The surging upstart
REYES TACANDONG & Co. may be relatively new in the auditing trade, but the people behind the firm have been around the industry for decades.
“Our leaders’ combined experience is close to 350 years in public practice,” Roman Felipe S. Reyes, chairman of Reyes Tacandong & Co., said, adding that the company’s partners have had experience in practically every major industry in the country.
In 2010, the company started with 20 professionals—most of them were partners at SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. “From 20 professionals that formed the backbone of the firm, Reyes Tacandong & Co. has now grown into a team of more than 500.”
Today, the firm continues to expand its reach and has branches in Davao and Cebu. “Reyes Tacandong & Co. is very new in the market, yet in less than five years, we have been described as ‘the fastest-growing firm’ and a clear competition, an alternative to the international accounting firms,” Mr. Reyes said in an email to Business World.
The firm believes that in order to stand out, it has to be different from already established players in the industry. For instance, Reyes Tacandong & Co. recruits from a larger pool of candidates for employment.
“We try to be different from the other firms. We hire and have people of different academic backgrounds, from several more schools than the usual choices for hirees, with different work experiences,” said Protacio T. Tacandong, chief operating officer of Reyes Tacandong & Co. “We continue to successfully recruit topnotchers of the CPA Board Examinations and Bar Examinations. On our second year, we were able to hire the top 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the May 2012 CPA Licensure Examinations’ successful candidates. One of our tax partners, William S. Gan is not only a 6th placer in the CPA Licensure Examinations but also the first bar topnotcher in our firm. As of today, we have 341 people who are topnotchers, summa cum laudes, magna cum laudes and cum laudes from different universities in the Philippines.”
Marvin Martija, a 7th placer of the May 2011 CPA Licensure Examinations, the first top- notcher to join the firm on its first year and now an audit associate manager, shared, “I boarded the professional ‘ bus’ of Reyes Tacandong & Co. because I believe in the vision of its highly passionate leaders who remained firm to their principles and corporate values. I have full confidence that my professional and personal journey will be filled with fruitful experiences and meaningful career and life lessons. I am looking forward to being part of RT& Co. as it continues its drive to its destination — to be
‘THE Audit Firm’ in the country.” Manny Buenscuceso, 1st placer of the May 2012 CPA Licensure Examinations, shared, “I joined RT& Co. because of the values and work standards that the firm upholds. I stay in RT&Co. primarily because of its good organizational culture and dynamic work environment. It’s a company where there is opportunity for professional and personal growth.” He is currently an audit senior associate.
“The firm has also been recognized for its work in due diligence, tax, advisory, and audit services,” Mr. Tacandong said. “Some of the firm’s leaders have been standouts in their previous employment as well, and they continue to be recognized today as executives of Reyes Tacandong & Co.,” he added.
In its continued growth, the firm intends to impart its knowledge to the company’s newer employees who would be integral in Reyes Tacandong & Co.’s progress.
“Also, the firm does not just train people. Reyes Tacandong & Co. develops, nurtures, and molds its people to be value- driven and exceptional professionals with the passion to achieve and the commitment to pursue excellence,” Mr. Tacandong said.
As the firm continues to eye expansion, Reyes Tacandong & Co. is looking beyond just improving its services as it is planning to soon affiliate itself with an international accounting group.
“We intend to expand our services other than the regular audit, tax and advisory services,” Mr. Reyes said. “We are also in serious discussion with an international firm whose vision and goals are compatible with ours.”
“Reyes Tacandong & Co. is very new in the market, yet in less than five years, we have been described as ‘the fastest-growing firm’ and a clear competition, an alternative to the international accounting firms.”