A United Kingdom based chartered accountant and economist with years of experience in the Nigerian banking sector, Mrs. Abidemi Olukole, days back held an enlightenment session with members of the National Association of Polytechnic Accountancy Students (NAPAS) at the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), where she opened their minds to career pathways in the accounting profession and key stages in career development in a session led by Ms. Janet Ebenezer on what to expect in their pursuit of an accounting career.
Mrs. Olukole’s address, titled “Career Development in Accounting: What is Embedded in the Accounting Profession,” deeply resonated with the students, igniting a renewed enthusiasm for personal development and continuous learning. She highlighted the four main pathways in accounting: Public Accounting, Corporate Accounting, Specialized Accounting and Government/Non-profit Accounting. Mrs. Olukole encouraged students to explore these areas, identify their interests, and begin developing expertise and obtaining relevant certifications to gain a competitive edge.
She emphasized the importance of essential skills and soft skills development, including analytical skills, ethical judgment, communication skills,attention to detail, teamwork, adaptability, and technical proficiency. Mrs. Olukole urged students to stay updated with technical changes and familiarize themselves with accounting software and data analytics tools. She recommended utilizing online resources, such as instructional videos, to learn basic skills in Excel, QuickBooks, and similar tools.
Additionally, Mrs. Olukole introduced the stages in an accounting career, from entry-level positions to the Chief Accounting Officer role, depending on their chosen specialization. She stressed the importance of planning ahead, noting the competitive job market and encouraging students to start preparing now for their future careers. She also highlighted the possibility of establishing their own accounting firms, emphasizing that with proper planning and determination, anything is achievable.
NAPAS members in attendance had the opportunity of interacting with the guest lecturer asking questions which were all answered by her. Responding on behalf of the students, Ms Janet Ebenezer thanked the guest speaker for honouring their invitation and sharing from her wealth of experience in the field of accounting. The students unanimously requested that the guest lecturer comes back at a later date to share the account of her professional journey as an accountant.
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