Business

Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting

The Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting is a four-year degree programme offered at Daystar University through the School of Business and Economics. The programme prepares students for careers as accountants in public and private sector organisations, with a focus on professional competence, integrity, and ethical practice grounded in Christian principles.

The curriculum covers financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, taxation, cost accounting, economics, quantitative methods, management information systems, computer applications, statistics, marketing, business law, corporate finance, and strategic management.

Students develop skills in financial reporting, auditing, taxation, cost analysis, budgeting, financial management, accounting information systems, business analysis, and ethical decision-making.

Graduates pursue careers as accountants, auditors, tax consultants, financial analysts, and accounting officers. They find employment in accounting firms, corporations, government departments, NGOs, and SMEs.

The programme is offered at Daystar University (private, KSH 242,800 per year) at the Athi River and Nairobi campuses. Daystar University is a Christian-based institution known for its values-driven business education.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with at least C Plain in Mathematics.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 260,000
Private, up to: Ksh 242,800
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Financial Accounting
Management Accounting
Auditing
Taxation
Cost Accounting
Business Law
Economics
Statistics
Management Information Systems
Corporate Finance

Modules

12 in the programme

Principles of Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of management, planning, organising, leading, and controlling.
Financial Accounting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Financial Accounting: Introduction to accounting principles, financial statements, and bookkeeping. Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Quantitative Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Quantitative Methods: Mathematical methods applied to business and accounting problems. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Business Law
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Business Law: Legal framework for business operations including contracts and company law. Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Cost Accounting
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Cost Accounting: Cost accounting principles, job costing, process costing, and budgeting. Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Management Information Systems
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Information systems for accounting and business, computerised accounting applications.
Auditing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Auditing: Auditing principles, internal controls, and audit procedures. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Taxation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Kenyan tax law, income tax, VAT, and tax compliance. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, co...
Strategic Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Strategic Management: Strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation for competitive advantage. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Corporate Finance
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Corporate Finance: Financial management, capital budgeting, and corporate financial decisions. Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Industrial Attachment and Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised industrial attachment at an accounting firm or finance department and final-year research project.
Advanced Accounting
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced Accounting: Advanced financial reporting, consolidated accounts, and accounting standards. Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.

Specialisations

Financial Accounting
Focus on financial statement preparation, reporting standards, and corporate accounting. 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.
Auditing
Focus on internal and external auditing, audit procedures, 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
Focus on Kenyan tax law, income tax, VAT, and tax planning. 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.
Cost and Management Accounting
Focus on cost accounting, budgeting, and performance measurement. 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.
Accounting Information Systems
Focus on computerised accounting, ERP systems, and accounting technology. 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.
Forensic Accounting
Focus on fraud detection, investigation, and financial forensics. 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 at Daystar University's Athi River campus combines lectures, practical accounting exercises, and case studies. Morning sessions cover financial accounting, auditing, and taxation, while afternoons focus on cost accounting, business law, and management information systems. Students work on accounting software practicals, group assignments, and audit simulations. The Christian-based environment integrates ethical discussions into accounting practice.

The trade offs

In its favour

Christian values integration emphasises ethical practice and integrity in accounting.
Strong pathway to professional qualifications such as CPA and ACCA.
Comprehensive accounting curriculum covering financial, cost, audit, and tax accounting.
Small class sizes allow for personalised attention and interactive learning.

Against it

Private university fees are among the highest for BCom programmes in Kenya.
Only offered at Daystar University under this specific CUE-registered title.
Christian-based approach may not suit all students seeking secular education.
Employers may require CPA qualification in addition to the degree for senior roles.

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 260k

184k at Kenyatta University260k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 243k

105k at Mount Kenya University243k at Daystar 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 BCom 183.6K, UoN ~260K/yr (mawese/uonbi). MKU 105K, Daystar 242.8K (KUCCPS).

HELB loans are available for qualifying Kenyan students. County government bursaries and Daystar University internal scholarships are also available. ICPAK may offer student membership benefits for accounting majors.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
County Government Bursaries
Daystar University Scholarships

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
ICPAK Scholarship for Accounting and Finance Students
ScholarshipKenyan
Bright and needy students admitted to accounting or finance programmes
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Daystar University Scholarships
University scholarshipKenyan
Students with outstanding academic performance or demonstrated financial need at Daystar University.
County Government Bursaries
Government bursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with at least C in Mathematics; OR KACE with two principal passes; OR a relevant diploma from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and accounting problem-solving exercises throughout the semester.
Group Projects and Presentations
Practical20% of the mark
Team-based accounting projects, audit simulations, and class presentations.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.
Industrial Attachment Report
Project100% of the mark
Final-year industrial attachment at an accounting firm or finance department including supervisor evaluation and report.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Accountant
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Prepares financial statements, manages accounts, and ensures tax compliance.
Auditor
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Conducts internal and external audits to verify financial records and compliance.
Tax Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Advises organisations on tax planning, compliance, and optimisation.
Financial Analyst
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Analyses financial data and supports investment and budgeting decisions.
Cost Accountant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 140,000
Manages cost accounting, budgeting, and performance measurement.
Accounting Officer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manages day-to-day accounting operations and financial record-keeping.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as accountants, auditors, and tax consultants in accounting firms, corporations, and NGOs. Demand is high with strong pathways to CPA and ACCA professional qualifications.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Spreadsheet tool for financial analysis, accounting, and data management.
QuickBooks
AccountingPrimary
Accounting software for small business financial management.
SAP
Erp
Enterprise resource planning system used in large organisations.
Power BI
Analytics
Business analytics tool for financial data visualisation and reporting.
Pastel
Accounting
Accounting software widely used in Kenyan SMEs.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A commerce in accounting degree is only for those who want to be accountants.
The programme provides a broad commerce foundation with an accounting major, leading to careers in auditing, taxation, consulting, and financial management.
Daystar University only offers theology and communications courses.
Daystar has a comprehensive School of Business and Economics offering BCom majors in Accounting, Business Administration, Marketing, MIS, and Purchasing.
A Christian university accounting degree is not taken seriously by employers.
Daystar's BCom in Accounting is CUE-accredited and widely recognised, with graduates employed in Big Four firms, corporations, and government.
You need to be Christian to study at Daystar University.
Daystar University welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds, with Christian values integrated into the educational approach.