These past months, we focused on learning. We rolled out webinars, seminars and trainingsessionsacrosstheFirm,notjustfor our team, but for our peers and clients as well. From technical updates to leadership development, these sessions were about helping people stay informed, sharp, confident,andreadytowin.
We continue to grow our Firm We have acquired new clients, expanded our reach, and expanded our services in the industries we know best. But we are doingitwithpurpose.EverystepforwardisguidedbythekindofFirmwewant to be – one that leads with values, invests in people, and supports our communities.
24th Annual Southern California Healthcare Symposium
April 2025 | The Westin Anaheim Resort | Anaheim, CA
As a proud sponsor of the Annual Southern California Health Care Symposium, the Vasquez team joined healthcare leaders in supporting efforts to advance a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system. Hosted by the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County and the Coalition of Orange County Community Health Centers, the event brought together organizations committed to meaningful change.
The Mexican-American Film & Television Festival
April 2025 | Harmony Gold Theater | Los Angeles, CA
Vasquez + Co. was proud to return as a sponsor of the 2025 MexicanAmerican Film and TV Festival and Awards. The event was held by the Mexican-American Cultural Education Foundation and honored the powerful voices shaping Latinx storytelling in film and television.
Administrative Professionals’ Day Celebration Dinner
April 2025 | Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse | Pasadena, CA
We celebrated Administrative Professionals’ Day with a special dinner for our hardworking team members who keep everything running smoothly. Thank you for all that you do!
BDO Alliance Conference
May 2025 | The Cosmopolitan | Las Vegas, NV
The Vasquez team headed to Las Vegas for the 2025 BDO Alliance USA Conference: EVOLVE! It was a great time connecting with Firms and exploring ways to expand capacity, manage costs, and maintain quality through right-shoring with The Vasquez Advantage.
Philippines Team Building
May 2025 | Club Balai Isabel | Batangas, Philippines
The Vasquez Advantage team enjoyed a fun and energizing overnight team building with the theme "Strength in Our Ties."
The day was filled with activities that highlighted our teamwork and what we can accomplish together. It all wrapped up with a lively socials night of singing, dancing, and celebrating the strong bonds we share.
Click here to watch our highlights video
EBP & Single Audit Training
May 2025 | Somerset Salcedo | Makati, Philippines
Training season is here! The Vasquez Advantage team kicked off a two-day EBP and Single Audit training session. With the wide range of industries we support, continuous learning remains key to delivering quality services to our clients.
Leadership Training
May 2025 | KMC Salcedo | Makati, Philippines
The training season wrapped up with a Leadership Training session. At Vasquez + Co. and The Vasquez Advantage, we believe strong leadership is built through continuous growth, shared experiences, and a commitment to empowering others.
AAM Summit
May 2025 | Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass | Phoenix, AZ
The Vasquez team attended the 2025 Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM) Summit. Partner Roger Martinez and Marketing Manager Cassandra Bae led a session on effectively communicating right-shoring strategies to drive Firm growth.
Aprio PS+ Leaders Conference
May 2025 | La Cantera Resort & Spa | San Antonio, TX
The Vasquez team attended and proudly sponsored the Aprio Professional Services+ Leaders Conference! It was a great time connecting with Firms and exploring ways to expand capacity, manage costs, and maintain quality through right-shoring with The Vasquez Advantage.
LALCC Biz Expo
June 2025 | Sheraton Fairplex Hotel | Pomona, CA
As a sponsor of the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce (LALCC) Biz Expo, Vasquez team members had the opportunity to connect with fellow professionals. They shared how our right-shoring solutions through The Vasquez Advantage help businesses grow. A standout moment was hearing from keynote speaker Dr. Antonia Novello, an inspiring trailblazer in public service.
South County Labor Breakfast
June 2025 | City of Commerce, CA
Vasquez + Co. supports South County Labor and stands alongside dedicated leaders in the labor community. We also extend our congratulations to Ernesto Medrano on receiving the 2025 Ray Cordova Outstanding Labor Leader Award! His commitment to fair labor practices and workforce development continues to make a lasting impact across Southern California.
PhotobyLALCC
Government & Nonprofit Seminar
June 2025 | Pasadena, CA
That’s a wrap on the Vasquez + Co. Annual 2025 Government and Nonprofit Accounting Updates Seminar! It was a full day of insights and discussions on executive orders, single audit updates, cybersecuritytrends,andmore. Theeventbroughttogetherindustry leaders and professionals to connect and exchange a wealth of knowledgewithoneanother.
A heartfelt thank you to all our speakers and to the organizing committeeformakingthiseventsosuccessful!
