Lisa Jane Batulanon Aranas, CrFA®, has built a distinguished career in accounting, characterized by a strong specialization in forensic accounting and public financial management. Her professional standing is further elevated by her certification as a forensic accountant.

Her expertise is demonstrated through key roles such as Municipal Accountant for the Local Government Unit of Maramag, Bukidnon, where she oversees financial management and ensures strict compliance with government auditing standards. This public sector experience is complemented by her previous work as a Senior Audit Branch Manager, where she gained extensive experience in financial audit, compliance reviews, and risk assessment across various entities.

Her core competencies are deeply aligned with her professional focus, encompassing forensic accounting and fraud examination, risk assessment, and the design of internal control systems. This technical proficiency has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including a COA Commendation for the timely submission and accuracy of financial reports and the Excellence in Public Financial Management Award for her LGU. Her career trajectory showcases a unique and powerful blend of rigorous audit skills and specialized forensic knowledge, making her a significant contributor to the integrity and transparency of financial management.”

Inspiration to Pursue ICFA® Certification

“I wanted to formalize my knowledge and align my experience with international standards in forensic practice. The ICFA certification symbolizes competence, credibility, and commitment to ethical investigation — values I strongly uphold in public service.”

Her Certification Journey

“Balancing time between my work as Municipal Accountant and the intensive review for ICFA was difficult. But with discipline and purpose, I managed to complete it. I reminded myself that every hour of study was an investment in professional growth and public trust.”

Credibility and Opportunities Gained from ICFA®

“It elevated my role from being a financial gatekeeper to a financial investigator. The designation gave me confidence to lead audits, advise management on fraud risks, and engage in policy discussions with external regulators. It also opened networks with fellow professionals globally who share the same mission for financial integrity.”

Contribution to Fraud Prevention, Detection, and Investigation

“It sharpened my analytical mindset and equipped me with tools for evidence handling, interview techniques, and report writing. More importantly, it deepened my appreciation for proactive measures — building systems that deter fraud before it occurs.”

Advice to Finance Professionals Considering Forensic Accounting

“Forensic accounting is more than a career — it’s a calling to protect truth and integrity in financial systems. If you have the passion for investigation and the courage to uncover facts others overlook, then this path will be both challenging and deeply fulfilling.”

Jean Maricar S. Lopez, CrFA®, demonstrates an exceptional commitment to professional and community service, as evidenced by her extensive and high-level involvement with prominent organizations. Her leadership credentials are particularly distinguished within Rotary International, where she has held significant roles including President of the Rotary Club of Makati-McKinley and Finance Chair Committee for District 3830.

Her professional standing is further elevated by her certification as a forensic accountant. This active participation is complemented by her roles on committees for the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants and her membership in the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, reflecting a well-rounded engagement with both her profession and the broader business community.

Her dedication and impact in these spheres have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards. These accolades include the Magis Award, the highest honor for a club president in her district for the year 2015-2016, and a Rotary International Presidential Citation (Gold).

Furthermore, her memberships in the Paul Harris Society, End Polio Society, and Harry Ruggles Society underscore a deep, long-term commitment to philanthropic causes and the core values of Rotary. This record of leadership and service illustrates a professional who leverages her expertise to contribute meaningfully to civic and community advancement.”

Inspiration to Pursue ICFA® Certification

“What inspired me to pursue certification with ICFA are:

a. CrFA designation enhanced my credibility and recognition. It became a tangible proof of my specialized knowledge and skills in forensic accounting, increasing trust among clients, attorneys, and other stakeholders. My clients take pride in knowing they’ve entrusted their fraud audit to a Cr.FA, not just a CPA.

b. The CrFA certification has significantly enhanced my career prospects, making me a more attractive candidate for forensic accounting positions or engagements and providing a distinct competitive advantage.”

