Arvin Sayson Añana is the founder of Himalaya Accounting Solutions in the UAE. JONATHAN YBERA/EXPAT MEDIA

For Arvin Sayson Añana, numbers have always meant more than balance sheets and financial reports. Behind every set of figures, he sees the story of a business, the risks behind every decision, and the hopes of the people who built it. Today, Arvin is the founder of Himalaya Accounting Solutions, a UAE-based firm that helps companies manage their finances, navigate tax regulations and make smarter business decisions. But the roots of his company lie not just in accounting expertise, but in something far more personal. “Actually, this is my dream business here in the UAE,” Arvin tells Expat Media, pausing as emotion briefly fills his voice. “It is a dream fueled by love. Love for my family, my siblings and my friends. They are the reason why I opened this business.” Long before he was advising businesses in Dubai, Arvin was a determined student trying to build a future in the Philippines. He grew up in Cagayan de Oro City, and later moved to Cebu City to pursue an accountancy degree. But earning that degree required a level of endurance that few students experience. Arvin was a working student under a scholarship program that required him to render services to the university in exchange for tuition and a stipend. Because of the workload, completing his degree took longer than usual. “It took me 10 years to graduate from accountancy because I was a working student,” he recalls. Every peso mattered, so to stretch his limited allowance, he sometimes walked for hours to get to university. “I used to walk for three to six hours from our home to the university,” he says. “I wanted to save the transportation money for more important expenses.” Those long walks became part of his daily routine. They also became a quiet symbol of his determination. That decade of sacrifice would shape not only his career, but also his mindset toward discipline and financial responsibility. During those years, he discovered a deep passion for accounting. He began tutoring classmates in solving accounting problems and also took on part-time auditing work for small clients. Those early experiences gave him practical exposure to public accounting long before he officially entered the profession.

A leap of faith to the UAE

Before moving abroad, Arvin built a stable professional life in the Philippines. He opened a small a fashion retail business before working as a sales supervisor for Coca-Cola. But in 2014, he made a life-changing decision and moved to the UAE to help support his loved ones. “I arrived alone, but I’ve always been used to being independent,” he says. Like many expatriates arriving in the emirates, the early days were not easy. Arvin expected the UAE to be a land of opportunity, but breaking into the accounting field proved challenging. “At first I had a hard time finding a job in accountancy. It seemed that companies preferred female accountants over male accountants,” he says. Instead of giving up, he turned the challenge into an opportunity. Arvin began taking freelance accounting projects, slowly building a reputation among small businesses that needed help managing their financial records. Over time, those freelance assignments gave him both experience and confidence. The turning point in Arvin’s journey came when he approached a Filipino-owned accounting firm hoping to secure a full-time position. After working with him for some time, the firm’s owner surprised him with unexpected advice. “They told me, ‘Arvin, you can do it alone now. Why not open your own licensed business?’” The suggestion caught him off guard. “I told them I didn’t think I was ready,” Arvin says. But the encouragement stayed with him. The more he thought about it, the more the idea began to feel possible. Eventually, he decided to take the leap. That decision led to the creation of Himalaya Accounting Solutions, the company he now leads.

Building a different kind of accounting firm

Today, Himalaya Accounting Solutions provides a wide range of services including accounting and bookkeeping, VAT filing and corporate tax assistance, consultancy, and administrative training for businesses navigating UAE regulations. But Arvin says what truly sets his company apart is not just technical expertise, but culture. “What makes us different is the culture within our organization,” he explains. “We cultivate collaboration among our employees and even with other accounting firms.” Instead of competing with fellow Filipino accounting firms, he believes in partnerships. “We collaborate rather than compete,” he says. Even within his company, employees are encouraged to grow professionally without restrictive policies such as non-competition clauses. “No one is here to outsmart each other,” he says. “We are here to help each other.” Arvin often uses simple analogies to explain the importance of accounting. “Accounting is the heart of the business,” he says. “If there is a problem in the flow of money, then the company will have problems.” He emphasizes that accounting is not just about record-keeping, but about enabling better decisions. “If you have wrong records, you will have wrong business decisions,” he explains. “You might think you are earning, but in reality your business is going bankrupt.” At Himalaya Accounting Solutions, clients are guided through a three-point approach: accuracy, clearer insights and better business decisions. Arvin and his team often conduct detailed financial discussions with clients, reviewing reports and providing recommendations. “Some accounting firms just take the records and submit the report,” he says. “But we sit down with the client for financial reporting discussions so they understand what is happening in their business.” The UAE’s dynamic business environment presents enormous opportunities, particularly for startups and small companies. But Arvin noticed an important gap when he began working with businesses in the region. “The gap I saw was trust and partnership,” he says. Many clients, he explains, feel disconnected from their accounting firms. Himalaya Accounting Solutions seeks to change that by acting as a financial partner rather than just a service provider. “If we see something that can improve or save their business, we tell them,” Añana says. “If their company is in danger, we also tell them.” His company also offers training programs for businesses and staff to keep them updated on changing regulations such as VAT and e-invoicing. “Some clients don’t know the latest laws because they are busy running their business,” he says. “So we train their staff to make sure they stay compliant.” One of Arvin’s most memorable projects involved rescuing a client’s chaotic accounting records. The client had previously worked with another firm and arrived with disorganized financial documents. After reviewing the situation, Avin promised to fix the records in three months. But after dedicating intense focus to the project, he completed the work in just two days. “The client was very impressed,” he says with a smile. For Arvin, the experience reinforced an important lesson. Numbers reveal the truth about whether a business is working. And in the fast-moving business landscape of the UAE, Arvin’s mission remains clear: helping companies understand their numbers so they can build a stronger future. ICA/Expat Media Contact Himalaya Accounting Solutions via himalayaaccountingsolutions.com, WhatsApp 0506851925 or email operations@himalayaaccountingsolutions.com

Quick Fire with Arvin

Most common accounting myth That you can’t avoid tax. Who’s more demanding: tax deadlines or clients? Tax deadlines are definitely more demanding. A business habit you swear by? I play chess to relax. The most satisfying part of closing the books at year-end? When I finish it early. What you pay the most attention to in your own business? People. I need to have the right people. If you weren’t an accountant, what career would you realistically pursue? Architecture. I also wanted to be an architect. A financial mistake you learned from early on? Don’t spend too much. The most unusual expense you’ve seen on a client’s ledger? A purchase of a Valentine’s Day card in the month of December. The app you open first during work hours? Facebook. A place in Dubai that helps you think clearly? The masjid. What’s more stressful: VAT filing or launching a new service? Launching a new service. VAT filing is easy. Daily ritual that keeps you grounded Praying. Finish this sentence: “Success, to me, is no longer about…” Money, but about peace of mind. This story also appears in the Expat Media Special Edition magazine. Grab your copy today at partner distributors across the UAE.
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