Business

Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Financial Management

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Financial Management is a programme that prepares students for professional careers in accounting, finance and financial management. Offered at Africa International University, the programme combines accounting principles with financial management practice to produce graduates equipped for leadership roles in finance and accountancy.

The curriculum covers financial accounting, management accounting, corporate finance, financial reporting, auditing, taxation, financial management, investment analysis, risk management, international financial reporting standards, public sector accounting, business law, economics and strategic financial management. Students develop analytical and technical skills for financial decision-making.

Kenya's financial sector continues to grow, with demand for qualified accounting and finance professionals in corporate organisations, financial institutions, government and audit firms. The programme responds to the need for graduates who understand both accounting practice and broader financial management in a globalised economy.

The programme is delivered through lectures, case studies, practical exercises, industrial attachment and a research project. Students engage with real-world financial scenarios and develop competencies in financial analysis, reporting and decision-making. The curriculum integrates International Public Sector Accounting Standards and global financial frameworks.

Graduates pursue careers as accountants, financial analysts, auditors, finance managers, investment analysts, tax consultants and financial controllers in corporate organisations, banks, audit firms, government agencies and non-governmental organisations. They can also pursue professional certifications such as CPA (K) and ACCA.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, an interest in numbers and financial systems, and a commitment to professional ethics. The programme is suitable for students aspiring to careers in accounting, finance, banking and corporate financial management.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,150
Private, up to: Ksh 365,000
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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

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

Modules

11 in the programme

Financial Accounting Principles
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces fundamental accounting concepts including the accounting equation, double-entry bookkeeping, preparation of financial statements and accounting for different business entities.
Business Economics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers microeconomic and macroeconomic principles relevant to business decision-making, including supply and demand, market structures, inflation and fiscal policy.
Quantitative Methods for Business
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Develops quantitative skills for business analysis including statistics, probability, linear programming and financial mathematics applied to accounting and finance.
Management Accounting
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers cost accounting, budgeting, variance analysis, cost-volume-profit analysis and management accounting techniques for business decision-making.
Corporate Finance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines corporate financial decisions including capital budgeting, cost of capital, capital structure, dividend policy and working capital management.
Auditing and Assurance
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers auditing principles, audit planning, internal controls, audit evidence, audit reporting and assurance services for external and internal audit contexts.
Taxation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers Kenyan tax law including income tax, VAT, customs duty, tax planning and tax compliance for individuals and corporate entities.
International Financial Reporting Standards
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines IFRS frameworks and standards including IAS standards, presentation of financial statements, revenue recognition, financial instruments and consolidated financial statements.
Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers investment valuation, portfolio theory, risk-return analysis, securities analysis and investment strategies for individual and institutional investors.
Strategic Financial Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines strategic financial decision-making including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, financial risk management and international finance.
Research Project in Accounting and Finance
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
An independent research project on an accounting or finance topic, demonstrating the student's ability to investigate financial issues and present findings in a written dissertation.

Specialisations

Audit and Assurance
Focuses on external and internal auditing, assurance services and risk assessment for careers in audit firms and internal audit departments.
Taxation
Specialises in tax law, tax planning and tax advisory, preparing graduates for careers as tax consultants and tax managers.
Corporate Finance
Focuses on financial management, investment analysis and corporate financial strategy for careers in corporate finance and investment banking.
Public Sector Accounting
Specialises in government and public sector financial management, covering IPSAS and public finance management frameworks.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on financial accounting or corporate finance, followed by a practical session working through case studies on financial reporting or investment analysis. Afternoon sessions may include group projects on audit scenarios, tax computation exercises or a guest lecture from a practising accountant or financial analyst. Students also use accounting software for practical exercises.

The trade offs

In its favour

Accounting and finance skills are in constant demand across all sectors of the economy, providing diverse career opportunities and job security.
The programme provides a pathway to professional certifications including CPA (K) and ACCA, enhancing career prospects and earning potential.
The curriculum integrates international standards including IFRS and IPSAS, preparing graduates for careers in both local and international organisations.

Against it

The programme requires attention to detail and comfort with numbers, which may not suit all students.
Professional certification beyond the degree (CPA, ACCA) is often required for senior positions, requiring additional study and examination.

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.

Students can access HELB loans and NGAAF bursaries. AIU offers a 2.5% tuition discount for students who pay fees in full at the start of the semester.

Funding options

HELB Loan
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised universities

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant Diploma from an institution recognised by the University Senate.

Mathematics
C
English or Kiswahili
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering accounting principles, economics and quantitative methods.
Practical Accounting Exercises
Practicum40% of the mark
Practical exercises and assignments involving preparation of financial statements, audit working papers and tax computations.
Case Study Analysis
Project30% of the mark
Analysis and presentation of real-world financial case studies, assessing application of accounting and finance theory to practical scenarios.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
A final-year research project on an accounting or finance topic, assessed through a written dissertation and oral presentation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme integrates International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and global financial frameworks.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme integrates International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and IFRS frameworks.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Accountant
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Prepares and analyses financial statements, manages accounting records, ensures tax compliance and supports financial decision-making in organisations.
Financial Analyst
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Analyses financial data, evaluates investment opportunities, prepares financial models and supports strategic financial planning in corporate organisations.
Auditor
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Examines financial records, assesses internal controls, verifies compliance with accounting standards and provides assurance on financial reporting.
Finance Manager
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manages financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management and financial reporting for organisations.
Tax Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Advises organisations and individuals on tax planning, compliance and strategy, ensuring adherence to Kenyan tax laws and regulations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as accountants, financial analysts, auditors and finance managers in corporate organisations, banks, audit firms and government agencies across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Accounting is just about bookkeeping.
The programme covers strategic financial management, investment analysis, risk management and corporate finance, preparing graduates for high-level decision-making roles beyond basic bookkeeping.
You need to be a mathematics genius to study accounting.
While numerical aptitude is important, the programme focuses on analytical thinking, logical reasoning and understanding of financial principles rather than advanced mathematics.
Accounting graduates can only work in audit firms.
Graduates work in diverse sectors including banking, manufacturing, government, NGOs, consulting and can establish their own accounting practices.
The programme is the same as a general business degree.
The programme specialises in accounting and financial management, providing deeper technical knowledge in financial reporting, auditing, taxation and corporate finance than a general business degree.