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Top 5 graduate jobs for accounting fresh grads in the Philippines

Mary Cameron

Careers Commentator
Our latest research compares the popularity and quality of five high-ranking graduate employers.

Which firms are the best places to launch an accounting career in the Philippines? Look no further, as we listed the best accounting firms for Filipino fresh grads.

Our latest research compares the popularity and quality of five high-ranking graduate employers.

Do you want the specifics about our methodology? Click here to find out more.

If you're happy to trust our research, here are the top five employers in the Philippines for accounting graduates.

The givens

Each of the best accounting firms for Filipino graduates offers distinct career opportunities. However, most of them offer:

  • Local careers with multinational social networks
  • Meaningful employment opportunities in multidisciplinary professional services

The good news

Some of the country’s top accounting graduate employers offer more competitive salaries.  Others provide non-monetary benefits (e.g. remote work set-up).

Note the numbers, yet trust your gut

In terms of percentage points in their reviews, not much separates the top accounting firms in the Philippines.

The overall ratings for the country’s five best accounting firms range between 3.8 and 4.1 out of 5 stars. If you can’t decide based on numbers, read reviews from past and present employees, and trust your gut.

1. Isla Lipana & Co.

Isla Lipana & Co. is best known in the Philippines for its longest-running affiliation with a global accounting firm. Since 1958, the employer has been a member firm of PwC— one of the Big Four auditing firms in the world.

If there’s one word to describe Isla Lipana & Co., it would be stability. As the oldest auditing firm in the Philippines, the graduate employer has operated in Metro Manila for 100 years.

Top 100 ranking

Isla Lipana & Co. ranks 23rd on our list of the Top 100 Employers.

Reviews - overall score of 4.0 out of 5 stars

Isla Lipana & Co. scores impressively for career opportunities, culture and values, and diversity and inclusion. These categories’ ratings ranged between 4.2 and 4.4 stars.

In terms of work-life balance, though, the firm scores 2.7 stars out of 5. Employees still provided decent marks for remuneration (3.5) and senior management (3.7).

Top 3 upsides

  • Performance-based incentives and perks
  • Plenty of learning opportunities in a collaborative environment
  • Workplace culture focused on meritocracy

The downside

A challenging work-life balance awaits fresh grads who join Isla Lipana & Co. Workplace hours stretch beyond the typical nine-hour schedule among Filipino employees in general.

Roles

Most of Isla Lipana & Co.’s entry-level graduate jobs are for associates and trainees. Other advertised roles include internships.

2. SGV & Co.

SGV & Co. claims to be the biggest multidisciplinary professional services firm in the Philippines. Founded in 1946, this graduate employer currently has nine offices and around 6,000 employees in:

  • Bacolod City
  • Baguio City
  • Tejero, Cavite Province
  • Cagayan de Oro City
  • Cebu City
  • Clark, Pampanga Province
  • Davao City
  • General Santos City
  • Makati City (head office)

In June 2002, SGV & Co. joined Ernst & Young Global Limited as a member firm. It has maintained an ISO 9001-certified assurance service line since 1996.

Top 100 ranking

SGV & Co. ranks 47th on our list of the Top 100 Employers.

Reviews - overall score of 3.8 out of 5 stars

SGV & Co. scores highest for career opportunities, with 4.6 out of 5 stars. Diversity and inclusion ranked next with 4.3 stars.

SGV & Co.’s culture and values and the firm’s senior management both rated 3.8 stars. Remuneration (2.8) and work-life balance (2.3) are the lowest scores.

Top 3 upsides

  • A well-known training ground for aspiring certified public accountants
  • Competent and professional colleagues
  • Extensive learning experience for fresh grads

The downside 

Salaries for fresh grads may be less competitive than at other firms. Long hours are also common.

Roles

SGV & Co. advertises its latest internship and graduate opportunities here. Most fresh grads with accounting degrees join the firm as associates.

3. Deloitte Philippines

Deloitte Philippines has operated in the Philippines since 1997. As part of Deloitte Asia Pacific and Deloitte Network, the auditing firm serves clients through Navarro Amper & Co.

Deloitte Philippines also functions as Deloitte Southeast Asia’s local practice. More than 860 professionals in Cebu and Taguig provide audits, business process, financial advisory, risk advisory, and tax services.

Top 100 ranking

Deloitte Philippines ranks 48th on our list of the Top 100 Employers.

Reviews - overall score of 4.1 out of 5 stars

Deloitte Philippines rates 4.5 stars for career opportunities, diversity, and inclusion. Their culture and values scored 4.3 stars. Remuneration, senior management and work-life balance range from 3.2 to 3.9 stars.

Top 3 upsides

  • A possible signing bonus for hired fresh grads
  • Generous benefits and compensation
  • Immediate exposure to projects involving multinational clients

The downside

Aside from the common issue of an uneven work-life balance, fresh grads at Deloitte Philippines should expect limited formal training.  

Roles

Deloitte Philippines advertises the latest career opportunities and internships here. Entry-level graduate jobs include analysts, associates and consultants.

4. EY Global Delivery Services PH

In 2015, EY Global Delivery Services PH began in the Philippines with  25 employees. Since then, the company has expanded into a 4,500-strong organization.

These employees are part of the multinational company’s global workforce of more than 300,000. EY Global Delivery Services PH provides services in Assurance, Consulting, Strategy and Transactions, and Tax.

Top 100 ranking

EY Global Delivery Services PH ranks 60th on our list of the Top 100 Employers.

Reviews - overall score of 4.1 out of 5 stars

EY Global Delivery Services PH scores 4.0 to 4.4 stars for career opportunities, culture and values, diversity and inclusion, remuneration and senior management.  Work-life balance at the company garnered 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Top 3 upsides

  • Above-average salaries and non-taxable incentives
  • Opportunities to work with colleagues from other countries (e.g., Australia, Japan)
  • Flexible remote-work arrangement

The downside

As you would expect, overtime is very common during peak audit season at EY Global Delivery Services.

Roles

EY Global Delivery Services PH advertises the latest graduate jobs and internships here. Fresh accounting grads can join the company as analysts, associates and consultants.

5. KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co.

In 2007, KPMG International began operating in the Philippines through R.G. Manabat & Co. Now, the workforce has grown to more than 1,200 people working in KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co.’s offices in Cebu City, Iloilo City and Makati City.

As a member firm of KPMG International, this graduate employer is a renowned auditing firm in the Philippines, responsible for auditing many of the country’s top 1,000 corporations.

Top 100 ranking

KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. ranks 92nd on our list of the Top 100 Employers.

Reviews - overall score of 3.9 out of 5 stars

Career opportunities at KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. garners the highest employee score, with 4.6 out of 5 stars. Conversely, the firm scored 2.7 stars for work-life balance.

The ratings for culture and values, diversity and inclusion, remuneration and senior management ranged from 3.1 to 4.3 stars.

Top 3 upsides

  • Flexible workplace hours
  • Fulfilling responsibilities for career-driven fresh grads
  • Multicultural learning through interactions with different clients and experienced colleagues

The downside

Fresh grads at KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. should be ready to work long hours.

Roles

KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. advertises its latest graduate job opportunities here. Fresh grads can start their accounting careers as analysts or associates.