SM top execs lead charge in accountancy excellence

MANILA, Philippines — Four SM executives led the charge among 100 notable certified public accountants (CPAs) in the country as they were conferred the Centenary Awards of Excellence for their outstanding contributions in the advancement of the accountancy profession.

The Centenary Awards of Excellence were presented to Jose Sio, chairman of  SM Investments Corp.; Jeffrey Lim, president of SM Prime Holdings Inc; Nestor Tan, president and CEO of BDO Unibank Inc.; and Ricky Lim, director at SM Retail Inc.

The Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy (PRBOA) noted that “these are the Filipino CPAs who demonstrated unquestionable integrity, contributed immensely in the advancement of the accountancy profession and participated remarkably in national development.”

“It is an honor to receive this award from esteemed colleagues and professionals of Accountancy in the country. This profession brings us pride as it has a big role to play in strategic management and in the transformation of the economy. I am deeply grateful to my mentors, Mr. Washington Sycip of SGV and Mr. Henry Sy of SM for providing me the golden opportunities to hone my chosen profession and contribute to national growth and development,” Sio said.

Prior to joining SM, Sio was a former senior partner of SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV). He started his career in SM Investments as the chief finance officer in 1990 and was appointed as chairman of the board of SM Investments in 2017.

“I am deeply privileged to receive this award from my colleagues, who I respect and admire. Our role as accountants has dramatically evolved beyond reporting to being stewards of accountability and governance,” Lim said.

Joining SM Prime Holdings in 1994 as its vice president for finance when the company debuted on the stock market, Lim went on to become the president of the company, now touted as one of Southeast Asia’s largest real estate developers.

“In the banking industry, accounting is very important. It impacts all aspects of our operations especially in the delivery of reliable information which serves the needs of various stakeholders and customers. I am honored to receive this accolade from the industry as an affirmation of our profession’s important responsibility,” Tan said.

Tan has been the president and CEO of the country’s largest bank since June 1998. Prior to joining BDO, he was COO of the Financial Institutions Services Group of BZW, the investment-banking subsidiary of Barclays Group. His banking career spans nearly four decades and includes posts at global financial institutions abroad.

“Accounting helps ensure the continued success and survival of any business. This is crucial in the retail sector as we deal with various suppliers, customers, partners and stakeholders. I am delighted to receive this award from our peers and wish the organization more success,” Lim said.

Lim is among the pioneers of finance at SM Retail.  He was the former EVP for controllership of SM Retail and has been instrumental in the introduction and development of foreign brands in SM. Together with other SM employees, he founded the SM Savings and Loan Association Inc in 1987. With the support of SM founder Henry Sy Sr., they started to instill the value of savings to member- employees.  He has served as the association’s president for 26 years and is now its chairman emeritus.

The award marks the culmination of the 100th year anniversary celebration of the Accountancy Profession in the Philippines. A celebration was held last March 17 at the Grand Ballroom of the Manila Hotel by the PRBOA in partnership with the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants and in cooperation with the Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry, Association of Certified Public Accountants in Public Practice, Government Association of Certified Public Accountants and the National Association of Certified Public Accountants in Education.