It’s easy to think your career is set the moment you pick a course in college—until life forces you to prove, again and again, that you’re capable of more than what people assume.
Dave Christian B. Cabo knows that feeling well. Now based in the United Arab Emirates, Cabo has built a reputation not only as a high-performing accounting professional, but also as an educator, mentor, and volunteer who carries his work with purpose. At just nine years into his career, he already holds a rare mix of credentials—CPA, CMA (US), MBA, and multiple advanced certifications in taxation, analytics, and IFRS—while also passing the Licensed Professional Teacher (LPT) exam, a milestone that speaks volumes about the kind of professional he has chosen to become.
But for Cabo, the story isn’t about collecting titles. It’s about what those titles represent: grit, faith, and a quiet refusal to let doubt—whether from others or himself—win.
Today, he serves as a Senior Accountant at RINA, handling regional responsibilities that stretch beyond a single market. Yet even with a growing corporate career, Cabo remains rooted in service, using his skills to lift others in the profession and support communities back home.
And behind all that momentum is a turning point he didn’t expect—one that began when he decided to take a leap during a time when most people were simply trying to survive.
A regional role built on trust and responsibility
In his current position at RINA, Cabo’s day-to-day responsibilities are far from routine. His work spans multiple territories, requiring precision, discipline, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments across borders.
“As a Senior Accountant at RINA covering the Middle East and India region, my role goes far beyond numbers,” he shared with TGFM. “I handle the full spectrum of General Ledger activities, ensuring that our financial reporting remains accurate, transparent, and fully aligned with global standards.”
The scale of the work is demanding. Cabo supports business leaders by providing financial insights that help guide decisions, strengthen compliance, and improve internal processes. His role also requires collaboration with different departments—operations, HR, commercial teams, and management—because finance, in his view, is never meant to function in isolation.
“My work also involves collaborating with cross-functional teams operations, commercial, HR, and management to drive financial efficiency and support sustainable growth,” he said.
It’s a position that calls for both technical mastery and strong interpersonal leadership, and Cabo seems to embrace both. For him, working in a global company also carries a personal sense of pride, particularly as a Filipino representing excellence in a competitive international environment.
“I am proud to contribute to a company that plays a significant role in safety, sustainability, and innovation worldwide,” he added. “Being entrusted with this regional responsibility allows me to represent the excellence and reliability that Filipinos bring to the global workforce.”
From a love for teaching to a life in accounting
Cabo’s path into accounting did not begin with ambition for corporate success. It started with something simpler and more personal: his love for teaching.
“My first love was teaching,” he admitted, revealing that his career could have easily taken a different direction. But even in high school, he found himself naturally drawn to numbers. Accounting, he realized, offered structure, stability, and a challenge that felt rewarding.
Still, he never saw it as a trade-off. For him, accounting didn’t mean letting go of teaching. It simply meant expressing it differently.
“I realized early on that accounting was a discipline where I could build a meaningful career while still keeping the door open for my passion for teaching, because teaching, after all, is not limited to classrooms,” he said. “It is a part of who I am.”
That mindset became the foundation of his professional identity: a man who can balance financial expertise with the heart of an educator.
But it was his decision to move to the UAE—during one of the most uncertain periods in recent history—that became a defining moment.
The pandemic leap that changed everything
For many overseas Filipino workers, leaving home is never easy. For Cabo, the timing made it even more challenging. He arrived in the UAE during the pandemic, when industries were struggling and opportunities felt scarce.
“Coming to the UAE during the pandemic was a leap of faith,” he said. “The job market felt uncertain and deeply affected.”
Yet it was in that uncertainty that Cabo found his breakthrough. He was hired as a Junior Accountant by one of the largest insurance companies in the country—a chance he describes as life-changing.
“But through God’s grace, I was hired as a Junior Accountant by one of the largest insurance companies in the country,” he recalled. “That opportunity became the turning point of my career.”
Instead of treating the role as simply a job, he treated it as an opening. Cabo immersed himself in the profession, took on learning opportunities, and began actively building a stronger skillset. For him, moving abroad wasn’t just about financial stability. It was about proving something deeper.
