In a world where accounting often gets flattened into balance sheets and bottom lines, Blessing Omoyajowo has a story that humanizes the grind, redefines success, and brings purpose to the profession. Now a Chartered Accountant and Manager at EY’s Tax Managed Services – Finance Operate division, her journey to CA(SA) has been anything but linear.
Rooted in Passion, Fueled by Purpose
Blessing’s story begins in Nigeria, where the seeds of accounting were sown early. Even before she fully grasped what the CA designation entailed, she knew numbers and structure appealed to her. “Blood scares me, so medicine was never an option,” she jokes. Upon relocating to South Africa, she didn’t hesitate to pursue commerce subjects in high school—accounting felt like home.
She went on to earn a BCom in Accounting followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Sciences from the University of Pretoria. But it wasn’t just textbooks that shaped her—it was her decision to split her articles between academia and practice in 2020. “That choice gave me the best of both worlds,” she reflects. It challenged her, broadened her skill set, and made space for her to impact students and clients in equal measure.
The “Four Boyfriends” and a Gap Year
Ask any CA(SA) aspirant, and they’ll tell you that the PGDA (CTA) year is infamously brutal. For Blessing, it was a battle of will and wit. “I used to joke that I was in an abusive relationship with my four boyfriends—Tax, Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Management,” she laughs. But her road was rockier than most—financial constraints meant taking a gap year before PGDA, intensifying the pressure when she returned.
Despite the odds, she powered through. What got her through the rough patches? “A positive outlook and a killer study squad,” she says. “We were in it together.”
Board Exams: Sacrifice, Strategy, and Showing Up
Passing the ITC and APC exams isn’t just an academic feat—it’s a test of endurance. Blessing chose the UCT board course for ITC, diverging from her study circle who opted for UJ. “That way, we could share notes and support each other,” she explains.
Her secret weapon? Rotational studying—starting with the modules she disliked most while her energy was high, saving her favourites for when motivation dipped. That, and skipping Christmas. “You only get one shot—give it everything now so you can live your best life later.”
For the APC, the challenge was balancing full-time work with intense prep. Her approach was deeply intentional. “In practice, everything feels urgent. I had to learn to focus on what was both urgent and important.”
From Purpose in Academia to Feeling Lost in Practice
If the board exams tested her academically, the transition to full-time practice tested her emotionally. Having thrived in the academic space—where she could see the impact she made in students’ lives—Blessing struggled when she entered firm life as a second-year trainee who, due to her hybrid path, was also a first-year.
“I felt behind, like I didn’t belong. I lost my sense of purpose,” she admits. That is, until she took a leadership course that would change her trajectory. The course introduced the idea of leading from your strengths, rather than obsessing over fixing weaknesses. “That was the pivot point. I wrote a personal purpose statement and found ways to align my work with it. That changed everything.”
The Myth of Perfect Balance
Blessing is honest: balance didn’t come easy. “I overextended myself. I said yes too much. I wanted to be liked,” she says. But when it mattered most—during PGDA and APC—she learned to say no, to protect her peace, and to breathe. And sometimes, that meant dancing it out. “Balance isn’t about equality, it’s about breathing room.”
Doubt, Determination, and the Power of Community
There were many times when Blessing questioned herself—her capability, her fit, even her career choice. But she persisted. Why? Because her goal was crystal clear—becoming a CA(SA)—and because she had a community. “Friends, mentors, study buddies—they anchored me,” she says.
A Day in the Life: Problem-Solving at EY
Today, Blessing is a Manager at EY, leading teams and reviewing financial deliverables as part of the record-to-report process. What she loves most is the mix of impact and innovation. “Being a CA(SA) isn’t just about crunching numbers. It’s about creating value, solving real problems, and building trust in financial systems. That never gets old.”
Beyond the CA(SA): A Mission to Uplift
While the designation was the dream, her mission is greater: to bridge the gap between academia and practice. Through her initiative “Beyond the Curve,” Blessing mentors at-risk students navigating the final stretch of their CA journey. “I know what that isolation feels like,” she says. “If my story can help someone else feel less alone, it’s worth sharing.”
Top Advice from Blessing Omoyajowo, CA(SA)
- Know Your ‘Why’: You’ll need a deeper motivation than just passing exams. Your “why” will ground you when things get tough.
- Build a Squad: Don’t walk alone. Find a study group, mentor or accountability partner. Community multiplies strength.
- Stay Persistent: You don’t need to be perfect—just persistent. Failing a test doesn’t mean you’ve failed the journey.
What Sets the CA(SA) Apart?
For Blessing, the Chartered Accountant designation is a globally respected badge of excellence—but more importantly, it’s a toolkit for leadership and transformation. “We’re trained to not just fit into systems, but to improve them,” she says.
About Blessing O. Omoyajowo, CA(SA)
Blessing Omoyajowo is a Chartered Accountant (SA) and Manager at EY within the Tax Managed Services – Finance Operate division. She holds a BCom in Accounting and a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Sciences from the University of Pretoria. With experience spanning both academia and professional practice, Blessing is passionate about mentorship and bridging the academic-practice divide. Through her initiative Beyond the Curve, she supports aspiring CAs on the verge of qualification. Blessing believes in the power of community, intentional living, and the importance of finding purpose in one’s profession.
