Astute entrepreneur cum professional Accountant, Ayomide Ibrahim, a phenomenal advocate of financial literacy and liberation is the CEO of FinServe Pro, a financial services company located in Maryland, USA.
On December 24th, 2022 the FinServe Pro brand was introduced and its ambassadors unveiled at the Christmas Banquet Edition of the Jedi and Friends Show.
In this encounter with the Publisher, NaijaTimes USA, Thompson Tabi, the dashing and swagalicious CEO, Ibrahim opened up on sundry issues. Below, he reacts to questions posed to travel into the world of the young CEO riding on the wings of the movement being witnessed and applauded by all in the United States of America. Enjoy the interaction:
Q: In the United States, there are so many opportunities for an entrepreneur. Why FinServe Pro.
A: As an accounting professional with over 20 years’ experience, it did not take too long to see the gap in the inadequate and unprofessional delivery of financial services (especially tax filing) in the United States. All over the world, there is an increasing gap in the professionals needed to provide adequate services in almost all the industry. This labor shortage and other factors such as lack of training and inadequate regulations have given room for poor services including financial services. This actually gave birth to FinServe Pro.
Q: FinServe Pro as a financial company has been operating for some years in the United States, was FinServe Pro idea conceived here or back home in Nigeria.
A: The idea of FinServe Pro was conceived 3 years ago here in the US. However, the philosophy of always looking to close any gap I identify is who I am. That is my DNA. Since my undergraduate days, I have always been involved in tackling socioeconomic inadequacies in any and every system I operate in.
Q: Can you lead us into the operational mode of FinServe Pro? What actually is the motive or idea behind it?
A: FinServe Pro is all about facilitating a sound financial literacy and wellbeing for individuals and businesses. This we look to pursue through engagements, education and collaborations. For engagements we have created developed services such as Bookkeeping and Accounting, Individual and Business Tax Filing, Home Mortgage Loan, Payroll Administration, IRS Representation, Forensic Investigation, IT Audit, Information Management amongst others.
All of our services have been developed in a way to educate our clients (individual or business) in a way to make better financial decisions. Governor Wes Moore said during his inauguration on the 14th of January, 2023, that Maryland is asset rich but strategy poor. This we (FinServe Pro) have seen across all levels and ready to collaborate with individuals, business and government in providing solutions – something we are passionate about. Visit our website to see more.
Q: When did FinServe Pro come into operation and how far has the company been able to achieve the purpose for which it was floated?
A: FinServe Pro was established in October 2021 and I am not surprised at our achievements. In one year, we have been able to provide solutions to over 820 clients (individuals and businesses) in the US and Nigeria. In 2022, IRS certified FinServe Pro as one of its agents to process applications such as Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) otherwise known as Tax ID and Employer Identification Number (EIN).
This recognition and achievement are such a great impetus for us to continue in reaching for the sky.FinServe Pro was floated in order to facilitate robust financial wellbeing, this we have achieved through the financial education that have aided some of our clients in making informed financial decisions such of having businesses, buying homes, getting out of debt, transferring of risks and so on.We are not close to the set target. However, we on the route to it.
Q: It is tax time, any message for tax payers (individuals and businesses).
A: Tax time is always exciting time at FinServe Pro. We understand your tax return is a powerful tool in making financial decision and that is how we approach tax filing for both individuals and businesses. So many opportunities have eluded some of our clients in the past due to wrongful tax filing, some have been audited by the IRS for mistakes that could have been avoided if they worked with a professional.
At FinServe Pro, we seek to not only educate you during this process but discuss possibilities and avert IRS audit. We professionals are to walk you through the process and interestingly have invested in systems to make it easy and quick no matter where you reside in the US.Our message to all tax payers is that they should be involved in the process. Conduct research and ask questions, in other words be a challenge to the professionals you working because at the end it is your life.
Q: Do you have any project(s) in the pipeline?