Most Challenging Part of Preparation (and How It Was Overcome)

“Balancing ICFA certification preparation with the demands of managing several companies proved to be my greatest challenge. Time was a precious commodity. To overcome this, I had to be resourceful and prioritize effectively. Fortunately, my role as President and owner afforded me the flexibility to reshape my schedule and dedicate specific time slots to webinar attendance and study.”

Credibility and Opportunities Gained from ICFA®

“The ICFA designation has significantly strengthened my professional standing and broadened my horizons in the following ways:

3.1. I’ve experienced a clear shift in how I’m perceived, with people recognizing the significance of the Certified Forensic Accountant designation. Even with my extensive experience in fraud auditing, the CrFA credential has definitely increased my credibility and client trust, paving the way for opportunities to serve as an expert witness.

3.2. The rising incidence of internal fraud has created a strong demand for qualified forensic accountants. The CrFA designation positioned me as a sought-after expert for businesses, law firms, and government agencies.

3.3. The CrFA certification has served as a powerful marketing tool, attracting new clients and generating valuable referral opportunities.”

Contribution to Fraud Prevention, Detection, and Investigation

“The certification has significantly enhanced my effectiveness in fraud prevention, detection, and investigation by:

4.1. Providing in-depth knowledge of advanced forensic accounting techniques, including fraud risk assessment, data analysis, forensic interviewing and interrogation, and asset tracing.

4.2. Sharpening my ability to identify fraud opportunities, recognize employee fraud schemes, conduct effective interviews and interrogations, and confidently prepare for expert witness testimony.”

Message to Finance Professionals Considering Forensic Accounting

“To finance professionals considering a career in forensic accounting:

Embrace the Challenge, Uphold Integrity, and Make a Meaningful Impact.

If you are drawn to unraveling complex financial mysteries, seeking truth, and making a tangible impact, forensic accounting offers a demanding yet incredibly rewarding path. It requires dedication, perseverance, and a passion for justice. If you possess these qualities, a career in forensic accounting offers both professional fulfillment and the opportunity to make a real difference in the world.”

Jhon P. Mendoza, Certified Forensic Accountant (CrFA), exemplifies the highest standards of investigative accounting and professional excellence. His CrFA credential, awarded by the Institute of Certified Forensic Accountants (ICFA®), signifies mastery in applying accounting principles to uncover financial misconduct, analyze complex data, and provide evidence-based insights that withstand legal scrutiny. It also reflects a lifelong dedication to upholding integrity, accuracy, and transparency in the field of finance.

Mr. Mendoza’s certification is firmly supported by a career that transcends borders. As the only Filipino registered as a Foreign Professional Accountant in Singapore (RFPA-SG), he has achieved a distinction that attests to his international competence and adherence to the rigorous regulatory standards of one of the world’s most respected financial centers.

Combined with a Master of Business Administration, this cross-border experience allows him to approach forensic investigations with a global and multidisciplinary perspective. As the proprietor of DJP Mendoza Accounting and Auditing Services, he leads a practice that caters to clients across the Philippines, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, applying forensic techniques to uncover discrepancies, strengthen controls, and safeguard financial credibility.

His Inspiration to Pursue the CrFA Designation

“I was amazed with the movie ‘The Accountant’. I was inspired how the main character used his skills in understanding the financial data and trends.”

Overcoming Challenges During the Certification Process

“Time to study and join the class, because I was currently doing some audit tasks when I enrolled.”

How the ICFA® Designation Enhanced His Professional Credibility

“When our clients know that I am a forensic accountant, their confidence is significantly boosted, assuring them that their financial data and books are well taken care of.”

Applying Forensic Accounting to Fraud Prevention and Investigation

“The study of forensic accounting helps me uncover fraud methodologies and understand the process by which perpetrators operate. It also aids in evaluating whether a certain person in the audit field is a fraud perpetrator.”

His Advice to Aspiring Forensic Accountants

“For any finance professional looking to elevate their career, I highly recommend specializing in Forensic Accounting. This discipline provides the critical skills needed to detect complex financial schemes and establish proactive control measures, ultimately serving as a powerful enhancement to your professional toolkit.”

