Alvin Sta Ana: A visionary leader in the accounting industry
Alvin Sta Ana is not your average Certified Public Accountant (CPA). As the president of SIMPLY ACCOUNTING PH, Sta. Ana has established himself as a visionary leader in the accounting industry, with a strong focus on providing business solutions for MSMEs and entrepreneurs. His strong advocacy for tax compliance sets him apart in the industry. He is committed to helping people understand their tax obligations and navigate the complex world of taxation. Through SIMPLY ACCOUNTING PH and TAXMATE, Sta. Ana is making a positive impact on the business community and empowering individuals to take control of their finances.
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Alvin Sta Ana is not your average Certified Public Accountant (CPA). As the president of SIMPLY ACCOUNTING PH, Sta. Ana has established himself as a visionary leader in the accounting industry, with a strong focus on providing business solutions for MSMEs and entrepreneurs. His strong advocacy for tax compliance sets him apart in the industry. He is committed to helping people understand their tax obligations and navigate the complex world of taxation. Through SIMPLY ACCOUNTING PH and TAXMATE, Sta. Ana is making a positive impact on the business community and empowering individuals to take control of their finances.
Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe
Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net
Subscribe to Business Franchise Guru: https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessFranchiseGuru
Follow us:
Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook
Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram
Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter
DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion
Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital
Check out our Podcasts:
Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify
Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts
Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic
Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer
Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcher
Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein
#TheManilaTimes
#worldnews
#philippines
#entrepreneur
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NewsTranscript
00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:03 The Business Mentor Talks is vlog by no other,
00:10 Armando Butz Bartolome.
00:12 In cooperation with the Manila Times,
00:15 it aims to bring to life and recognize entrepreneurs
00:19 who constantly strive to create a living for the community
00:22 as well.
00:23 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:26 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:30 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:33 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:37 [MUSIC PLAYING]
01:05 Listen to the Business Mentor Talks with Butz Bartolome.
01:08 [MUSIC PLAYING]
01:12 Today, let me give you some tips,
01:18 because we have a very important guest who
01:20 will tell us not about numbers, but how to appreciate numbers
01:26 and how he became an entrepreneur.
01:29 So he's also a member of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce
01:33 and Industry, Quezon City.
01:35 So let's welcome Mr. Alvin Santana.
01:38 Alvin, good morning.
01:40 Good morning, Sunday, to you.
01:43 Good morning, and happy Sunday to all of our listeners.
01:46 Thank you for having me here.
01:48 Yes, Alvin.
01:49 Alvin, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
01:59 Well, I started my private practice as an employee 2007.
02:06 And then after six years, I started my own business,
02:11 which is an accounting firm.
02:13 Oh, and you call yourself as--
02:15 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
02:16 Simply Accounting.
02:18 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
02:20 Yes.
02:22 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
02:23 Yes, my accounting firm is Simply Accounting PH.
02:26 Simply Accounting PH.
02:29 Tell me, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
02:36 Let's say, like, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
02:39 What, in your opinion, would your advice
02:42 be if you were to enter into a partnership?
02:44 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
02:48 But again, I always say, we have to note well
02:53 how our partnership--
02:54 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
02:57 Well, having your own business.
03:00 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG] in my case, it's an accounting firm.
03:03 So it's two things at the same time.
03:06 I'm practicing my profession, but at the same time,
03:10 I'm a business owner.
03:12 So first is, I have to be an expert in my own field.
03:16 So that's number one.
03:18 I think that would also apply to other businesses.
03:22 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
03:27 So you should be an expert at your own expertise.
03:31 And then the other one is, I'm also a business owner,
03:34 managing the firm, running the business.
03:37 So in running the business, I remember I started small.
03:41 So when I started the firm, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
03:46 from private employment, I first do it as a mixed income earner.
03:52 So I have my private job to give me a stable salary.
03:58 But at the same time, I'm slowly establishing my own career,
04:03 my own business.
04:04 So I started small.
04:05 I did not get an office right away.
04:08 I did not hire staff.
04:10 So I just do things at my own.
04:13 So I establish my own base, my own client base,
04:18 especially in our business.
04:20 We cannot advertise in our profession.
04:23 So the only thing that we can get clients is through referrals.
