KASNEB

KASNEB Towers, Hospital Road, Upper Hill, P O Box 41362 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: 254-020-4923000, Providing
Cell phonegloballynumbers:
competitive professionals
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

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.
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.
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)
(CICT)
(iv) Certified Investment and Financial Analysts (CIFA)
(v) Certified Credit Professionals (CCP)
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
(i) Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD)
(ii) Diploma in Information Communication Technology
(DICT)
(iii) Diploma in Credit Management (DCM)
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: Paper No: Paper No: Paper No: Paper No:
CA11 CS11 CT11 CI11 CP11
Financial Accounting Organisational Behaviour Introduction to Computing Financial Accounting Credit Management
CA12 CS12 CT12 CI12 CP12
Commercial Law Commercial Law Computer Applications - Financial Mathematics Commercial Law
Practical
CA13 CS13 CT13 CI13 CP13
Entrepreneurship and Business Communication Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship and
Communication Communication Communication Communication
CPA CS CICT CIFA CCP
Section 2 Section 2 Section 2 Section 2 Section 2

Paper No: Paper No: Paper No: Paper No: Paper No:
CA21 CS21 CT21 CI21 CP21
Economics Economics Operating Systems - Practical Economics Economics
CA22 CS22 CT22 CI22 CP22
Management Accounting Principles of Accounting Principles of Accounting Financial Institutions and Principles of Accounting
Markets
CA23 CS23 CT23 CI23 CP23
Public Finance and Taxation Public Finance and Taxation Computer Support and Public Finance and Taxation Public Finance and Taxation
Maintenance

Section 3 Section 3 Section 3 Section 3 Section 3

Paper No: Paper No: Paper No: Paper No: Paper No:
CA31 CS31 CT31 CI31 CP31
Company Law Company Law Database Systems Regulation of Financial Company Law
Markets
CA32 CS32 CT32 CI32 CP32
Financial Management Financial Management Systems Analysis and Corporate Finance Financial Management
Design
CA33 CS33 CT33 CI33 CP33
Financial Reporting Principles and Practice of Structured Programming Financial Statements Marketing and Public
Management Analysis Relations

Section 4 Section 4 Section 4 Section 4 Section 4

Paper No: Paper No: Paper No: Paper No: Paper No:
CA41 CS41 CT41 CI41 CP41
Auditing and Assurance Corporate Secretarial Practice Object Oriented Programming Equity Investments Analysis Law Governing Credit Practice

CA42 CS42 Management CT42 CI42 CP42 Management

Management Information Information Systems Web design and e-Commerce Portfolio Management Information Systems
Systems
CA43 CS43 CT43 CI43 CP43
Quantitative Analysis Law and Procedure of Data Communication Quantitative Analysis Quantitative Analysis
Meetings and Computer Networks
(Practical)

Section 5 Section 5 Section 5 Section 5 Section 5

Paper No: Paper No: Paper No: Paper No: Paper No:
CA51 CS51 CT51 CI51 CP51
Strategy, Governance and Human Resource Strategy, Governance and Strategy, Governance and Strategy, Governance and
Ethics Management Ethics Ethics Ethics
CA52 CS52 CT52 CI52 CP52
Advanced Management Financial Markets Law Software Engineering Fixed Income Investments Banking Law and Practice
Accounting Analysis
CA53 CS53 CT53 CI53 CP53
Advanced Financial Governance and Ethics Mobile Application Alternative Investments Credit Management in the
Management Development Analysis Financial Sector

Section 6 Section 6 Section 6 Section 6 Section 6

Paper No: Paper No: Paper No: Paper No: Paper No:
CA61 CS61 CT61 CI61 CP61
Advanced Public Finance and Strategic Management Systems Security Advanced Portfolio Debt Recovery
Taxation Management
CA62 CS62 CT62 CI62 CP62
Advanced Auditing and Public Policy and Information Systems Project International Finance Corporate Lending
Assurance Administration Management
CA63 CS63 CT63 CI63 CP63
Advanced Financial Reporting Governance and Secretarial Research Methods Derivatives Analysis Credit Practice
Audit 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.
(b) Diploma Examinations
Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD) Diploma in Information Communication Technology (DICT) Diploma in Credit Management (DCM)
LEVEL I LEVEL I LEVEL I

Paper No. Paper No. Paper No.

