BRIEF ON THE CERTIFICATE IN ACCOUNTING AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS (CAMS)

QUALIFICATION
(a) Background
kasneb has introduced the Certificate in Accounting and Management Skills (CAMS) qualification
following a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process which identified a critical gap in
lower level accounting and management skills for the micro, small and medium enterprises
sectors. In addition, holders of CAMS qualification will possess the competencies to provide
basic accounting and management services to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and
public sector entities.
(b) Minimum entry requirement
The minimum entry requirement for the CAMS is KCSE mean grade D+ or its equivalent.
(c) Structure
CAMS comprises of two levels with four (4) papers in Level I and three (3) papers in Level II,
making a total of seven (7) papers, as summarised below.
LEVEL I
Paper no. and name Key learning outcomes
Paper No.1 – Principles of Entrepreneurship A candidate who passes this paper should be
and Management able to:
 Identify and implement new opportunities
 Apply basic management and
governance concepts
 Identify and select the sources of finance
for an entity
 Implement fundamental credit
management concepts in practice
 Apply entrepreneurship and
management knowledge in response to
emerging trends
Paper No.2 - Introduction to Law and Ethics A candidate who passes this paper should be
able to:
 Demonstrate knowledge of essential
elements of the legal system
 Demonstrate knowledge of legal
personality
 Apply general principles of law in
practice
 Uphold ethical and moral principles in
various environments.

1
 Paper No.3 - Fundamental ICT Skills A candidate who passes this paper should be
able to:
 Demonstrate knowledge of computer
systems
 Select appropriate computer hardware
and software
 Use various computer application
packages
 Select various types of information
systems
 Use computer networks and the Internet
 Adapt to emerging ICT trends
Paper No.4 - Fundamentals of Business A candidate who passes this paper should be
Mathematics able to:
 Apply ratios, rates and proportions to
interpret various scenarios
 Apply indices and logarithms in
computations
 Use linear and matrix algebra to solve
problems
 Apply basic calculus to solve problems
 Calculate measures of central tendency in
statistics
 Construct and interpret basic graphs
LEVEL II
Paper No. 5 - Foundations of Accounting and A candidate who passes this paper should be
Auditing able to:
 Identify various types of assets and
liabilities
 Identify various items of income and
expenditure
 Apply the double entry aspects of
accounting
 Prepare journal entries, ledgers and basic
financial statements for sole
proprietorships and small business firms
Paper No.6 – Elements of Public Finance and A candidate who passes this paper should be
Administration able to:
 Explain the nature and operations of
public financial management (PFM)
 Apply basic principles of public finance
and administration
 Comply with basic legislative provisions in
procurement of supplies and services
 Compute simple taxes and prepare basic
tax returns for individuals and small
entities
Paper No.7 - Principles of Marketing and A candidate who passes this paper should be
Communication able to:
 Develop and implement simple marketing
plans
 Communicate effectively in verbal and
written forms
 Attract and retain customers in business
 Effectively handle customer complaints
 Manage simple public relation issues

(d) Progression and exemption

2
(e) Examination duration and sittings
Candidates are expected to complete the CAMS within a duration of one year. The examination
shall be administered alongside the existing examinations of kasneb in May and November
each year. Candidates will be required to book the papers together in a level unless they have
been granted previous credits.
(f) Tuition
Candidates pursuing the CAMS will be required to attend tuition in accredited training
institutions. The tuition may be class-room based or through distance and e-learning (DEL)
modes of study.
(g) Assessment
Assessment will be based on continuous assessment tests (CATs) administered by the
accredited training institutions and the examinations administered by kasneb. The CATs will
account for 15% of the total score while the kasneb examination will account for 85%. A
candidate must have both CAT and final examination scores in order to be assessed and
awarded a result.
(h) Other policies, rules and regulations
The other policies, rules and regulations applicable on kasneb examinations will also apply to
the CAMS.
(i) Pilot papers
kasneb is making arrangements to release the pilot papers for the CAMS by September 2018.
(j) Enquiries
Further enquiries on the CAMS qualification may be directed through the email address
[email protected] or telephone (020) 4923000 ext. 4010.

Registration is ongoing at rate of Kenya shillings three thousand five hundred (3500) only.

7 May 2018