AFCA History

1978	A group of six accountants and auditors, mostly from Revenue Canada conceived the idea of forming an organization of Filipino accountants in Toronto.
1979	Ben Agellon, Roger Calabio, Romulo Dizon, Winston Lim, Dan Palis and Ed Sarmiento officially formed the Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants (AFCA). Winston Lim was elected President.
1989	AFCA joined the National Council of Philippine American Certified Public Accountants (NCPACPA) and lobbied for the name change of the National Council to encompass Filipino Canadian accountants.
1991	AFCA hosted the convention of NCPACPA in Toronto.
1992	AFCA launched its newsletter "Calculator" and started income tax clinics.
1994	AFCA co-chaired the souvenir program committee for the Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Toronto and actively involved in Kalayaan festivities in Mississauga.
1995	The Auxiliary Committee chaired "Alay Lakad" Walkathon fundraising for Kalayaan. The name of AFCA newsletter was changed to SPREADSHEET.
1996	AFCA was incorporated. Delegates at the Washington DC Annual Conference successfully passed a resolution to have the name changed to National Council of Philippine American Canadian Accountants (NCPACA). AFCA conducted the first Career Options Seminar.
1997	Valentine's dance successfully raised funds for the AFCA Training Centre that aimed at making AFCA members competitive in today's job market. AFCA delegates to the Chicago convention came home after winning the bid to host the 1998 NCPACA conference.
1998	Through AFCA's persistent lobby for more credits for Philippine CPAs, the Certified General Accountants Association of Ontario approved advanced standing credits (transfer credits) for Philippine CPAs who qualified after 1992. AFCA hosted the NCPACA conference in Toronto which was the most attended conference in NCPACA history. Membership has grown to 180 and Certificates of Membership were issued. In conjunction with Kababayan Community Centre, accounting and computer training programs for new immigrants were started. The AFCA Training Centre was formally launched. AFCA participated in Revenue Canada sponsored free income tax preparation program for special income groups.
1999	AFCA held the first Induction of new members and launched the Scholarship Fund.
2000	CGA Ontario extended their advance standing credits to Philippine CPAs who qualified prior to October 1992. Committees were formed to review and amend the existing Constitution and By-laws. AFCA launched the AFCA website www.afcatoronto.org. Corporate sponsorships were solicited from CGA Ontario, CMA Ontario, Becker-Conviser CPA Review and Robert Half Inc.
2001	Amended Constitution and By-laws was ratified by the General Membership to take effect January 1, 2002. Certificates of Attendance were issued for participants in AFCA sponsored seminars. AFCA generated and assigned Membership ID numbers and approved issuance of AFCA Membership ID card for implementation in 2002. AFCA was instrumental in organizing the first jointly held gala night celebration of the Philippine Independence of two large Filipino community groups in Toronto. Bobby de la Cruz was elected President of NCPACA.
2002	The “AFCA Structured Formation” was adopted to improve communication with the members. The AFCA Toastmasters Inc. was chartered. It was aimed at developing communication and leadership skills of its members. AFCA pins were issued to members. A satellite Chapter was established in Barrie, Ontario.
2003	AFCA celebrated its Silver Anniversary.
2004	AFCA Scholarship Foundation was formed and awarded the first AFCA scholarship grants to deserving students.  Marks the year when membership topped the 400 mark.
2005	Solicited corporate sponsorship such as Belle Optical and Adriatic Insurance