For Akanji Akinyemi, studying MSc Accounting and Finance with CIMA at QMU was an opportunity to build on his professional accounting experience in Nigeria while developing a more strategic approach to finance. Drawn to the course's combination of advanced accounting, corporate finance and data analytics, he has particularly enjoyed exploring how data can support better business decisions. Alongside his studies, Akanji works part-time as a Finance Officer for an Edinburgh charity, putting his learning into practice in the UK charity sector. Looking ahead, he hopes to complete his CIMA qualification and progress into a senior accounting role, combining his finance expertise with data analytics to help organisations make better-informed decisions.
Why did you choose to study at Queen Margaret University?
I wanted a university where I was seen as a person, not a number. QMU is a friendly, close-knit campus with small classes, so it’s easy to talk to lecturers and get support. I found QMU through my own research, and what first attracted me was its link with CIMA and how the course combines with data analytics.
What interested you about your chosen course?
I am a qualified accountant (member of ICAN and AAT) with a few years experience in Nigeria. I wanted to build on that and have a more strategic view of finance. What stood out was the combination of advanced management accounting, corporate finance and data analytics. Data is changing the way accountants work and this course lets me marry my professional background with those new skills.
Why attracted you to study in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh is a beautiful, historic city and one of the UK’s major financial centers, and based on what I have heard from my wife, who spent a few years in Edinburgh before my resumption to QMU, it felt like the right place to study accounting and finance.
What have you most enjoyed about your course? What has been the highlight?
Data Analytics for Management Decision Making has been my most enjoyed module. Working with real data sets and translating numbers into clear recommendations has shown me how data can improve decisions.
Have you participated in a course activity you found especially interesting?
I found the capital budgeting seminar to be a particularly interesting activity. We looked at actual investment decisions. For example, we would decide whether to fund a project by looking at the net present value. It taught me how finance impacts long-term business decisions and built on what I already do in practice.
How have your lecturers supported your learning?
My lecturers have been very helpful and easy to talk to. The lecturer in Advanced Management Accounting encourages us to think as if we are preparing for the CIMA exams, which directly links the course to my career goals.
What have been some of your challenges with the course and university life? How have you overcome them?
I did not opt for a formal placement as part of my course, but I work part-time as a Finance Officer at an Edinburgh charity. This lets me apply what I learn in class, such as budgeting and reporting, to a real organisation every week, and it has given me valuable experience in finance in the UK charity sect
Have you taken part in a placement as part of your course and if so, what was your experience?
I did not opt for a formal placement as part of my course, but I work part-time as a Finance Officer at an Edinburgh charity. This lets me apply what I learn in class, such as budgeting and reporting, to a real organisation every week, and it has given me valuable experience in finance in the UK charity sector.
Do you have any advice for students who might be interested in applying for this course?
Come ready to manage your time well, because the pace is fast. Start thinking about your dissertation topic early, and do not be afraid to ask lecturers questions; they are there to help.
What’s your ‘top tip’ for making the most of being a student?
Treat your studies like a job: plan your week, keep to a routine and start assignments early. In addition, make time to meet people, as your classmates come from all over the world, and those connections are one of the best parts of the experience.
What has been the most valuable lesson that you’ve learned at university?
That good data only matters when it helps someone make a better decision. Studying here has taught me to look beyond the numbers, ask why they matter, and explain them in plain language so others can act on them.
What are you plans after graduation? Tell us about your ambitions and where you see yourself in the future?
After graduating, I plan to complete my CIMA qualification and move into a senior accounting role. In the longer term, I want to use my skills in accounting and data analytics to help organisations make better, evidence-based decisions.
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