Grant Thornton named International Accounting Bulletin's Network of the Year

The award is based on a firm's ability to demonstrate strength across a number of key areas including a strengthened position in strategically important markets, and strong industry leadership.

P&A at 25

“In the prime of our youth,” we celebrate our 25th year in the business by looking back at how far we’ve come and forward at what we promise for our clients and our people: that we will unlock their potential for growth.

P&A at 25: In the prime of our youth

An auspicious day
The birth of P&A was celebrated with lunch at a Chinese restaurant on February 14, 1988. The merrymakers wore red, not because it was Valentine's Day, but for good fortune as they welcomed the Chinese Year of the Dragon.

Joe Araullo, 6th from right, Ben Punongbayan, 3rd from right, Fred Damian, far right

P&A at 25: In the prime of our youth

The way they were
Joe Araullo and Ben Punongbayan on the day P&A was born, 25 years ago.

Joe Araullo, Ben Punongbayan, center

P&A at 25: In the prime of our youth

Where it all began
A work area in P&A's first office at Vernida IV Building, Salcedo Village, Makati City.

P&A at 25: In the prime of our youth

Leaving on a jetplane
With Joe Araullo (far left) and Ben Punongbayan (far right), the first batch of secondees sent to various Arthur Young offices in the US (from left): Rey Magpantay, Maria Balatbat, and Jessie Carpio. Jun Cuaresma had already gone ahead to Dallas, Texas.

P&A at 25: In the prime of our youth

The year of the dragon
The Firm's first Christmas party, held at Ben Punongbayan's home. 1988 was a great year for P&A; the practice made a profit almost immediately and grabbed the number 3 spot, the first time a startup was able to challenge the big accounting firms of the time.

P&A at 25: In the prime of our youth

First among equals
The Primus Award, P&A's highest award for individual excellence, was established in 2003. Yutaka Yamada (1948-2013) of the Japanese Business Group was the Firm's first Primus Awardee. Since then, only seven other individuals have received this honor.