How To Become A Chartered Accountant in Nigeria: Process & Requirements (2024)

Becoming a professional accountant in Nigeria is not as easy as it seems. If it were that easy, everyone that graduates from the department after studying accountancy would end up becoming one. In fact, a large number of the accounting graduates are not chartered accountants as they don’t have any professional certification to back their claim.

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If you want to become an accountant in Nigeria, read this article as it is prepared specifically for you. However, note that accounting as a professional course is very wide and lucrative.

Even if you are a graduate of accountancy in the university, you would still need to take professional courses to become chartered. The finance to undertake this professional courses might be expensive,  but would aid you at the end in getting a high paying job.

If you wish not to be a chartered professional accountant after you graduate, you can still get a good job with your university certificate, but won’t be on same salary scale as one who is a pro accountant.

One primary advantage of being a chartered accountant is that you get employment in top firms as lucrative job offers, opportunities to grow your career in the field of accounting.

You need to make decision regarding the type of accounting you want to specialize it. These includes; Forensic Accounting, Financial Accounting, Cost Accounting, Government Accounting, Management Accounting, Auditing, Tax Accounting, etc.

Steps To Becoming An Accountant In Nigeria

To become a professional accountant in Nigeria, you would need to do the following:

Step 1: Obtain Valid Secondary School Education Certificate (SSCE)

To become an accountant, one need to have gone through secondary school. In secondary school, you are expected to be in the commercial class.

However, not all school have commercial classes so being in the art class will suffix. Regardless of the class, you are expected to pass your O’Level with a minimum requirement of 5 credits including English Language, Mathematics, Economics and any of the following – Commerce, Government or Book Keeping and Accounts in no more than 2 seating.

Step 2: Obtain Tertiary Educational Degree in Accounting From A Recognized University

After meeting the above requirement, you need to further your education. This could be either in a university or polytechnic.

Here, you are expected to study accounting as a course in the university. However, even if you never studied this course during your university/polytechnic days, you can still become an accountant through passing their professional exams.

Though, this would mean spending more years compared to those that studied accounting in school. Check below for the list of universities and polytechnics that offers accounting in the country.

Step 3: Obtain A Professional Accountancy Certificate

This is where many people’s dream of becoming certified accountants end. Before you can become a professional accountant, you need to be certified.

The certification is gotten from professional accountancy body. Some of the Professional Certifications includes ICAN, ANAN, ACCA and CIMA. The most popular one is the ICAN

Step 4: Attend Institute Of Chartered Accountants In Nigeria (ICAN)

ICAN is an accountancy professional body established in 1965. The certification of this body is the most popular in the country. This has divisions such as;

  • Accounting Technician Scheme (ATS): This is help twice a year usually in March and March. It has 3 stages; ATS 1, 2 and 3. You may be exempted from ATS 1 and ATS 2 if you have a degree in Accounting.
  • Professional Examination: This examination is in three stages. The Intermediate, P.E 1 and P.E 2. Examinations holds twice a year during March and March. After passing this examination, you will be certified as a Chartered Accountant.

How Long Does It take To Be A Chartered Accountant in Nigeria

To become a chartered accountant, it would take at least three years after completing some series of professional exams such as the ACA, which is a professional qualification that requires students to complete and ICAN exams also.

Full List Of Universities Offering Accounting In Nigeria

  1. Abia State University, Uturu
  2. Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko
  3. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  4. American University of Nigeria, Yola
  5. Anambra State University, Uli
  6. Bauchi State University, Gadau, Bauchi State
  7. Benue State University, Makurdi
  8. Caritas University, Amorji-Nike, Enugu
  9. Cross Rivers University of Technology, Calabar
  10. Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki
  11. Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti
  12. Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State
  13. Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu
  14. Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State
  15. Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi
  16. Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State
  17. Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State
  18. Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State
  19. Igbinedion University, Okada, Benin City
  20. Imo State University, Owerri
  21. Lead City University, Ibadan
  22. Madonna University, Okija
  23. Mcpherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State
  24. Nasarawa State University, Keffi
  25. Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island
  26. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka
  27. Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
  28. Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye
  29. Osun State University, Osogbo
  30. Plateau State University, Bokkos
  31. Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt
  32. University of Abuja
  33. University of Lagos
  34. University of Maiduguri
  35. University of Mkar, Gboko
  36. University of Nigeria Nsukka
  37. University of Port-Harcourt
  38. University of Uyo
  39. Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto
  40. Wellspring University, Irhihi/Ogbaneki, Benin City
  41. Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State