04:29 So the first clients that I got are really important
04:33 because those are the full of satisfied clients that
04:37 will give you more clients.
04:40 So I do not rush things.
04:44 So I do it like two years.
04:46 And then when the firm is already sustaining,
04:50 and then I make it full time.
04:53 Oh, so you're-- [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
04:58 But are you and your wife really together in this business?
05:03 Or is she also an accountant?
05:05 When I started this business, I'm single.
05:09 And then I met my wife.
05:10 The love story is the first client that we have,
05:14 my wife is the accountant.
05:17 So at that time, we have our own love story.
05:22 But then again, we've met for the second time.
05:27 And that's the time that I partnered her.
05:28 I think we met three years after we had our first encounter.
05:34 And then, yeah, that's--
05:36 it's because of my firm that I've met my wife.
05:40 Correct, correct.
05:41 So yeah, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
05:56 That's how the show goes on.
05:59 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
06:01 But [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
06:05 There are a lot of people who are really at crossroads.
06:08 Crossroads.
06:09 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
06:14 Now, who wants to really become an entrepreneur?
06:17 Was it easy to start on starting your private practice
06:21 at the same time employed?
06:22 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
06:23 I know a secret key.
06:27 Well, the secret key is all business has risk.
06:33 We cannot deny that.
06:35 But you should learn how to mitigate your risk.
06:40 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
06:42 And the secret is planning the business.
06:46 Now, in planning a business, you should really
06:50 know how to compute your overhead cost.
06:53 And then you need to really know how to project your income.
06:58 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
07:01 Through your own planning, through your own projection,
07:06 in the next coming months or in the next coming period,
07:10 it's [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
07:13 And then that's the time that you will start on your own.
07:17 So never start without a plan.
07:19 And do not wait the time [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
07:26 before you let it go.
07:27 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
07:32 You are reaching that destination
07:35 that the business will grow big.
07:37 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
07:39 Accountants are not allowed by law to advertise,
07:45 at least here in the Philippines.
07:46 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
07:51 But how do you build your--
07:53 what is really what you're building up?
07:56 You build your one client to another?
07:59 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
08:03 Oh, that's one thing I know, the word of mouth.
08:06 Just like you said, so Western countries, Australia, US,
08:09 they really have this big billboard, you know?
08:12 Oh.
08:13 Big billboard that they advertise that we
08:16 are the best accountant.
08:18 They have that.
08:20 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
08:21 We're very conservative about that.
08:23 So there are two things how I grow my business.
08:27 First is having satisfied clients.
08:29 So [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG] Facebook,
08:31 I cannot advertise that [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG] services
08:34 that I do.
08:34 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
08:39 So what I do is, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
08:42 satisfied clients, that's what I do.
08:45 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
08:47 Yeah, testimonial.
08:48 And then the second one is I joined business organizations.
08:53 Yeah, you joined the Philippine Chamber of Commerce, PCI.
08:57 Yes, PCI.
08:59 And then I joined JCI Manila.
09:02 I joined BNI.
09:04 I also joined Rotary Club.
09:07 And those people that I've met, we
09:10 developed trust and confidence.
09:12 Because getting an accountant is a very crucial decision
09:16 of a business owner.
09:18 You must develop two things, trust and confidence.
09:21 Because as an accountant, you will
09:23 see all the sensitive information of the business.
09:28 And as a business owner, you must trust
09:31 and you should have confidence with your accountant.
09:34 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
09:35 The third one is I also accept the speaking engagement.
09:39 Like I speak for some of the programs of the organizations
09:44 as a tax resource speaker.
09:47 And then those are pro bono, the speaker engagement.
09:50 That's how we advertise our profession.
09:54 So Alvin, tell me, as a CPA, you've
09:58 seen the businesses, what are the flaws
10:03 that the business owners should fix?
10:07 Because you know, it's true, an accountant
10:11 is confidential in nature.
10:14 And how do you see that business that are successful
10:19 and business that are really rickety, rickety,
10:23 the ones that shake?
10:25 What are the key points that you see in business today?
10:31 Well, there are a lot of things that
10:34 will hurt or that many people will hear.
10:37 The first one is the proper check and balance.
