It all started with a message from Sheena*, a business owner and a member of UnionBank GlobalLinker, seeking accounting advice for her small company. 

“How to manage bookkeeping accounts effectively for my business?” She asked. Sheena, a laundry shop owner in Marikina City, is just one of the 998,342 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines that generate 63 percent of the country’s total employment.  

After answering her accounting-related concerns, she asked more and more questions, showing her hunger to learn and persistence to grow her business. What started as an email exchange became a thread, and eventually turned into a discussion on the platform.

This led UnionBank GlobalLinker Lead Advocate Jaypee Soliman, together with reputable accounting firms P&A Grant Thornton and MGP Accounting, to establish Project Luca, an initiative that provides pro bono accounting consultation for MSMEs.

“Project Luca is our response to all our members and the MSME community’s need for quick, reliable, and accessible information and consultation on topics such as accounting, taxation, bookkeeping, and even technology around accounting,” Soliman shared.

Through Project Luca, seasoned accountants from P&A Grant Thornton and MGP Accounting are available to respond on questions of MSMEs related to business accounting and taxation.

“MSMEs can achieve great things with the right support. They need advisers that deeply understand their business, industry, and broader agenda. P&A Grant Thornton firmly believes in unlocking the potential for growth of the MSME sector,” said Marivic Españo, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of P&A Grant Thornton.

With this initiative, MSMEs can gain a deeper understanding from experts who will share valuable insights and recommendations that can help them steer their business in the right direction.

The forum is free to access for all MSMEs in the country. Just join Project Luca group on UnionBank GlobalLinker – signing up is free –  and post your concern in the discussion board.  

Aside from pro bono consultation, Project Luca will also organize a series of webinars and share a series of articles in accounting and taxation to provide MSMEs the necessary tools while navigating through the new normal.

For any concerns about Project Luca, you can also reach out at info@unionbank.globallinker.com and project.luca@ph.gt.com. The team behind Project Luca is more than happy to assist you.  

 
*She requested not to disclose her real name for confidentiality