Young accounting aces shine at 26th SOASP national finals

A new generation of top accounting students was recognized at the 26th Search for Outstanding Accounting Students in the Philippines (SOASP), held on 21 March 2025 at the Makati Diamond Hotel.

The annual competition, organized by the P&A Grant Thornton Foundation, Inc. in partnership with the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) and the Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry (ACPACI), honors academic excellence and leadership potential in the field.

This year, 455 students from 92 schools across the country joined the competition. Only 25 reached the final round, where they faced a 50-item multiple-choice quiz and a question-and-answer segment, each contributing 50 percent to the final score.

Marjorie Mae Dy of the University of San Carlos claimed the championship title after standing out in both segments of the finals. She was joined in the top five by Hannah Katrina de Vera and Vincent Michael Pacaña of the Kingfisher School of Business and Finance, who placed second and third respectively. Raymund Franco Satorre of Bulacan State University landed fourth, and Nicole Valerie Tan from the University of the Philippines Diliman ranked fifth. Another UP Diliman student, John Elrich Gamboa, was recognized for achieving the highest score in the qualifying round.

Romualdo V. Murcia III, Chairperson of the P&A Grant Thornton Foundation and Managing Partner of P&A Grant Thornton, encouraged the participants to embrace the journey. “Remember, this is not just about winning, but about the journey and the growth you've experienced along the way. It is important to find joy in the process and let your passion shine through. Because when you love what you do, success naturally follows."

Atty. Olivier D. Aznar, Vice Chairman and Deputy Managing Partner of P&A Grant Thornton, emphasized the values of the program. “SOASP is not just about knowledge, passion, persistence, and grit; it is also a platform to learn, grow, and connect with others, while embracing the challenges ahead."

PICPA President Atty. Roland Café Pondoc described the finalists as “champions of today,” while ACPACI Executive Vice President Marvin Madrigalejo called the competition “a testament to their abilities and skills.”

Now in its 26th year, SOASP continues to serve as a platform for recognizing excellence in accountancy and equipping future professionals with confidence, integrity, and purpose.