10:40 Especially in small businesses, we
10:42 tend to hire our family and friends.
10:46 But there's nothing wrong on hiring the people that we know
10:50 and the people that we can trust.
10:53 What's wrong, I think, is compromising
10:57 the personal relationship with the check
11:00 and balance in business.
11:02 So if a cashier hires you for your business,
11:05 and you have a small store, and you have a guard there,
11:08 and then, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
11:15 You don't really put things that will check the performance
11:22 or how the cash is being handled.
11:25 So [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
11:30 And then you presented something, an opportunity,
11:34 that they can get away, they can get extra income,
11:38 and they can get away with it.
11:40 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
11:45 You don't set controls.
11:47 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
11:52 And everything, and you do this to me.
11:54 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
11:56 You don't put control.
11:57 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
12:01 And I think those are the things that--
12:04 I heard stories from my clients.
12:08 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
12:09 They do not check the money.
12:11 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
12:12 Report sales.
12:14 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
12:15 And everything.
12:16 And that's what happened.
12:18 So [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
12:20 You should really put a system in your business.
12:23 So [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
12:26 So it means that [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
12:31 The business will run.
12:33 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
12:37 So you should really establish your business process flow,
12:41 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
12:44 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
12:50 So you get to go to other places.
12:57 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
12:58 You can monitor it remotely.
13:00 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:03 So in other words, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:06 So start up, Alvin, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:10 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:11 Start up, let's say, like, three months, six months.
13:15 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:20 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:22 First is [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:25 Working fund.
13:26 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:28 So when starting a business, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:32 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:33 Your first few months [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:37 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:40 So [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:43 And then [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:46 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:50 You have to spend for [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:53 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:54 That will make your business sustainable.
13:56 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
13:58 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
14:03 First three months, you have to really work
14:07 to have enough clients to sustain your business.
14:10 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
14:12 Working capital.
14:13 And then [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
14:15 how to get clients, how to bring customers in.
14:20 And then [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
14:25 challenges along the way.
14:26 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
14:26 Because they have already applied.
14:29 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
14:31 Between an entrepreneur and an accountant,
14:34 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
14:37 Aside from the trust and confidence.
14:39 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
14:44 They get frustrated because [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
14:53 What should be the relationship?
14:55 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
14:56 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
14:57 Entrepreneurs that [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
15:01 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
15:02 Advice well.
15:03 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
15:04 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
15:05 Entrepreneurs that happen [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
15:07 Accountant.
15:09 OK.
15:11 It would be a generic information.
15:15 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
15:17 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
15:18 Accountants.
15:19 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
15:23 We have this confidentiality with our clients.
15:26 So if you would ask the accountants
15:29 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
15:31 Like, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
15:37 You can't really check.
15:39 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
15:43 Just to get him, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
15:50 We don't really do that.
15:51 We don't really do that.
15:52 And then [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
15:56 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
15:58 Accountant.
15:58 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
16:00 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
16:01 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
16:03 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
16:06 In accordance [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
16:07 Because if you want a service, if you
16:11 want to inquire a service upon a professional accountant,
16:14 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
16:16 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
16:21 For me, that's red flag already.
16:23 So we also don't do that.
16:27 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
16:31 I would advise you that you give my number to the prospect
16:35 client, and then the client will call me.
16:37 It's not the other way around.
16:38 Not the accountant.
16:38 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
16:46 And then the third one is you should have a contract.
16:52 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
16:54 In the engagement contract, there
16:56 are the scope of works covered in engagement.
17:02 So that's very important.
17:04 Your payment terms, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
17:06 And then [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
17:09 So when you ask for a service upon an accountant,
17:13 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
17:15 There should be a contract.
17:17 If something happens, it's always
17:20 bound within the written agreement.
17:23 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
17:34 So there would be a clear expectation between client
17:39 and between the accountant.
17:42 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
18:06 And then another is [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
18:17 So as much as possible, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
18:20 So I would suggest [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
18:24 They can ask organizations like PCCI, they can ask.
18:29 They can ask for recommendations
18:31 among organizations.
18:32 They can ask [INAUDIBLE] organizations.
