Catch Them Young: ICAN takes sensitisation to secondary schools in Kwara
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Ilorin and District Society has taken its sensitisation campaign on being a chartered accountant to secondary schools in Ilorin.
At the Queens Elizabeth Secondary School and Government Secondary School, Ilorin, on Wednesday, the District Chairman, Mrs Bose Fagbile said the essence of the campaign was to catch them young.
She urged the students not to wait till they enter higher institutions before they start the process, that they can start right after secondary school.
While addressing the students, an ICAN Member, Mr Adeyemi Salau said the essence of the early education was for the students to become a chartered accountant at a young age.
He said the district aimed to create the consciousness of ICAN in their subconscious minds.
Salau who is the CEO Springboard Associates said being a chartered accountant isn’t restricted to students of commercial class alone but also for science and arts students.
He said the only requirement is a minimum of O’ level results of five credits, including Mathematics and English language.
”For those that have the dreams of being an accountant in future, it is not enough to be an an accountant you have to be a smart accountant and to achieve that, you must be chartered.
”This is because being a chartered accountant gives room to practise various branches of accounting like Management Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, Forensic Accounting, Cost Accounting and others.
”An accountant that isn’t chartered yet is just a book keeper,” Salau said.
He noted that there are five levels of examinations to be written before becoming a chartered accountant, while level 1-3 qualifies one to be a junior accountant.
Salau urged the students to utilise the opportunity of breaking the record of the present youngest chartered accountant in Nigeria who became chartered at the age of 17.
As a form of encouragement, the General Secretary of the district, Mr Toyin Alabi offered to sponsor the first five people to register for the Accounting Technician’s Scheme (ATS) examination.
Principal of Queens Elizabeth Secondary School, Mrs Rashida Abdul appreciated ICAN for finding the school worthy to gain from their knowledge.
She urged the students to utilise the opportunity to make a decision that will shape their future.
On his part, Principal of Government Secondary School, Ilorin, Mr Babatunde Kuranga said the school was privileged to be a beneficiary.
He commended the district for encouraging the students to be professionals.