Draft:Raymond Abrea

• Comment: No claim to notability, and reads like a sales pitch or CV. bonadea contributions talk 06:51, 18 November 2024 (UTC)

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Raymond Abrea, CPA, MBA, MPA The most prominent Tax Expert in the Philippines a.k.a. "The Philippine Tax Whiz"

Raymond Abrea, CPA, MBA, MPA

Raymond Abrea is a Filipino tax consultant, author, and public speaker, widely known as “The Philippine Tax Whiz”. He is the Founding Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Asian Consulting Group (ACG) a tax advisory firm that promotes best practices in tax compliance and business growth. Abrea is also a trustee of the Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines (CSR Philippines), where he collaborates with government agencies to improve ease of doing business and promote fair taxation. Aside from his work as CEO, he is also an Advisor for the International Tax and Investment Center in Washington D.C.

Early Life and Education

Abrea was born in the Philippines. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from San Beda University, and became a certified public accountant. He later pursued higher education at Ateneo de Manila University, earning a Masters in Business Administration. He then went on to the Harvard Kennedy School where he completed his Master in Public Administration/Mason Fellowship in 2023. In 2024, Abrea completed his Philosophy, Politics, and Economics program on Climate Change, Politics, and Environmental Justice at the University of Oxford.

Academe

Abrea has held various academic positions, focusing on accountancy, business management, and tax education. He served as Chair of the Department of Accountancy, Financial Management, and Legal Management at San Beda University. In 2010, he joined the University of Asia and the Pacific as a faculty member in the School of Management, and in 2016, he served as a Regis Faculty member at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business, specializing in Tax Management.

Career

Abrea began his career as a revenue officer at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). In 2011, he established the Asian Consulting Group (formerly known as Abrea Consulting Group) to assist businesses in navigating tax compliance and audits through the firm’s services. Through ACG, Abrea developed initiatives such as the TaxWhizPH mobile application, designed to simplify tax filing and compliance for self-employed individuals and professionals.

Advocacy and Contributions

Abrea is a staunch advocate for good governance, tax transparency, and ease of doing business in the Philippines. He used to co-chair the Ease of Doing Business Task Force on Paying Taxes, he has worked alongside government bodies like the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to implement reforms that simplify and make tax easier for taxpayers and potential investors. He was also a government consultant during the 2021 Pharmally scandal, where he audited Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. over allegations of overpriced medical supplies.

Published Works and Media

Abrea is the author of several books, including Got A Question About Taxes? #AskTheTaxWhiz and Reimagining the World Without Corruption. His writings focus on demystifying tax processes and advocating for good governance. He also contributes regularly to publications such as Rappler under the “Ask the Tax Whiz” column, and his thought leadership articles for the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) are posted on the Philippine Daily Inquirer and BusinessWorld.

Awards

Mon Abrea has garnered numerous prestigious accolades, both internationally and nationally, solidifying his reputation as one of the Philippines' most prominent tax experts and advocates. Among these honors are The Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) award, which recognizes exceptional individuals who have inspired global change, and the highly esteemed Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (TOYM) award for his significant contributions to taxation and public service.

He has also been celebrated with the Asia CEO Young Leader Award for exemplary leadership, a Special Citation from the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, and recognition from the Metrobank Foundation for his dedication to elevating the standards of accounting and tax practices in the country. Additional accolades include the Rappler Mover Award for his advocacy work and the Distinguished Bedan Award in the field of Accounting and Taxation, reflecting his excellence as an alumnus of San Beda University.