This study inquires into the contributions of educational and professional certification to job performance among financial accounting staff of a university in Nigeria. The survey capture both perceived-cum-the experience of job performance and professionalism among bursary staff of a first generation University in Southwest Nigeria using a standardized self-report questionnaire containing job performance scale (α=.81), items on normative & professional accounting roles and socio-demographic profile. Three hypotheses were answered using multiple regression analysis and one-way ANOVA at p ≤ .05.Results show that, Bursary staff with professional qualification reported more job performance than non-certified staff. Bursary staff with higher tertiary education performed better in accounting task than those with lower qualification. Thirdly, significant results were found for gender and age as predictors of job performance.The article concludes with directions for future inquiry on the need to upped organisational performance through continuing education for a financial accounting workforce.