NEWS FEATURE l UM Hosts 2nd Accounting Convergence 2026, Fostering Collaboration and Professional Growth

The College of Accounting Education (CAE) of the University of Mindanao (UM) marked another milestone in its commitment to lifelong learning and professional development by offering its first Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity as an accredited CPD provider on July 25, 2026, at the Auditorium, UM Matina Campus, Davao City. The activity is free of charge to its alumni and students. Dubbed the “UM CAE Alumni Professional Development Series 1,” the activity brought together 31 UM CAE alumni and 171 CAE internship students, providing participants with timely updates and insights on ethics, taxation, and emerging technologies affecting the accounting profession. The seminar was granted 4.5 CPD units by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) CPD Council for Accountancy. The activity also underscored the strong engagement of the CAE alumni community, with the participation of the two alumni association presidents - Atty. Thessaloe May Fernandez, President of the UM CAE Alumni Association, and Mr. Jester Hospital, President of the DySAS Alumni Association, together with their respective officers and members. The first technical session, “Ethics in the Workplace,” was delivered by Atty. Roland Cafe Pondoc, member of the UM Board of Trustees, former Commissioner of the Commission on Audit, former National President of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), and an alumnus of UM CAE. Atty. Pondoc emphasized that ethics serves as the foundation of professionalism, integrity, and public service. He stressed that ethical conduct goes beyond simply complying with laws, rules, and regulations; it requires professionals to consistently make principled decisions, particularly when confronted with difficult and challenging situations. His discussion provided participants with a deeper appreciation of the responsibility of accounting professionals to uphold integrity and public trust in the performance of their duties. The second technical session was facilitated by Mr. Jonicris O. Almazan, CPA, Revenue Officer IV of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and a UM CAE alumnus. He discussed the One-Time Abatement Program under Revenue Regulations No. 4-2026. The session provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of the program, particularly its application to qualified micro taxpayers. The One-Time Abatement Program provides eligible taxpayers an opportunity to reduce certain tax liabilities, penalties, surcharges, and interest, thereby helping them regularize their tax obligations and return to compliant status. The discussion was particularly relevant to accounting practitioners and future CPAs, equipping them with current knowledge that they can apply in assisting taxpayers and businesses in navigating the evolving Philippine tax environment. The third technical session focused on one of the most transformative developments in the accounting profession: artificial intelligence (AI). It was facilitated by Mr. Khen O. Enriquez, Supervising Statistical Specialist of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and also a UM CAE alumnus. Mr. Enriquez highlighted how AI is reshaping the accounting profession by enabling CPAs and accountants, particularly those working with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to perform their responsibilities more efficiently, accurately, and strategically. The session emphasized the importance of developing effective AI prompts and understanding both the capabilities and limitations of AI tools. The successful conduct of the first UM CAE Alumni Professional Development Series demonstrates the College's commitment to providing lifelong learning opportunities for its alumni while preparing its students for the evolving demands of the accounting profession. The activity also reflects the College's vision of maintaining a strong and meaningful relationship with its alumni. By bringing accomplished CAE graduates back to the College as speakers and professional resource persons, the program creates a valuable cycle of knowledge-sharing, professional engagement, and alumni involvement. More than a CPD activity, the seminar served as a bridge connecting academe, the accounting profession, government institutions, and the alumni community. It provided participants with relevant professional knowledge while reinforcing the importance of ethical practice, continuous learning, and adaptability in an increasingly technology-driven profession. The initiative directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Quality Education, which calls for increasing the number of people with relevant skills for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship. By providing free, relevant, and professionally recognized CPD opportunities to alumni, the CAE contributes to lifelong learning and continuous professional development. The activity also advances SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, as it brought together the College of Accounting Education, its alumni associations, government agencies, professional leaders, and industry practitioners in a shared effort to strengthen the competencies of accounting professionals and future CPAs.