The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Ojo, Badagry, Agbara (OBA) District Society on Thursday mentored not less than 500 teenagers in secondary schools within the Badagry axis of Lagos on how they could become successful chartered accountants.
The students were mentored at the Imeke 2022 Catch Them Young Programme, organised by the district in Lagos.
The teenagers were drawn from 23 schools, which include: Araromi Ilogbo Seconday School, Oko Afo, State High School, Ibereko, Iworo-Ajido Model College, Ikoga Grammar School, Ikoga, Ajara Comprehensive College, Ajara, Government College, Ajara, Ansarudeen Grammar School, Badagry, King George Memorial College, Ilado, amongst others.
In his lecture, Mr Taiwo Folaranmi, an ICAN Fellow/Chairman, Catch Them Young Committee, said that the accountancy profession offers prestige, respect, great prospects and excellent financial rewards.
Folaranmi said that accountancy holds an allure of self-employment for dedicated and hardworking individuals and also a viable option to enter the labour market upon qualification, without stress.
He said that 14 per cent of executive governors in Nigeria as at 2016 were chartered accountants and about 85 per cent of finance directors of government establishments, organisations and multinationals in Nigeria were chartered accountants.
Folaranmi, also an internal auditor, Lagos State University, explained that about 65 per cent of Accountant Generals and Auditor General of states in Nigeria were chartered accountants and about 60 per cent of Federal Auditor Generals and Accountant Generals in Nigeria since 1999 were chartered accountants.
“About 80 per cent of internal and external auditors of organisations/multinationals in Nigeria are chartered accountants and about 70 per cent of Heads of Accounting/Accountancy Department of tertiary institutions in Nigeria are chartered accountants.
“About 80 per cent of Professors of Accounting in Nigeria are chartered accountants, about 35 per cent of Treasurers of local Government in Nigeria are chartered accountants, about 55 per cent of Bursars of tertiary institutions in Nigeria are chartered accountants.
“Chartered accountants have held the position of Ministers of Finance for about 60 per cent, “he said.
According to him, chartered accountants that know what to do may not be super rich, but they can not go hungry.
Folaranmi stated that “ICAN is on a mission to produce world-class chartered accountants, regulate and continually enhance their ethical standards and technical competence for public interest.”
He described an accountant as a business leader, multi-skilled professional, financial expert, manager versed in the use of Information Technology, good communicator, versatile researcher, competent marketer, full-fledged finance manager and a shrewd investigator.
According to him, the teenagers should consider becoming a chartered accountant because it is an all seasons’ profession, as the services of accountants are always in demand with varied specialisation.
The chartered accountant said that accounting qualification is widely recognised as one of the most prestigious and respected in the business world.
Folaranmi advised the prospective chartered accountants to possess four Ds, which include: desire, determination, dedication and discipline to be successful in the field.
He also said that the would-be accountant must also have a positive attitude, be good with figures, a diligent worker and have the ability to be in control and be a leader.
The chartered accountant encouraged the students to enrol for the Accounting Technicians Scheme West Africa (ATSWA) Programme, designed for middle level accounting and other ICAN professional examinations to get the required qualifications to become chartered.
“The ATSWA route is a shortcut to becoming a chartered accountant.
“ICAN in the accountant makes all the difference, opens you up to a world of limitless opportunities and brings you into the big league,” he said.
In her lecture, Mrs Doyin Ekundayo, Counsellor, Education District Five, told the teenagers to acquire knowledge and recognise their ability before choosing a career.
Ekundayo said that the students must also consider their academic ability, personality, attitude, parental influence, gender, among other features before choosing a career.
In appreciation, the students unanimously appreciated ICAN-OBA District for organising the programme and preparing them for the future, especially in the field of accountancy.