DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Nearly 50,000 Filipino accountants are now employed across the UAE, with many companies, both multinational and local, actively hiring Filipino talent in finance teams due to their expertise and reliability. Lyndon Magsino, founder and chairman of the Dubai chapter of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), noted that Filipino accountants have become vital contributors to the UAE’s business success.
“Filipino accountants are visible in almost every company in Dubai, serving as the hands and brains of these organizations,” said Magsino, a former advisor to regional and central banks in the Middle East. He explained that Filipino CPAs are essential in areas like financial reporting, investment banking, taxation, and risk management, helping to maintain not only company finances but also supporting the broader UAE economy.
Magsino, who holds an Executive MBA from Hult International Business School and completed an Executive Leadership Program at Harvard Business School, highlighted that UAE businesses value Filipino accountants for their well-rounded skills beyond finance. “They recognize our ability to contribute in operations, administration, and strategic growth,” he shared.
Noting the rigorous training and challenging licensure process Filipino CPAs undergo in the Philippines, Magsino remarked, “Our board exam is one of the toughest in the world.” Filipino accountants, comprising the largest group of Filipino professionals in the UAE, are known for their dedication and skill, which the UAE business community finds invaluable.
The recent PICPA-Middle East convention, held on November 9-10 at Shangri-La Hotel in Dubai, celebrated the impact of Filipino accountants worldwide. The event was attended by Philippine Ambassador Alfonso Ver, Consul General Marford Angeles, and Labor Attaché John Rio Bautista, who commended Filipino accountants for their contribution to the UAE’s economy.