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Msc Econs or ACCA?

September 10, 2013

I’m Emmanuel O. I’ve really been having a swell time following your posts. More power to your elbow and may you continue to increase in wisdom. The reason for this mail is to solicit your mentorship in my career line. I’m a recent graduate of economics at Obafemi Awolowo University. I am through with service now but seriously at crossroads of making decision whether to opt for a professional class (ACCA) or having a Masters degree in economics. I’d love to be chartered though. Or could both be sought simultaneously? I just need an enhancement to my CV as it is just currently shallow, devoid of work experience and breath-taking qualifications. Any advice is welcome and really appreciated. Thank you.

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Thanks for the kind words, Emma. Let me share with you what my team have to say:

OBAFEMI BAMIDELE, CFA

We have treated similar cases in the past and you may consider referring your readers to past cases on this blog. ACCA seems the better choice, given the guy’s stated circumstances. It will better position him for a job and the work experience he craves for.

He might want to opt for MBA after sufficient experience. I don’t particularly see how Msc Economics can help him except he wants to be a lecturer and possibly progress to PhD.

NAJEEM EWESESAN, ACA

Dear Emmanuel, you have not told us in detail what your career plan is, you only mentioned the fact that you need to enrich your CV, objective of which is not also clear. However, I would just assume that you intend to make your CV look good so you could get a job. If that is the case, I would like to let you know that no matter how bad your CV looks presently, it doesn’t prevent you from getting a good job since you are a fresh graduate. If you are still within the age limit for recruitment into your desired industry and you possess necessary requirements, start the professional exams and or the masters program depending on your capacity. I mentioned combining the two because they are academics and will definitely add value to you. Also, seek for employment. If the job is not forth coming, you could continue in the academics and if you are lucky to get a good job, drop the Msc and try to complete the professional exams. Best of luck

THE JARUS VERDICT

If your intention is to get job (corporate job), ACCA is a surer route than Msc (I presumed the Msc is from a Nigerian university). Both can however be combined if you have the resources and the capacity.

As regards your CV being scanty, if you had 2.1 in your first degree, that is enough to get you job. As for experience, no, no you don’t need to have any work experience for entry level which you are, being a fresh graduate. Also, don’t be intimidated by the ‘breath-taking’ professional qualifications of Obafemi and some other guys here, your first degree with 2.1 is a good starting point. While they aid the process, you actually don’t need all the professional qualifications before you get job. So cheer up, man.