Lilian Linsangan: Mover, mentor and milestone maker

By practice standards, Lilian Linsangan made a late start in public accounting but a big leap in her professional track. She was working as an apprentice weaver at a textile manufacturing company when, at 27, she threaded her way to college–as a working student– to pursue her high school dream of becoming a certified public accountant (CPA).

She graduated magna cum laude and took the seventh highest overall rating in the 1981 CPA board examinations. In 1988, she joined Punongbayan & Araullo (P&A), a young public accounting firm at that time.

At P&A, Linsangan (who currently heads its Audit & Assurance Division) continued to challenge herself by venturing into "uncharted territory." When the firm’s then international affiliate enhanced its internal audit services in the Philippines, she immediately signed up to take over the reins. She headed for London and Cleveland to attend an information technology conference and expose herself to international internal audit practices and perspectives.

Later, Linsangan led the team that developed an internal audit methodology specific to P&A. The firm soon established its Business Risk Services Group, the rapidly expanding unit that provides internal audit and technology risk management services to local and multinational companies.

She remarks, "our profession demands that we always recognize that we are a service-oriented firm. It is crucial for us to be responsive to the needs of our client without compromising our integrity. It is therefore important that we select people whose values are in line with the Firm’s."

Linsangan notes, "recent economic developments are forcing more people to leave the country and seek greener pastures. Maintaining competence levels in the industry has become increasingly difficult."

She adds, "perhaps, the best way to deal with this challenge is to keep an eye out for people who have the potential to do good in this profession, and of course, to exert untiring effort and patience in training them."

Her dedication to nurturing promising audit professional–which has made her something of a "mother hen" figure at P&A is also apparent in the professional and civic organizations she participates in.

As its director for Academe Relations of Institute of Internal Auditors-Philippines (IIA-P), Linsangan works with local colleges and universities to include bachelor’s degree and master’s degree courses on internal auditing in their curriculum.

IIA-P also continues to provide professional guidance for auditors looking to pass higher-level certifications for Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certification in Control Self-Assessment (CCSA) and Certified Financial Services Auditor . Linsangan is herself a CIA and a CCSA professional.

As if her schedule with IIA-P isn’t hectic enough, Linsangan is also actively involved in the Women’s Business Council for the Philippines (WBCP), of which she is a founding member. WBPC is a socio-civic organization that promotes women’s rights and support women’s quest for excellence, especially in the corporate arena. Linsangan brings her expertise to the organization as its current director for membership and auditing.

Linsangan clearly has her hands full. But it seems she has sewn up her career. Weaving through every new challenges with the same clear head that propelled her to the top, she merely shrugs it off, "it’s all just part of the job."