After Six Attempts Over 20 Years, an OFW in Dubai Passes CPA Board Exam
RYAN SAN DIEGO TIZON – An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Dubai has achieved a significant milestone by passing the CPA board exam after six attempts over 20 years.
Tizon’s guiding motto, “Walang forever” (Nothing lasts forever), inspired him to persist despite numerous failures. He believed that with perseverance and determination, he could overcome the challenges of the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission’s (PRC) board exam for accountants.
Tizon earned his accountancy degree from Columban College – Olongapo City in 2001, but he realized that completing the course alone wasn’t enough; passing the CPA licensure exam was essential. His journey began with his first attempt at the PRC’s Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) in 2004, which ended in failure. He continued trying in 2005 and 2006, but faced the same result. Despite enrolling in a review center for his fourth attempt in 2019, he did not succeed.
In 2020, Tizon prepared intensely for the exam but was thwarted when the COVID-19 pandemic led to its suspension until 2023. During this period, he took the US Certified Management Accountant (US-CMA) exam on October 18, 2020, and passed on his first try. Despite this achievement, he remained focused on the PRC exam and continued his self-review.
In 2023, Tizon faced a setback when he was disqualified for failing to meet a PRC requirement. Undeterred, he persisted, addressing the gaps from his previous attempts and taking the exam again from June 16 to 18 of this year. His efforts finally paid off when he passed the CPA licensure examination.
According to GMA News, Tizon, who has been working as an accountant in Dubai since August 2, 2010, is now contemplating better opportunities. The long-awaited success of passing the CPA board exam after two decades of hard work and persistence is beginning to sink in for him.