When Carl Lyndon Barsolaso first entered the College of Business and Accountancy at Tarlac State University, he wasn’t even sure accounting was the right path for him. “I honestly didn’t plan to become an accountant,” he admits. But one professor changed the way he saw the field, telling the class to imagine themselves as the accountants of their own businesses. “That shifted my mindset completely,” he says. “It sparked my curiosity and made me want to understand accounting deeper.”
Years later, Carl, now Certified Accounting Technician, has grown into a senior accountant handling international clients—far from the student who once struggled with the basics. What drove that transformation was simple: persistence. “Accounting is overwhelming at first,” he recalls. “There were moments I doubted myself. But I told myself—if I survived those early struggles, I can survive anything.”
What keeps him passionate today is the constant learning the work demands. “Every role brought something new to my knowledge and perspective,” he says. Whether he’s handling bank operations, working with government accounts, or navigating Australian accounting standards, he’s always learning something new. “Accounting is never stagnant,” he adds. “That’s what excites me.”
Pressure is unavoidable in finance, but Carl learned to stay grounded. “When I’m facing a complex task, I remind myself to slow down,” he explains. Instead of rushing, he breaks work into smaller, manageable steps. “Progress is built gradually,” he says. And when he needs to reset, he turns to the outdoors. “Mountain and rock climbing help clear my mind. It’s my way of recharging.”
But the journey wasn’t just about his own growth—it also shaped how he supports others. “I started with zero experience, so I know how hard it is,” he says. Today, he willingly mentors new accounting technicians and colleagues who feel overwhelmed. “Whenever someone needs help, I share what I know. Even small knowledge can make a big difference.”
For Carl, the biggest reward isn’t the title—it’s the impact. “The most fulfilling part is seeing growth,” he says. “Not just in myself, but in the organizations I’ve served.” From being part of an award-winning bank branch to supporting local government operations to working with global clients, each experience strengthened his belief that accounting is a powerful force behind every institution’s success.
Continuous learning remains his non-negotiable. “Growth never stops,” he says. He attends summits, joins trainings, and keeps up with evolving accounting practices. “Every new update, every seminar—it all sharpens me.”
Looking back, Carl sees how every challenge, exam, and long night built the resilience he carries today. “If there’s one thing I learned,” he says, “it’s that accounting will test you—but it will also reward you if you stay committed.”
His story is proof that you don’t need a perfect start to build a meaningful career. You just need discipline, curiosity, and the courage to keep moving forward—even when the path feels uncertain.
