ICAN launches ‘catch them young’ campaign in Kano secondary schools

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Kano/Jigawa district has launched its ‘catch them young’ campaign in 20 public secondary schools in Kano.

The campaign, which was unveiled at the famous Runfa College, was part of ICAN’s measures to build the choice of professional accounting career in the minds of younger generation right from secondary schools.

Besides, the initiative is designed with special accounting examination courses for secondary school leavers that will prepare them for professional ICAN exams.

ICAN Chairman in the district, Kadir Mohammad explained that the initiative was introduced to encourage enrollment of O’level graduates in Accounting Technician Scheme West Africa (ATSWA).

He stated that the ATSWA programme, which was initiated to produce middle-level accounting technician within the region provides an opportunity for applicants with five credits, including English and Mathematics, to enrol.

Against the conventional system, Mohammad disclosed that candidates, who pass the ATSWA examination, are at par with university or polytechnic graduates of accounting. 

He added that people in that category are only required to pass through the last stage of professional examination before qualify as a chartered accountant.

“ICAN has introduced Accounting Technician Scheme West Africa (ATSWA). This programme only required candidates to pass their five O’level credits including English and Mathematics. As soon as you pass the exams, you are now equivalent to graduates and you can actually practice as an accounting technician. At that stage, you have passed basic and skill stages.

Manager, ICAN liaison office in Kano, Umaru Amo said the programme would serve to bridge a wide gap between members from the south and the north.

Umaru explained that the district is also given out scholarship to best graduating students in any field to enrol for ICAN examinations.