Bright Ikwetie is combining technology and accounting in graduate program at Daniels
Across a nearly two-decade career in his home country of Nigeria, Bright Ikwetie has touched almost every aspect of the accounting world.
He’s worked for multi-national corporations, like Ernst and Young and Samsung, as well as the nonprofit sector with the Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation. Across these companies and within the various roles he’s held, Ikwetie has matched a never-ending desire to learn with a global perspective.
He’s also acutely aware of the rapid evolution of technology in the accounting space. So, to combine his core interests of growth and a worldview of accounting, he surveyed the U.S. higher education scene to see where he could upskill himself a couple of years ago.
He ultimately landed at the Daniels College of Business in the STEM-designated master of science in accounting, technology and analytics (MSATA) program in 2023. It was the ideal way for Ikwetie to stay on the cutting edge of his field.
“What brought me to Daniels was my drive to take part in how technology is shaping things in the accounting space,” he said. “You could find out that if you are in any sector or in any profession and you don’t move with the trend, you can soon be phased out.”
Ikwetie had never been to Denver before enrolling in the program, but fit in immediately. He’s a regular in the halls at Daniels, chatting with peers in his classes and professors during passing periods. He serves as a student ambassador for the program and has landed two internships as a result of his hard work.
Oh, and did we mention that he has four-year-old quadruplets? Busy is an understatement.
“I’m used to being busy,” he said with a smile. “If I’m not busy, there must be something wrong.”
Through Daniels, Ikwetie secured an internship with Truth in Accounting, a national, apolitical organization dedicated to educating and empowering everyday citizens with understandable, reliable and transparent government financial information. The program was made possible by alumni Jack (BSBA 1979) and Sheila Weinberg (BSBA 1979).
This program offers scholarship and research opportunities to faculty and students at Daniels, where they are able to learn in-depth about the accounting and budget practices of city, state and federal government entities.
That has been important for Ikwetie, who is becoming increasingly familiar with U.S. accounting standards, which differ from Nigeria. Ikwetie is an associate member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, which is essentially the equivalent of a CPA in the U.S.
Ikwetie keeps a focus on technology at the center of all of his work at the College. His specific focus is on robotic automation, and he plans to pursue that further after graduating in 2025.
“I really plan to take advantage of the technology aspect, which is in robotic automation so that I can be able to automate some processes in financial management operations,” he said. “I believe that the robotic automation programs and the data analysis are going to really help me going forward.”
The MSATA program at Daniels lets you build a degree that matches your interests and future goals. MSATA is also a STEM degree according to the Department of Homeland Security. With this designation, F-1 international students may apply for a 24-month extension for Optional Practical Training.
Along with technology, Ikwetie is certain that a global concentration will follow him wherever he lands.
“Yes, it’s going to remain part of my focus, and I might also get involved in some tutoring if available,” he said. “Because after many years, this is the first time I’m coming back to the academic involvement. It’s so different here.”
But was it hard to leave a career to return to school?
“No, it wasn’t really challenging because even while working, I’ve always been learning,” he said. “I have always been busy to keep myself up to date.”
