KASNEB

KASNEB Towers, Hospital Road, Upper Hill, P O Box 41362 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
globallynumbers:
competitive professionals
Tel: 254-020-4923000, Providing
Cell phone
0722-201214, 0734-600624
Fax: 254-020-2712915, E-mail: info@kasneb.or.ke Website: www.kasneb.or.ke
Introduction

(iii) Certified Information Communication Technologists

(CICT)
(iv) Certified Investment and Financial Analysts (CIFA)
(v) Certified Credit Professionals (CCP)

The KASNEB policy on review of examination syllabuses provides

for a mid-term review of the syllabuses after two and a half years
and a major review after five years. A major review of the syllabuses
usually involves significant changes in structure and content of the
syllabuses. On the other hand, the focus of a mid-term review is
usually on content and not structure of the examinations.

Note: (i) The Certified Public Secretaries (CPS)

examination has been renamed Certified

Secretaries (CS) examination.
(ii) The Certified Securities and Investment Analysts
(CSIA) examination has been renamed Certified
Investment and Financial Analysts (CIFA)
examination.
1.2 Diploma Examinations

The last major review of the examination syllabuses was undertaken

in the years 2008 and 2009 and the revised syllabuses administered
for the first time in the November/December 2009 sitting. A mid-term
review of the examination syllabuses was undertaken in the year
2012 and the revised syllabuses administered for the first time in the
November/December 2012 sitting.

(i) Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD)

(ii) Diploma in Information Communication Technology
(DICT)
(iii) Diploma in Credit Management (DCM)

The current major review of the syllabuses commenced in the year

2013 and involved a number of activities, including the following:
(a) Benchmarking visits were undertaken to various reputable
professional examinations bodies in various parts of the globe.
(b) A consultant was engaged to collect and analyse views from
a wide range of stakeholders both in the public and private
sectors. The consultant was also required to engage with
employers and undertake a job analysis to identify any gaps
between the syllabuses and the market demands.
(c) A syllabuses review technical task force comprising subject
experts and practitioners from various fields in both public and
private sectors was constituted to develop the draft syllabuses.
(d) Two major stakeholders workshops were held where comments
were received on the draft syllabuses and considered as
appropriate.
(e) A forum was held with relevant professional institutes for the
validation of the syllabuses.
(f) The syllabuses were approved by the Board of KASNEB.
The revised syllabuses will take effect from 1 July 2015 and be
examined for the first time from the November/December 2015
sitting.
1.

Examinations under the revised syllabuses

The following examinations will be administered under the
revised syllabuses:
1.1 Professional Examinations
(i) Certified Public Accountants (CPA)
(ii) Certified Secretaries (CS)

2.

Examinations to be phased out

The following technician examinations will be phased out after
the November/December 2015 examination sitting:
(a) Accounting Technicians Certificate (ATC)
(b) Information Communication Technology Technicians (ICTT)
(c) Credit Management Technicians (CMT)
(d) Investment and Securities Technicians (IST)

3.

Review of policies, rules and regulations

The major review of the syllabuses also involved a review of
the policies, rules and regulations in order to ensure effective
implementation of the revised syllabuses and enhance customer
satisfaction. The changes in policies, rules and regulations can
be accessed on the KASNEB website www.kasneb.or.ke.

4.

Structure of examinations under the revised syllabuses

The revised structure of the examinations and transition
arrangements are presented below. Advance copies of the
syllabuses featuring the learning outcomes and detailed
content are in the process of being dispatched to the training
institutions, both accredited and those in the process of
accreditation. The syllabuses booklets will also be available to
all registered students as at 30 June 2015 free of charge.

