ICAM proudly celebrates the exceptional achievement of Charles Luciyo, a testament to unwavering dedication and resilience in the pursuit of professional excellence. At 40 years old, Charles not only successfully qualified for the Certificate in Financial Accounting (CIFA) but did so in record time, achieving the best average grades in the December 2023 examinations at his first sitting – a feat accomplished against significant personal and financial challenges.
Charles Luciyo at his workplace
For Charles Luciyo, the journey towards becoming a qualified accountant wasn’t just a career move; it was the realization of a long-held aspiration. “It has been my desire to be a qualified accountant,” Charles shares. When seeking the best path, conversations with friends consistently pointed towards ICAM. Despite some cautioning about the perceived difficulty of ICAM courses, the consensus was clear: “ICAM qualifications are respected by many employers and offer more job opportunities.” This reputation solidified his decision.
His ambition extends beyond the CIFA qualification. “I would like to continue with my studies until I become a Chartered Accountant,” he states, envisioning a future working for major organisations within Malawi. This initial qualification, he notes, has served as a crucial “eye-opener into the accounting profession” and has “reignited my desire to be a Chartered Accountant.”
Choosing to tackle the CIFA program in the shortest possible time frame wasn’t a decision made lightly. It stemmed from a strong self-belief: “I was so confident that if I study hard, I would be able to pass all the subjects at once.” This confidence was backed by a disciplined and meticulous approach to his studies.
Balancing a full-time job (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm) with rigorous study demands required careful planning. Charles enrolled in weekend classes at PACT College, dedicating precious evening hours to revision. “I used to study at night for two hours every day,” he explains, typically from 8 pm or 9 pm until 10 pm.
His study technique was systematic. He utilized the resources provided by ICAM extensively, downloading the study manuals and a comprehensive collection of past papers and answers directly from the ICAM website. “After attending classes at PACT College, I used to go through the study manuals and study more about the topics I have just learnt,” he recalls. “After that, I used to check the past papers to see how examiners have been asking questions for that particular topic.” Alongside these core ICAM materials and handout notes from PACT, Charles found the ICAM manuals particularly effective, noting, “To me, the manuals are the best because they are easy to understand.” Interestingly, he achieved this success without participating in study groups, relying solely on his individual efforts and the provided resources.
Charles’s path was far from easy. The most significant obstacle was financial. “My greatest challenge was to raise money for school and examination fees,” he admits, explaining that his job at the time was not well-paying.
His method for overcoming the hurdle speaks volumes about his commitment. Charles made considerable personal sacrifices. “I stopped having lunch at work, and most of the times I was walking from home to my place of work (that is Nancholi to Blantyre) just to save money,” he reveals. “It wasn’t easy.” Remarkably, he clarifies that during the challenging period, “I did not receive any support from anybody” – not from college, family, or friends, making his achievement entirely self-driven.
Crucially, Charles understood the importance of holistic well-being amidst the demanding schedule. He prioritized sleep, ensuring 6 to 7 hours nightly, and maintained physical fitness through early morning jogs (5 am to 6 am) before his day began.
ICAM played a vital role not just through setting the standards but also by providing accessible resources. “Provision of study manuals and past papers on ICAM website really helped me,” Charles gratefully acknowledges.
His outstanding performance did not go unnoticed. ICAM formally recognized his achievement, rewarding him with MK 100,000 and presenting him with a Certificate of Merit for completing the CIFA programme at the first sitting with the best average grades in the December 2023 examinations.
Drawing from his experience, Charles offers potent advice to current and future students: “Allocate yourself time for studying every day. Do not wait for examinations to be near so that you can start studying.” He also stresses the importance of balance: “Have enough time for sleeping and do some exercises to keep fit.”
To all aspiring accountants in Malawi, his message is one of immediate action and perseverance: “The best time to start studying is now. You can’t wait for everything to be under control so that you can start with your studies. Problems are part of life. A good plan and some sacrifices is all what it takes to be there.”
Charles Luciyo’s journey is a powerful illustration that with clear goals, disciplined strategy, unwavering determination, and necessary sacrifices, even significant obstacles can be overcome. His success story is an inspiration not only to ICAM students but to anyone striving to achieve their professional dreams against the odds. ICAM congratulates Charles on his exceptional accomplishment and looks forward to supporting him as he continues his journey towards becoming a Chartered Accountant.
By Editor-in-Chief