experts. Anurag (left) at the 2023 Asian Banking and Finance forum Anurag talked about embedded finance, digitalization, buy now, pay later (BNPL), loyalty programs, and how hyper-personalization enhances customer experience and engagement. He also discussed the risks associated with these programs as well as how engaged customers drive product improvements and revenues and is a market differentiator. He emphasized the role of regulators in ensuring fair practices, protecting customer data, and promoting transparency in loyalty programs. 

Financial Services Organization (FSO) Technology Consulting Principal Anurag Mishra was a panelist in the 2023 Temenos Cloud Forum for Philippine banking professionals. Anurag talked about banking transformation and explained that the cloud could help banks efficiently scale their operations and design more engaging customer experiences. Anurag (right) at the 2023 Temenos Cloud Forum for Philippine banking professionals “One of the most important shifts that is happening is on the customer side. Banking is going to transition while customers are demanding ‘hyper-personalization’ – and that requires new technologies. Today is the best time to shift from a technology perspective because the number of options to deliver on customer experience is huge and the cloud can solve specific problems,” Anurag said. Representatives from leading banks in the country also exchanged insights on key banking innovation trends, lifecycle banking, small and medium enterprise (SME) digital banking, and cloud banking.