I. REVISED STRUCTURES OF PROFESSIONAL AND DIPLOMA EXAMINATION SYLLABUSES

(a) Professional Examinations
CPA

CS

CICT

CIFA

CCP

Section 1

Section 1

Section 1

Section 1

Section 1

Paper No:
CA11
Financial Accounting

Paper No:
CS11
Organisational Behaviour
CS12
Commercial Law

Paper No:
CT11
Introduction to Computing

Paper No:
CI11
Financial Accounting

Paper No:
CP11
Credit Management

CT12
Computer Applications Practical
CT13
Entrepreneurship and
Communication

CI12
Financial Mathematics

CP12
Commercial Law

CI13
Entrepreneurship and
Communication

CP13
Entrepreneurship and
Communication

CA12
Commercial Law
CA13
Entrepreneurship and
Communication

CS13
Business Communication

CPA

CS

CICT

CIFA

CCP

Paper No:
CA21
Economics
CA22
Management Accounting

Paper No:
CS21
Economics
CS22
Principles of Accounting

Paper No:
CT21
Operating Systems - Practical
CT22
Principles of Accounting

Paper No:
CI21
Economics
CI22
Financial Institutions and
Markets
CI23
Public Finance and Taxation

Paper No:
CP21
Economics
CP22
Principles of Accounting

Section 2

Section 2

Section 2

CA23
CS23
CT23
Public Finance and Taxation Public Finance and Taxation Computer Support and
Maintenance

Section 2

Section 2

CP23
Public Finance and Taxation

Section 3

Section 3

Section 3

Section 3

Section 3

Paper No:
CA31
Company Law

Paper No:
CS31
Company Law

Paper No:
CT31
Database Systems

Paper No:
CP31
Company Law

CA32
Financial Management

CS32
Financial Management

CT32
Systems Analysis and
Design

Paper No:
CI31
Regulation of Financial
Markets
CI32
Corporate Finance

CP32
Financial Management

CA33
Financial Reporting

CS33
Principles and Practice of
Management

CT33
Structured Programming

CI33
Financial Statements
Analysis

CP33
Marketing and Public
Relations

Section 4

Section 4

Section 4

Section 4

Section 4

Paper No:
CA41
Auditing and Assurance

Paper No:
Paper No:
Paper No:
CS41
CT41
CI41
Corporate Secretarial Practice Object Oriented Programming Equity Investments Analysis

Paper No:
CP41
Law Governing Credit Practice

CA42
Management Information
Systems
CA43
Quantitative Analysis

CS42 Management
Information Systems

CT42
CI42
Web design and e-Commerce Portfolio Management

CP42 Management
Information Systems

CS43
Law and Procedure of
Meetings

CT43
Data Communication
and Computer Networks
(Practical)

CI43
Quantitative Analysis

CP43
Quantitative Analysis

Section 5

Section 5

Section 5

Section 5

Section 5

Paper No:
CA51
Strategy, Governance and
Ethics
CA52
Advanced Management
Accounting
CA53
Advanced Financial
Management

Paper No:
CS51
Human Resource
Management
CS52
Financial Markets Law

Paper No:
CT51
Strategy, Governance and
Ethics
CT52
Software Engineering

Paper No:
CP51
Strategy, Governance and
Ethics
CP52
Banking Law and Practice

CS53
Governance and Ethics

CT53
Mobile Application
Development

Paper No:
CI51
Strategy, Governance and
Ethics
CI52
Fixed Income Investments
Analysis
CI53
Alternative Investments
Analysis

Section 6

Section 6

Section 6

Section 6

Section 6

Paper No:
CA61
Advanced Public Finance and
Taxation
CA62
Advanced Auditing and
Assurance
CA63
Advanced Financial Reporting

Paper No:
CS61
Strategic Management

Paper No:
CT61
Systems Security

Paper No:
CP61
Debt Recovery

CS62
Public Policy and
Administration
CS63
Governance and Secretarial
Audit

Paper No:
CI61
Advanced Portfolio
Management
CI62
International Finance

CT62
Information Systems Project
Management
CT63
CI63
Research Methods
Derivatives Analysis
ICT Project
CICT
candidates
are
required to undertake an ICT
project after completing the
above 18 papers. The project
must commence within 12
months after completing the
papers.