18:37 Of course, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
18:39 Then [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
18:44 And you can inquire for a list of accounting firms
18:49 in that area [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
18:51 So it's really not--
18:53 Yeah.
18:54 So in other words, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
18:58 So head office, [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
19:05 And you can inquire because [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
19:10 PICPA will be able to assist you.
19:12 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
19:13 Yeah, they can give you a list of accounting firms
19:16 or tax practitioners within the area.
19:19 So are these members of PICPA updated?
19:23 Or do they delist also members?
19:27 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
19:35 Well, PICPA is a professional organization.
19:38 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
19:44 But for PICPA, it's like other professional organizations.
19:48 You need to be a good member.
19:53 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
19:54 You have to--
19:57 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
20:00 --ethic case.
20:01 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
20:04 So [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
20:06 They can go to PICPA also.
20:08 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
20:10 --help them to take action.
20:12 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
20:14 --liability in accounting.
20:16 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
20:17 The accountant will also be held liable.
20:23 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
20:25 And it was proven may default. The liability
20:38 is also heavy on the accountant.
20:41 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
20:43 So in our field, there's a lot of practice that can be done.
20:48 The one that you've mentioned is the external auditor.
20:51 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
20:54 So there's this one case that happened here in Quezon City
21:03 about the fake receipts.
21:05 And then the auditor--
21:06 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
21:08 Yeah.
21:09 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
21:10 And then [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
21:19 Tax practitioner, that should be accredited.
21:24 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
21:26 --accounting.
21:28 And yeah.
21:29 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
21:31 [SPEAKING IN TAGALOG]
21:33 So I know that if you're charged with a criminal case,
21:43 something like that, your license will be removed.
21:47 So really, you're bound by the rules, and you're liable.
21:52 You really have to make sure everything is protected,
21:54 both you and the client.
21:57 So we can do--
21:59 there's a so-called developed platform, Alvin.
22:02 What is this?
22:03 Share with us.
22:04 Is this the TaxMate?
22:06 What is TaxMate?
22:07 Yes, sir.
22:08 Actually, it started.
22:09 It's our advocacy, because I have friends
22:13 that are microbusiness owners.
22:16 But the thing is, they cannot get the services
22:20 of an accounting firm, because it's pricey.
22:24 Because, running a business, you will pay your rent,
22:29 and you need to have a competitive salary.
22:32 So the service of an accounting firm
22:36 is really expensive compared to the income
22:41 of microbusinesses.
22:43 So I'm having this thought, how can we help a lot
22:48 of entrepreneurs that are start-ups and then microbusinesses
22:54 to be a good, responsible taxpayer?
22:58 Because if they fail to be a responsible taxpayer,
23:02 others will be pitiful.
23:04 Sometimes, there are a lot of penalties.
23:06 The money is running out.
23:07 The penalty is bad.
23:08 And then some of them end up on--
23:12 the freelance, not the professionals
23:16 that file taxes.
23:17 Sometimes, they file it wrong.
23:19 And then they end up on paying the penalty.
23:22 It's pitiful.
23:23 So we thought of an idea that, how can we
23:30 leverage the time of the firm that it will not
23:35 create costly services for the microbusinesses?
23:42 So one of the ways how you can do it
23:45 is through automation, which can be done through an application.
23:51 So in the application, you have the option--
23:53 it could be a web-based.
23:55 In the laptop, it could be a mobile-based.
23:58 So since we are helping microbusinesses,
24:02 most of them have cell phones.
24:06 So we focused on mobile-based.
24:12 And then this platform, Taxmate, you
24:16 can download it for free on Google App and then
24:20 on Apple Store.
24:22 It is designed for microbusiness earners.
24:26 It means their gross revenue in a year is 3 million and below.
24:31 So if your income is 3 million and below in a year,
24:37 you can benefit from this Tax Mobile app.
24:41 So with this Tax Mobile app, you need your certificate
24:44 of registration, of course, the COR, the VIR.
24:48 That's the thing that you need to register your business.
24:53 And then the details there, that's what you input in the app.
24:57 And then every month or every quarter,
25:00 you just put your sales amount in the app.
25:04 And then the app will complete the tax.
25:06 And then the app is a platform.
25:09 So the back office is the Simply Accounting, my company.
25:14 So we will get the details, all the inputs there.