“I wanted to prove, not only to others, but to myself, that Filipinos can excel, compete globally, and break barriers in the field of accountancy,” he said.
The determination in that statement feels familiar to many OFWs: the desire to rise, not just to survive.
Turning doubt into fuel
Cabo’s impressive list of certifications may look like ambition on paper, but the reason behind it is far more emotional than strategic.
Each credential, he explained, carries a personal story.
“Each certification I earned carries its own story of resilience,” he said.
Before coming to the UAE, Cabo faced harsh comments that questioned his capability. Some doubted whether he could compete internationally. One moment, in particular, stayed with him.
“Before coming to the UAE, I heard comments that questioned my capability, people said I wouldn’t do well or that I wasn’t ‘internationally competitive.’ Someone even removed me from a team because they didn’t believe in me,” he revealed.
It was the kind of rejection that can break confidence, especially when it feels personal.
“Some remarks were deeply hurtful and personal,” he added.
But Cabo didn’t respond with bitterness. He responded with action. Instead of retreating, he built his credibility one exam at a time, using every qualification as proof—not for recognition, but for redemption.
“But instead of letting those judgments bring me down, I used them as fuel,” he said.
He describes his certifications not as trophies, but as statements of survival.
“Every exam I took, every certification I pursued, was a statement: that faith, hard work, and self-belief can transform pain into purpose.”
It is this kind of internal drive that separates high-achievers from those who simply perform their job well. Cabo’s motivation isn’t purely professional—it is personal, and it is rooted in resilience.
“My certifications are not just credentials, they are symbols of perseverance, hope, and faith,” he said.
Why teaching still matters, even outside a classroom
Despite his corporate growth, Cabo never abandoned the part of himself that wanted to teach. In fact, it became one of his defining strengths.
“Teaching has always been my first love,” he said.
That passion traces back to his upbringing, particularly the influence of his grandmother, who was an educator and played a major role in shaping his values.
“I grew up with my grandmother, a dedicated educator who instilled in me the belief that sharing knowledge is one of the most meaningful ways to touch lives,” Cabo shared.
For him, teaching is not limited to academic instruction. It’s about shaping character, building confidence, and guiding people through the moments when they feel unsure of themselves.
“When I teach, I don’t just aim to explain technical concepts, I want to impart values, confidence, and kindness,” he said.
It is this mindset that likely pushed him to take the Licensed Professional Teacher exam—an uncommon achievement for someone thriving in the corporate finance world.
But Cabo has always been intentional about being more than one thing. He does not want to be defined only by the spreadsheets and financial statements. He wants to be remembered as someone who made knowledge accessible and meaningful.
“There is a unique joy in seeing people realize their potential, in witnessing their growth, and in knowing that I have contributed to their journey,” he said.
Finding a second family through service
Beyond his work and teaching, Cabo has also been active in volunteerism, particularly through the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA). In the UAE, PICPA is a major community pillar for Filipino accountants—supporting professional development, mentorship, and unity among members.
For Cabo, volunteering with PICPA has become more than a side commitment. It has become personal.
“PICPA has become my family here in Dubai,” he shared.
That sense of belonging matters, especially for professionals navigating life overseas. Cabo explained that giving time to PICPA keeps him grounded and reminds him that the profession is built not only on technical skill, but also on shared responsibility.
“Volunteering for the organization not only allows me to give back to the accounting community but also keeps me grounded,” he said. “It reminds me that our profession is not just about reports and numbers, it is about service, solidarity, and supporting one another’s growth.”
His volunteer work also includes mentorship, guidance, and sharing resources with fellow accountants and aspiring CPAs—support that many young professionals rely on as they build confidence and direction.
In his own words, Cabo wants to show others that “kabayan” can succeed—not just in the workplace, but in life.
Giving back to the Philippines, one small act at a time
Even while living abroad, Cabo remains deeply connected to the Philippines through charitable work, particularly initiatives aimed at underserved communities. His motivations are simple but sincere: he sees giving back as part of his purpose, not something to do only when convenient.
