Business

Bachelor of Accountancy and Financial Management

The Bachelor of Accountancy and Financial Management equips students with knowledge and skills in financial accounting, management accounting, corporate finance, auditing, and taxation. The curriculum integrates accounting theory with financial management practice, preparing graduates for professional careers in accounting, finance, and audit.

Students study principles of accounting, financial reporting, cost accounting, corporate finance, auditing, taxation, financial management, investment analysis, and business law. The programme combines theoretical foundations with practical applications using accounting software and enterprise resource planning systems.

Kenya's financial sector is growing with increasing demand for qualified accounting professionals. Nairobi is a regional financial hub hosting major banks, insurance companies, audit firms, and the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The Big Four audit firms, Kenya Revenue Authority, Capital Markets Authority, and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya are key stakeholders.

The programme is delivered through lectures, case studies, practical assignments, industrial attachment, and research projects. Students use accounting software including QuickBooks, SAP, and pastel to simulate real-world financial operations. Most universities offer the programme full-time over four academic years, with industrial attachment in accounting or finance departments.

Graduates find employment as accountants, financial analysts, audit assistants, tax officers, and finance officers in accounting firms, banks, manufacturing companies, government agencies, and NGOs. Common employers include KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, EY, Kenya Revenue Authority, commercial banks, and listed companies.

This programme suits students with strong numerical aptitude, attention to detail, analytical thinking, and integrity. Prospective students should enjoy working with numbers, financial data, and regulatory frameworks. The accounting profession requires ethical conduct, precision, and the ability to work under deadlines. Students who thrive combine mathematical proficiency with communication and technology skills.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,150
Private, up to: Ksh 175,050
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 55 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Principles of Accounting
Financial Reporting
Cost Accounting
Corporate Finance
Auditing and Assurance
Taxation
Financial Management
Investment Analysis
Business Law
International Financial Reporting Standards

Modules

10 in the programme

Principles of Accounting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of financial accounting including double-entry bookkeeping and preparation of financial statements.
Business Law
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Legal framework governing business transactions, contracts, and corporate entities in Kenya.
Cost Accounting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Cost classification, costing systems, budgeting, and cost-volume-profit analysis for management decision-making.
Financial Reporting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Preparation of financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.
Corporate Finance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Capital structure, investment decisions, dividend policy, and corporate financial strategy.
Auditing and Assurance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Auditing and Assurance: Auditing principles, internal controls, audit evidence, and assurance services. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Taxation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Taxation: Kenyan tax system, income tax, VAT, corporate tax, and tax planning strategies. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Financial Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Working capital management, capital budgeting, financial planning, and risk management.
Investment Analysis
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Securities valuation, portfolio management, and investment decision-making techniques.
Advanced Financial Reporting and Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Advanced IFRS topics, consolidated financial statements, and a final-year research project on an accounting or finance topic.

Specialisations

Financial Accounting
Preparation and analysis of financial statements, IFRS compliance, and corporate financial reporting.
Corporate Finance
Financial planning, capital structure, investment decisions, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate valuation.
Auditing and Assurance
Internal and external auditing, risk assessment, compliance, and assurance services. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Taxation
Tax planning, compliance, corporate taxation, and tax advisory services. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on financial accounting, corporate finance, and auditing standards. Students work through practical accounting exercises, prepare financial statements, and analyse case studies on corporate financial management. Computer lab sessions involve accounting software like QuickBooks and SAP. Group projects on financial analysis and investment evaluation develop practical skills. Industrial attachment provides hands-on experience in accounting or audit departments.

The trade offs

In its favour

Accounting skills are in demand across all sectors including banking, manufacturing, government, and NGOs
Professional qualifications like CPA(K) and ACCA significantly enhance earning potential
Clear career progression path from junior accountant to finance director and CFO

Against it

Professional examinations beyond the degree require significant time and financial investment
Entry-level salaries are modest until professional qualification is achieved
High ethical standards and accountability required with legal liability for financial misstatements
Continuous learning needed to keep up with changing accounting standards and regulations

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public184k to 220k

184k at Kenyatta University220k at University of Nairobi

Private131k to 175k

131k at Zetech University175k at Africa International University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KU 184K, UoN 220K/yr (KUCCPS). AIU 175K, Zetech 131K/yr (KUCCPS).

Government scholarships under the New Higher Education Funding Model cover 53–82% of programme cost for needy students in public universities. HELB provides undergraduate loans up to KES 60,000 per year. ICPAK offers limited student bursaries for CPA(K) examination candidates. County bursaries provide additional support.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)
County Bursary

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in CUE-accredited undergraduate programmes at recognised institutions.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
ICPAK Scholarship for Accounting and Finance Students
ScholarshipKenyan
Bright and needy students admitted to accounting or finance programmes
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities, assessed through Means Testing Instrument.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field from a recognised institution. CPA/CPS Part I, CIMA, or equivalent professional qualification. KUCCPS Cluster 10.

How you are assessed

4 components

End of Semester Examinations
Exam60% of the mark
Written examinations covering theoretical and applied aspects of each module.
Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Cat25% of the mark
Regular tests, practical accounting exercises, case studies, and class participation.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum5% of the mark
Three-month attachment in an accounting or finance department, assessed through supervisor evaluation and written report.
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final-year dissertation on an accounting, finance, or auditing topic.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at Africa International University, Co-operative University, Maseno University, Technical University of Kenya, University of Embu, and other CUE-accredited institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C in Mathematics and English. KUCCPS Cluster 10.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Programme accreditationRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. All listed universities offering this programme are CUE-accredited.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Accountant
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Prepares financial statements, manages accounts, and ensures compliance with accounting standards.
Audit Assistant
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 65,000
Supports audit engagements in accounting firms, testing controls and verifying financial records.
Financial Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 75,000
Analyses financial data, prepares forecasts, and supports investment and budgeting decisions.
Tax Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 55,000
Manages tax compliance, prepares tax returns, and provides tax advisory services.
Finance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Manages financial operations including budgeting, reporting, and cash flow management for organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as accountants, financial analysts, audit assistants, tax officers, and finance officers in accounting firms, banks, manufacturing companies, and government. Starting salaries range from KES 30,000–50,000 per month, increasing significantly with CPA(K) qualification.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

QuickBooks
AccountingPrimary
Accounting software for financial record keeping
SAP FICO
Erp/accountingPrimary
SAP Financial Accounting and Controlling module
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
Financial modeling and analysis
Sage
Accounting
Accounting and business management software
Power BI
Data visualization
Financial data visualization and reporting
Bloomberg Terminal
Financial analysis
Financial market data and analysis platform

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Accounting is just about bookkeeping.
Modern accounting encompasses financial analysis, strategic planning, risk management, corporate finance, and advisory services beyond traditional bookkeeping.
A degree alone qualifies you as an accountant.
Professional qualifications like CPA(K) or ACCA are essential for career progression and are often required for senior accounting roles.
Accounting jobs are being replaced by software.
While automation handles routine tasks, demand for analytical, advisory, and strategic accounting skills is increasing.
Accounting is boring and repetitive.
The profession offers diverse career paths including forensic accounting, investment banking, corporate finance, and consulting with dynamic work environments.