A: Yes, we have 2 big projects coming in the summer of 2023. FinServe Pro will be collaborating with 2 big companies to promote financial literacy in our Elementary, Middle, High Schools, and Colleges. We strongly believe that well educated and informed kids are viable and core ingredient to sustain any economy.
Also, FinServe Pro in conjunction with Sept30 Productions will be working on the “Bridging the Gap” online TV episodes. This TV program will be anchored by several TV hosts across United States who are looking to showcase their talents in TV presenting and most importantly the guests (personalities from all spheres of life) who will be sharing information about project they are working on to close a gap they have identified.
Q: How has being an African (Nigerian) affected the operation of Finserve Pro as a financial company?
A: Nigeria, my birth place, a country I love so much gave me all the virtues I am using to run this business except “hope”. I am talking about determination, vigor, hard work, persistence, self-discipline and self-belief. Nigerians back home, we are praying for you and hope you will make the right decision at the polls in the coming elections.
Q: Any intention of replicating this in Nigeria.
A: Honestly, it will be a colossal waste of investment on the part of Nigeria if someday I don’t extend this back to Nigeria. Interestingly, we are already engaging youths back in Nigeria, some of our IT team are based in Nigeria. Also, some of our gift items are made in Nigeria. However, we are looking to replicate what Cloud Solutions Tech (one of our partners) is doing which is having a full-scale operations in Nigeria.
Q: It’s like you are diversifying into entertainment promotion if feelers in town are anything to go by
A: FinServe Pro is coined from the words “Financial Services Professional” and we provide financial services in a way to help individuals and businesses reach their potentials at least financially. As a new business, we strongly believe that we need to ride on certain platforms to promote and project the image of the business. FinServe Pro will continue to sponsor and support events that aligns with our values and this in not limited to entertainment.
Which area of entertainment are you looking at?
As I mentioned, we are a financial services company and will work with any brand whose values align with ours be it in sports or politics.
Is it your first experience in entertainment production or you have been navigating the terrain?
FinServe Pro, yes. But as an individual, I am involved in movies mostly as an Executive Producer.
Is there any immediate entertainment project you are looking at?
Yes, but I will rather not mention any at this point. However, watch out.
Why the choice of Jedi. ?
MC Jedi is one of the renowned and sought after Nigerian Comedian in Maryland, US. Also, he possess a great deal of experience in corporate brand activation and it was so easy working with him in introducing FinServe Pro as a brand through one of his platform (Jedi and Friends). Though, it is too early to make a call about the investment, but I must say FinServe Pro is gradually becoming a household courtesy of the Jedi and Friends event on the 24th of December, 2022
Is Jedi’s program a one-off thing or he intends to make a statement in entertainment?
As long as Jedi remains our ambassador, FinServe Pro will continue to support his platforms
Briefly, who is Ayomide Ibrahim. Where is he coming from, where is he going to, where is he at the moment. Are you fulfilled thus far.
I am a thoroughbred Nigerian born on 7th May, 1979. I began my education at Aviation’s International School, Zaria, Nigeria and attended Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, where I graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. I am a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN; Associate Member, Institute of Chartered and a Certified Fraud Examiner. Also, I am a Certified Information System Auditor (CISA) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).
In December 2022, I was awarded the AD King Young Professionals’ Iconic Award at the AD King Young Professional Boot Camp for my unflinching commitment to bridging the gap between available resources and its beneficiaries via financial literacy and management. I also received an award at the UNAC-MD’s Evening of Excellence, an event to honor all Nigerian-American candidates at the 2022 Midterm Election.
The award is to also recognize our outstanding services to the Nigeria American Communities. I am at the moment in that place of self-awareness of what I am called to do which is to influence the world in doing the simplest thing – ‘The Right Thing”. Do I feel fulfilled? I will rather dodge that question, but proud of who I am becoming. My word to everyone reading me right now is that the outcomes we see in our homes, streets and world at large are formed by our choices. Let us all choose to do the right.
