Career coach | AAT journeys
From conflict to a thriving career
Growing up in battle-scarred Sierra Leone, Edwin Samu had limited access to education. But he was able to embark on a successful accounting career with the help of a loving aunt and a priest
Words Jessica Bown
Despite a highly successful accounting career spanning more than two decades, Edwin Samu FMAAT didn’t always want to be an accountant.
When he was growing up in the western African nation of Sierra Leone, his dream was to become a priest. That’s why he was at his local church when he was kidnapped by rebel forces in his late teens.
“The [civil] war started when I was 12 and I was 17 or 18 when I got kidnapped,” says Samu, 46, who is now managing partner at his own accounting practice, Edmil Accountants UK Ltd, in Oxfordshire.
“It was a terrible time. There was bombing everywhere and I couldn’t go to school because it wasn’t safe. Our house was burned down and being kidnapped was terrifying; we were used as human shields and I thought I was going to die.”
His desire to enter the priesthood kept him going. “I put all my energy into that,” he says. “It was my focus and my saving grace at that time.”
After Samu managed to escape his kidnappers following two harrowing weeks, priests he knew through his church arranged for him to go to The Gambia, where studying AAT gave him an opportunity to start learning again.
“It was arranged by my Aunty Marth and another priest,” he adds. “I had never studied accounting before, but I liked accountability and already had the ethical stance that transparency with numbers brings unity to groups.”
That decision shaped the rest of his life, both professionally and personally.
“I didn’t have any academic qualifications when I started studying towards the AAT qualification.”
Thirst for learning
For Samu, the lack of access to education was one of the worst things about spending his teenage years in a war zone, so the opportunity to begin studying towards an AAT Diploma was life-changing.
“I hadn’t thought continuing in education was an option, so being able to study for the Level AAT qualification at the Management Development Institute in Banjul, The Gambia, was so important to me,” says Samu, who then moved to the UK to live with his older sister and continue his AAT studies.
“Upon arriving in the UK I went on to do my ACCA qualifications, for which I was allowed some exemptions thanks to my AAT studies. It seemed like a natural progression to me.”
Now his own boss, Samu has continued learning and studying throughout his career.
His academic accomplishments include a BSc (Hons) in applied accounting from Oxford Brookes University, which he completed in 2012 before going on to graduate with an MSc in applied accounting from the University of London in 2020.
He is currently in the final stages of a doctorate in business administration (DBA) at Birmingham City University.
But none of this would have been possible had AAT not given him the chance to study for professional qualifications, even though his schooling had been so brutally interrupted.
“It all started with AAT,” adds the married father of three. “I didn’t have any academic qualifications when I started studying towards the AAT qualification and I’m so grateful for the opportunities being able to start AAT has given me. My AAT studies were the foundation for all my other qualifications.”
Forging a path
Samu’s experience of war did not put him off managing accounts for active British armed forces in his first finance role, which he took on while continuing to work towards his ACCA accreditation.
“While doing ACCA, I was also working for the UK Ministry of Defence, using what I learned during my AAT studies to manage Army accounts,” he says.
“As part of that role, I was posted to 9 Regiment (Royal Logistic Corps) in Wiltshire and then 3 Regiment (Royal Logistic Corps) in Oxfordshire. I was also deployed to Afghanistan for six months to account for materials required by the troops and to gain a better understanding of what the soldiers needed on the ground.
“It was a huge responsibility as an accounting mistake on my part could have caused them to run out of essential equipment or medical supplies at a critical moment. While a mistake in the business world could lead to a company closing, a similar mistake in a military environment could mean someone dying.
“But it suited me because I like cost accounting, which I learned from my AAT management costing module.”
After spending five years at the Ministry of Defence, he went on to set up the practice he continues to run today.
Desire to help others
AAT has remained a big part of Samu’s life throughout his career to date.
“I’m still very active at my local AAT Oxford branch,” he says. “The AAT community and CPD events and resources are so important, particularly for accountants who have to stay up to date with the latest legislation.”
Having his own practice has also given Samu – a big supporter of the AAT bursary scheme – the scope to take on AAT students and apprentices, and offer those starting out in the profession a springboard for success.
“I really want to give back to AAT and I am delighted to be able to do that by offering apprenticeships and work experience placements for students in the local Oxfordshire schools,” he says.
He plans to extend this opportunity to students in The Gambia and Sierra Leone, so he can support aspiring accountants in Africa.
“My aim with the work experience is to encourage more young people to start AAT,” he adds.
He already draws on his time at the Ministry of Defence to help former servicemen and women with an interest in accounting to gain experience in the sector.
“I offer work experience placements to ex-forces to help them with the transition to civilian life and also work with the X-Forces scheme to help those who are keen to set up their own businesses,” he says. “It’s another way to give back, which is very important to me.”
TOP TIPS
Edwin’s tips for AAT students
1
Gain work experience
Gaining work experience enables you to understand the practical application of your knowledge, further hone your skills and provide clarity on which fields of accounting may be for you.
2
Be persistent
It is common to have knock-backs and disappointments at times, but it is important not to let that be a deterrent and to keep learning and trying in order to get your qualification.
3
Follow your interests
Through your studies and work experience opportunities, you should keep a close eye on which fields interest you most. There's no greater motivation than genuine passion and enjoyment.
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From conflict to a thriving career
Growing up in battle-scarred Sierra Leone, Edwin Samu had limited access to education. But he was able to embark on a successful accounting career with the help of a loving aunt and a priest
Words Jessica Bown
Forging a path
Samu’s experience of war did not put him off managing accounts for active British armed forces in his first finance role, which he took on while continuing to work towards his ACCA accreditation.
“While doing ACCA, I was also working for the UK Ministry of Defence, using what I learned during my AAT studies to manage Army accounts,” he says.
“As part of that role, I was posted to 9 Regiment (Royal Logistic Corps) in Wiltshire and then 3 Regiment (Royal Logistic Corps) in Oxfordshire. I was also deployed to Afghanistan for six months to account for materials required by the troops and to gain a better understanding of what the soldiers needed on the ground.
“It was a huge responsibility as an accounting mistake on my part could have caused them to run out of essential equipment or medical supplies at a critical moment. While a mistake in the business world could lead to a company closing, a similar mistake in a military environment could mean someone dying.
“But it suited me because I like cost accounting, which I learned from my AAT management costing module.”
After spending five years at the Ministry of Defence, he went on to set up the practice he continues to run today.
