LAST July 17, the Philippine Association of Certified Tax Technicians (PACTT) announced the list of the Certified Tax Technician examination passers.

Among the 1901 successful examinees in the country, three SBCA students: Alyson Kyle R. Jarencio, CTT (IV-BSA); Ericon Ramos, CTT (IV-BSA); and John Ignatius L. Sandoval, CTT (IV-BSA). 

Alongside this, Jarencio, with a score of 92 out of a hundred, ranked fourth among all examination passers.

When asked about their inspiration for taking this exam, Jarencio mentioned that her ongoing research study, which focuses on the benefits of Microcredentials and other Non-Degree Credentials in the accountancy field, was a huge reason for taking the exam. She also took this as an advanced review in preparation for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure examination.

The CTT examination covers a wide range of topics related to taxation and applicable laws. Individuals who pass this exam become members of the Philippine Association of Certified Tax Technicians (PACTT) and earn the CTT title, signifying their expertise in taxation.

As they prepared for the exam, the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) provided review materials and video lectures. Sandoval highlighted how helpful these were in addition to the past materials he had gathered from their classes and professors. 

Besides the review materials, discipline, time management and consistency helped the students persevere with their review process. “It’s okay not to know everything, what matters is that you understand the concepts,” Sandoval added.

As for Ramos, he reminded himself that anxiety and burnout are normal in these situations; he added that one should never hesitate to take a break once this is encountered. While there are multiple review techniques, he noted that it is important to focus on what works best for the person.

When asked about their plans moving forward as CTT, they shared a common objective: to pass the CPA Licensure Examination soon. These aspiring CPAs view this achievement as a step closer to their ultimate goal.

Jarencio advises future CTT takers to maximize each minute of answering the examination, “You’ll be answering 100 items in just 3 hours, each question is worth 1%.” Another tip from the Top 4 passer is to avoid complacency; while some questions may appear simple and straightforward, they often require deeper analysis.

Their success in the CTT examination is not just a personal victory, but a living proof that for all aspiring professionals, each challenging step will bring them closer to their end goal.