OFW Interview with Dexter & Janice, Filipino Owners of Livesync Accounting Firm in UAE

Our latest OFW interview features Dexter and Janice Destajo, a husband-and-wife tandem who established Livesync Accounting, a global online accounting outsourcing firm headquartered in Dubai, with a branch office in Makati, Philippines.

Dexter, who happens to be a Certified Public Account (CPA) and a Philippine lawyer, initially came to the UAE on “a break,” having planned to start his own law practice in the Philippines. However, he was offered a great job opportunity and decided to stay in Dubai. In 2010, he met a fellow OFW, Janice; they fell in love, got married two years later… And the rest, as they say… is history!

Managing a business while raising a family abroad is no easy feat, but Dexter and Janice were able to overcome numerous challenges, including the pandemic! Today, they oversee a total of 40 employees, with plans to further expand their business. In this Q&A session, we shall learn more about their experiences — as business owners, and of course, as a Filipino family in Dubai!

OFW Feature: Dexter and Janice, Owners of Livesync Accounting

Name: Atty. Dexter Bordas Destajo, CPA
Age: 45 years old
Current Profession: Co-Founder/Owner/Managing Director of Livesync Accounting FZ, LLC
Education: BS Accountancy (1999), University of San Carlos, Cebu City; Passed CPA Board Exam (2000); Bachelor’s Degree in Law (2006), University of Cebu, Cebu City; Passed Philippine Bar Exam (2007)
Years in Dubai: 15 years

Name: Janice Lino Destajo, MBA
Age: 41 years old
Current Profession: Co-Founder/Owner/HR and Admin Director of Livesync Accounting FZ, LLC
Education: BS Accountancy (2003), Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Cavite; Masters in Business Administration (2021), Geneva Business School – Switzerland
Years in Dubai: 19 years

1. Tell us about yourselves.

Janice: Hi there! My husband Dexter and I met in Dubai in 2010 and got married in 2012. Together, we have been running our own business, Livesync Accounting, for 10 years now. We have a 9-year-old son.

Livesync Accounting is a global online accounting outsourcing firm that we founded in 2014, with a head office in Dubai and a branch office in Makati. We have a total of 40 employees (and growing) who are 100% Filipino and are qualified accountants.

Our business’ services include Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Tax, while our clients’ industries include Fintech, Technology Startups, Restaurants and Cafes, Retail, Project Management, Local and International Trading, E-Commerce, Digital Marketing, Creatives, Technical Services, and Consulting Services.

Livesync Accounting’s clients are mostly located in the UAE, Saudi, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman. We also have clients from Europe, and some from South East Asia — Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

2. Why did you come to Dubai?

Dexter: I came to the UAE in 2009, through visit visa sponsorship of my brother. Initially, I had wanted to take a break before setting up my own law practice in the Philippines, but then I got an offer to be an Accounting Manager!

Janice: I first came to the UAE in 2005, through visit visa sponsorship of my sister. Basically, I wanted to help provide for my family, together with my elder sister who came here before me. Now, my other siblings are also settled here, with their own families.

3. What were your previous jobs?

Dexter: Back in the Philippines, I had previously worked as Plant Accountant for a leading bakeshop for two years. Then, I became a Finance Controller for an Agrivet Retail Company, also for two years. Afterwards, I was a Junior Litigation Lawyer for a Law firm for 2 years, while part-timing as a Business law instructor.

Here in Dubai, I worked as the Group Accounting Manager for a metal trading company for four years, prior to establishing a business with my wife, Janice.

Janice: Before coming to the UAE, I was an Accountant for a manufacturing company in the Philippines for two years. After coming here, I worked as an Accountant for a hypermarket chain in Sharjah for two years, and later as an Accountant for an automotive company in Dubai for seven years.

4. How did you start your business? Are you happy/satisfied with it?

Janice: In 2014, Dexter and I resigned from our jobs to start our own accounting firm, using our personal savings and gratuities from previous employers. The first few years were very challenging. We got pregnant on the same year that we started the business — without health insurance! At the same time, we had to deal with the common challenges that comes with our newly setup business, such as non-paying clients and lack of staff.

Amid all the challenges, God has been good, faithful, and merciful. Slowly, we recovered from business and personal challenges. Our business operation grew tremendously in terms of clients and team members. We were able to expand in Makati, and even surpassed great losses during the pandemic! When we celebrated our company’s 10th anniversary last Feb 2024, we praised and thanked God for His faithfulness… for His provision, strength, and wisdom.

5. Are you able to save in Dubai? Or do you have any investments you wish to share?

Janice: With our own savings and gratuities from previous employers, we are able to establish our own business here, and raise our family with one child. We were also blessed to invest in real estate in the Philippines.

6. Is it difficult to live in Dubai? What are your struggles? What’s life like outside work?

Janice: Living in the UAE as entrepreneurs, while raising our family at the same time, is both rewarding and challenging. It is also very important that we keep our faith in God.

Aside from work or business, we are active members of The Lord’s Flock Catholic Charismatic Community (Dubai Chapter) as well as in our parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai. Here, we offer our time, talents, and treasures as our way of thanksgiving and honoring God.

7. What do you like about Dubai?

Janice: Dubai is very instrumental for our professional growth and makes our entrepreneurial journey smooth and productive. It has been our second home for many years, and we feel secure here, in all aspects, together with our child, and siblings.

8. What do you NOT Like about Dubai?

Janice: The high cost of living here is the only downside, plus the fact that they do not issue citizenship even after staying here for many years.

9. What are your plans for your career/family/future?

Janice: We want to grow our business, perhaps establish other branches outside the UAE. We also work hard for our child’s education. If God allows, we wish to start another business venture in the Philippines someday.

10. You have any tips for kabayans when working/finding work/living in Dubai?

Janice: Working abroad is not for everybody; it takes a lot of courage and determination. Same with venturing into business and raising a family. We always have to pray and lift up to God all our hearts desires, so that He will guide us and lead us to a purposeful and meaningful life that He intended for us.

Connect with Livesync Accounting

Get to know more about Dexter and Janice’s company, Livesync Accounting, by contacting and following them through this online channels:

Email: info@livesync.co
Website: https://livesyncaccounting.com/
Phone: +9714 297 6888 / +971 56 101 9411
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LivesyncAccounting
Facebook (UAE): https://www.facebook.com/livesyncaccounting
Facebook (PH): https://www.facebook.com/livesyncphilippines/
Facebook (Careers): https://www.facebook.com/LiveSyncCareers/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livesync_accounting/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/livesync-accounting

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* Photos provided by Dexter and Janice

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