BDO CMC at 5: Dreaming of a better public practice in the Philippines

Now in its fifth year, BDO CMC has emerged as one of the fastest-growing professional services firm in the country. From its establishment in January 2021 with just three professional staff to its integration into the BDO Network in October 2023, the Firm already has a complement of over 250 professionals.

What began five years ago as a small, focused team with a clear ambition has become a rapidly expanding firm grounded in a single conviction: public accounting practice in the Philippines needs to be elevated.

Building a firm with a clear vision

For Managing Partner David V. Cruz, the journey of BDO CMC has been defined by deliberate choices and a consistent commitment to integrity, excellence, and people development.

“When we started BDO CMC, the goal was to build a firm that strengthens the foundations of public practice,” Cruz shared. “It only works when people are equipped, supported, and aligned with a shared vision.”

From the beginning, the firm’s leadership recognised a gap in the profession: young accountants were learning to endure the practice but not necessarily embracing it. BDO CMC set out to change that.

People-centered

BDO CMC’s approach is built on the belief that sustainable growth comes from its people.

“Everything we’ve achieved is the product of collective effort,” Cruz said. “No single individual can claim credit for where BDO CMC stands today. The firm’s strength is the sum of its people, their discipline, and their willingness to support one another.”

A core part of BDO CMC’s vision is to give young professionals a complete and meaningful exposure to public practice, moving away from the long-standing industry pattern of narrowing accountants into repetitive, siloed roles early in their careers.

At BDO CMC, the aim is doing public practice the way it should be. Rather than treating public practice as a short-term stepping stone, BDO CMC offers a clear and progressive career path. Everyone has a stake in the firm’s long-term success and an opportunity to grow with it.

Strengthened by the BDO Network

Cruz highlights that BDO CMC’s progress is rooted in the trust and support provided by theBDO global network.

“The support from the BDO network has been remarkable,” he said. “They shared guidance, frameworks, technology, and expertise that helped us strengthen our practice.” This support allowed BDO CMC to scale quickly while maintaining quality.

The future looks bright

Today, BDO CMC stands as proof of what can happen when a team moves with clarity,alignment, and shared purpose. The firm remains focused on its mission: to elevate public practice in the Philippines and to develop accountants who are not only technically strong, but grounded, thoughtful, and capable of leading the profession forward.

This momentum is further reinforced by the recent addition of Mike Ronnel Diwa Castro, Top 1 of the October 2025 CPALE, who has joined BDO CMC. His decision to begin his professional journey with the firm reflects BDO CMC’s growing reputation as a destination for top-tier talent and a practice that serious professionals actively seek out.

Cruz adds, “The work is not yet done; in fact, we are only getting started. Our vision gainsstrength when it is shared by people who believe in it. With our goal of elevating and revolutionizing the accounting profession itself, we have barely made a dent. That dent, however, is enough to give us traction to take bigger strides.”