Tomi
Ogunyoye

Tomi is a BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance graduate.

Why did you choose NTU and your course?

I always had an affinity growing up towards Maths, particularly the side that was less algebraic and relevant to real life and the economy, so an Accounting & Finance course seemed like the perfect way to bridge the gap between what I was good at and what I wanted to learn more about.

I initially came to NTU through clearing after COVID disrupted my A Levels, meaning I wasn't award the grades I was looking for by my sixth form and the government. But I opted for NTU because I knew a lot of people from my school were going there and from what I'd researched, the campus was very modern, the football and athletics teams were very competitive and I would be able to study a course here that could get me exemptions from future accounting examinations.

Looking back, what do you value most from your time at Nottingham Business School?

I really valued the constant support that is provided throughout all years of the course. As someone who studied for four years and did a placement, I felt even when away from campus, I was being checked on and supported but members of staff and there wasn't a question I felt uncomfortable asking.

What was the most valuable part of your course for your future career?

I really enjoyed my year out doing a placement as it was my first real experience of work within the field I was looking to go into. I was a financial analyst for a holiday company and it enabled me to use my first and second year learning in a practical setting while also learning how to grow in confidence doing new tasks in a new environment.

Can your give me one example of something you worked on that felt relevant to the real world?

Within my final year, I did a project during an International Tourism module based on a holiday destination of my choice. I had plans to go to Ibiza during the summer coming so I picked them and decided to look into the history of their tourism. The peaks, the troughs as well as some of the consequences of their popularity within the local community. I found it super interesting and helpful as it opened my eyes to the impact holiday goers have on economies and also made me appreciate how much goes into the preservation of a holiday destination.

What is your current role and what does a typical day involve?

I work within the finance team at Frasers Group (owners of Flannels, Sports Direct, Everlast Gyms and many more brands) and having been here 8 months now, I have experienced multiple rotations around different areas of finance including group, treasury, credit control, cashiers, purchase ledger and management accounts. Most days consist of working on tasks assigned to me by my manager within my department, meetings about findings, and some intriguing conversations with the people within my vicinity.

Which skills or experiences from NBS do you use most in your role today?

I have certainly needed to utilise my communication skills and organisation while working here. There are lots of different people across different office functions that are required to complete tasks and so learning to form a relationship with them and understand the value you bring to them has been super important while settling into a new environment.

What is the highlight of your career so far?

We have 'core skills' days that are run my the Learning & Development (L&D) team here one of these was about teaching us how to present like a pro. We were given the brief of creating a 15-minute Powerpoint presentation on a topic of our choice and to present it back to some members of the team as well as a number of our colleagues within a few days. I, of course, did mine on Arsenal and 'why they will win silverware this season' because it's something I am passionate about and it was also a topic that would enable me to show my personality in a relaxed talk. I received really good feedback stating I was engaging and convinced the people who'd never watched football Arsenal are the best.

I also was put in charge of organising a pre-audit party for the entire finance team in April. I used the budget to enquire about, book and carry out an event in Sheffield for 50+ people and heard back that it was a great night from multiple people!

If you could give one piece of advice to a future NBS student, what would it be?

I believe the thing I would say is to understand that there will always be people you get along with more than others. In a group setting, your hard work will always be recognised if someone else isn't trying to put in the same effort so ensure you communicate with those who are engaged and always try to produce something worthwhile before the deadline.

Who would you recommend your course to and why?

Anyone who wants a head-start to a career in accounting and/or finance!