CP53
Credit Management in the
Financial Sector

CP62
Corporate Lending
CP63
Credit Practice

(b) Diploma Examinations

Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD)
LEVEL I

Diploma in Information Communication Technology (DICT)

LEVEL I

Diploma in Credit Management (DCM)

LEVEL I

Paper No.
AD11
Introduction to Financial Accounting
AD12
Introduction to Commercial Law
AD13
Entrepreneurship and Communication
AD14
Information Communication Technology

Paper No.
TD11
Introduction to Computing
TD12
Computer Mathematics
TD13
Entrepreneurship and Communication
TD14
Computer Applications Practical I

Paper No.
CD11
Fundamentals of Credit Management

LEVEL II

LEVEL II

LEVEL II

AD21
Financial Accounting
AD22
Principles of Management
AD23
Business Mathematics and Statistics
AD24
Fundamentals of Finance
LEVEL III

TD21
Computer Networking
TD22
Internet Skills
TD23
Computer Support and Maintenance
TD24
Programming Concepts
LEVEL III

CD21
Credit Management
CD22
Principles of Management
CD23
Business Mathematics and Statistics
CD24
Law Governing Credit Practice
LEVEL III

AD31
Principles of Economics
AD32
Fundamentals of Management Accounting
AD33
Principles of Public Finance and Taxation
AD34 Auditing

TD31
Principles of Web Development
TD32
Foundations of Accounting
TD33
Information Systems Project Skills
TD34
Computer Applications Practical II

CD31
Marketing and Customer Relations
CD32
Foundations of Accounting
CD33
Principles of Public Finance and Taxation
CD34
Practice of Credit Management

CD12
Introduction to Commercial Law
CD13
Entrepreneurship and Communication
CD14
Information Communication Technology

NB: Common papers in bold

II. TRANSITION ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REVISED EXAMINATION SYLLABUSES
Transition arrangements are usually made to ensure a smooth roll over from
the old syllabuses to the new syllabuses. The current transition arrangements
address the change over to the revised syllabuses with effect from 1 July
2015. These arrangements have addressed the following factors, among
others:
Unexpired credit retentions as at 30 June 2015.
Exemptions granted for papers in sections not sat as at 30 June 2015.
Progression for candidates of examinations which are due to be
phased out.
Progression for candidates where levels, parts and sections have
changed in terms of composition of papers.
Progression for registered candidates who have not sat any
examination as at 30 June 2015.
Registration of candidates for examinations after 30 June 2015.
Specific transition provisions
The transition provisions from the current syllabuses to the revised syllabuses
are as follows.
1.

CPA, CPS, CICT, CSIA and CCP students

(a) All students for the above listed examinations will convert to the
revised examination syllabuses commencing 1 July 2015 in the
various parts and sections that they will have progressed to in the
current syllabuses.
(b) Exemptions:
(i) Where a student had been granted an exemption in a particular
paper, the exemption will be retained. This will include papers
where the titles may have changed but the substantive content
has remained the same, such as Management Accounting
(previously Cost Accounting) in CPA Section 2.
(ii) However, where a student had been granted exemption in a
paper which, under the revised syllabuses, has been moved to
a section which the student will have already completed as at the
May 2015 sitting, the exemption fee paid for the paper concerned
will be credited to the students account at KASNEB.
(iii) Exemptions granted for whole sections or parts under the current
syllabuses shall be retained under the revised syllabuses.
(c) Credit retentions for students who will not have completed their
respective sections after the May 2015 sitting will be retained
provided that the paper(s) with credit retentions have remained
in the same section(s) under the revised syllabuses.

2. ATC, ICTT, IST and CMT students

The four technician examinations namely ATC, ICTT, IST and CMT will be
phased out after the November/December 2015 sitting.

A parallel examination administration system will be adopted for the

technician examinations during the November/December 2015 sitting
with a view to phasing out the examinations after the November/
December 2015 sitting.

Under the parallel system, the technician examinations will be

administered together with the diploma examinations namely ATD, DICT
and DCM in the November/December 2015 sitting.

