Why I Chose to Stay with Dilaab Digitals

The Question That Made Me Reflect

Recently, I attended a PICPA Cebu event where I had the chance to catch up with one of my former professors, Atty. Kim Aranas.

After asking how work had been, he followed it up with a question I honestly didn't expect.

"Naa naman kas firm, nipadayon pa ka sa imong VA?" 

(Now that you’re in an accounting firm, did you still continue your VA gig?)

When I told him yes, he looked genuinely surprised.

Then, with a smile, he jokingly said,

"Ayaw palabig padato." (Don’t get rich too much)

We both laughed.

He explained that he was reminding me to take care of myself and not let work consume everything. But before we ended our conversation, he also told me something I'll never forget.

He was proud of me.

Surprised that I was able to juggle both careers, but somehow, not surprised at the same time.

That short conversation stayed with me long after the event ended because it made me reflect on a question I've been asked many times.

Why did I stay with Dilaab Digitals even after becoming a CPA?

Having the Freedom to Pursue Both Dreams

When I joined a public accounting firm, many people naturally assumed that I would eventually leave my Virtual Assistant job.

After all, public practice is already demanding enough on its own.

There are busy seasons where work extends well beyond office hours. Deadlines become tighter, engagements become more complex, and every day presents a new challenge.

Adding another job on top of that sounds almost impossible.

Yet somehow, I've been able to make it work.

Looking back, I realized it wasn't because I had extraordinary time management.

It was because I had an employer that gave me the flexibility, trust, and support to continue pursuing both careers.

Dilaab Digitals never made me feel like I had to choose between becoming a CPA and continuing my journey as a Marketing Virtual Assistant.

Instead, they believed that I could grow in both.

That trust changed everything.

More Than Flexible Work

When people hear "Virtual Assistant," flexibility is usually the first thing that comes to mind.

While that's certainly true, I've learned that flexibility only matters when it's paired with trust.

Throughout my CPA journey, Dilaab celebrated every milestone with me.

When I passed the board exam, they celebrated with me.

When I entered public practice, they continued believing in me.

Rather than seeing my accounting career as a reason to let me go, they saw it as another chapter worth supporting.

That speaks volumes about the kind of culture they have built.

It's a workplace where your personal goals aren't viewed as distractions from work.

They're viewed as victories worth celebrating.

A Company That Invests in People

One thing I've always appreciated about Dilaab Digitals is that they genuinely think about what helps their people succeed.

Sometimes, it's through the small things.

Supporting our wellness through partnerships like Baseline Fitness.

Giving us access to spaces like Worknook and Zero Ten whenever we need a productive place to work or meet with teammates.

These aren't things they had to do.

They're simply reflections of a company that understands that taking care of people also means creating an environment where they can do their best work.

Those initiatives may seem simple from the outside, but to us as Virtual Assistants, they make a meaningful difference.

How Dilaab Made Me a Better CPA

Ironically, keeping my VA job didn't distract me from becoming a better accountant.

It helped me become one.

Working in marketing strengthened my communication skills.

Managing multiple clients improved my organization.

Creating content taught me how to explain ideas more clearly.

Collaborating with entrepreneurs from different industries broadened my understanding of how businesses actually operate beyond financial statements.

These are skills I now bring into every client engagement as a CPA.

People often think accounting and marketing are completely different worlds.

I used to think the same.

Now I realize they complement each other more than I ever expected.

Looking Back

When Atty. Kim jokingly told me,

"Ayaw palabig padato,"

(Don’t get rich too much)

I smiled because I knew he was reminding me to protect something more important than my schedule.

My well being.

And thankfully, that's something Dilaab Digitals has always encouraged too.

Looking back, staying wasn't just about keeping another source of income.

It was about staying in a workplace that believed in me before I became a CPA, celebrated with me when I became one, and continues to support me as I grow into the professional I want to become.

Many companies can offer a job.

Very few become part of your journey.

For me, Dilaab Digitals became one of those rare places.

And if someone were to ask me again why I chose to stay, my answer would be simple.

Because when you find people who believe in your growth as much as you do, sometimes the best career decision isn't choosing between two paths.

It's having the freedom to keep walking both.