25:19 And then we will process the filing of the client.
25:25 And then after that, they will receive the forms.
25:30 And then the books of accounts then.
25:33 So their effort with the use of the app is to input the sales.
25:39 And then they will just copy the journal entries that
25:42 are already in the application.
25:45 So they will not be afraid that they will not comply.
25:51 Because it's so easy to use that Tax Mobile app.
25:58 And you can use it for free.
26:00 It will complete the tax.
26:01 But if you want to subscribe to the service, which
26:04 is, you will file the tax.
26:06 And you will have books of accounts that you can write.
26:11 The cost is 150 pesos per month.
26:15 So it's like you just bought coffee at Starbucks.
26:18 Yes.
26:18 Coffee is more expensive, right, Alvin?
26:21 Coffee is more expensive.
26:24 If you add extra expenses, it's more expensive.
26:27 The reason behind it is--
26:28 It's more expensive.
26:29 The reason behind it is--
26:32 actually, we only use the app at cost.
26:36 Because this is part of our advocacy.
26:39 We wanted to do something for the business community,
26:44 especially for microbusinesses and professionals
26:48 who are just starting.
26:49 Because that's where we came from.
26:51 So we know how hard it is to start your business.
26:55 And it is our aspiration to see these microbusinesses to grow.
27:03 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
27:05 The revenue is 3 million and above in a year.
27:09 They cannot use the app anymore.
27:11 So that's the time that they can hire professional accountants
27:16 to do their tax filing.
27:18 So in a year--
27:19 [INTERPOSING VOICES]
27:20 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
27:22 You saw the pain points of MSME.
27:25 And you realize that--
27:27 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
27:29 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
27:32 You're giving them a lending hand.
27:36 But how many-- since when did you start this?
27:41 Well, we started this last year.
27:43 So as of now, we have 1,000 downloads already
27:47 of the TaxMobile app.
27:49 So hopefully--
27:51 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
27:53 Actually, last year, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
27:57 online sellers.
28:00 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
28:01 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
28:31 So the merchants, they are obliged to report
28:35 the revenue that they have.
28:37 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
28:39 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
28:40 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
28:41 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
28:43 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
28:44 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
28:45 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
28:46 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
28:49 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
28:50 So I'm looking for ways how to promote it to them
29:03 that this app will help them not to comply with their--
29:08 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
29:09 Correct, correct.
29:15 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
29:19 And certainly, we all have to pitch in for our tax.
29:22 I mean, that's how the government will survive
29:25 and give us the services.
29:27 So yeah.
29:28 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
29:29 Being a responsible entrepreneur,
29:33 not just an entrepreneur for your own self.
29:36 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
29:37 So how would you assess the awareness
29:45 of a lot of entrepreneurs in terms of the tax compliance?
29:49 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
29:52 Is there really a constant effort
29:56 that we have to really push from the elementary,
30:01 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
30:02 to the high school, to the college?
30:04 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
30:06 I would agree.
30:09 Since I'm a graduate of a state university,
30:13 and then I've experienced during my grade school,
30:19 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
30:20 in a public school, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
30:23 about the importance of tax.
30:27 Taxation is the light blood of the country.
30:32 So [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
30:36 So based on my experience, explaining
30:40 how taxation works to a business owner
30:42 is very challenging now, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
30:45 business owner.
30:46 Why?
30:47 Because [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
30:57 So every tax, every tax law, every tax procedure,
31:06 or every kind of tax that the government gives,
31:09 it has its own rationale why.
31:13 For example, the sales tax VAT, 12%.
31:16 It's hard to explain to a client,
31:22 if they don't understand VAT, that from the start,
31:25 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
31:28 Correct.
31:28 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
31:30 Is value added.
31:31 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
31:34 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
31:37 Client [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
31:39 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
31:41 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
31:42 Value added tax.
31:43 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
31:45 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
31:47 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
31:49 Yes.
31:50 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
31:51 Sales tax.
31:52 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
31:55 Market.
31:56 Not to do our--
31:57 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
31:59 Services.
32:00 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
32:03 Because without keeping the law of order,
32:05 the government, the police force, we cannot do that.
32:10 So we have a safe and free market to do business.