Full List Of Polytechnics Offering Accounting

  1. Abdul-Gusau Polytechnic, Talata-Mafara
  2. Abia State Polytechnic, Aba
  3. Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State
  4. Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi
  5. Adamawa State Poly, Yola
  6. Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo
  7. Akwa Ibom State College of Arts and Science Nung, Ukim
  8. Akwa-Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot-Osurua
  9. Allover Central Polytechnic, Ota, Ogun
  10. Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi
  11. Bayelsa State College of Arts and Science
  12. Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
  13. Benue State Poly, Ugbokolo
  14. College of Administrative and Business Studies, Potiskum, Yobe State
  15. College of Technology, Iresi, Osun State
  16. Covenant Polytechnic, Aba
  17. Crown Polytechnics, Odo Ado-Ekiti
  18. S. Adegbenro Ict Polytechnic, Itori
  19. Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku
  20. Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe
  21. Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro
  22. Dorben Polytechnic, Bwari-Garam Road, Fct-Abuja
  23. Eastern Polytechnic, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
  24. Edo State Institute of Technology and Management
  25. Federal Polytechnic Offa
  26. Federal Polytechnic, Bali
  27. Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi
  28. Federal Polytechnic, Bida
  29. Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu
  30. Federal Polytechnic, Ede
  31. Federal Polytechnic, Ida
  32. Federal Polytechnic, Kaura/Namoda
  33. Federal Polytechnic, Mubi
  34. Federal Polytechnic, Nassarawa
  35. Federal Polytechnic, Nekede
  36. Federal Polytechnic, Oko
  37. Federal Polytechnic,Ilaro
  38. Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti
  39. Federal Polytechnic, Uka
  40. Fidei Polytechnic, Gboko
  41. Gateway Ict Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State
  42. Grace Polytechnic, Lagos
  43. Hassan Usman Katsina Poly, Katsina
  44. Heritage Polytechnic, Ikot Udota
  45. Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure
  46. Igbajo Polytechnic
  47. Igbo-Owu Polytechnic, Kwara State
  48. Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Owerri
  49. Of Mgt. And Tech, Enugu
  50. Interlink Polytechnic, Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State
  51. Jigawa State Polytechnic, Dutse
  52. Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna
  53. Kalac Christal Polytechnic, Lekki, Lagos
  54. Kano State Polytechnic, Kano
  55. Kings Polytechnic, Ubiaja
  56. Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja
  57. Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Kwara State
  58. Lagos City Polytechnic, Ikeja, Lagos State
  59. Lagos State Poly, Ikorodu
  60. Light House Polytechnic, Eubuobanosa, Edo State
  61. Mai Idris Alooma Polytechnic, Geidam, Yobe State
  62. Moshood Abiola Poly, Abeokuta
  63. Nacabs Polytechnic, Akwanga, Nasarawa State
  64. Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia
  65. Niger State Poly, Zungeru
  66. Nogak Polytechnic, Mile 2 Road, Ikom, Cross River State
  67. Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic,Zaria
  68. Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, Ogun State
  69. Our Saviour Inst. Of Sci and Tech (Poly) Enugu, Enugu State
  70. Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin-Ladi
  71. Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri
  72. Rivers State College of Arts and Science, Port Harcourt
  73. Rivers State Poly, Bori
  74. Ronik Polytechnic, Ikeja, Lagos
  75. Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo
  76. Temple-Gate Polytechnic, Osisioma, Abia State
  77. Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, Oyo State
  78. The Polytechnic, Ile-Ife, Osun State
  79. Uyo City Polytechnic, Uyo (Uyo-Citypoly) Uyo Akwa-Ibom State
  80. Valley View Polytecnic, Ohafia, Abia State
  81. Waziri Umaru Fed. Polytechnic Birnin Kebbi
  82. Wolex Polytechnic, Ikeja, Lagos
  83. Yaba College of Tech, Yaba

Oluchi Chukwu

Oluchi is a seasoned Information blogger, content developer and the editor of Nigerian Queries. She is a tech enthusiast who loves reading, writing and research

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