“My charitable activities in the Philippines are deeply personal to me,” he said. “Seeing the smiles of children and families who receive even the simplest gifts reminds me of my purpose.”
There is humility in that statement—an understanding that impact doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes it is enough to show up, share, and be present.
“It humbles me and strengthens my desire to use my blessings to uplift others,” he added.
These experiences, he said, have shaped him into a more compassionate professional—someone who doesn’t measure success only in career growth.
“These experiences shape me into a more compassionate professional, one who values humanity above all achievements.”
It is a reminder that Cabo’s story isn’t only about professional excellence. It is about the kind of person he wants to become.
Redefining what it means to be an accountant
Cabo is aware that many people still carry outdated stereotypes about accountants—that they are simply people behind desks, buried in numbers, disconnected from creativity or human connection.
He wants to change that narrative.
“I want people to see accountants not just as number crunchers, but as strategic partners who bring clarity, integrity, and insight to the organizations we serve,” he said.
In his view, accountants hold influence because they protect value, guide decision-making, and shape the future direction of companies. But beyond the corporate impact, Cabo believes accountants can play a larger role as mentors and community builders.
“Accountants influence decisions, protect value, and shape the future of companies,” he said. “But beyond the technical work, we also make an impact through mentorship, ethical leadership, and community service.”
It’s a message he repeats consistently: competence and heart can—and should—coexist.
“I hope to show that accountants can be innovators, educators, and changemakers, professionals who carry both competence and heart,” he said.
A future focused on purpose, not just promotion
While Cabo continues to climb professionally, his long-term goals extend beyond titles and corporate milestones. He speaks about legacy with clarity: he wants to inspire others, especially those who feel limited by background, appearance, or judgment.
“My vision is to continue excelling in my field while inspiring others to rise, no matter their background,” he said. “I want to prove that success has no limitations, not appearance, not nationality, not skin color.”
One quote, in particular, resonated with him—words he carries as a reminder of courage and belonging.
“As Miss Côte d’Ivoire 2025 beautifully said, ‘Enter the room where you don’t belong, shine, and assume your identity.’”
Beyond his professional aspirations, Cabo is also determined to expand his charitable work and focus on communities that are often overlooked.
“I look forward to expanding my charitable work, especially for minorities, children with Down syndrome, Aeta communities, and teenagers who were unable to finish school,” he shared.
The direction is clear: Cabo is building a life where success is measured by impact.
“I want to build a legacy of empowerment, kindness, and service,” he said. “If my journey can open doors or give hope to even one person, then I know I am fulfilling my purpose.”
A life that blends skill with heart
Perhaps the best way to understand Cabo is through the way he introduces himself—not with a résumé, but with a statement of identity.
“I am proud to be an accountant, educator, and lifelong learner who believes that our work can change lives,” he said.
He sees accounting not as a technical profession alone, but as a tool for trust and empowerment.
“I have always seen accounting not just as numbers on a balance sheet, but as a powerful tool to empower people, strengthen communities, and inspire trust and integrity,” he shared.
In an era where many professionals chase achievement for status, Cabo’s approach feels refreshingly grounded. He is ambitious, yes—but not detached. His ambition is anchored in service, guided by faith, and strengthened by the struggles he once had to overcome.
“What drives me every day is the belief that success is not just measured by personal achievements, but by the positive impact we leave on others,” he said.
And that, more than any certification, is the thread that ties his story together: a professional who refuses to separate excellence from empathy.
“To me, being an accountant is about blending skill with heart, professionalism with compassion, and ambition with service,” he said. “That is the work I stand for, and that is the legacy I hope to leave.”
In the end, Cabo’s journey is not only inspiring because of how far he has come, but because of what he has chosen to carry with him—his love for teaching, his commitment to community, and his determination to rise even when others once doubted he could.
And for the many Filipinos still trying to find their place in a competitive world, his story sends a message that feels both simple and powerful: you don’t need permission to belong. You just need the courage to show up—and the discipline to keep going.