Jeanine Gayla
ASSOCIATE - ACCOUNTING PHILIPPINES
Haveyoueverexperiencedyourheartracing,palms sweating, and knees wobbling as you step on a stage?Letmesharewithyoumyexperience
Just a month ago, on May 23, 2025, I had a truly memorableexperience.Istoodbeforeacrowdready to perform a song Our Team was having a great time during Social Night, and somehow, I found myselfsingingaftertheyplayfullyurgedmeto.Most ofthemknewIsingwithabandeveryFridaynight at my cousin’s Samgyupsal restaurant, which is conveniently located right behind my house. It’s a charming little place, and our typical audience consists of friendly neighbors and local folks from our barangay. However, this evening was different. These were unfamiliar faces, colleagues I had only recentlyconnectedwith.Itwasmyfirsttimesinging infrontofthem,andhonestly,Iwasscared.Whatif my voice faltered? What if I couldn’t reach the notes? Still, I inhaled deeply and performed "ThroughtheFire".
My nerves were out of control, and my heart was thumping like a drum.The first note came out unsteady and my voice was shaky. But when I looked out and saw everyone smiling and enjoying the music, something magical happened: the fear startedtofadeawayandwasreplacedbyjoy Isaw myteammatescheering,theirexpressionsfilledwith encouragement and pride. And at that moment, I felt that fire ignite within me as well. I wasn’t just performing; I was establishing a connection. I was revealingapieceofmyself.Andinthatmoment,the fear no longer mattered I simply allowed my voice toflow.Itturnedouttobeoneofthemostjoyfuland empowering experiences I’ve had in quite some time. And the rest was history. I was very happy to perform two songs. Shocking, but yes! They loved myfirstsongandaskedtosinganothersong. So,ifyou’veeverhesitatedtostepforwardbecause of fear, whether it’s a stage, new experience or at work, let this be a little reminder that overcoming fear can unveil the most beautiful and unexpected happiness
Q: What, if anything, are you currently binge-watching? Or reading?
A: Young Sheldon, best feel-good series for me so far.
Q: What’s on your bucket list?
A: Be a background cast member in a movie
Q: What are the 3 places that you would like to travel to?
A: Japan, Nice and Switzerland.
Q: What are 3 words that best describe you?
A: Curious, Adventurous, and strongwilled.
Denice Tagasa
SENIOR ASSOCIATE - TAX LOS ANGELES
Q: How long have you been with V + Co.?
A: 5 years.
Q: What do you like best about working for V + Co.?
A: Aside from the free lunch every week, having coworkers that are easy to work with, makes a big difference.
Q: Do you have a motto or personal mantra that you follow?
A: Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: Eat out, clean the house, walk in the park, and window shopping.
Q: What is one skill you’d love to learn?
A: To learn to play piano.
Cristhel Rulona
SENIOR ASSOCIATE - AUDIT
PHILIPPINES
VeteranaccountantsGregKyteandCalebNewquistbringhumorand sharp insight to the world of fraud in this episode spotlighting their mostunforgettableinvestigations.TheyrevisitinfamouscaseslikeRita Crundwell’s$53milliontheftfromasmall-townbudget,theexplosive Navycorruptionscandalknownas"FatLeonard,"andshockingabuse ofPPPloansduringthepandemic.Morethanjustatruecrimepodcast forCPAs,OhMyFraudunpacksthepsychology,redflags,andcontrols that can prevent fraud before it happens. Whether you're an auditor, advisor,orjustloveafinancialmystery,thisone’sforyou.
The Vasquez Advantage: Efficiency Empowerment Through Right-Shoring
At Vasquez + Co. our commitment to quality and efficiency extends across borders. Our office in the Philippines is staffed by experienced professionals who integrate seamlessly with your operations, delivering consistent results and measurable cost savings. With oversight from our U.S. partners, we ensure the same high standards you expect around the clock.
Click here to view our brochure.
6 Science-Backed Ways to Improve Your Well-Being at Work
By Natalie Kogan, Harvard Business Review
Checkinwithyourselfdaily.
Ask yourself: How am I doing today? How am I feeling? Don’t judge your answersorimmediatelytryto“fix”howyou’refeeling.Justbecomeaware. Isharedthispracticeduringarecentkeynoteandayoungwomancameupto meafterwardtosaythatshe’dheardmetalkaboutitbefore.
“Atthattime,Iwasfeelingsoburnedout,”shetoldme.“Iwasn’tsureitwould makeadifference,butIdecidedtogivethisdailycheck-inatry.Iwassurprised at how much it helped me feel better. Instead of being consumed by my feelingsofstressoroverwhelm,Ibecomeawareofthemandnowfeelmorein control.”
Research supports what she experienced: People who practice emotional awareness are more likely to report greater well-being. Becoming aware of your difficult feelings reduces the intensity with which you experience them andgivesyouanopportunitytodosomethingtosupportyourselftofeelalittle better.
Takeafewshort,qualitybreaksduringtheday.
The key word here is “quality.” This means doing something that helps you disconnect from work, refuel, and recharge. Scrolling social media or reading thenewsisnotaqualitybreak,andneitheriscatchinguponyourto-dolist. Thehumanbrainneedstotakeabreakevery90to120minutestofunctionat its best and avoid accumulated stress and overwhelm. Microsoft recently conductedalarge-scalestudyandfoundthattakingfive-to10-minutebreaks between meetings significantly reduced accumulated stress and overwhelm andimprovedfocus.
