About Us

Brief History

In 1973, a group of eleven board-certified accountants from the Philippines, the United States, or both—Edilberto Ortiz, Rudy Molano, Lettie Natividad, Rosario Santana, Gil Sarmiento, Amado Justo, Chris Mamaril, Paul Angeles, Ric Sesbino, Charlie Tribaco, and Ruben Reyes—gathered at 1130 N. Lorel Avenue in Chicago. Together, they founded the Philippine Certified Public Accountants of Greater Chicago (PCPA of Greater Chicago) with a mission to elevate the accounting profession by fostering professional excellence and promoting civic and social engagement within the community. The organization later achieved official recognition as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit by the IRS.

In 1979, the PCPA Bowling League was launched to foster camaraderie among members and their families. This initiative grew into a well-regarded league within the Chicago area, with proceeds supporting PCPA’s scholarship programs. The league continued for over four decades, closing in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the early 1980s, PCPA of Greater Chicago held monthly meetings at the Rizal Center, the headquarters of the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago (FACGC). At this time, the organization produced a detailed 40-page report recommending improvements to the FACGC’s accounting practices.

By 1987, PCPA of Greater Chicago joined the National Council of Philippine American Canadian Accountants (NCPACA), a coalition of Filipino CPA chapters across North America. Two of its past presidents, Edilberto Ortiz (1990-1991) and Susan Silvano (1996-1997), went on to lead NCPACA as presidents. PCPA of Greater Chicago has since hosted NCPACA’s Annual Professional Development Conventions in 1987, 1989, 1997, 2009, and 2022, and won top honors in NCPACA’s Paligsahan Talent Shows in 1995, 1998, 2023, and 2024.

In 1990, the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation granted PCPA of Greater Chicago a license to provide Continuing Professional Education (CPE), enabling it to offer professional development training to members.

In 1992, PCPA of Greater Chicago established the PCPA Foundation of Illinois, a 501(c)(3) organization, to separate scholarship funds from general operating funds. Since then, the foundation has awarded scholarships to deserving accounting students in North America and the Philippines, supporting Filipino-American students over the past 50 years.

PCPA of Greater Chicago has commemorated several significant anniversaries, celebrating its 25th Silver Anniversary in 1998 at the Hilton Arlington Heights, its 40th Ruby Anniversary in 2013 at the Hilton Rosemont, and its 50th Golden Anniversary in 2023 at the Holiday Inn North Shore.

The organization’s contributions have garnered recognition over the years. In 1980, it received the “Most Outstanding Organization” award from the FACGC, then the umbrella group for Chicago’s Filipino associations. More recently, the Philippine American Cultural Foundation (PACF) honored PCPA of Greater Chicago with the “Most Outstanding Organization” award in 2022.

PCPA of Greater Chicago’s community engagement has been extensive. It has offered free income tax preparation, assisted with contest tabulations for beauty and art competitions, organized walkathons, and provided resources for job search assistance, networking, and professional development seminars. The organization has also been actively involved in Chicago’s Philippine Independence Week celebrations, underscoring its commitment to the accounting profession and the broader community.