JR Wright Business Advisory Services, Inc. is a Philippines based firm established in 1982. The firm has a wide range of experience in providing risk management, e-audits, quality control and financial management services, serving clients in several industries, including not-for-profit, employee benefit plans, state and local government, and elderly and low-income housing. With its group head office in Ohio USA, JR Wright Business Advisory Services has its Philippines office in Cebu City, where it services a number if international clients.

We asked John Wright to answer our questions on some key issues in the accounting sector:

In your opinion, what is the future for your profession?
I’ve noticed a trend of more people deciding to become business owners and entrepreneurs, in addition to or instead of having a regular job. This presents a great opportunity for accounting firms to provide more value added services to these new businesses in the areas of financial management, risk management, business strategy and taxation. And the way we leverage technology allows us to be of service to business owners all over the globe.

What is your growth strategy?

Our growth strategy hinges on branding ourselves as subject matter experts in the industries as well as the niche markets we target. Our use of technology will allow us to market to any business organization in our target industries regardless of the size or location. A key component of our growth strategy is also Business Process Outsourcing wherein we use our talent pool and expertise to help other firms increase their capacity while reducing their labor costs.

Where do you see your firm 5 years from now?

In the next five years our goal is to establish 25 offices in the US as well as in Asia and the Middle East and build a presence as one of the leading boutique assurance and advisory firms in the world.

What is your biggest challenge?

Our biggest challenge is overcoming the regulatory and administrative hurdles that exist in countries that are less welcoming of foreign entrepreneurs.

What percentage of your work is international?

Currently, the majority of our work is in the United States. However, our office in Cebu City periodically provides accounting support to a multi-national real estate developer headquartered in the Philippines.

What business advisory services do you offer?

Our advisory services consist of:

Financial Management

  • Business Advisory
  • Business Improvement
  • Investment Management

Risk Management

  • Governance & Compliance –
  • Information Technology and Review

Quality Control

  • Quality Control
  • Business Intelligence
  • Analytics

Assurance

  • Financial Statement Audit
  • Compliance Audits
  • Performance Audits
  • Computer Controls Evaluations
  • Compilation and Review

What was your main driver for being part of BOKS International?

Our main driver for joining BOKS International was to make connections with like-minded business people, collaborate with firms outside our borders and to assist those firms with increasing their capacity.

Where do you see BOKS International 5 years from now?

In five years I see BOKS International as one of the leading business alliances in the world with members throughout the US, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

How would you describe your typical client?

Our typical clients are non-profit organizations or NGOs with well established reputations in their communities, very experienced management teams that focus of improving lives and serving the under-served.

Tell us about a recent international assignment

Our most recent international assignment was providing outsourced bookkeeping and accounting services to multi-national real estate developer in the Philippines.

How do you target clients who are looking for international services?

As a member of BOKS International, we now have the capacity to target larger NGO clients that either have affiliates or that provide funding to organizations outside of the US.

Do you specialise in a particular sector or service?
We specialize in not for profit organizations, real estate development, low income and elderly housing, colleges and universities and construction contractors. Our services to those industries include audit, tax preparation, financial management, risk management and quality control.