Big 4 CPA Hiring in the Philippines: SGV, Isla Lipana, R.G. Manabat, Navarro Amper

Big 4 CPA Hiring in the Philippines: SGV, Isla Lipana, R.G. Manabat, Navarro Amper

The "Big 4" audit firms in the Philippines are the local member firms of the four global networks:

• SGV & Co. (EY)
• Isla Lipana & Co. (PwC)
• R.G. Manabat & Co. (KPMG)
• Navarro Amper & Co. (Deloitte)

Together they hire large batches of accountancy graduates every year and run structured training for new auditors.

What a first job looks like

New hires usually start as audit associates or staff. Pay, bonuses and benefits differ by firm and change year to year, so compare the actual offers you receive rather than figures you see online. Firms also typically support continuing education, which you need anyway for CPD.

Career ladder

The usual audit ladder runs: Associate → Senior Associate → Assistant Manager → Manager → Senior Manager → Director → Partner. Promotion is performance-based and competitive, and many people leave for industry after a few years.

Application process

1. Online application through each firm's careers portal
2. Online assessments (reasoning, English, situational judgment)
3. HR and behavioral interview
4. Technical interview on accounting and auditing
5. Final interview, often with a manager or senior manager
6. Offer

Many firms start recruiting graduating students before they take the CPALE, so check each firm's campus recruitment schedule.

What firms look for

Technical: solid FAR and Auditing, and a CPA license or a clear plan to get one.

Soft skills: clear written and spoken English, time management, teamwork, comfort with clients, and the stamina for busy season.

Background: internships, leadership in organizations such as JPIA, and a genuine interest in audit. Firms hire from many schools, so strong grades, internships and interviews matter more than where you studied.

Busy season

Audit work peaks in the first months of the year for calendar-year clients. Expect long weeks, weekend work and client-site travel during that stretch; hours ease afterwards.

Where Big 4 alumni go

• Corporate finance and accounting in local and multinational companies
• Controllership and FP&A
• Startups (head of finance roles)
• Deals, transaction and advisory work
• Overseas roles — see PH CPA overseas pathways

How the CPALE fits

You need a CPA license to sign audit reports, and firms expect associates to become CPAs. See the CPALE pillar guide for the exam format and review plan.

Where Super Tutor fits

CPALE is coming soon to Super Tutor; there's no CPALE reviewer in the app yet. See every exam Super Tutor covers now.

What to read next

• Filipino accountant career path
• CFA and other finance credentials