A workplace culture that delivers empowerment, supports wellbeing, and makes everyone feel included is its own reward.
So, it’s a fantastic bonus for TOA Global to be recognized with three prizes in the 2025 Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability (ACES) Awards—a recognition that the best accounting firms would be proud of.
- The awards are:
- 2025 Industry Champions of the Year (Corporate Leadership Awards).
- Inspiring Workplaces in Asia.
- 2025 Asia's Most Inspiring Executives (Individual Leadership Awards) for Country Manager and TOA Global Philippines President Adrian “Ian” Zafra.
One of the best workplaces in Asia
The company received its first Great Place to Work Certification in January 2025.
Seven months later, in August, TOA Global received a Bronze Award for Excellence in Employee Engagement at the 2025 HR Excellence Awards.
“With a strong focus on professional growth, diversity, and collaboration, TOA Global continues to nurture an environment where people thrive and purpose drives performance,” the MORS Group, organizers of the Aces Awards, said in a statement.
The company is “setting a benchmark for modern, meaningful workplaces across Asia.”
TOA Global CEO Jeremy Clements, Vice President of People Experience Chona Caballero, and Country Manager Zafra attended the ACES Awards ceremonies on November 27, 2025, at the InterContinental Bali Resort.
ACES Awards and industry partnerships
The Aces Awards organizers and judges screened 827 nominations from 32 countries for the 2025 awards cycle. This is the ACES Awards’ 12th year.
TOA Global, a first-time winner, joined 111 individuals and companies honored at this year’s awards gala.
Beyond awards, the business has also renewed and formed new partnerships with accounting industry leaders and alliances in Australia and New Zealand.
In the Philippines, our new partners in 2025 include the Institute of Management Accounting APAC and the Australia and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce.
What do these awards and partnerships mean to our team members? Our commitment to our employees includes protecting their work-life balance, so they have more than enough energy and time for important relationships and interests beyond work.
But it also includes helping them broaden their professional networks, so they can learn from industry leaders and pursue ambitious goals, such as completing a CPA Australia or U.S. CPA qualification.
2025 Industry Champions of the Year
In announcing TOA Global as a 2025 Industry Champions of the Year winner, ACES Awards commended the company for “redefining the global accounting landscape through education, innovation, and people-first values.”
“Through initiatives like the Ab² Institute of Accounting and its commitment to ethical, sustainable growth, the company is empowering professionals and transforming the future of accounting worldwide.”
The Industry Champions Award recognizes companies that “have a distinct competitive edge, set industry trends, and have commendable best practices in place.”
“Winners in this category have shown the ability to evolve the focus of their enterprises along with the dynamic changes of the industries they serve to sustain as market leaders.”
Inspiring Workplaces in Asia
TOA Global operates on four continents, with its largest delivery centers currently in four cities (Cebu, Clark, Manila, and Tarlac) in the Philippines.
Since 2013, the business has helped 1,242 international clients build their capacity and sustain growth despite an acute accounting talent shortage in the world’s biggest economies.
We have done this by hiring, continuously training, and caring for more than 3,800 accountants and other professionals in the Philippines.
“Beyond the numbers, TOA Global fosters a work culture that values continuous improvement and meaningful engagement. Through initiatives such as TOAconnect, the company enhances collaboration between offshore professionals and global clients,” the ACES Awards organizers said.
“Regular engagement events, leadership training programs, and wellness initiatives nurture a sense of belonging that transcends geographical boundaries.”
Asia’s Most Inspiring Executives
TOA Global Philippines Country Manager and President Ian Zafra received an award as one of Asia’s Most Inspiring Executives in 2025. Zafra joined the company in late July 2024.
“A people-first leader driven by purpose and measurable impact, Ian has transformed TOA Global into a workplace defined by empowerment, collaboration, and integrity,” the ACES Awards organizers said.
They commended him for blending data-driven management with a deep respect for people. Using a data-driven cultural development framework, Ian has aligned employee goals with organizational purpose.
The results include an 85 percent employee trust score, significant improvements in retention, and a reduction in recruitment costs.
The TOA Global Philippines president has over 20 years of experience in operational leadership and client management. He is also a husband, father of five, and community volunteer, who anchors his growth in discipline, spirituality, and compassion.
Fun fact: During his first year with TOA Global, Ian began pursuing a postgraduate Certified Management Accountant course with the Asian Institute of Management. “This enhances my technical knowledge, expands my professional network, and exposes me to diverse experiences within the finance and accounting industry.”
The best accounting firms nurture their talent
A Big 4 accounting job is a fantastic opportunity for any accountant.
But what if you could have the career-making benefits of a Big 4 accounting job—great pay and growth opportunities—while protecting your work-life balance and wellbeing?
- We’re looking for:
- Intermediate Accountants with at least 3 years of experience with an Australian public accounting practice.
- Senior Accountants who can prepare and review complex financial statements, Business Activity Statements, Instalment Activity Statements, and tax returns.
- U.S. Tax Accountants with at least 2 years of experience working with a CPA firm.
But even if you have yet to work with an accounting practice in Australia or the United States, you can prepare to launch an international career while getting paid to train in our award-winning Accelerator Program.
Explore your career opportunities with TOA Global.
