Business

Bachelor of Accounting and Finance

The Bachelor of Accounting and Finance is a comprehensive programme combining accounting principles with financial management practice. The curriculum covers financial accounting, management accounting, corporate finance, banking, investment analysis, auditing, and taxation.

Students study financial reporting, cost accounting, corporate finance, banking law, investment analysis, auditing, taxation, financial markets, and international finance. The programme integrates theoretical knowledge with practical skills using accounting software and financial analysis tools.

Kenya's financial services sector is expanding with growing demand for professionals skilled in both accounting and finance. Nairobi hosts the Nairobi Securities Exchange, major commercial banks, insurance companies, and microfinance institutions. The Central Bank of Kenya, Capital Markets Authority, and Insurance Regulatory Authority oversee the sector.

The programme is delivered through lectures, case studies, computer laboratory sessions, industrial attachment, and research projects. Students use accounting and financial analysis software to simulate real-world scenarios. Most universities offer the programme full-time over four academic years with eight semesters.

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

This programme suits students with strong numerical aptitude, analytical thinking, attention to detail, and commercial awareness. Prospective students should enjoy working with financial data, analysing investments, and understanding business operations. The profession requires integrity, precision, and the ability to meet regulatory deadlines. Students who thrive combine quantitative skills with communication and technology proficiency.

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: 50 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Financial Accounting
Cost and Management Accounting
Corporate Finance
Banking Law and Practice
Investment Analysis
Auditing and Assurance
Taxation
Financial Markets and Institutions
International Finance
Business Statistics

Modules

10 in the programme

Financial Accounting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of double-entry bookkeeping, preparation of financial statements, and accounting for assets and liabilities.
Business Mathematics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Mathematical techniques for business including calculus, matrices, and financial mathematics.
Cost and Management Accounting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Cost accounting systems, budgeting, variance analysis, and management decision-making techniques.
Banking Law and Practice
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Legal framework governing banking operations, banker-customer relationships, and banking regulations in Kenya.
Corporate Finance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Capital structure, investment appraisal, dividend policy, and long-term financial strategy.
Auditing and Assurance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Auditing principles, internal controls, audit evidence, and assurance engagements.
Taxation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Taxation: Kenyan tax system, income tax, VAT, corporate tax, and tax planning. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Financial Markets and Institutions
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Structure and operations of financial markets, securities exchanges, and financial institutions.
Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Securities valuation, portfolio theory, risk-return analysis, and investment strategy.
Research Project in Accounting and Finance
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final-year research project on an accounting, finance, or banking topic, assessed through a written dissertation.

Specialisations

Accounting
Financial reporting, IFRS compliance, auditing, and preparation of financial statements for corporate and public sector entities.
Banking and Finance
Commercial banking, credit analysis, financial markets, and banking operations management. 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.
Investment and Portfolio Management
Securities analysis, portfolio management, investment strategy, and financial market operations. 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 and Compliance
Tax planning, corporate taxation, regulatory compliance, 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 banking operations. Students work through practical accounting exercises, analyse financial statements, and evaluate investment portfolios. Computer lab sessions involve accounting software like QuickBooks and SAP. Group projects on financial analysis and banking case studies develop practical skills. Industrial attachment provides hands-on experience in banks, audit firms, or corporate finance departments.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines accounting and finance skills opening diverse career paths in banking, audit, and corporate finance
Nairobi's status as a regional financial hub creates strong demand for qualified professionals
Professional certifications like CPA(K) and ACCA significantly boost earning potential

Against it

Professional examinations beyond the degree require additional time and investment
Entry-level salaries are modest until professional qualification is attained
High ethical standards and legal accountability required for financial reporting
Keeping up with evolving financial regulations and accounting standards requires continuous learning

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. County bursaries and NGAAF provide additional support for eligible students.

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.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities, assessed through Means Testing Instrument.
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

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in Accounting, Banking, Business Administration, or related field from a recognised institution. CPA/CPS Part II 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 a bank, audit firm, or finance department, assessed through supervisor evaluation and written report.
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final-year dissertation on an accounting, finance, or banking topic.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at Zetech University, Africa International University, Co-operative University of Kenya, Maseno University, Technical University of Kenya, and University of Embu. 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 55,000
Prepares financial statements, manages accounts, and ensures compliance with accounting standards.
Banking Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 65,000
Manages customer accounts, processes transactions, and supports banking operations in commercial banks.
Credit Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Assesses creditworthiness of borrowers and analyses loan applications for banks and financial institutions.
Audit Assistant
High demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 60,000
Supports audit engagements in accounting firms, testing controls and verifying financial records.
Investment Analyst
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 70,000
Analyses securities, evaluates investment opportunities, and supports portfolio management decisions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as accountants, financial analysts, banking officers, credit analysts, and audit assistants in banks, accounting firms, 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 management
SAP ERP
ErpPrimary
Enterprise resource planning for accounting
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
Financial modeling and analysis
SAP FICO
Erp/accounting
Financial accounting and controlling module
Bloomberg Terminal
Financial analysis
Financial market data and analysis
Power BI
Data visualization
Financial data visualization and reporting

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Accounting and finance is the same as economics.
While related, accounting focuses on financial recording and reporting, finance on managing money and investments, and economics on broader resource allocation and market behaviour.
A degree is enough to practise as an accountant in Kenya.
Professional qualifications like CPA(K) or ACCA are essential for career advancement and are required for senior accounting and auditing roles.
Banking jobs are declining due to mobile money.
While traditional banking evolves, fintech, digital lending, and financial services expansion create new opportunities for accounting and finance graduates.
Accounting and finance is only for math geniuses.
The programme requires basic numerical proficiency and analytical thinking, not advanced mathematics. Success depends more on attention to detail and regulatory knowledge.