Acceptance involves two steps: First, acknowledge the situation with clarity, focusingonthefactsyouknowtobetrue.Second,identifyonestepyoucould taketomoveforwardwithlessstressandstruggle.
Wetendtounderestimatehowmuchruminatingonstressfulsituationsdrains our energy. Practicing these two steps of acceptance when you find yourself caught in a loop of negative thoughts helps to focus your attention on what you can control and take a productive action, however small. This small win givesyourbrainasenseofprogress,whichfeelsgoodandoftenmotivatesyou tofindotherusefulstepsyoucantake.
One of the women who participated in my leadership program where we learnedtheskillofacceptancetoldmerecentlythatit’sbeenhermaingo-to skill during the ongoing challenges and uncertainty at work. “Whenever I become overwhelmed with stress about work situations, the economy, or thingswithmyteam,Ipause,takeabreath,andaskmyselfwhatstepIcould taketomoveforwardgivenhowthingsareandwhatisinmycontrol.Asking this question as a team has also been helpful for our team focus and stress level,”shetoldme.
Makeitapointtogreetyourcolleagueswithgenuineenthusiasmwhenyou’re on a call or when you see them for the first time during the day. In virtual meetings, where there is a tendency to just dive into the agenda, begin by asking everyone to share something good from their week so far. Be intentionalaboutreachingouttoacolleaguetojustcheckin,withoutfocusing yourconversationonwork.
We’re all starved for human connection after the years of pandemic isolation andit’snegativelyimpactingourwell-being.Ashumanbeings,we’rewiredto connect,andstudiesshowthatsocialsupportandfeelingconnectedimprove mentalhealthandreducestressandanxiety.
So, take the initiative and create a daily moment of connection with a colleague.Itdoesn’ttakealotofeffortortime,butyou’llfeelupliftedandhelp theotherpersonfeellessalone.
Ifyoudon’thaveone,createadailygratitudepractice,whichcanbeassimple aswritingdownthreethingsyouappreciateeverymorningorintheevening. Developingagratefulmindsetisalwaysbeneficialforyourwell-being,buteven more so during these uncertain times Uncertainty is extremely stressful and energy-draining it’sthehardestthingforthehumanbraintohandle.When your brain encounters uncertainty, it focuses on finding possible danger and entersthe“fightorflightstate”soitcanprotectyou.Thiscanleadtoincreased anxietyandruminationaboutnegativeoutcomesandworst-casescenarios.
By practicing gratitude, you ask your brain to widen its lens and focus its attentiononthingsthatarepositive,meaningful,orcomforting.Thegoalisn’t to deny the difficulties you might be facing, but to remind yourself that they are not the entirety of your life. This fuels your emotional energy and helps improve your resilience, which is your ability to positively adapt amidst challenges.
Practiceactiverestoutsideofwork.
Finally, it’s important to spend time outside of work doing things you love. Spendtimeonyourfavoritehobby.Dedicatetimetoreadingorgardening.Try a new creative activity, like watercolor or writing. The key is to do something thatactivelyfuelsyourenergyandfeedspartsofyouotherthanjustyourwork self. (In contrast, zoning out in front of Netflix for hours is not active rest, although watching an episode of your favorite show from time to time is a greatoption.)
Ipickeduppaintingaftermyownburnout,andhavingsomethingthatallows me to completely disconnect from work and feed the creative/artist part of myself has been a huge gift for my well-being. A recent study of burnout in nursessupportswhatI’vefoundtobetrueinmyexperience:Nurseswhospent timeactivelyrestingwhentheyweren’tworking,eitherbyengaginginhobbies orspendingtimewithfriendsorfamily,werelesslikelytoburnoutthannurses who weren’t intentional about disconnecting from work after their shift was finished.
Astheclichegoes:“Youarenotyourjob.”Even,andperhapsespecially,ifyou’re passionateaboutyourwork,youneedtobeintentionalaboutdoingthingsyou enjoy outside of work. If your productivity-obsessed brain objects, remind yourself that active rest is an investment in your ability to bring your full capacitytoyourworkforalongperiodoftime.
Source: Harvard Business Review, “6 Science-Backed Ways to Improve Your Well-Being at Work”byNatalyKogan.
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Also called the Fourth of July in the United States. Commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
NINOY AQUINO DAY
*Philippines Holiday *Philippines Holiday 21
The Filipino community celebrates the life of Senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr., keeping his legacy alive. Before Aquino’s untimely death, he was regarded as the flag bearer for the progression of modern Philippine democracy.
25
NATIONAL HEROES DAY
*Philippines Holiday *Philippines Holiday
National Heroes Day is celebrated in honor and in remembrance of unknown valiant Filipinos who sacrificed their lives as a foundation for Philippine independence from foreign rule.
01
LABOR DAY
*US Holiday *US Holiday
Rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America's strength, prosperity, and well-being.
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