How the Graduate Certificate in Internal Audit Transformed Faosat Ashamu’s Accounting Career

Faosat Ashamu, MSA’23, has long enjoyed the field of accounting, but when a pursuit of a master’s degree brought her from Nigeria to the Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis, she discovered a whole new career to pursue.

With a background deeply rooted in financial studies and accounting, Faosat’s journey took her through rigorous academic pursuits, including earning a master’s degree in managerial psychology and becoming a chartered tax accountant in Nigeria. But she decided to take her career farther by moving to the United States to pursue the Masters in Accounting Program at the Kelley School of Business Indianapolis.

Upon her arrival to Indiana in 2017, Faosat faced the daunting task of reintegrating into her profession in a new country and navigating a new educational landscape. Despite her extensive experience in accounting, she found herself grappling with the intricacies of the American accounting system, which differs significantly from the practices she was accustomed to in Nigeria. However, with determination and perseverance, Faosat embraced these challenges head-on, leveraging her innate curiosity and adaptability to overcome obstacles and excel in her studies. As a single mom to three kids, she not only wanted to advance her career, but also set a respectable example for her kids.

“When I began the MSA program, I knew the peak career goal of accounting in America is becoming a CPA, but it’s a tedious and difficult process to get there,” she said. “When I learned about the Graduate Certificate in Internal Audit (GCIA) Program at Kelley, I became interested in the role of internal auditors. These professionals thrive with investigative skills, since they need to know everything about a company, from the balance sheets to the people.”

Initially hesitant about the GCIA’s relevance to her accounting career goals, Faosat soon discovered a newfound passion for internal auditing that resonated with her interest and abilities. She enrolled in the graduate certificate program and found she enjoyed the work.

“I get to be an investigator in work that goes beyond finance to include operations, strategy, marketing, and other areas of the business,” she said. “But the best lesson I’ve learned about internal auditing is to approach your job with honesty and friendliness. Because in auditing, internal control is about reasonableness, not absoluteness.”

Internal auditors get to be curious, ask lots of questions about the business, and improve their decision-making and communication skills while becoming well-rounded professionals. Through the GCIA program, Faosat gained valuable insights into the principles and practices of internal auditing, equipping her with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in her chosen field.

“My experience of finding internal audit and the direction Kelley provided has taught me to encourage others to identify their strengths and interests and choose a career that addresses them,” she said.

The transformative impact of the GCIA program extended far beyond the classroom, empowering Faosat to apply her newfound expertise in real-world settings. Armed with a deeper understanding of internal auditing principles, Faosat seamlessly transitioned into a new role as a revenue cycle compliance auditor at Hopebridge Autism and Therapy Center in Indianapolis. Despite her newness to the healthcare field, the skills she gained at Kelley helped her adapt and succeed in her work. Faosat’s journey through an accounting education across two continents helped her unlock new opportunities by realizing her full potential and discovering her true career passion. Through Kelley, she matched that passion with the skills that position her for the career she wants.

All the lessons and knowledge I’ve learned at Kelley, combined with my years as an accountant allowed me to quickly get to work when I joined Hopebridge,” said Faosat. “Kelley’s reputation helped me get my foot in the door, and my education helped me sharpen my skills as I transition to this field that I love.”

Faosat’s story serves as a powerful reminder that success is not determined by circumstances but by one’s willingness to embrace change, seize opportunities, and pursue excellence relentlessly.