The transition arrangements will work out as follows:

1. Students currently in ATC/ICTT/CMT Level I who sit and pass the
May 2015 sitting
(a) The students will be required to choose either ATC/ICTT/CMT Level II
as applicable, or Level II of the respective Diploma in the November/
December 2015 sitting.
(b) Students who choose the ATC/ICTT/CMT Level II and pass during the
November/December 2015 sitting will graduate under the respective
examination passed. Those who do not pass will be transferred to
Level II of the respective Diploma with effect from 1 January 2016.
(c) Students who choose the respective Diploma Level II and pass the
November/December 2015 sitting will proceed to Diploma Level
III from 1 January 2016. Those who fail will repeat the respective
Diploma Level II from 1 January 2016.
2. Students currently in ATC/ICTT/CMT Level I who sit but do not pass
the May 2015 sitting
(a) The students will be required to resit the papers not passed in ATC/
ICTT/CMT Level I in the November/December 2015 sitting.
(b) Students who pass the ATC/ICTT/CMT Level I in the November/
December 2015 sitting will proceed to the respective Diploma Level
II from 1 January 2016. Those who do not pass will be transferred to
Level I of the respective Diploma with effect from 1 January 2016.
3. Registered students in ATC/ICTT/CMT Level I who have not booked
the May 2015 sitting (mostly new students)
(a) The students will be allowed to book for either ATC/ICTT/CMT Level
I as registered, or the respective Diploma Level I in the November/
December 2015 sitting.

(b) Students who pass the ATC/ICTT/CMT Level I in the November/

December 2015 sitting will proceed to the respective Diploma Level
II. The same will apply to those who sit and pass the Diploma Level I.
(c) Students who fail the ATC/ICTT/CMT Level I or Diploma Level I in the
November/December 2015 sitting will repeat the Diploma Level I with
effect from 1 January 2016.
4. Students currently in ATC/ICTT/CMT Level II who sit and pass the
May 2015 sitting
The students will graduate.
5. Students currently in ATC/ICTT/CMT Level II who sit but do
not pass the May 2015 sitting
(a) The students will be required to resit the papers not passed in ATC/
ICTT/CMT Level II in the November/December 2015 sitting.
(b) Students who pass the ATC/ICTT/CMT Level II in the November/
December 2015 sitting will graduate. Those who do not pass will
be transferred to Level II of the respective Diploma with effect from
1 January 2016.
6. IST students
(a) Students who pass Level I of the IST examination during the May
2015 sitting will proceed to Level II of the examination and be eligible
to sit for that Level during the November/December 2015 sitting.

(b) Students who do not pass Level I of the IST examination during the
May 2015 sitting will be expected to resit the papers not passed in the
same level during the November/December 2015 sitting.
(c) Students who pass Level II of the examination either during the May
2015 sitting or the November/December 2015 sitting will be allowed
to graduate in the respective sitting.
(d) Students who do not pass either Level I or Level II of the IST examination in the November/December 2015 sitting will be required to
transit to either the ATD or DCM in the respective levels.
Both graduates of the Technician and Diploma examinations will be eligible
to pursue the relevant professional programmes of KASNEB.
3. Other transition provisions
(a) Students who are eligible to convert to the Diploma programmes
(ATD/DICT and DCM) will be allowed to do so and book the
November/December 2015 examinations up to 15 September 2015
by paying the normal examination entry fees.
(b) All credit retentions for ATC, ICTT, IST and CMT will expire after the
November/December 2015 sitting.

III . CHANGES IN POLICIES, RULES AND REGULATIONS UNDER THE REVISED EXAMINATION SYLLABUSES
The following changes in policies, rules and regulations have been introduced as part of the major review of examination syllabuses. The changes are
aimed at, among other objectives, ensuring effective implementation of the revised examination syllabuses, enhancing customer service, enhancing
the recognition of KASNEB qualifications regionally and globally and continuously realigning the qualifications with market trends and demands.
One of the major changes introduced as part of the major review of the syllabuses is the introduction of diploma qualifications to replace the current
technician qualifications.
The changes in policies, rules and regulations are summarised in the table below. Unless otherwise specified, the changes take effect from 1 July
2015.
Policy/rule/regulation

Current provision

New provision

Minimum entry requirements

for diploma programmes

Not applicable

The minimum entry requirement for the diploma programmes

will be KCSE mean grade C- or equivalent. KASNEB will
develop proficiency examinations for students wishing to
pursue the diploma programmes but who may not meet the
specified minimum entry requirement

Deadlines for late registration

and examination entry

Late registration deadline:

31 December for the May/June sitting.
30 June for the November/December sitting.

The deadline for late registration has been extended to:

15 February for the May/June sitting.
15 August for the November/December sitting.

Late examination entry deadline:

15 March for the May/June sitting.
15 September for the November/December
sitting.

The deadline for late examination entry has been extended

to:
31 March for the May/June sitting.
30 September for the November/December sitting.

