On May 30 – June 1, 2012, two batches of trainings on Basic Accounting for Non-Accountants under the Ateneo-SEDPI Microfinance Training Courses. Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives (NSCC), the newest training hub, hosted the trainings . The trainings were held in Vigan City. A total of 102 top and middle management officers from NSCC’s member cooperatives attended the trainings.
NSCC is composed of 71 primary cooperatives with over 17,000 members. It has nine (9) branches in the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Benguet, and La Union. Among the products and services they offer are social credit programs, savings mobilization, capacity building programs, and money transfer services. NSCC also provides commercial spaces and hotel services at the NSCC Plaza where the Ateneo-SEDPI Microfinance Trainings were held.
The Basic Accounting for Non-Accountants trainings were the first batch of trainings conducted under the partnership with NSCC. The course is part of the standard training curricula for cooperative officers prescribed by the Cooperative Development Authority under Memorandum Circular No. 2011-14. It aims to explain basic accounting concepts and procedures, the different financial statements, and the standard chart of accounts for cooperatives.
The trainings highlighted the importance of accounting and understanding financial statements. Numerous workshops were conducted to simulate the accounting cycle, allowing the participants to practice recording of transactions and drafting financial statements. Ms. Zenaida Reno, Secretary of NSCC, commended the trainers and noted that the training participants got the best value for their money. Among the trainers who delivered the training were SEDPI’s Chairperson, Mr. Edwin Salonga, and two program officers, Ms. Florence Adviento and Ms. Cherryl Si. NSCC’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Divina Quemi, also thanked Ateneo and SEDPI for the opportunity to train primary cooperatives on basic accounting, an essential skill necessary for analyzing the financial position of cooperatives.