My HND/Bsc/MBA Dilemma

Dear Jarus,

I salute you and the great people of the Jarushub Analysts Council (JAC). May God continue to enrich your knowledge. I am in dilemma, I don’t really know what to do now.

I had HND in Accounting with Upper credit from the Federal Polytechnic,Ilaro. I am also an ACA (Chartered Accountant). At present, I am working with FIRS (Federal Inland Revenue Service). My mentor always advises me to get my Bsc at all cost before thinking of MBA. He has a reason for saying that because he works with a federal parastatal too, so I am thinking of going for ACCA, by forfeiting part of my exemptions, I will get that(i.e Bsc) within a year from Oxford Brookes University (I am glad u all know better than I do). Now, I came across of Babcook University conversion programme. I have started the application process, when the issue of ICAN/Babcook MOU cropped up. So I decided to stop.

I got to know Edinburgh Business School MBA through your profile in JAC. I did some finding on internet and visited the school rep at Lagos to get more info. I have decided to start the programme and go for the ACCA too. My fear now is the Bsc in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University, acceptable here in Nigeria or should I go for the Babcook University conversion programme, the application of which is closing by 15th of June, 2013?

Hope to hear from the professionals.

Thanks.

B.

Dear B.,

The JAC have this to say:

NIYI OGUNBAYO, ACA, ACCA, ACS, FRM, CFA,

Really, I don’t see any problem here. I believe the BSc. in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes will suffice. I also believe an MBA degree will cover for lack of Bachelors degree. So, any of the three options will resolve the matter.

OBAFEMI BAMIDELE, Msc.(Edinburgh), ACA, ACCA, ACS, CFA

All these qualifications are only a means to an end not the end in themselves

I only hear about discrimination against polytechnic graduates, I have not seen any concrete evidence of it as long as the individual can disntinguish himself. For example, Chevron’s recent advert for Finance Analysts was open for university and polytechnic graduates. Once a poly graduate can pass tests and do well in interviews, he will be considered.

However, since you want Bsc., it wont take anything away from you provided it wont be full time. People will see through the Bsc. Oxford Brookes thing, but it will help demonstrate you are not deficient by going to polytechnic. I don’t have full details of the Babcock programme but so far it wont be stated as part-time or distinguished from regular Bsc., I would prefer it. You can then proceed with your MBA pursuit.

NAJEEM EWESESAN, MBA, ACA, ACCA

The Babcock MoU is being challenged seriously by the members and I think if you have not registered yet, it may not be easy again. However, if you have registered, you can go ahead and complete as the MoU provides that anyone that has commenced the programmed will be allowed to conclude. If you have missed out on this, go for the ACCA and get the BSc.

THE JARUS VERDICT

Niyi is of the opinion that the Oxford Brookes option is better, but Obafemi, after making you understand that even with your HND you can still distinguish yourself, slightly differs, endorsing the Babcock option provided nothing will reflect as part-time. Najeem also called your attention to the brouhaha over the recognition of the Babcock MoU. The fact that there is MOU issue with Babcock already, knocks out that window for me. Why go into a programme that is already subject of dispute? Even if the matter is settled now, you never know what will happen in the future on the validity of the programme and its certificate. I think the Oxford Brookes option is it for me.

All the best.

Jarus

For more discussions on education and careers, join our forum, HOTPROFORUM

CV Review

Interview Preparation

Career Guide

Career School

Career Networking

Professional Networking

For more articles on careers, subscribe free to JarusHub

[subscribe2]