Oluwatoyin Olufon FCCA, ACA, ACTI’s Post

Transcript

Alright, so it's time for some tech conversation here on week of Nigeria. I guess today is Oluwa Toni Olufson she is the CEO of the techie accountant and leaflets consulting and she's also the convener of account tech. I I'm sure I got that right yes you the context summits correct. Awesome. Good to have you in the studio with us this morning to me thank you. It's my pleasure being here Yeah so when people talk about different. You know, when you talk about different occupations, it's usually difficult to marry them both together, accounts tech, medical tech. But we are having a lot of that these days because technology is now surpassing all professions. So I'm wondering the combination account tech, how does that work? Oh, that's a fantastic question. Thank you. And just as you rightly said, technology is actually changing the way we work in every industry and accounting. In finance is not left behind. You know, I'm so happy to see a lot of SME's right now in Nigeria embracing accountants software they use of accounting software for their business, for them to be more effective, to be able to collect their data, to gain insight and to have their financial reports, you know, at their fingertips so that they can make informed decision. However, account tech is also evolving beyond that now, just as we say, technology. These well, I say it's only rapid change, right? And there are other aspect of accounting and finance as well that technology can enhance, can empower, can make people to be more efficient, right. And I'm, I'm hoping that that's one of the things we'll be discussing mainly during the summit and that's also one of the key things that I do as well. My work yes. So you, you trained as an accountant, yes, actually have an Academy. We have an Academy called the techie accountant. Academy where we train finance professionals at all level of their career for global dominance through practical training, shared knowledge and cutting edge mentorship. So how did you make that? Decision. Or rather, how did you even get into tech as an accountant yourself? That's a funny story. But so when I had just left the university, you know, as a young graduate trying to find my footing, I was already chartered in the UK. I was a chartered accountant in the UK. But then I was still not clear on what I was gonna do. So I dabbled into STEM education. I cofounded another NGO with a friend, and we're promoting STEM education. I learned how to code using Scratch programming. You know, I could do a few things. I would travel to even neighbouring. Towns in Abuja, Suleja, Abaji Kwali it's gonna teach students yes how to use scratch programming to code to develop their games. So that really fascinated me right Then eventually when I decided that OK, I still want to be a finance professional I don't want to dive into Cortec, right. So I found a way to merge tech, you know, into accounts and into my first love and yes, that's what brought about all this. Wow. OK, so that I know you're having summits, tell us more about. Ohh great. They are context summits is first of its kind in Africa. It's an international summit that will breed that is bringing together speakers, thought leaders from everywhere around the world is bringing together entrepreneurs that are doing fantastic jobs, you know, as a way to inspire and empower finance professionals, stakeholders and even entrepreneurs you know to know how they can maximize the use of technology and their business and how it also. Relate to our work in the accounting and finance industry. You know, I think that there's an enormous opportunity for our country, Nigeria, if you're able to, unless the human capital that we have and leveraging on technology. You know, just I think 2 weeks ago I was reading and I saw that there's actually a shortage of accountant finance professionals in the US. Now I know what is commonly known is the sort shortage of programmers. Of, you know, core technology individuals, right? And it's also a trend right now whereby you have people working in Nigeria wherever they work for organizations abroad. Yeah, But most of them are usually the core tech guys, the programmers. Now, what people don't know is that that shortage also exists in the finance industry. So you can imagine if our workforce is empowered, you know, with the right skill, with the right competence. For them to be able to compete globally, you can imagine the opportunity exactly, you know. So that what that means also is that the kind of revolution we've seen in the tech space whereby the programmers can work with organization in the US can also happen in the finance industry. Because there's the, there's the need for heat at the moment. And that's what we are. That's the gap we are trying to fill. And we've been able to do that successfully. We have a few techie accountants that have passed through our trainings, passed through our academies. We've empowered them with the right skill. The right mindset for them to compete globally and they actually their residents in Nigeria. However, the work with companies in the US and as accountants as accountants, correct not as part time jobs or full time jobs like they're fully employed yes, OK, yes so this summit what what should anybody who is watching and wants to be a part of it, what should they expect from it? It's going to be a lot of information empowerment rights is going to be inspiring. Because we are bringing people, even finance professionals that are in this domain as well. They are not just. They're they're walking the talk yes, so it's important that other professionals they see that this is what is happening, like it is achievable. It's not just essay. It is not just, you know, a make wish right, but something that can really, really happen for them. You know, also for her. We want to for entrepreneurs that will attend as well. They will get to understand better the emerging technologies that is changing the accounting and finance industry. Remember that they say that information. Less power when you know something, when you understand something, you're able to know how you can put it to use, how you can, you know, make the best out of it, right? And these are these and many more are things that people will get from the summit. We also have the award and recognition of segments. You know, during the summit, we have the fireside chats where we'll be discussing about gate game changers in the finance and game changers, sorry, in the US and the Nigerian finance sector. OK, is this. It's open to the public. How can someone should now be a part of it? It is open to the public. It's happening on Thursday on the 15th of August at Four Points Hotel in VI by 9:00 AM yes. So come along and have a good time. Alright, I I do know you mentioned that the MD of TBC is also a part of it yes, the MD of TVC, the group, the group CEO. Yeah, she's out of it. And she, she's the one that's in person of Mrs. Victoria John, right? The CEO, yes, is the CSF. She would be the one moderating the fireside chats. Nice. And it's going to be explosive, I have no doubts because she's, she's full of so much wisdom and power, alright.