Accounting @ UNIBEN or Finance @ UNILORIN?

Dear Jarus,

I wish I had visited your blog about 5 months ago to seek advice about my situation then. I was given admission at the University of Benin(Accounting) and University of Ilorin (Finance). My friend’s Dad who is a fellow of ICAN (FCA) and a Certified IT auditor told me to opt for Accounting in UNIBEN.

I’m now in UNIBEN studying Accounting. I gained admission when most of my mates were in 400 level and have been having this inferior feeling that this age barrier will affect me in the long run. I’m 22 and presently in 100 level. I’m also presently in PE 1 (second to the last) stage of ICAN. I’m an AAT graduate.

I would like you to advise me if opting for Accounting was the right choice and the age barrier.

God bless you.

Kolawole

Thanks Kola.

My team have this to say:

OLANIYI OGUNBAYO, CFA, ACA, ACCA, ACS, FRM

I would have recommended the Finance option at Unilorin. You are already doing ICAN, so Finance would have broadened your knowledge and options in the future.

In addition, Unilorin rarely go on strike. Therefore, it is very likely that Unilorin students will graduate ahead of their counterparts from other universities. I believe this would have been a very important consideration given your worry about age. Unfortunately, we cannot go back in time to change your decision.

Overall, you are still in a good position. At a projected age of 25/26 upon graduation, you will still be able to catch up with others considering you would have completed your ICAN at that time. To enhance your position further and catch up with Finance, you can enroll for CIS or CFA exam with your ICAN qualification when completed. If you perform consistently in these exams, you may have bagged two important professional qualifications at the time you are completing your B.Sc. Then your age will no longer be a constraint.

My last important note: do not pursue these professional exams at the expense of your first degree. Your primary target should be to get at least a second class upper division in your B.Sc. program at Uniben.

OBAFEMI BAMIDELE, M.Sc (Edinburgh), CFA, ACA, ACCA, ACS

I don’t see any big deal in doing a B.Sc anywhere. In the real world people don’t seem to care, although the strength of alumni might be a networking plus.

I have not seem any employer being particular about school. What is important is that you get good grades, and finish your ICAN.

As for the age, you should pray strikes and unrests in the school don’t complicate your situation (maybe that might be a deciding factor in choosing school – try to see which one is relatively peaceful).

You should still be able to graduate at 26. You must make sure you apply to companies where you want to work and do their tests at around your service year so as to beat the traditional 26 years barrier).

However, I don’t think you need to worry at this stage – when you get to the bridge you’ll cross it. Get yourself a good grade first.

If you are eventually more than 26 when entering the labour market, there are routes you could take, so don’t raise your blood pressure unnecessarily at this stage.

THE JARUS VERDICT
Niyi and Obafemi have said it all. You don’t have any cause for worry at all. You are in PE 1 of ICAN at 100 level. That’s very fantastic. You should be able to round it up by 200 level, or worst case scenario, before you graduate.

You are not too old to be in 100 level at 22 years. I graduated at 24. You may likely finish at 25, baring ASUU strike. Forget about your friends’ level, the race is not for the swiftest, even while I admit it is good to gain admission into university early. Plus, you have gone far in ICAN already, a huge advantage over your friends in 400 level, if they aren’t writing ICAN already.

I would have also advised you choose Finance at Unilorin over Accounting at Uniben for the reasons Niyi stated (Finance broadens your options since you’re writing ICAN already; also, Unilorin is faster), that is gone. Continue with your studies at Uniben. Focus on your ICAN, qualify by 200 level or earlier, and quickly enroll for CIS or CFA immediately, so that by the time you finish your NYSC, you have 2 professional qualifications in your kitty already. The sky is then the limit.

Lastly, do not forget what Niyi said: don’t pursue anything at the expense of your first degree. Strive for 2:1 minimum. That is very critical.

All the best, brother.

Jarus

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