For Enobong, valuation offered exactly what she was looking for: more challenge, more variety, and more to learn.
Now a Senior Associate at Secretariat, Enobong works across valuation, damages quantification, litigation and arbitration matters, drawing on experience that began in financial analysis and later took her into Deloitte’s Financial Advisory practice.
Since earning the CBV designation, she has continued to build the technical skills, professional judgment and critical thinking that shape her work today. In this conversation, Enobong shares what drew her to valuation, how the CBV Program supported her growth, and what she would tell young professionals considering the field.
You began your career as a financial analyst before moving into valuation and financial advisory. What first sparked your interest in valuation, and what made you decide to make that transition at Deloitte? Was there a particular opportunity, project, client or mentor that influenced your decision?
I would say it was largely driven by opportunity and a desire for greater challenge. After working as a financial analyst with the same company, I found that the role had become quite repetitive. I was applying knowledge I already had rather than developing new skills. When an opportunity arose to join Deloitte’s Financial Advisory practice, I saw it as a chance to broaden my experience. I was drawn to the variety of the work and the analytical nature of the valuation team, and fortunately, there was also an opening available. At the time, I knew very little about valuation as a profession. However, after speaking with the team and learning more about the work, I realized it was closely aligned with what I was looking for in a career. The combination of finance, strategy, critical thinking, and exposure to different industries made the transition an easy decision.
How did the CBV Program of Studies prepare you for your career in valuation, and which courses or aspects of the program have been most relevant to the work you do today?
My valuation career began at Deloitte Nigeria, where I worked on valuation engagements without any formal valuation training. Much of my learning came through on-the-job experience, mentorship, and self-study. After moving to Canada and joining Secretariat, I was introduced to the CBV designation and encouraged to pursue it. The CBV program provided a strong technical foundation and helped formalize the knowledge I had developed through experience. The core courses were particularly valuable in building a structured understanding of valuation principles, methodologies, and professional standards.
As my career evolved from business valuation into damages quantification, I found the Litigation course especially relevant. It provided practical insight into how valuation concepts are applied in dispute contexts and offered a useful framework for approaching damages assessments. While every engagement is unique, the course helped me better understand the key issues and considerations that often arise in dispute-related work.
How has earning the CBV designation influenced your career progression, and what opportunities has it opened for you?
The CBV designation has shaped my career in several ways. It strengthened my valuation and analytical skills and gave me a solid technical foundation that I still draw on in my work today. It also helped me develop stronger professional judgment. Valuation is rarely about simply applying formulas or building models; it often requires you to assess assumptions, interpret information, and understand the broader context before reaching a conclusion. The CBV program really reinforced the importance of critical thinking and professional skepticism.
From a career perspective, the designation has also opened the door to a wide range of opportunities. I’ve been able to work on both domestic and international engagements, including complex litigation and arbitration matters across different industries. I’ve also found the CBV community valuable from a networking and professional development standpoint. Conferences, events, and initiatives such as the “Find a CBV” directory create opportunities to connect with other professionals in the field, build relationships, and increase your visibility within the profession.
If you could give one piece of advice to a university student or young professional interested in pursuing a career in valuation, what would it be?
My advice would be to stay curious and embrace continuous learning. One of the things I enjoy most about valuation is that no two projects are exactly alike. The profession provides exposure to different industries, business models, and complex financial issues, so there is always something new to learn. Valuation also opens the door to a wide range of career opportunities, from business valuation and M&A to litigation support, damages quantification, and expert services. If you enjoy solving complex problems and understanding how businesses create value, it can be a very rewarding career.