Breaking the barrier while enjoying the journey

Josephine 'Josie' Guico Villanueva served as President of the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Guam Chapter for the 2022-2023 program year. This article is adapted from her President's Message, published in AGA's Guahan Gaseta.

Last March, I had a little adventure. Of all the travels I did to Saipan, it was the first time that I went to ride on a four-sitter aircraft, which is basically a very small plane, and in addition to that, our pilots were both very young in their early 20s. It was indeed a spontaneous plan which I was invited to join and surprise our friend who will have a confirmation hearing for her new appointment. We couldn’t get onto the commercial plane since we needed to get back by 6 pm for another commitment and an overnight trip won’t fit into our schedules. At first, I was so scared of the expected turbulence as the wind blows on our small aircraft, and it would be a long flight.

Have you done anything spontaneous, adventurous, and scary in your life?

THE THROWBACK:

While we just celebrated the CGFM/Certification month last month, I think it is in time for me to reshare my story of how I pursued many professional certifications. It was in February 2003 when I first worked overseas in Saipan and was fortunate to meet Ms. Nhing Brillo-Reyes and Violeta Miemban who are both CPAs. They were the two E&Y auditors who are assigned to the audit engagement at Hotel Nikko Saipan. I was fortunate to share my story of how I left the Philippines with the plans of retaking the CPA board exam after so close to passing by a few points, but I choose to work overseas than retake it as the results are more probable where I also need to send my other 4 siblings to college.  I also shared with them how it was difficult being a working student during college you have all the years of experience and yet you are being passed down with promotions and pay increases and still have to train on the job those new graduates who are licensed CPAs, high salary and no experience.

They both pitch in my chances of taking the US CPA board exam here in Guam since the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy in the Philippines is equivalent to the US and will just need to be validated through Foreign Academic Credentials Service, Inc. (FACS). I can still recall the words that Nhing told me to start my pursuit young so I can enjoy doing what I enjoyed, such as traveling in a later part of my life. I followed her advice and started the process, but it was not easy.  After a lengthy process of getting my eligibility to sit on the board exam in Guam, I still have yet to get a visa to enter Guam since I am holding a Contract Worker (CW) visa. I had to go to US Embassy to get my passport stamped for a B1/B2 visitor visa and I only got one year. The struggle was real, and my life was eventful, got married, and had my baby and I hardly can pass the 4 parts of the exam in one sitting and my B1/B2 visa expired. I ended up having to go back to US Embassy and request for renewal which, luckily, they gave me a 10-years after showing them of my failed exam attempts and expressing my commitment to nail the exam no matter what. It was in May 19, 2009, when I got my US CPA license and landed a job here in Guam in October 2009. Fortunate to have so many coaches and mentors, I was also persuaded to take the CGFM exam in the year 2011 while in the private sector. I joked around and said that it was my Plan B in case I decided to go to the local/federal government. The uphill battle never ended in addition to passing the exam, I have to convince the AGA certification board that I had earned my work experience as a government contractor and finally officially earned my certification in December 2012.

I will never stop my pursuit of continued professional education and ended up working on a specific certification as I work in different industries and roles such as completing a certification specializing in hospital accounting, diocesan management, project management, and human resources professional certification. Earning that certification not only changes the landscape of your employability and earning potential but gives you that self-esteem of your know-how, not just hands-on experience but technical know-how through education. It is not a bragging right but a competitive advantage that demonstrates your knowledge and expertise in the field as you uphold and maintain the requirements of the license and certification.

If I narrate my story of how I nailed those exams, it will most likely be many chapters. For those of you that are continuously pursuing or are planning to pursue the exams and analyzing the odds, it will tremendously advance your career both professionally and in economics just follow Nike’s slogan, “Just Do It” and what I always told my students, let the exam give up on you instead…

IN THE NOW:

So, we had to combine our February and March 2023 newsletters. Indeed, it was a very busy month not just for AGA Guam Chapter but also for most of us in the finance community. The external audit, the budget season, and for some of us our work transition and adjustments.

TAKE AWAYS:

“In order to travel at our maximum velocity, we must balance the power of our intellect with truth of our instincts, our information, and our wisdom. Each of these parts must perform well to help you advance and perform at your optimal potential. Many people live lives that are in poor rotation-like unbalanced tires on a car- which consequently impedes their mobility because they don’t balance what they know with what they sense. From his book Instinct Daily Reading by T.D. Jakes.

and yet attend a momentous occasion of our dear friend who will be sworn in.

I had the experience of having to get to a destination on a specific time and return to catch up on another meeting by air. Just like flying on a private jet. That day I realize that I am not that afraid of heights and added  the desire of doing a sky diving…

My life is being given as an offering to God, and the time has come for me to leave this life. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, ...

-2 Timothy 4:6-8