KASNEB CPA CS CICT CIFA CCP. Section 1

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1 KASNEB KASNEB Towers, Hospital Road, Upper Hill, P O Box Nairobi, Kenya Tel: , Cell phone numbers: , Fax: , info@kasneb.or.ke Website: Introduction 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) (iii) Certified Information Technologists (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 Technology (DICT) (iii) Diploma in Credit (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 Technology Technicians (ICTT) (c) Credit 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 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 CA11 CA12 CA13 CS11 Organisational Behaviour CS12 CS13 Business CT11 Introduction to Computing CT12 Computer Applications - Practical CT13 CI11 CI12 Financial Mathematics CI13 CP11 Credit CP12 CP13

2 CPA CS CICT CIFA CCP CA21 CA22 Accounting CS21 CS22 CT21 Operating Systems - Practical CT22 CA23 CS23 CT23 Public Finance and Taxation Public Finance and Taxation Computer Support and Maintenance CI21 CI22 Financial Institutions and Markets CI23 Public Finance and Taxation CP21 CP22 CP23 Public Finance and Taxation CA31 CA32 Financial CS31 CS32 Financial CT31 Database Systems CT32 Systems and Design CI31 Regulation of Financial Markets CI32 Corporate Finance CP31 CP32 Financial CA33 Financial Reporting CS33 Principles and Practice of CT33 Structured Programming CI33 Financial Statements CP33 Marketing and Public Relations CA41 Auditing and Assurance CS41 Corporate Secretarial Practice CT41 Object Oriented Programming CI41 Equity Investments CP41 Law Governing Credit Practice CA42 Information Systems CA43 CS42 Information Systems CS43 Law and Procedure of Meetings CT42 Web design and e-commerce CT43 Data and Computer Networks (Practical) CI42 Portfolio CI43 CP42 Information Systems CP43 CA51 CA52 Advanced Accounting CA53 Advanced Financial CS51 Human Resource CS52 Financial Markets Law CS53 Governance and CT51 CT52 Software Engineering CT53 Mobile Application Development CI51 CI52 Fixed Income Investments CI53 Alternative Investments CP51 CP52 Banking Law and Practice CP53 Credit in the Financial Sector CA61 Advanced Public Finance and Taxation CA62 Advanced Auditing and Assurance CA63 Advanced Financial Reporting CS61 Strategic CS62 Public Policy and Administration CS63 Governance and Secretarial Audit CT61 Systems Security CT62 Information Systems Project CT63 Research Methods 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. CI61 Advanced Portfolio CI62 International Finance CI63 Derivatives CP61 Debt Recovery CP62 Corporate Lending CP63 Credit Practice

3 (b) Diploma Examinations Accounting Technicians Diploma (ATD) Diploma in Information Technology (DICT) Diploma in Credit (DCM) AD11 Introduction to AD12 Introduction to AD13 AD14 Information Technology I AD21 AD22 Principles of AD23 Business Mathematics and Statistics AD24 Fundamentals of Finance AD31 Principles of AD32 Fundamentals of Accounting AD33 Principles of Public Finance and Taxation AD34 Auditing TD11 Introduction to Computing TD12 Computer Mathematics TD13 TD14 Computer Applications Practical I I TD21 Computer Networking TD22 Internet Skills TD23 Computer Support and Maintenance TD24 Programming Concepts TD31 Principles of Web Development TD32 Foundations of Accounting TD33 Information Systems Project Skills TD34 Computer Applications Practical II NB: Common papers in bold CD11 Fundamentals of Credit CD12 Introduction to CD13 CD14 Information Technology I CD21 Credit CD22 Principles of CD23 Business Mathematics and Statistics CD24 Law Governing Credit Practice CD31 Marketing and Customer Relations CD32 Foundations of Accounting CD33 Principles of Public Finance and Taxation CD34 Practice of Credit II. TRANSITION ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REVISED EXAMINATION SYLLABUSES Transition arrangements are usually made to ensure a smooth roll over from 2. ATC, ICTT, IST and CMT students the old syllabuses to the new syllabuses. The current transition arrangements address the change over to the revised syllabuses with effect from 1 July These arrangements have addressed the following factors, among others: Unexpired credit retentions as at 30 June Exemptions granted for papers in sections not sat as at 30 June 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 Registration of candidates for examinations after 30 June 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 Accounting (previously Cost Accounting) in CPA. (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. The four technician examinations namely ATC, ICTT, IST and CMT will be phased out after the November/ 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/ Under the parallel system, the technician examinations will be administered together with the diploma examinations namely ATD, DICT and DCM in the November/ 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/ (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 (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 Those who fail will repeat the respective Diploma Level II from 1 January 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/ (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 Those who do not pass will be transferred to Level I of the respective Diploma with effect from 1 January 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/

4 (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 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/ (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 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/ (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/ (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/ 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 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. 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 for students Late examination entry deadline: 15 March for the May/June sitting. 15 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 The deadline for late examination entry has been extended to: 31 March for the May/June sitting. 30 September for the November/December 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/ 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 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

5 Policy/rule/regulation Current provision New provision Practical experience requirement Past papers Undertaking of the ICT Project in the CICT examination Students who register for examinations but do not book for any examination within three years of registration KASNEB graduates who wish to register for other KASNEB programmes Security checks on candidates entering the examinations room There is no system in place to enable candidates log in their practical experience acquired in the course of their studies Students are allowed to collect their past papers after 24 hours of sitting the paper. Online access is not available The duration within which the project must be started after the student completes CICT Part III papers is not specified A student is required to restart a project afresh and pay the full fees if he/she does not pass during the final presentation The students registration numbers are retained in the system and they continue accumulating annual registration renewal arrears 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 have not been fully effected 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 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 Students will be required to commence the project within twelve (12) months of completing CICT Part III Students who commence the project after the one year period will be required to pay late project fee of 50% 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 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 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 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 ( injuguna@kasneb.or.ke); Christabel L. Osango cosango@kasneb.or.ke) or Erasto M. Ng ang a ( emukuria@kasneb.or.ke). Secretary and Chief Executive Thursday, 4 June 2015 KASNEB IS ISO 9001: 2008 CERTIFIED