Last January 31, 2015, the National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants, in cooperation with Sycip Gorres Velayo and Co. (SGV), Far Eastern University Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants and University of the East Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants, held the Grand Academic Congress 2015 entitled Tying the Knot: Commitment to the Profession.

The registration for the event started at around 8 up to 9 in the morning. To lighten the mood in the auditorium, the host school conducted a popular game called “Bring Me”, asking for some accounting related things for the game.

All the speakers are fresh graduates and are among the topnotchers in the recent CPA board examinations. They are all currently working in the most popular accounting firm of the country, SGV. The first speaker graduated summa cum laude from the University of San Carlos and placed 8^th in the CPA board examination, Mr. Thomas Zachary Sarigumba. He shared his study habits when he was still in college, adding that he also experienced failures and those failures pushed him to work even harder. Mr. Joscel Delos Cielos placed 5^th during the July 2014 CPA board examination. According to him, balancing social life and studies is possible. During his college days, he said he was just an average student and he never made it to the dean’s list. He said that it’s not about the grades but rather, the students should learn how to prioritize things and continue to have fun even while studying. The next speaker was Ms. Josel Richa Ann Rivera from the University of the Philippines Diliman. She graduated magna cum laude and placed 7^th on the CPA board exam. She shared that entering public practice will give her more exposure to the profession. She also shared that maybe after 10 years, she might want to enter the academe. Last but not the least is Mr.  Mark Anthony Tacuboy. He graduated as a cum laude of the University Of Saint Louis Of Tuguegarao and landed as the 1^st placer in the CPA board examination. He said he had gone through everything all the previous speakers had experienced. He said that as students, we should focus on our studies and we should always do our best to avoid having regrets in the end. We should always be optimistic in life and keep a close relationship with the Lord. Truly, all the speakers inspired every student inside the auditorium. They encouraged us to be patient with the subject because a little hard work will be worth it.

The event concluded with the presentation of certificates of speakers followed by an audio visual presentation from the NFJPIA committee. The morning session ended at around 1 in the afternoon.