optimusmind:


Congratulations on your results .
My recommendation is that you should finish your ICAN, apply for Audit division of any of the big four (pWc, KPMg, Deloitte or E&Y). If you can prove your worth (not in terms of academic prowess but in term of creativity, coordination, intelligence and emotional / adaptability) you would surely get in.
They recruit yearly you can check them up.

nmreports:
Even a day old chicken knows it's ICAN.

By extension, if your parents are not complaining, do it all in the UK. MSC, CFA, ACCA but focus in the ICAN certification because that's all what matters here in Nigeria.

BarryJones:
Good morning Nairalanders,
I am a graduate of accounting. I completed my accountancy degree in 2014, finishing first class. I completed my NYSC last October. I have searched for jobs to no avail. I actually did test and interviews with some companies, but am yet to receive an offer letter from any of them. For one of the big banks especially, I got to their documentation stage and heard nothing from them again. I even learnt that my contact person was sacked when banks were sacking. Her official email is no longer receiving emails.

Now to my main question:
Due to the fact that I couldn't secure a job, my parents decided I go to study for a masters degree in Accounting in the UK, starting in September. I am currently in the final level of my ICAN examination, with 5 papers left, which I plan to take 2 in November and 3 in May 2017 (ICAN has an exam centre in London). The University I will be going to offers an optional CFA level 1 route along side M.Sc. Accounting. But on a personal note, I find this very expensive to fund with the current Naira to Pound exchange rate (I don't want to overburden my parents- they have other dependants), and since I will be depending on my parents for my every needs. I will need to pay about 1500 pounds for the CFA 1 lectures to the university aside the CFA registration and exam fees. I will spend about 1000 pounds (as against approximately 100k if i was to write in in Nigeria) on ICAN in UK as exam fee and travel expense, since I plan to do self study.

My daddy is now suggesting that I forget ICAN for now and concentrate on doing CFA, because he will want me to come back with internationally recognized certificates to increase my job prospects on my return. But my own thought is that by the time I will be returning from UK, I will both be ICAN Chartered and hold a UK Masters degree. I tried to explain to him that from my little knowledge of CFA, it is a rather limited certification (I believe its mainly for Investment bankers, though I will still apply to Investment Banks when I return) unlike ICAN which gives broader prospects. I am of the opinion that assuming I return to Nigeria in October 2017, I can quickly register as an ACCA student, to have the ACCA in view on my CV, then I will also register as a CFA student, to have the CFA in view, on my CV. I believe that this can increase my chances of also entering Investment Banking. Instead of paying 1500 pounds for CFA lectures to my university, I am thinking it will be cheaper for me to come back to Nigeria first and pay lecture fees here in Naira. I have a passion for setting up businesses, to be self employed and provide jobs for people later on, but I really love to practice Accounting in this my youthful age, and then save up to start my own business.

Please I will appreciate advice from knowledgeable and experienced professionals. Should I heed my dads call?

sugarlady:
Dear someone,

Please summarize.

Yours sincerely,
Me.

suasmablow:


Ask am say first class for which school?
First class in some universities are like third class in some schools

Jackter101:
My advice to you will deviate a little from the topic. I understand your quest to get further education in the UK, but my own suggestion is this; have you thought of other countries that give you a chance to work after your masters? Rather than put all your eggs in one basket, which is returning to Nigeria, why not seek admission in countries like Canada and Australia. These countries, though cold in winter, offer you a chance to work once you get an education in their country. I believe trying these countries is a better use of the scarce FX.

Back to your question, I am a Canadian qualified professional Accountant and I can only speak about opportunities in this part of the world. I will say CFA is one of the most respected designations in our accounting/Finance line, but it is better for those who want to be Financial analysts.

Finally, whatever you decide, I wish you best of luck.

llade:
If u can do ICAN and CFA. For the ICAN ure almost there just complete it. However, CFA na baba oh. Am a Chartered Accountant and writing CFA now.

being:
Naturally for an accountant, it's Ican- (only relevant in Nigeria) or ACCA - global (but u can't sign a financial statement in Nigeria with acca and it's more expensive). So what u should do is finish ur ican and if u need d global ACCA after ur ICAN, maybe to work abroad, ACCA will ask u to take 3 papers and u get ur ACCA certification.

For CFA, Its mainly a financial analysis certification (as d name implies). Useful for ibankers, venture capitalists, hedge fund managers, financial asset managers, pension fund managers and pple in corporate finance or treasury of a bank. If that's ur eventual interest, u should plan to do d 3 very difficult papers that make up CFA. It's's expensive, but abeg u r not wasting ur parent's Moni on drugs or parties so make use of ur opportunity!!
(Note that ibankers work terribly long hours and deir pay & BONUS are crazy- but that's not a problem for u I guess).

U can always PM me.

BarryJones:
Good morning Nairalanders,
I am a graduate of accounting. I completed my accountancy degree in 2014, finishing first class. I completed my NYSC last October.
.......
My daddy is now suggesting that I forget ICAN for now and concentrate on doing CFA, because he will want me to come back with internationally recognized certificates to increase my job prospects on my return. But my own thought is that by the time I will be returning from UK, I will both be ICAN Chartered and hold a UK Masters degree. I tried to explain to him that from my little knowledge of CFA, it is a rather limited certification (I believe its mainly for Investment bankers, though I will still apply to Investment Banks when I return) unlike ICAN which gives broader prospects.
........
I have a passion for setting up businesses, to be self employed and provide jobs for people later on, but I really love to practice Accounting in this my youthful age, and then save up to start my own business.
Please I will appreciate advice from knowledgeable and experienced professionals. Should I heed my dads call?

MrTeeo:


Am an engineer preparing for ACCA

Phumzee92:

Please I would like to have a brief discussion with you if you wouldn't mind.. Kindly pm me please. Would be waiting to hear from you. Thanks in advance

Jackter101:


I am sorry I don't know how the PM thing works here on Nairaland