Effective date for payment of

annual registration renewal fee

This fee is payable on 1 July following the date

of registration

The annual registration renewal fee shall become due on

1 July following the first eligible examination sitting and
annually thereafter. For instance, a student who registers
by 31 May 2015 will be eligible to enter examinations from
the November/December 2015 sitting. The first renewal will
therefore be due on 1 July 2016

Exemptions for diploma holders

wishing to pursue KASNEB
professional programmes

Exemptions are granted to diploma holders from

various institutions of higher learning and national
examination bodies on paper by paper basis

Exemptions will be granted on paper by paper basis to

holders of diplomas from KNEC and KIM. For other diploma
programmes, exemptions will be considered subject to
evaluation of content of the respective diploma programmes
as submitted to KASNEB

Law and taxation papers for

foreign
candidates
based
outside Kenya

All foreign candidates based outside Kenya are

required to sit for law and taxation papers broadly
based on Kenyan law

Localised papers in law and taxation will be set for students

in Rwanda, Cameroon and other countries. The change in
policy will take effect from 1 July 2016

Code of Conduct and Ethics for

students

There are various rules and regulations governing

the conduct of students. There is no Code of
Conduct and Ethics

A Code of Conduct and Ethics will be introduced for new

and continuing students. The Code will be distributed to all
students. All students will be required to commit themselves
and abide by the Code

Policy/rule/regulation

Current provision

New provision

Practical experience
requirement

There is no system in place to enable candidates

log in their practical experience acquired in the
course of their studies

A practical experience log will be issued to students at the

point of registration. The roll out of the log will start with the
CPA students. It will thereafter be applicable to other students
pursuing other KASNEB professional programmes. The
effective date for implementing the practical experience log
is 1 July 2016

Past papers

Students are allowed to collect their past papers

after 24 hours of sitting the paper. Online access
is not available

Past papers will be uploaded on the KASNEB website for

controlled access by students whose annual registration
renewal status is up to date and accredited training institutions

Undertaking of the ICT Project The duration within which the project must be Students will be required to commence the project within
in the CICT examination
started after the student completes CICT Part III twelve (12) months of completing CICT Part III
papers is not specified
Students who commence the project after the one year period
A student is required to restart a project afresh will be required to pay late project fee of 50%
and pay the full fees if he/she does not pass
during the final presentation
Where a student presents a proposal which is accepted by
KASNEB, but which is not successfully defended during the
first examination sitting, the student may be allowed upon
request to improve on the proposal and pay 50% of the
applicable fee, provided the project is presented during the
next immediate examination sitting. Otherwise the student
will be required to pay the full project fee
Students who register for The students registration numbers are retained
examinations but do not book in the system and they continue accumulating
for any examination within annual registration renewal arrears
three years of registration

Registration numbers for students who register for

examinations but who do not book for any examination within
three years from the date of registration will be automatically
suspended. During the period of suspension, no annual
registration renewal arrears will accrue. The suspended
registration numbers will be reactivated upon payment of a
reactivation fee of Sh. 6,000 only

KASNEB graduates who wish

to register for other KASNEB
programmes

Such graduates wishing to pursue other KASNEB programmes

will only be required to complete the registration form, attach
a copy of identity card/passport, two recent passport photos
and pay the requisite registration fee

The KASNEB graduates wishing to pursue other

KASNEB programmes are required to resubmit
academic certificates, passport photos and other
documents prior to registration

Security checks on candidates Security checks have not been fully effected
entering the examinations room

Security checks will be conducted as part of preventive

and precautionary measures for candidates entering the
examinations room

Enquiries and clarifications

Any enquiries or clarifications on the major syllabuses review may be forwarded to Isaac M. Njuguna (email: injuguna@kasneb.or.ke); Christabel L. Osango
email: cosango@kasneb.or.ke) or Erasto M. Nganga (email: emukuria@kasneb.or.ke).

Secretary and Chief Executive

Thursday, 4 June 2015
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