Alfred Quinsay
Alfred Quinsay (born August 15, 1970) is a Filipino author, business strategist, and academic based in the Philippines. Holding credentials as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA), Quinsay draws upon over two decades of professional experience across diverse industries including mining, logistics, and business process outsourcing (BPO) to inform his literary work. His contemporary novels frequently explore the ethical complexities inherent in the business world and the nuances of human behavior. Quinsay's writing is also influenced by his Christian faith and personal interest in martial arts, leading him to champion the concept of an integrated life that harmonizes professional pursuits, personal passions, and spiritual values.
Early Life and Education
Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Quinsay obtained a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from AMA Computer University in the 1990s. He later earned his Master of Business Administration from Ateneo de Manila University in 2008. Quinsay has described his early academic journey as challenging, noting a lack of academic inclination during his grade school, high school, and initial college years. He briefly dropped out of his first-year college course multiple times due to an initial aversion to accounting. During this period, he spent time in malls and playing basketball, leading his parents to become concerned about his direction. At one point, his mother encouraged him to work as a service crew in a food chain.
As he matured, Quinsay began to contemplate his career path. His interest in the arts, sports, and analytical thinking developed, and a college professor encouraged him to pursue accounting, recognizing his potential. Renewing his interest in the subject, he eventually excelled in it. In his early twenties, he completed his first book but chose not to publish it due to a fear of peer embarrassment and a lack of resources and connections. Consequently, he pursued other professional endeavors for the next two decades, during which time he became a CPA and earned his MBA, temporarily setting aside novel writing.
Early Career
Quinsay's early career encompassed a variety of roles in the corporate sector:
- Junior Auditor at a merchandising company (1992)
- Accounting Staff at a direct selling firm (1995)
- Sales Representative at a retail company (1997)
- Accountant at a merchandising company (2001)
- Mine Accountant at a multinational gold mining corporation (2005)
- Financial Analyst at a logistics company (2007)
- Center Financial Analyst at the IBM Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Center (2009)
- Finance Manager at a multinational coffee manufacturing corporation (2011)
- Department Head at an Educational Institution (2012)
- Business Consultant at a nationwide mutual benefit insurance company (2018)
These diverse experiences provided him with practical insights into business operations, financial management, and organizational dynamics, which later influenced his writing.
Literary Career
Quinsay returned to writing after a career in business and academia. His novels often draw from real-world business scenarios, exploring ethical dilemmas and human behavior. His published fiction works include:
- The Essence (2016, UK)
- Love is War, War is Love (2022, UK)
- Lies of Influence (2025, UK)
In addition to his fiction, Quinsay has also authored five other books in the fields of business and accounting. His writing frequently reflects his advocacy for an integrated life, blending professional pursuits with personal values and spiritual beliefs, a theme shaped by his Christian faith and interest in martial arts.
Academic Career
Before focusing more on his writing, Quinsay served as a university professor, teaching accounting and business-related subjects. This role further developed his analytical and communication skills and contributed to his research abilities.
Awards and Recognition
Quinsay has received recognition for his accomplishments in business and academia:
- Golden Globe Awards for Business Management Consultancy (2019): Recognized as one of the Top Filipino Achievers in the field at an event organized by the National Data Research Examiner and Sining at Gabay ng Buhay Foundation.
- International Speech Contest Area Champion (2022): Toastmasters International District 75.
- International Speech Contest Area Champion (2023): Toastmasters International District 75.
- Best Research Presenter (2023): Awarded at the Research Colloquium at Quezon City University.
Speaking Engagements
Quinsay has been invited as a resource speaker for various professional and academic events, including those accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC):
- Business Beyond Balance Sheet (September 2023)
- Strategic Decision Making in a Digitally Driven Environment (September 2023)
- The Strategic Management for Accountants: Action Plans and Programs (January 2022)
- The Strategic Management for Accountants: Strategy Selection (January 2022)
- The Strategic Management for Accountants: Assessing the Environment (December 2020)
- Workshop on Strong Negotiation Techniques (January 2019) – Professionals for the Future at Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE)
- Internal Auditors Conference (July 2018) – Golden Millennia Suites, Ortigas, Pasig City
- 12 Pathways to Power: A Seminar for Employee Productivity Program (April 2018) – Colegio San Agustin, Makati City
- 12 Pathways to Power: A Successful Achievement Program Seminar on Effective Leadership and Communication (February 2018) – Chiang Kai Shek College
- 12 Pathways to Power: A Successful Achievement Program Seminar on Effective Leadership and Communication (December 2017) – National University
- 12 Pathways to Power (September 2017) – Asian College
- Increasing Productivity on Internal Audit (March 2016) – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Socio-Civic Activities
Actively involved with Toastmasters International since 2016, Quinsay has held leadership positions within the organization, which focuses on enhancing communication and public speaking skills. He served as:
- President of Tamaraw Toastmasters Club (the first Toastmasters club in Asia) in 2018.
- Area Director in 2019.
Themes and Style
In his writing, Quinsay frequently explores themes related to power dynamics, ethical decision-making within business contexts, and the complexities of human nature. His work is significantly shaped by his extensive experience in the corporate world and his philosophical viewpoint on leading an integrated life.