New head of top acctg firm preaches work credibility, integrity

A woman who rose through the ranks from auditor to managing partner is now the chairman and senior partner of accounting firm Isla Lipana & Co. (formerly Joaquin Cunanan & Co.).

Tammy Lipana, a CPA topnotcher and cum laude graduate from the University of the East, assumed the chairmanship of the premier accounting firm in April. Her goal is to maintain the credibility and integrity the accounting firm earned over the years by providing quality service to its clients.

"Credibility and integrity is important for us. We want to focus on quality because we want our clients to be proud of us," Lipana said in a luncheon with reporters.

She joined the firm in 1969 as an auditor, handling client accounting and tax services before rising as audit partner in 1985. Shortly thereafter, she migrated to tax practice in response to the growing demands for tax services.

Her career took a sharp turn when she was designated tax managing partner in 1995. She then rose from setting directions and strategies for profitable growth in the tax practice to holding a concurrently responsible position of vice chairman last January.

At present, Lipana heads the Taxation Committee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry and is a member of the Makati Business Club and the Management Association of the Philippines. For many years, she chaired the Committee on Taxation of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), where she also served as director and treasurer.

Isla Lipana is a member-firm of Price Waterhouse Coopers which provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services for public and private clients. It is among the Big Four leading firms globally in terms of revenues, geographical reach and manpower headcount.

In its 83-year history, the firm has developed professional knowledge in various industries, giving its clients seasoned advice to help them stand out in the market, as they are guided by their core values of excellence, teamwork and leadership.