Accounting was never meant to be easy, and Melvin Jhon Lugod knew that from the start. The long nights of studying, the relentless exams, and the pressure of meeting high expectations all demanded discipline and sacrifice. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, he faced one of the toughest hurdles: failing the CPA board exam not once, but three times.
Instead of walking away, he chose persistence. Melvin pressed forward, determined to carve out a career in accounting while keeping the dream of becoming a CPA alive. His goal has always been the same—helping businesses manage their financial transactions and being part of their growth story.
Pivotal Shifts in His Career
Melvin’s career began at Shopsuki.ph, an e-commerce platform in Mindanao, where he was part of building the company during the pandemic. That experience introduced him to the fast-paced digital economy and the systems that keep online businesses running. It also revealed a new world of tools and software that extended beyond the traditional accounting lessons of college.
Later, he transitioned to an accounting firm and was introduced to Xero, a widely used international accounting software. The move connected his e-commerce experience with formal accounting practice, creating a bridge between technology and finance that continues to shape his work today.
Learning Through Challenges
Early on, Melvin found himself overwhelmed by data. The sheer volume of information—databases, spreadsheets, transactions—seemed impossible to manage. “I didn’t know how to clean, organize, or analyze it effectively,” he recalls.
Rather than let it limit him, he took the initiative to enroll in the Google Data Analytics course on Coursera. The program, which focused on handling large datasets and presenting them visually, transformed his approach. What once felt like a weakness became one of his strongest assets. Today, he is confident handling complex data, finding insights, and turning numbers into meaningful information.
Shaping Values and Leadership
Through each experience, Melvin developed a deeper understanding of the role accountants play. “Every figure in the financial statements tells a story,” he explains. Some numbers reflect growth, others reveal weaknesses, but all contribute to the bigger picture of a business’s health.
That insight has shaped his values: transparency, accountability, and teamwork. He believes mistakes are not the end of the story but clues pointing to areas for improvement. His leadership style reflects this—collaborative, detail-oriented, and focused on helping teams learn from challenges rather than hide from them.
Passion in the Profession
What excites Melvin most about accounting is the clarity it can bring. “Accounting isn’t just about numbers—it’s about uncovering patterns, solving puzzles, and making sense of complexity,” he says. Each spreadsheet he builds and every formula he troubleshoots provides a sense of order in what could otherwise be chaos.
When faced with complex projects, Melvin relies on breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable steps. He treats them the same way he approaches spreadsheets: solving one piece at a time until the bigger picture makes sense. That method keeps him focused, calm, and productive under pressure.
Sharing and Celebrating
Mentorship has become one of the most rewarding parts of his work. Melvin enjoys sharing technical knowledge with colleagues and takes pride in celebrating wins—both big and small—with his team. He believes that growth is multiplied when knowledge is passed on and when victories are shared.
The most fulfilling part of his role, however, is the trust businesses place in him. Preparing reliable and transparent financial statements is not just a technical task—it is a responsibility that impacts decisions, growth, and people’s livelihoods.
Lifelong Learning
Melvin remains committed to continuous learning. Beyond the Google Data Analytics program, he continues to pursue short courses to sharpen his data and technical skills, recognizing that the future of accounting will be increasingly tied to technology. Coursera, in particular, provides him with practical applications that build a portfolio beyond traditional degree programs.
Certification as an Edge
While still in college, Melvin decided to pursue certification in bookkeeping through NIAT, encouraged by his classmates. That decision strengthened his résumé and gave him a competitive edge. “Earning a NIAT certification enhances my credentials and attracts potential employers, whether local or international,” he says.
His advice to students and young professionals is straightforward: “Enroll in the certification program. It opens opportunities and gives you an edge over other fresh graduates.”
Looking Ahead
From his beginnings in e-commerce to mastering accounting software and data analytics, Melvin Jhon Lugod’s journey is proof that setbacks don’t define success—resilience does. Though he still aims to become a CPA, he has already built a career grounded in discipline, adaptability, and purpose.
For Melvin, every number tells a story—and his own story is one of perseverance, growth, and the courage to keep moving forward.
