17-year-old Chartered Accountant shares inspiring journey to success

THE journey to becoming a chartered accountant is rarely without hurdles and for 17-year-old Oluwatiseyitan Alabi, a student of Babcock University, it began with a vision planted by his parents — a determination to qualify with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, before completing his university education.

That dream, sown early, became a driving force as he commenced studies with quiet resolve, not fully grasping the enormity of the challenge ahead.

His story is one of persistence through trials. From the onset, he faced academic pressure, self-doubt, and the demanding structure of the ICAN programme.

In a telephone chat, he told Vanguard: “My journey with ICAN started with a seed sowed by my parents to become a qualified accountant before graduation. I began right after I entered school, determined but unaware of the magnitude of what lay ahead.

“There were moments of doubt, failure, and even near burnout, but with God’s grace, discipline, and support from my parents, I pushed through each stage ATS, Skills, and finally, the Professional level.

“Becoming a qualified accountant has always been a major career milestone for me. It is about the validation of years of hard work, late nights, and sacrifices. Words cannot fully capture the sense of fulfillment. It is a proud moment for me and my family. 

“My advice to anyone on the ICAN journey is to stay focused, disciplined, and never underestimate the power of prayer and persistence. There is no shortcut to success but every page you read, every practice question you solve, takes you a step closer.

“Now that I am qualified, I am focused on continuous professional development and gaining more practical experience. I am also exploring opportunities for specialisation in financial advisory.”

Asked if he truly got ICAN certification at 17, he explained: “I just clocked 18 years last December. I got ICAN certification December last year before I clocked 18.

“After I completed my secondary education, I started reading for ICAN ATS before writing the ICAN exam. I joined classes, wrote the exam, and I passed ATS 1, 2, and 3. I was able to write the skills level for the ICAN exam in November 2023. I was reading for the ATS exams before I gained admission.

After the skills level, I failed one paper in November 2023, then I wrote it again in May 2024. I passed it and got to the final stage, the professional level, and I passed.”