Business

Bachelor of Science in Accountancy

The Bachelor of Science in Accountancy is a four-year programme offered at the Technical University of Kenya, Co-operative University of Kenya, Maseno University, MMUST, and Meru University. It provides comprehensive training in accounting principles, auditing, taxation, and financial management for careers in the accounting profession.

Students study financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, taxation, corporate finance, accounting information systems, and business law. The curriculum combines theoretical instruction with practical case studies, industrial attachments, and research projects, ensuring graduates can prepare, analyse, and interpret financial statements.

Entry requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with at least C+ in Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. The programme is offered full-time over four academic years, with exemptions available for CPA qualification holders.

Graduates work as accountants, auditors, tax consultants, financial analysts, and accounting officers in accounting firms, banks, government agencies, and corporate organisations. They play a critical role in financial governance and regulatory compliance.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and prepares graduates for professional certifications such as CPA (Kenya) and ACCA. Students develop strong analytical and quantitative skills valued across all business sectors.

Career opportunities include roles in public accounting, internal auditing, tax advisory, forensic accounting, and financial management. The demand for qualified accounting professionals remains strong across all sectors of the economy.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,150
Private, up to: Ksh 365,000
Job market: Moderate

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

6 subjects

Accountancy
Financial Accounting
Microeconomics
Business Statistics
Management
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Foundations of the Discipline
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of the Discipline: Introduction to core concepts, theories, and principles of the field. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Financial Accounting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Accounting principles, financial statements and bookkeeping. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Management Accounting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Management Accounting: Costing, budgeting, performance management and decision support Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Research Methods: Quantitative and qualitative research methods for scientific inquiry. Covers quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Cost Accounting
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Cost Accounting: Cost behaviour, product costing, job costing and overhead allocation Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Taxation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Income tax, VAT, tax planning and tax compliance in Kenya. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Financial Reporting
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced financial reporting, IFRS and group accounts. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, ...
Accounting Information Systems
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Accounting software, ERP systems and IT in accounting. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, ...
Public Finance and Budgeting
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Public Finance and Budgeting: Public finance, budgeting, fiscal policy and public sector accounting Covers financial reporting, budgeting, investment analysis, and regulatory frameworks.
Advanced Auditing and Professional Practice
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced audit, professional ethics and practice management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Corporate Finance and Investment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Corporate finance, valuation, investment decisions and risk. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent accounting research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and...

Specialisations

Accountancy
Specialisation pathway within Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. 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 & Finance
Specialisation pathway within Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. 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.
Marketing
Specialisation pathway within Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. 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.
Human Resource Management
Specialisation pathway within Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. 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
Specialization in Taxation, preparing graduates for careers such as tax-accountant. 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.
Management Accounting
Specialization in Management Accounting, preparing graduates for careers such as accountant. 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
Specialization in Auditing, preparing graduates for careers such as auditor. 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
Specialization in Forensic Accounting, preparing graduates for careers such as accountant. 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.
Financial Accounting
Specialization in Financial Accounting, preparing graduates for careers such as accountant. 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.
Public Finance
Specialization in Public Finance, preparing graduates for careers such as accountant. 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

Lectures, practicals, group discussions, and independent study form the core of the student experience. Industrial attachment and research projects provide real-world exposure.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for accountants in all sectors
Clear career path to professional certification
Diverse career opportunities

Against it

Professional exams like CPA require additional study
May require further specialisation for advanced roles
Entry-level work can be detail-intensive and deadline-driven
Tax laws and accounting standards change frequently
Some roles require long hours during audit season

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

Private105k to 365k

105k at Mount Kenya University365k at Strathmore 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 B.Com ~184K/yr, UoN ~220K/yr (educationnewshub). Strathmore ~365K/yr, MKU ~105K/yr.

HELB loans available for eligible students. University and external scholarships may be available.

Funding options

HELB Loan
KUCCPS Placement

Scholarships

4 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
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 holders may upgrade through bridging programmes.

English or Kiswahili
C+
Mathematics
C

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework30% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark
Accounting Practicals and Case Studies
Coursework40% of the mark
Industrial Attachment
Clinical10% of the mark
Supervised attachment report.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

KASNEB
InstitutionalRequired
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Commission for University Education
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

Auditor
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Examines financial records and ensures compliance
Tax Practitioner
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Advises on tax compliance and planning
Cost Accountant
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Analyses costs and supports pricing decisions
Accountant
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Prepares and analyses financial records
Financial Analyst
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Analyses financial data and supports decisions
Clinical Trial Scientist (Junior)
Low demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 110,000
Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Clinical Trial Scientist (Junior)s work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Growing.
Research Data Analyst (Junior)
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 100,000
Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Research Data Analyst (Junior)s work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Stable.
Research Program Coordinator
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 120,000
Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Research Program Coordinators work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Growing.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in sciences or proceed to further studies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Python
ProgrammingPrimary
Data analysis and machine learning for risk modelling.
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
PlantVillage Nuru
Agriculture
QGIS
GisPrimary
R
Analytics
Stata
Statistical softwarePrimary
Statistical software widely used in economics for econometric analysis and data management.
SPSS
Statistical software
Statistical analysis software for survey data and social science research.
EViews
Econometric software
Econometric analysis software for time series, forecasting, and statistical modelling.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This programme has limited career options.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors including government, private sector, NGOs, and entrepreneurship.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.
The programme is only for top-performing students.
While academic excellence is valued, the programme accepts students meeting the minimum KCSE requirements and supports diverse learners.
Graduates cannot find employment in Kenya.
Kenya's growing economy creates demand for qualified graduates across public, private, and NGO sectors.