The Association of Certified Public Accountants in Commerce & Industry (ACPACI) held seminars on Win-Win Negotiations, Pocket Farming for Health and Wellness and Practical Records Management for Accountants on its 3rd General Membership Meeting at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila in Ayala, Makati City last May 15, 2014.

The first session, Win-Win Negotiation, was presented by Mr. Enrique “Boom” San Agustin of Our Knowledge Consulting (Asia). The audience listened attentively as he discussed negotiation tactics such as understanding what one wants, finding out what the other negotiating side wants, being strategic and taking charge. He also talked about the communication cycle: concentrate, acknowledge and respond and he gave the participants different exercises in negotiation like “getting it right” and “breaking the trend” courtesy of Our Knowledge.

The following seminar was about learning a new type of growing things (veggies/ flowers) known as pocket farming. The featured resource speaker was Ms. Helen San Augustin, General Manager of Pocket Farms Manila and the wife of the first speaker, Mr. Boom San Augustin. Ms. San Augustin discussed in her lecture the nature of pocket farming and its benefits: less stress, safer food, less garbage because of composting, less expenses and having a healthier lifestyle. She also gave tips to those who want to start their own pocket farms.

With the issuance of BIR Revenue Regulation 17 – 2013 requiring all taxpayers to preserve their books of accounts, including subsidiary books and other accounting records for a period of 10 years, ACPACI offered this timely and relevant topic of Records Management for Accountants for its members. The subject matter was discussed by Mr. Jun Caparas, Records Management and Special Project Manager of Sta. Fe Relocation Services, Philippines. In his lecture, he discussed the life cycle of a record; the systematic control of recorded information from creation to its ultimate destruction; solutions to retrieve information needed, meet legal retention requirements, reduce clutter; how to cut costs associated with records storage; keeping the records safe from fortuitous events like fire, flood, earthquake and he also presented what his company, Sta. Fe Relocation Services, Philippines, can offer to the accountants and their companies to manage their records/ documents.

The seminars/ lectures are part of ACPACI’s mission and commitment to provide continuing educational programs to its members and to create an environment of learning, social relevance and fellowship. The 3rd GMM was hosted by Ms. Arceli R. Sison, 2000 ACPACI President and the technical sessions were chaired by Ms. Edna L. Constantino, ACPACI Director.