UP Visayas accountancy student beats 491 others for national recognition

A fifth-year Bachelor of Science in Accountancy student from the University of the Philippines Visayas College of Management was recognized during the 27th Search for Outstanding Accountancy Students of the Philippines.

Roxine Anne B. Barrion received her award as one of the SOASP’s Top 25 national finalists at the Makati Diamond Residences in Makati City on March 20.

The SOASP is organized by Punongbayan & Araullo, the Philippine member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd., and the P&A Foundation Inc., in partnership with the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry.

The annual competition is one of the most prestigious accountancy student competitions in the Philippines, drawing top-performing students from universities across the country to compete in subjects covered by the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination.

Data from P&A revealed that a total of 516 participants, who are graduating by the end of academic year 2026 from 113 schools nationwide, took the written qualifying examinations on Feb. 21, 2026.

Each school was allowed to send up to seven students to compete in the preliminary round.

Of the 516 participants, only the top 25 students from 19 schools advanced to the national finals, where they competed in the quiz bee round.

The qualifying exams and quiz bee questions were based on various subjects from the CPA Licensure Examination, including financial accounting, auditing, management services, taxation, and regulatory framework for business transactions.

Present during the competition were P&A Grant Thornton Chairman and Managing Partner Romualdo V. Murcia III, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants National President Gerard B. Sanvictores, Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce and Industry National President Marvin L. Madrigalejo, and P&A Vice Chairman and Deputy Managing Partner Atty. Olivier Aznar, among others.

Barrion was accompanied by Prof. Kim Rommel E. Panaguiton, chairperson of the Department of Accounting and adviser to the College of Management SOASP participants.

Barrion received a plaque of recognition, a cash prize, and a review scholarship for the CPA Licensure Exam.

The University of the Philippines Visayas is part of the UP System and operates campuses in Miagao and Iloilo City. Its College of Management offers programs in accountancy, management, and economics and is one of the leading business schools in Western Visayas.