Business

Diploma in Accounting Technician

The Diploma in Accounting Technician is a professional qualification that equips candidates with skills and competencies to work as middle-level accountants providing technical support in accounting, auditing, and taxation in both public and private sectors.

The curriculum is structured into three levels covering financial accounting, law and ethics, entrepreneurship and communication, ICT, principles of management, business mathematics and statistics, taxation, economics, management accounting, finance, and auditing.

The programme is examined by KASNEB as the Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD) and is also accredited by TVET CDACC under the Accountancy Level 6 qualification (code 041106T4). KASNEB registration is required for the ATD examination pathway.

Training combines classroom instruction with computer-based practical exercises using accounting software. KASNEB requires continuous assessment tests (CATs) constituting 15% of the final score, with the remaining 85% from computer-based examinations.

Graduates find employment across all sectors of Kenya's economy, as every organisation requires accounting support. Major employers include accounting firms, banks, government agencies, NGOs, and SMEs.

The programme suits KCSE graduates with a mean grade of C- who have an interest in numbers and business, as well as holders of the Certificate in Accounting and Management Skills (CAMS) seeking to upgrade. It provides a direct progression pathway to CPA and degree-level qualifications.

Duration: 2-3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Private, up to: Ksh 50,000
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: 40 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

10 subjects

Introduction to Financial Accounting
Financial Accounting
Introduction to Law and Ethics
Entrepreneurship and Communication
Information Communication Technology
Principles of Management
Business Mathematics and Statistics
Principles of Taxation
Principles of Economics
Fundamentals of Management Accounting

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Law and Ethics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Kenyan legal system, contract law, business ethics, and professional for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Introduction to Financial Accounting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational accounting principles, double-entry bookkeeping for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Entrepreneurship and Communication
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Business communication skills, entrepreneurship concepts, and business plan for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Computer applications in accounting, accounting software, and ICT fundamentals for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Business Mathematics and Statistics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Quantitative methods for business, statistical analysis, and financial for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Principles of Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Management theory, organisational behaviour, and business administration for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Financial Accounting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced financial accounting including partnerships, companies for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Principles of Taxation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Kenyan tax system, income tax, VAT, and tax compliance procedures for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Principles of Economics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Microeconomics and macroeconomics principles relevant to business and accounting
Fundamentals of Finance
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Financial management, working capital, investment appraisal, and risk management
Fundamentals of Management Accounting
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Cost accounting, budgeting, variance analysis, and decision-making techniques for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Principles of Auditing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Auditing principles, internal controls, audit evidence, and audit reporting for professional practice and competency development in the field.

Specialisations

Financial Accounting
Focuses on preparation and analysis of financial statements for various types of organisations, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Taxation
Focuses on Kenyan tax law, tax planning, and compliance with KRA requirements, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Auditing
Focuses on internal and external audit principles, controls, and procedures, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Management Accounting
Focuses on cost accounting, budgeting, and financial decision-making support, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.

A day as a student

A typical day begins at 8:00 AM with a theory session on financial accounting principles or taxation rules, followed by a practical session using accounting software to prepare financial statements or process payroll. Afternoons often involve business mathematics exercises, auditing case studies, or group discussions on ethics and communication. Students preparing for KASNEB examinations spend significant time on past paper practice and revision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Every organisation needs accounting support, making graduates employable across all sectors
Direct progression pathway to CPA qualification and university degree programmes
KASNEB qualification is recognised across East Africa and internationally

Against it

Entry-level salaries can be modest, especially outside Nairobi
Requires separate KASNEB registration and examination fees in addition to tuition

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

Public24k to 67k

24k at Meru University of Science and Technology67k at Kabete National Polytechnic

Private36k to 50k

36k at RAMSIS Technical Training College50k at KASNEB Tuition Providers

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

KASNEB ATD. Meru 12K/stage, TVET 67K/yr. RAMSIS 17.8K/section (kasneb.or.ke, rttc.co.ke)

HELB offers loans and bursaries for TVET students. County government bursaries and NG-CDF funds are widely available. KASNEB offers fee waivers for students from marginalised regions through the KASNEB Foundation.

Funding options

HELB TVET Loan and Bursary
County Government Bursaries
NG-CDF Constituency Bursary

Scholarships

3 recorded

NG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Constituency-based bursary for needy students
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
All TVET students enrolled in KUCCPS-placed programmes
KASNEB Foundation Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from marginalised regions and needy backgrounds

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Certificate in Accounting and Management Skills (CAMS), or any other KASNEB technician or diploma examination certificate, or equivalent as determined by KASNEB.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework15% of the mark
Internal assessments conducted by tuition providers, contributing 15% of the final KASNEB score
KASNEB Computer-Based Examinations
Examination85% of the mark
Computer-based examinations administered by KASNEB at the end of each level
TVET CDACC Competency Assessment
External60% of the mark
External competency-based assessment for the TVET CDACC pathway

Accreditation

Examined by KASNEB as the Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD) and accredited by TVET CDACC (Level 6, code 041106T4). KASNEB is the primary examination body for the ATD pathway, with TVETA regulating institutions offering the TVET CDACC variant.

Accredited by

Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations Board
Examination and certificationRequired
Primary examination body for the ATD qualification
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council
Curriculum and certification
Alternative TVET CDACC pathway, code 041106T4
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
Institutional regulationRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Accounting Technician
High demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 50,000
Provides technical support in accounting, prepares financial statements, and maintains accounting records
Audit Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 55,000
Supports audit teams in conducting internal and external audits, vouching, and verification
Tax Clerk
High demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 45,000
Prepares tax returns, ensures tax compliance, and liaises with KRA on tax matters
Bookkeeper
High demandKsh 20,000 to Ksh 40,000
Maintains books of accounts, processes transactions, and reconciles bank statements
Payroll Officer
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 52,000
Processes payroll, manages statutory deductions, and maintains employee records

Graduate outcomes

Graduates are in high demand across all sectors requiring accounting support. Entry-level salaries range from KSH 20,000 to KSH 42,000 per month, with experienced accounting technicians earning KSH 50,000 to KSH 80,000+ per month.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

QuickBooks
Accounting softwarePrimary
Widely used accounting software for SMEs in Kenya
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Essential tool for financial analysis, budgeting, and data management
Sage Pastel
Accounting softwarePrimary
Popular accounting and payroll management software in Kenyan businesses
KRA iTax
Tax
Kenya Revenue Authority online platform for tax filing and compliance

Industry links

Common misconceptions

ATD is just a basic bookkeeping course with no career growth
ATD is a recognised professional qualification that provides a direct pathway to the CPA qualification and university degree programmes in accounting and finance.
You need a university degree to work as an accountant in Kenya
ATD graduates can work as accounting technicians, audit assistants, and tax clerks. Many organisations, especially SMEs, prefer ATD holders for mid-level accounting roles due to their practical skills.