For Jhon P. Mendoza, forensic accounting is not just a discipline—it is a commitment to truth, trust, and accountability. His CrFA certification, international standing, and practical expertise combine to position him as a global authority in forensic accounting. Through his work, he continues to advance the profession, ensuring that integrity remains at the heart of every financial system he serves.

Mary Elaine S. Barlolong, Certified Forensic Accountant (CRFA), exemplifies the rare intersection of accounting precision and legal insight. Her CRFA credential stands as a testament to advanced expertise in detecting financial irregularities, analyzing complex records, and ensuring that financial truths withstand legal scrutiny. It represents not just technical mastery, but also an unwavering commitment to ethical practice and justice in the realm of financial investigation.

Her certification is anchored on an impressive academic and professional background. As a Juris Doctor and recent Bar Examination candidate, she has cultivated a deep understanding of legal processes and evidentiary standards—skills that strengthen her work as a forensic accountant. Complementing her legal education is her accreditation as a BIR-accredited Tax Practitioner, which reflects her rigorous grasp of tax compliance and regulatory frameworks.

Additionally, her credentials as a Certified Bookkeeper and Registered Cost Accountant reinforce her ability to approach financial analysis from both macro and micro perspectives. Together, these qualifications enable her to operate seamlessly at the crossroads of accounting, taxation, and law, serving clients with precision and integrity.

Her Inspiration to Pursue the ICFA® Designation

“I was motivated to pursue certification with the Institute of Certified Forensic Accountants (ICFA®) as part of my ongoing commitment to better serve my clients. Since starting law school and registering MESB Bookkeeping Services, I wanted to update and deepen my expertise, especially after my last certification exam in 2018.

Many lawyer friends and mentors also encouraged me to pursue forensic accounting, noting that there are few, if any, fraud auditors in Ilocos Sur. Joining the ICFA® program felt like a natural step to expand the services I could offer to my community.”

Overcoming Challenges During the Certification Journey

“The most challenging part of preparing for the ICFA® certification was meeting the rigorous requirements of the program, including intensive lectures and complex fraud case activities. I took the program in 2021 during the pandemic while I was in my second year of law school, and our small bookkeeping firm was only a year old. Many of my co-participants were working with big-name clients, industries, and government agencies in Manila, while I was a struggling bookkeeper in Ilocos Sur. Balancing these demands alongside the program’s strict requirements required careful time management, perseverance, and dedication.”

How the ICFA® Enhanced Her Professional Credibility

“After completing my Juris Doctor, earning the ICFA® designation significantly enhanced my professional credibility. I was accepted as a paralegal in a law office, where I was entrusted with preparing detailed reports used as key attachments in legal cases. While opportunities to apply forensic accounting skills in Ilocos Sur are limited, working as a paralegal has allowed me to utilize and develop those skills in a legal context, adding valuable experience and expanding my professional scope.”

Applying Forensic Accounting to Legal and Investigative Work

“Given the limited opportunities to apply forensic accounting in Ilocos Sur, my ICFA® certification has been especially valuable in complementing my work as a paralegal. It has helped me sharpen my ability to spot financial red flags and analyze reports more critically, which supports legal investigations and case preparations. This combination allows me to contribute more effectively to uncovering potential fraud, even in a setting where direct forensic accounting exposure is limited.”

Her Advice to Aspiring Forensic Accountants

“For those considering forensic accounting, focus first on mastering the basics and commit to continuous learning. While it may require an investment of time and resources, this dedication is an investment in your professional growth and future success. Staying relevant in this evolving field will open doors to more clients and opportunities, making the effort well worth it.”

For Mary Elaine S. Barlolong, becoming a Certified Forensic Accountant is not just a professional milestone—it is a mission. Her story illustrates how accounting, law, and ethics converge to uphold transparency, accountability, and truth. Through her practice, she continues to prove that in the pursuit of financial integrity, both precision and purpose must always go hand in hand.

