James Christopher Domingo and his ‘Taglish’ accounting books

IT WAS October 2004 when some Pre-com Society officers wanted to borrow James Christopher Domingo’s Basic Accounting notes. Ashamed of his penmanship, he decided to modify them, and with eight gel pens and a ream of bond paper, he rewrote all 188 pages.

It was a good thing he did the revision because eventually the rest of the Commerce population, through photocopying and word of mouth, would enjoy the edge of having his notes.

From the notes emerged two widely-used accounting books: Hairy Potter at ang Simula ng Katapusan and Partnership Accounting sa Mata ng Isang Barbero/Captain Barbers vs. Corporation Accounting. Both are cultured by Domingo.

Accounting made “comically” easy

Judging from the titles alone, Domingo’s textbooks are obviously not the usual run-of-the-mill accounting tomes. Domingo, whose notes were originally written in Filipino, incorporated English terms in his books, believing that accounting concepts are understood easier this way.

Also, Domingo blended the Basic Accounting lessons taught by his professors Jo Beticon and Minerva Cruz with a witty and comic approach. Assimilating the jokes and funny antics into the pages of the book make learning accounting lessons a joy rather than a pain, Domingo said.

With no prior experience in writing books, Domingo had to exhaust all his brawn and brain before launching his first book, Hairy Potter. Aside from his professors Patricia Empleo and Christopher German who helped him in writing the book, the book’s crafting process was a one-man team as Domingo personally handled the lay-outing, marketing, and even the distribution in major book stalls in Recto. The book was published at Archangel Printing Press, which was wholly funded by him. Domingo’s efforts paid-off after Hairy Potter was successfully finished in June 2005.

“Creating the book was tiring. But when the first book was published, the fulfillment was indescribable,” Domingo said.

Not wanting to name his first book with anything related to accounting, Domingo titled it Hairy Potter for a twist, after the best-selling Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which was released during the time he was writing his first book. Hairy Potter, the off-shoot of Domingo’s notes, tackles primarily Basic Accounting. The concepts of posting debits and credits, assets and liabilities were stated in simple step-by-step instructions and no-fuss explanations that students need not to break a sweat comprehending.

Meanwhile, Domingo’s second book Partnership Accounting, is practically two books in one. Released in June 2006, the book tackled Partnership Accounting and Corporation Accounting.

With his light and humorous approach to the hard concepts of accounting, his books consistently receive warm praises from students, including their parents. Domingo would often receive text messages from them thanking him for making the subject somehow easier for the students.

“Although I only receive a small royalty for each book, the fulfillment I feel is far better that what money can give,” Domingo said.

Even though his books tackle essential Accountancy principles, Domingo stressed that both books are not meant to replace the established accounting books. Rather, the books are created to aid students in grasping accounting topics faster and better.

Though highly popular, Domingo has not yet submitted his books to the textbook committee of the College of Accountancy. Because of the peculiarity of the books’ presentation, he worries that the evaluators will not sanction them.

“I just wish and pray that the evaluators would look beyond the ‘peculiar’ form the books were written. I hope they would just concentrate on the ‘substance’ and how I tried hard to break down the lessons in their easiest comprehensible form,” Domingo said.

His books are available at Conanan Bookstore and Inter-Campus Trading Bookstore in Recto. Distributed in seven provinces by satisfied book-owners, the books are also promoted by the National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (NF-JPIA). As of this moment, almost 3,000 copies have already been sold to Thomasians and almost every Accountancy school in Manila.

Back where he belongs

Domingo loved helping fellow students. As a member of NF-JPIA and Scarlet in his last two years in UST, he conducted tutorial sessions for lower batches.

“It is important to address the academic needs of the students,” Domingo said.

A dean’s lister during his freshman and sophomore years, Domingo was also elected Assistant Treasurer of the Commerce Student Council and Central Student Council’s Secretary in his third and fourth year respectively. He graduated last May 2006 with a degree in Accountancy, and passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Board examinations last October.

A few days after the results were released, he was immediately hired by the largest auditing firm in the country, SGV & Co., which was founded by two prominent Thomasian accountancy tycoons, Washington Sycip and Alfredo Velayo. But upon learning of a faculty opening in UST, he refused a potential $65,000 starting salary in the United States as an I.T. auditor of SGV in order to teach Business Finance in the College of Accountancy.

At 21 years old, Domingo is one of the youngest professors in the University. Although a little naive to be an educator, Domingo is thankful that AMV-Accountancy Dean Jose Ireneo trusted his capabilities.

“He is qualified to teach according to the criteria we set for our teachers,” Ireneo said.

Behind his witty yet humorous approach to the difficult subjects of accountancy, Domingo has this serious message for future CPA’s: “Take your studies seriously and don’t forget to pray.”