AD11 TD11 CD11
Introduction to Financial Accounting Introduction to Computing Fundamentals of Credit Management
AD12 TD12 CD12
Introduction to Commercial Law Computer Mathematics Introduction to Commercial Law
AD13 TD13 CD13
Entrepreneurship and Communication Entrepreneurship and Communication Entrepreneurship and Communication
AD14 TD14 CD14
Information Communication Technology Computer Applications Practical I Information Communication Technology

LEVEL II LEVEL II LEVEL II

AD21 TD21 CD21

Financial Accounting Computer Networking Credit Management
AD22 TD22 CD22
Principles of Management Internet Skills Principles of Management
AD23 TD23 CD23
Business Mathematics and Statistics Computer Support and Maintenance Business Mathematics and Statistics
AD24 TD24 CD24
Fundamentals of Finance Programming Concepts Law Governing Credit Practice
LEVEL III LEVEL III LEVEL III

AD31 TD31 CD31

Principles of Economics Principles of Web Development Marketing and Customer Relations
AD32 TD32 CD32
Fundamentals of Management Accounting Foundations of Accounting Foundations of Accounting
AD33 TD33 CD33
Principles of Public Finance and Taxation Information Systems Project Skills Principles of Public Finance and Taxation
AD34 Auditing TD34 CD34
Computer Applications Practical II Practice of Credit Management

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 student’s 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.
(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 exam-
ination in the November/December 2015 sitting will be required to
transit to either the ATD or DCM in the respective levels.

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.
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
Deadlines for late registration
and examination entry
Not applicable
Late registration deadline:
• 31 December for the May/June sitting.
• 30 June for the November/December sitting.
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
The deadline for late registration has been extended to:
• 15 February for the May/June sitting.
• 15 August for the November/December sitting.

Effective date for payment of
annual registration renewal fee
Exemptions for diploma holders
wishing to pursue KASNEB
professional programmes
Law and taxation papers for
foreign candidates based
outside Kenya
Code of Conduct and Ethics for
students
Late examination entry deadline:
• 15 March for the May/June sitting.
• 15 September for the November/December
sitting. • 30 September for the November/December sitting.
This fee is payable on 1 July following the date
of registration
Exemptions are granted to diploma holders from
various institutions of higher learning and national
examination bodies on paper by paper basis
All foreign candidates based outside Kenya are
required to sit for law and taxation papers broadly
based on Kenyan law
There are various rules and regulations governing
the conduct of students. There is no Code of
Conduct and Ethics
The deadline for late examination entry has been extended
to:
• 31 March for the May/June sitting.
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 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
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
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 There is no system in place to enable candidates A practical experience log will be issued to students at the
requirement log in their practical experience acquired in the point of registration. The roll out of the log will start with the
course of their studies 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 Past papers will be uploaded on the KASNEB website for
after 24 hours of sitting the paper. Online access controlled access by students whose annual registration
is not available 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 Registration numbers for students who register for
examinations but do not book in the system and they continue accumulating examinations but who do not book for any examination within
for any examination within annual registration renewal arrears three years from the date of registration will be automatically
three years of registration 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 The KASNEB graduates wishing to pursue other Such graduates wishing to pursue other KASNEB programmes
to register for other KASNEB KASNEB programmes are required to resubmit will only be required to complete the registration form, attach
programmes academic certificates, passport photos and other a copy of identity card/passport, two recent passport photos
documents prior to registration and pay the requisite registration fee
Security checks on candidates Security checks have not been fully effected Security checks will be conducted as part of preventive
entering the examinations room 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. Ng’ang’a (email: emukuria@kasneb.or.ke).

Secretary and Chief Executive

Thursday, 4 June 2015
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