Chris Alabi
PwC
San Jose, CA USA
"Understand that no one person knows everything. Be open to learning from others every day and also passing along your knowledge in developing others."
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Chris's work combines: Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Problem Solving
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
St. Joseph Secondary School
Bachelor's Degree
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General
Salford University
Graduate Degree
Air Transport Management
Cranfield University
Certification
Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA)
Institute of Chartered Accountant in England and Wales
Certification
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
California Board of Accountancy
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Accountants and Auditors:
Bachelor's Degree: Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General
Graduate Degree: Air Transport Management
Certification: Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA)
Certification: Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
I was born in Nigeria and moved to the United Kingdom as a teenager. My family encouraged me to be a doctor or an engineer. But as a kid, I wanted to be an airline pilot.
2.
As an interim compromise, I studied an aeronautical engineering degree with the hopes of progressing to flying school right after.
3.
During my engineering degree years, I took a 1 year gap working as an intern at an airline in the UK which also exposed me to the fascinating world of finance and accounting.
4.
Decided to pursue a masters degree in Air Transport Management at Cranfield University to further develop my business acumen.
5.
After graduating, I joined PwC in 2005 as an associate in the United Kingdom. First in the Cambridge office and moved to the Uxbridge (West London) office in 2008.
6.
In 2010, I took the opportunity for an international tour and transferred to the San Jose, CA office and worked in both the audit and accounting advisory practices.
7.
I completed an 18 month Professional Practice Fellowship at the CAQ in Washington DC providing input on audit quality matters and formulating positions on standard setting activities.
8.
I have now worked at PwC for almost 15 years and I am a partner in our assurance practice.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You shouldn't be an auditor or an accountant. All you do is taxes, its not an exciting profession and you'll get bored.
How I responded:
I focused on aspect of the profession that appealed to me and shared my perspective of the profession with others - ability to work in various roles and lines of service within one firm, problem solving, working with others, travel, use of technology, understanding how successful businesses are run and engaging with senior high level company officials even very early on in my career.