Washington SyCip

Washington Z. SyCip, PLH BOLk RNO1kl (; Chinese: 薛華成 / 薛華盛; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Sih Hôa-sêng; pinyin: Xuē Huáchéng; 30 June 1921 – 7 October 2017) was a Chinese-Filipino-American accountant. He was the founder of the accounting firm EY SGV & Company and the Asian Institute of Management.^[1][2]

Early life and education

SyCip was born in Manila on 30 June 1921 to Albino and Helen SyCip. His father,^[1]

World War II

After learning of his father's imprisonment in the Philippines by Japanese invading forces, he reevaluated his plans of pursuing a doctorate degree. In 1942, he enlisted himself in the US Army and became a naturalized US citizen in 1943. He joined Camp Cooke but was told to be "overqualified" for the infantry for having the highest IQ level in his regiment.^[1]

Career

After World War II, SyCip was discharged from the US Army and returned to Manila at age 24. He initially taught accounting at the University of Santo Tomas and two other colleges. He decided against joining one of the British accounting firms returning to the country following the war reasoning that only a white person could become a business partner in such firms.^[1]

Positions

First Philippine Holdings Corporation (PSE: FPH), Independent Director^[1]

Personal life

Sycip was married to Anna Yu with whom he had three children; Victoria, George, and Robert.^[1]

Death

SyCip died on October 7, 2017, aboard Philippine Airlines Flight 126, which took off from Manila bound for Vancouver with continuing service to New York City. He was with his son, George SyCip, and an assistant, Roberto Cabilles. He died before reaching Vancouver.^[1]

Legacy

As of December 2016, SGV & Company (SGV) continues to be the largest accounting firm in the Philippines, auditing about half of 304 publicly listed companies in the Philippine Stock Exchange. SGV has stiff competition from rival firms, Punongbayan & Araullo, KPMG RG Manabat & Company, and Reyes Tacandong & Company, which were established by former business partners of SGV.^[1]

Awards

Doctor of Philosophy, honoris causa degree from the De La Salle University (1977)^[1]