Rachel G. Aurelio, Certified Forensic Accountant (CrFA), has built a groundbreaking career that merges the disciplines of engineering, risk management, and forensic accounting—fields rarely combined yet deeply interconnected. Her CRFA designation, awarded by the Institute of Certified Forensic Accountants (ICFA®), stands as a testament to her commitment to transparency, accountability, and global professional standards. Through her work, she demonstrates how technical expertise and financial integrity can work hand in hand to resolve disputes, restore trust, and drive business recovery.

Rachel’s journey to forensic accounting was shaped by a dynamic career in engineering and risk solutions. She began as the first female site safety engineer trained by EEI Corporation, before making history again as the first Filipina in the Global Business Development Team of Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific Company of Manila (AG&P)—Southeast Asia’s largest heavy fabrication firm.

Her work on multimillion-dollar bids for heavy fabrication, modularization, and manpower supply projects gave her firsthand exposure to high-stakes operational and financial risk. She later advanced into leadership roles, serving as Sales Manager for ALE Heavylift Philippines (now Mammoet) and as Philippine representative for Belfor, the world’s largest restoration company. Currently, through her work with Approved Group International (AGI), she continues to integrate forensic investigation with disaster recovery, bridging technical findings and financial accountability to help organizations recover from crises.

Her Inspiration to Pursue the ICFA® Designation

“I wanted to align my practice with global standards and be recognized as part of an international community of forensic professionals. ICFA provides a platform where technical, financial, and investigative disciplines converge, a perfect fit for my multidisciplinary background.

My career exposed me to industries where billions of pesos in assets, infrastructure, and equipment were constantly at risk, whether from accidents, natural and man-made disasters, or disputes. In those roles, I witnessed firsthand how financial clarity often determined how quickly companies could recover and continue operations.

When I represented multinational restoration and forensic firms, I saw how engineering and technical findings needed to be translated into credible financial evidence to support insurance claims, arbitration, or litigation. That’s when I realized I wanted to go deeper, not just on the engineering or operational side, but also into the financial truth behind losses and claims.

The Institute of Certified Forensic Accountants (ICFA) gave me that bridge. It allowed me to combine my technical and engineering background with forensic accounting, ensuring that businesses and insurers could rely on transparent, defensible financial analysis. Joining ICFA was not just about professional growth—it was also about bringing a unique, cross-disciplinary perspective to the field of forensic accounting here in the Philippines.”

Overcoming Challenges During the Certification Journey

“Balancing preparation with ongoing projects was a challenge. But I approached it as I would any complex case—with structured planning, consistent study, and real-world application of concepts. That discipline helped me overcome the challenge.”

How the ICFA® Enhanced Her Professional Credibility

“It gave me international credibility, validating that my work meets global standards. Locally, it has strengthened client trust and positioned me as a reliable partner for insurers, property managers, multinational firms, and local companies alike. It also complements my other credentials as an engineer, energy manager, and compliance officer, making me more versatile in addressing complex cases.”

Applying Forensic Accounting to Fraud Prevention and Investigation

“Certification enhanced my ability to merge financial and technical evidence, which is crucial in fraud detection and claims investigations. It has also helped me design preventive frameworks for clients so they can strengthen internal controls before issues escalate.”

Her Message to Aspiring Forensic Accountants

“Forensic accounting is not just a career; it is a responsibility. You will be trusted with uncovering the truth, resolving disputes, and protecting stakeholders. If you are ready to combine technical skill, ethical commitment, and courage, this path will allow you to make a real impact in business and in society.”

For Rachel G. Aurelio, the CRFA journey represents far more than a credential—it is the culmination of a career built on precision, ethics, and service. Her story embodies the evolving nature of forensic accounting in the Philippines: a field where engineering discipline meets financial truth, and where professionals like her continue to redefine what it means to pursue justice through numbers.