Estelita Caleon-Aguirre is a highly distinguished figure in the Philippines and international accounting community, with a career spanning over six decades of leadership, public service, and academic excellence.

Professional Profile

Estelita Caleon-Aguirre, CPA, ASEAN CPA

Early Career and Academic Excellence

Her professional journey began with a remarkable academic achievement, placing 10th in the CPA Licensure Examination. She later became a Professorial Lecturer in Taxation at the University of the Philippines (UP), where she was honored with the Teaching Excellence Award in 2012. Her impact on the next generation of accountants is noted by her students achieving a 100% passing rate in the licensure exams over several years.

Public Service and Regulatory Leadership

Ms. Aguirre held significant high-level positions within the Philippine government and regulatory bodies:

• Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR): Served as Deputy Commissioner, contributing to the national taxation framework.
• Professional Regulation Commission (PRC): Served as a Member of the Board of Accountancy, directly overseeing the standards of the profession.
• Far Eastern University (FEU): Served as the Dean of the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance.

Organizational Leadership

She has been a central pillar in professional accounting organizations both locally and internationally:

• Asian Federation of Accountants (AFA): She holds the historic distinction of being the first and only female President of this regional body.
• Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA): Served as the Executive Director, providing strategic guidance to the national organization.
• ACPACI: She served as the National President in 2007 and played a pivotal role in organizing the Central Luzon Chapter, eventually serving as its Chapter President until March 2026.
• ICPAP: In 2026, she was one of the 15 primary incorporators responsible for the official SEC registration of the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of the Philippines.

Specializations and Contributions

Throughout her career, she has been a recognized authority in Philippine corporate governance, taxation laws, and financial reporting standards. She currently serves as the President of the Asian Institute of Taxation and remains a sought-after Resource Person for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Recent Milestones

In March 2026, she reached a significant professional milestone as an ASEAN Chartered Professional Accountant, participating in the second conferment ceremony in the Philippines. This designation highlights her expertise and eligibility to provide accountancy services across the ASEAN region, solidifying her legacy as a global professional leader.