Name: Kamaru Aminat Omotolani
Job title: Senior associate, PwC Nigeria
Employer: PwC Nigeria
When did your ACCA journey begin?
I work for a professional services firm called PwC. As an ACCA Approved Employer, PwC is committed to employee development and as part of my training I was required to have a basic understanding of the relevant International Standards on Auditing (ISA) and International Accounting Standards (IAS)/IFRS Standards so I could deliver a quality service to my clients.
In order to gain the expertise I needed I had to gain a professional accountancy qualification. ACCA’s global recognition and mutual agreements with other accountancy bodies around the world helped me decide that I wanted to study for the ACCA Qualification.
What’s also good about the ACCA Qualification is that if you have a relevant degree or qualification, you can apply for exemptions from some of the exams. This meant because I studied economics as an undergraduate I was able to skip the first exam.
What has been your experience of ACCA exams?
A year into working for PwC, I entered for my first exam, Financial Accounting, and scored 88%. Because I scored above 85% I was awarded a special certificate that recognises all those who excel in their exams.
I went on to complete three further exams, and the following year I completed the next four exams including Advancement Performance Management.
There was fear of failure throughout my ACCA journey, but with determination, zeal and staying away from negative vibes, I got where I am today.
How did you tackle the Strategic Business Leader exam and what are your tips for success?
I was about to enrol for the Professional-level exams when it was introduced. After reading all the advice provided by ACCA I decided to defer my registration for Strategic Business Leader so I had enough time to prepare.
I quickly realised that 50% more study time was required to excel in the Strategic Business Leader exam. I stuck a list of things I needed to do to prepare to my wall so I could assess my progress.
I used all the resources at my disposal to ensure I was fully prepared. I got the Strategic Business Leader workbook and practice kit from BPP (an ACCA approved content provider), which I read every day, summarising key points whenever I could – on the way to work or just in transit.
I also utilised all of ACCA’s resources, which included articles on how to present your answers, tips from examiners, specimen papers and student support webinars.
Do you have any advice for future students taking the Strategic Business Leader exam?
Firstly, quoting (motivational public speaker and self-development author) Brian Tracy: there are no limits to what you can accomplish, except the limits you place on your own thinking.
The following tips will help students plan what points to make while reading the Strategic Business Leader case study:
understand your role
know your intended audience
identify the format in which your answers should be presented
assign the timing for each question based on your tuition provider’s suggested timing
For each point, ensure you:
explain your point
relate it to the organisation
tailor it to the audience.
Never say you can’t do it; never say it’s not achievable – be ready to push yourself beyond your tolerance level to succeed. Now I can tell you authoritatively that Strategic Business Leader requires 50% more time than the other exams to succeed. Tested and proven!
What benefits can you already see from studying for the ACCA Qualification?
Studying for the ACCA Qualification has made it possible for me to make meaningful contributions during strategic discussions. I understand why an organisation has a strategy, the critical success factors, and how some organisations have been successful nationally and internationally, due to their strategic decisions. Even during client meetings, I can relate with the majority of what’s being discussed – unlike before.
Overall, my ACCA journey has been long and demanding – but incredibly rewarding. Within a few days of completing the ACCA Qualification, the presence on my LinkedIn profile increased dramatically, signalling the start of something even more positive.
I say: cheers to a brighter future, and I look forward to more opportunities from possessing the ACCA Qualification.
Since this interview, Kamaru has become a self-employed manager.
Work in almost any industry
From fashion to entertainment, construction to non-profits, one thing ties (almost) every industry together - they need finance professionals to help manage and advise them. When you train as an accountant, you gain skills that can apply to almost any industry of your choosing.
