VIA Times Filipino American Lifestyle and Culture in the Greater Chicago Area
Maria Fides Balita is a Director of Adelfia LLC. Adelfia LLC is a women and minority-owned public accounting firm. Adelfia LLC provides audit, advisory, accounting, tax, international tax, information technology review/audit, and other services across industry-specialized practices including public sector/government, colleges and universities, not-for-profit organization, benefit plans, Fortune 500, and private companies.
Maria joined Adelfia LLC in February 2012 just as the firm was formed in November 2011 and was pivotal in developing the firm’s internal audit and employee benefit plan audit services. Maria participated in establishing the operations of the firm, including obtaining the firm’s women and minority owned status from various certifying agencies and hiring the firm’s first employees. Maria plays a vital role in the firm’s growth from being a three-person firm to having thirteen professionals in less than three years of operations.
Maria is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Internal Auditor. Maria has over 20 years of experience in public accounting and industry. She provides audit and outsourced internal audit services to state, federal and local government agencies, colleges and universities, not-for-profit organizations and benefit plans (401k, 403b, pension and health & welfare plans).
A graduate of the De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Major in Accounting, Maria started her career as a staff auditor at Sycip, Gorres, Velayo & Co. in Manila, Philippines. After SGV, she worked at Far East Bank & Trust Company where she progressed as an Accounting Staff to a Branch Operations Officer. In the United States, Maria worked for E. C. Ortiz & Co, and has served as Manager of Big 4 Global Accounting Firms including KPMG’s Internal Audit Services, Deloitte’s Benefit Plan Audit Services, and Mitchell & Titus, a member firm of Ernst & Young.
Maria is passionate in promoting mentoring, leadership and networking as an essential skill of tomorrow’s leaders. She spearheaded the formation of the International Society of Filipinos in Finance and Accounting (ISFFA) – Chicago Chapter and became its founding Chapter President. ISFFA had a successful launch in August 2012 and through Maria’s leadership had promoted ISFFA’s mission of Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders Today!
Maria is also a member of the Women’s Executive Committee of the Illinois CPA Society, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Illinois CPA Society, and the Institute of Internal Auditors. She is also a Peer Reviewer under the AICPA Peer Review Program. She is also a member of the Batangas City Association of Chicago. Her continuous involvements in professional, social and civic organizations show her commitment to social responsibility and inspire young professionals, especially Filipino young professionals, to reach their full potential.