32:15 And the value added tax, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
32:19 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
32:25 Benefit.
32:26 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
32:28 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
32:29 As a business, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
32:31 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
32:32 For our business.
32:33 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
32:34 Input.
32:35 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
32:36 So I think that's fair enough already.
32:40 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
32:41 The government is not getting our income, the 12%.
32:46 It's not us in the first place.
32:48 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
32:50 If you will compute for gross margin,
32:53 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
32:55 That's always outside.
32:59 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
33:01 Earnings in the 12%.
33:03 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
33:05 You're the safeguard or keeper.
33:07 And you have to remit that.
33:09 Correct.
33:10 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
33:11 With holding taxes, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
33:15 Those are advanced income tax.
33:19 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
33:20 In advance of government.
33:23 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
33:24 Income tax.
33:25 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
33:26 About tax compliance.
33:31 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
33:32 Business owner.
33:35 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
33:36 So you really have to explain.
33:42 And if we can do that while [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
33:47 grade school, let's say, or in our population,
33:51 I think that would make them a better citizen.
33:56 And we will be--
33:58 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
33:59 We will be more better in choosing our leaders.
34:05 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] We are putting our share
34:10 in the hands of the government.
34:12 So [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] in choosing our leaders
34:16 in our government.
34:17 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH] We take it for granted.
34:22 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
34:26 But if they understand that as a citizen,
34:29 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
34:33 It's their hard-earned money that's
34:36 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
34:37 They will be more responsible in choosing leaders.
34:40 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
34:46 We're asked to have a better community, better city,
34:50 and better country.
34:52 So I guess, yeah, that's one achievement,
34:55 if we can convince our leaders to-- or especially
35:00 the Department of Education to think about introducing
35:05 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
35:06 Accounting or taxation 101, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
35:10 in primary.
35:11 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
35:12 So gradually, gradually.
35:22 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
35:23 So Alvin, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
35:26 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
35:27 Simply Accounting PH.
35:29 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
35:31 Direction [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
35:33 Denise 2024.
35:36 Well, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
35:37 Simple Accounting, if you would notice,
35:39 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
35:41 It's not the traditional firm, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
35:45 and CPAs.
35:46 So at the start, we brand it as [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
35:52 Conventional, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
35:53 Simply Accounting PH. We choose that brand because [NON-ENGLISH
35:57 SPEECH]
35:58 is we will establish a platform.
36:04 Our firm will be investing more on technology,
36:09 not to make the practice obsolete.
36:12 But I believe that [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
36:17 taxation or accounting is need to be integrated more
36:21 as a technology.
36:24 The direction of the firm is we are investing more
36:28 on automation.
36:31 So we are introducing the use of [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
36:35 system, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
36:37 That would help the businesses then to comply
36:41 and to monitor their business.
36:45 So we would not be--
36:47 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
36:48 You're embracing technology rather than fighting technology.
36:53 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
36:54 Yes, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
36:55 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
37:01 You cannot fight, but you have to embrace.
37:04 You have to know what is good for you, correct?
37:07 Yes, correct.
37:08 I agree.
37:09 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
37:10 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
37:17 But I believe that if we can bring synergy between the practice
37:22 of profession, and then it's about time
37:25 that we invest in technology.
37:28 Otherwise, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
37:35 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
37:43 So we really have to invest.
37:45 And [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
37:48 mostly [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
37:54 profession, we should really invest on it as well.
37:57 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
37:59 Professional guidance on establishing those applications
38:03 and systems.
38:04 Good, good.
38:05 One last thing, Alvin.
38:07 How do you maintain your balance in participating
38:10 with all the organizations that you mentioned?
38:13 I lost track of all the associations that you have.
38:17 I mean, you have your numbers to play, you have your family,
38:20 and then you have all the associations that you are with.
38:26 How do you do that?
38:27 How do you balance?
38:29 Well, that's a good question.
38:32 So with those organizations that I'm joining in,
38:39 I see to myself that I always understand the things that I
38:46 need to commit and the things that I will benefit
38:51 from those organizations.
38:53 For example, JCI Manila.
38:56 So what I can commit to JCI Manila
38:58 is if they have community outreach or tax campaign
39:05 to help the entrepreneurs, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
39:09 focus or advocacies that I will participate.
