18-year-old Miss Mayowa Sowemimo has qualified as a Chartered Accountant , even while still a National Diploma 1 student of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State. She had earlier qualified as an Associate Accounting Technician in December 2016. In this interview, she said focus, determination and self-belief are vital keys to success.
What informed your choice of Accounting as a course?
It has been my passion. I love accounting.
Do you believe one has to be good in mathematics to succeed in the study of Accountancy?
We have different opinions on that; but I think there’s more to accounting than what people think. They may think it is just about the writing aspect, but there is mathematics in accounting. You have to be versed mathematically before you can venture into accounting.
When did you begin to pursue these professional programmes?
When I finished secondary school and was seeking admission, I started the Foundation Level of the ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountant s of Nigeria), called the ATWA. I started from ATS 1. It was while I was preparing for ATS 2 that I got admission into MAPOLY.
Did MAPOLY contribute to your study of these programmes?
Yes, it did; because what we do at our National Diploma level is related to the Foundation Level of ICAN at ATS 1 and ATS 2; and I gained more knowledge by gaining admission and receiving lectures in MAPOLY. I did Economics and Accounting at ATS 1, which we did here in ND 1, and also Communication Skills and for ATS 2. I did Statistics and Public Sector Accounting, which we did at ND 2. They are related. All those things helped me so much that it would have nearly been impossible for me to achieve this without those lectures.
How were you able to combine academics with your professional programmes?
It was not easy, but I had to cope. I always had a conflict of interests on whether to come to school or go for my professional lectures; but we always have our priorities, and we know what should come first. It was not that easy for me, but I give all thanks to God. I knew what I wanted, and I knew how to prioritise. Also, determination and discipline also helped me. There were times I had lectures here in MAPOLY and my ICAN examination was close. I stayed at home to read for the exams and thereby missed lectures at that period. There were times I had to leave ICAN for school also. I priotised what I wanted from the many (things) I had at hand. All of those times, I didn’t attend any social gathering, though I was an honorary member of the Excel Assembly Foundation.
What were your challenges at those times, and how were you able to surmount them?
The examinations affected my grades here on campus. I had expected to finish with distinction, but when I started moving close to it, it was late. I had 3.36 in my first semester ND 1, but it was not enough because I knew what I wanted. I had 3.85 in the first semester of my second year, but cumulatively, it only moved towards distinction but not distinction in the end.
What are your aspirations?
I look up to great prospects. I had loved to become a renowned chartered accountant ever since I was young. Qualifying as a chartered accountant does not make you renowned, but I am planning to become a versatile one that deals with accuracy and integrity. I love to become a point of reference to generations, and I love to be a motivational speaker.
As a Who are your role models?
Pastor Joseph Aborewa, the accountant-general of Ogun State; and the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, as well as one or two of my lecturers (are my role models).
What is your advice to students on what they should do to improve on their academics?
They should set priorities. My goal may be different from someone else’s, but when you know what you aspire to become, you will know what you want to work towards. I also believe that you should expect the unexpected – and if possible, become the unexpected. What you do not sacrifice for will later be your sacrifice. As students, you must know what you want and you must set your priorities right. You shouldn’t do things because you want people to feel you; you should rather do things based on personal benefits and how they benefit your future. You should be futuristic. When I was missing classes, some of my mates thought I was unserious. I didn’t look at them because I knew what I wanted and I knew what to do to get it.
How did you feel when you passed these examinations?
I was happy, because at the end of it all, it was worth it, and I had some dignity with my name. I felt I had set a good path for my siblings to emulate, being the first born of four, and knowing how impressed my parents were. I felt fulfilled. I felt it was a reward for my grades that dropped in school. It was more like compensation. It filled the gap left by my average grades.
What words do you have for your lecturers and the polytechnic management?
I urge them to be considerate with the 70 per cent attendance required of each student. Sometimes, the fact that you aren’t in school for classes does not mean you are unserious. It is a fact they must understand. 70 per cent attendance makes students committed, but the management should be considerate.