Investment in Knowledge = Highest ROI

Story time...

I've only managed to complete an ND as my highest academic degree so far in my career. However, I don't joke with investment in knowledge, and even though I am not a student at any higher institution, I still ensure to strive for academic excellence while at work. Investment in knowledge, whether through the four walls of school or not, would always yield one of the best returns, if not absolutely the best.

Ask me how.

My first job was N10k in 2016, and I decided to take that role as an audit trainee in a one-man business over a N50k marketing job in a big insurance company. Why? I wanted to grow to become a solid Accounting and Finance Professional.

During this time, I was always involved in everything accountancy services: audit, tax, forensic accounting, financial reporting, and legal secretarial services (CAC Annual Returns).

I learned so much that my boss felt I could handle the firm on my own after a 10-month period.

I wanted to go back for my https://B.Sc but didn't get selected. I knew I couldn't sit at home idle. N10k job wasn't good for me in 2017, because, how do I say that "I was working and I was still getting food allowance at home?"

I left the job to prepare for ATS 3 exam. I finished the exam and resumed a junior accountant role that paid me N52k the following month of the exam.

This is a much bigger company, and the GM told me I am the first Accountant they would be hiring with an ND. They considered me for the role even though I competed with HNDs and https://B.Sc holders because:

1. I was super early to the interview; I got there before the office was open.

2. I graduated with 3.44/4.00. The MD said, I must be very good.

3. I have started ICAN. It showed that I was serious about my professional career.

After about a year in the role, I wrote my ICAN final exam and subsequently got promoted to Internal Auditor. They offered N60k. I felt it was too small, and I left in late 2018.

When I left, I went to add another professional qualification in information management.

Also, during the period I was out of work between 2018 and 2019, I invested a lot of time learning about how "businesses work." I learned how to write a business plan, and with my accounting knowledge, I started freelancing with it.

April 2019. I got another job that paid me N150k. The day I went to get my offer letter, someone asked, "who brought you here?" I responded that I saw the job advert online and I applied; another person commented, "These must be as a result of hard work."

When I was on the job, it was a Financial Institution, so I decided to take CFA Investment Foundation program (thankfully, it was free then) just to get better at my job. I did that, and it helped me a lot.

I became concerned when I got to know that colleagues who I work a lot more than were earning more than me because of their https://B.Sc degree.

What did I do? I started reviewing my CV every month just to ensure that I was learning and taking new courses every month. I couldn't just leave this job, because how many companies pay OND holders N150k?

Eventually, I got a scholarship to learn more about entrepreneurship from FATE Foundation. I left the job for that scholarship. I was on this journey till 2020. While I was learning more about how businesses work at FATE Foundation, I was simultaneously consulting and advising small startups on how to manage their finances. In October 2020, I picked up ACCA, wrote a paper in December of the same year and passed.

2021 came, Allah showered His blessings yet again, and I got another a Finance Manager offer of N500k+

This time around, I'd competed with guys from Big 4. My then boss, being an ex-Big 4 himself, said he gave me the opportunity because:

1. I had done a lot of things relating to what they wanted in the past.

2. He sensed I could think on my feet.

3. I had started ACCA, which showed I wasn't just comfortable with my ND.

Meanwhile, I got to know later that he called my last boss from 2019, as he used to be the auditor of the finance firm. The boss from 2019 commented that I should be hired too.

Let's just say luck was playing in my favour.

Some months into the job, I was saddled with more responsibilities on Financial Planning, because of that, I paid about N100k+ to take a course with CFI on Financial Modelling and Valuation. After about 8 months on the job, I got a raise.

2022 came, I had taken a lot of free courses on Leadership because I had one of my direct reports that I needed to manage better.

When I got better with my leadership skills, I got another raise. Now, I was on N750k net.

I continued with my job. Not so long, the company needed to do IT Audit (ISMS). They needed someone to be the Lead Auditor. I volunteered. Attended training, took the professional course on Information Security Management Systems (ISO/IEC 27001:2013) and aced the exam.

About 5 months later, in the same year 2022, I got a promotion to become Senior Finance Manager. That took my pay to 7 figures.

Now, I was managing all aspects of financial reporting, compliance, financial planning, and analysis for the company across its almost 6 entities, including the US and UK.

2023, one thing led to another, my boss needed to relocate to the UK. Before I say jack, my boss had recommended that I be made VP of Finance and Admin of the firm. Other senior management team members attested to my capability.

As soon as I was made VP, guess what? I invested N800k+ to take a course on Organizational Leadrship with Harvard Business School Online, because now I would be managing about 15 personnel. Of course, being a VP also came with its own pay raise.

After a couple of periods, I moved on too.

Now, its 2024, as I type this, I am currently enrolled in a course on Negotiation Mastery with Harvard just to ensure I position myself well enough for a bigger finance role when the opportunity arises.

Again, let's keep striving; let's keep learning.

Thanks for coming to my TedTalk.

#Iwelabi.