39:14 Not all the organization does.
39:18 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
39:19 You should see to yourself that wherever you can contribute
39:24 to the organization, that's where you will focus.
39:27 And I would also understand my commitment to the organization.
39:31 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
39:32 You cannot be an officer to all of the organizations.
39:36 So you will choose--
39:38 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
39:39 For example, this year, I'll be an officer to this organization
39:42 as a leader.
39:43 So [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
39:45 Other organization, you will help with your advocacy.
39:48 So [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
39:54 You just need to focus on certain advocacies and projects
39:59 that you would be more effective.
40:01 Otherwise, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
40:03 helpful organization if you overcommit.
40:06 Just like what you said, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
40:09 So you should really need to choose the things.
40:12 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
40:13 The platform that you have shared, this is a good one.
40:16 I think it would give me the privilege to share my advocacy.
40:21 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
40:24 colleagues go or [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
40:27 small business earners or microbusiness earners that would help.
40:31 So yeah, those are the things that I keep it in mind.
40:36 Otherwise, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
40:41 Yeah, I noticed that you have a golf plaque there.
40:46 [INAUDIBLE]
40:47 Is that one of your stress busters, Alvin, being a golf player?
40:54 Yes, actually, I started to take golf lessons last year.
41:00 And this trophy is my second tournament.
41:04 So I joined a tournament at least once a month, January.
41:11 And then this is February.
41:13 And then this March, [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
41:15 Because playing golf, five hours.
41:19 So for me, it's letting yourself to an environment
41:26 where you don't have to think much.
41:30 It's just playing the sport for five to six hours.
41:34 And that's very relaxing for me.
41:37 Plus, you're able to establish your network with people you play with.
41:41 Yeah, yeah.
41:43 I agree.
41:45 You have the chance to meet established business owners.
41:50 And [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
41:52 Organizations, I'm looking for people who can mentor me.
41:57 Because I'm really looking for those people that they could share their knowledge,
42:07 not only established business owners.
42:09 And playing golf, you will meet those people.
42:12 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
42:14 Established business owners.
42:16 That's good.
42:17 That's good.
42:18 So yeah, I'm happy for you.
42:19 And yeah, I like what you are doing.
42:22 You're doing an advocacy.
42:23 You're not just doing it for yourself, growing and making and reaching yourself,
42:29 but really creating that advocacy.
42:31 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
42:32 And really, we'll encourage our viewers here.
42:35 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
42:36 Tax-- taxmate?
42:38 Yeah, taxmate.
42:40 Yes.
42:41 You know the ball in Android and iOS, right?
42:44 Yeah.
42:45 If I can promote it again.
42:48 So to our viewers, if you are a micro business owners or professional,
42:52 and your revenue is 3 million and below, and you registered in BIR,
42:57 you can download this app, Taxmate.
43:00 You can search it on Google Play and Apple Store.
43:03 And I would ask you to subscribe for just 150 pesos per month.
43:09 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
43:11 It would help you to comply with your taxes.
43:15 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
43:16 That's true.
43:17 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
43:19 Yeah.
43:20 So send us a picture so that we can include this in the video
43:23 and also in the printed article that we will be sharing--
43:27 Sure.
43:28 --Sunday Manila Times.
43:30 OK.
43:31 I'll send you the logo of the app.
43:33 All right.
43:34 OK.
43:35 Good luck to you.
43:36 And keep up that advocacy.
43:38 Never tire yourself.
43:39 Never give up.
43:40 Because everything will always result in good, positive things.
43:45 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
43:47 So thank you for the time.
43:49 I know it's a Sunday.
43:50 I know it's a family day for you.
43:52 But thank you for sharing with our viewers this advocacy.
43:56 Thank you, Alvin.
43:57 Thank you.
43:58 Thank you.
43:59 Thank you very much.
44:00 Say bye-bye.
44:01 Bye-bye.
44:02 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
44:03 May I see the [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
44:05 Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
44:06 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
44:11 Thank you.
44:12 All right.
44:12 Bye-bye.
44:13 All right.
44:14 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
44:18 [CLICKING]
44:20 [BLANK_AUDIO]