JANUARY 2014

ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN
SYLLABUSES

THE INSTITUTE OF
T

MALAW
I
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
Accounting Technician Syllabus IN MALAWI 1
2 Accounting Technician Syllabus
TABLE OF CONTENTS

TC1: ACCOUNTING/1................ ................................................7

TC2: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION.....................................17
TC3: BUSINESS MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS................22
TC4: INFORMATION SYSTEMS..............................................28
TC5: ECONOMICS......................................................................34
TC6: ACCOUNTING/2...............................................................43
TC7: AUDITING..........................................................................52
TC8: BUSINESS LAW......................................... ........................58
TC9: COSTING AND BUDGETARY CONTROL..................62
TC10: TAXATION..... .................................................................65
TC11: MANAGEMENT..............................................................70
TC12: COMPANY LAW.............................................................77

Accounting Technician Syllabus 3

 INTRODUCTION
The most sought after qualification that prepares staff who provide vital support to the work of
middle management accounting officers. It is also a stepping stone to the Chartered Accountant
(CA) qualification.

The demand for the services of accountants has been growing rapidly in the recent past. They are
much sought after by an ever increasing number of organizations in the private and public
sectors of Malawi that are engaged in a wide range of activities. It is therefore very evident that
the prospects of those choosing accountancy as a career are excellent.

Graduates of ICAM have gained wide recognition both nationally and internationally. This
position has been achieved by ICAM’s relentless pursuance of quality and excellence. There is
therefore no compromise. The students are therefore required to achieve the highest standard of
competence in the examinations. The student should approach ICAM’s programmes with
dedication and commitment.

Entry requirements.

The following are the minimum entry requirements

 MSCE with credit passes in English and Mathematics or
 Certificate in Financial Accounting (CIFA).

The Technician programme has 12 papers assessed through a three hour written examinations. It
also has a flexible method of study where candidates are allowed a maximum of 10 consecutive
years to complete the programme.

Students who complete the ICAM Technician programme are eligible for registration into the
Chartered Accountant Malawi (CAM) professional programme at the knowledge level where
they get exemptions in, Accounting Framework, Management Information, Legal Framework
and Principles of Taxation. The ICAM diploma enables one to register with the Malawi
Accountants Board (MAB) as a Diplomate member after completing the required practical
training.

4 Accounting Technician Syllabus

LIST OF IMPORTANT DATES
Listed below are the important dates in ICAM’s examination cycle. You are advised to take note
of these dates and to pay particular attention to the closing dates for registration and receipt of
examination entries. Entries received after the closing dates will not be considered.
1 January Annual subscription
Registered students will have already been sent invoices for annual subscription.
31 January Closing date for receipt of annual subscription
Those who fail to pay the annual subscription are deleted from the register
February Release of results for December examinations
Results for the December examination are released and examination entry forms (EEF) for June
examinations are sent together with results.

31 March Closing date for receipt of examination fees for June examinations
Closing date for receipt of registration fees from students who wish to sit examinations in the
June diet.
May Notices for June examinations issued
Notice to candidates or examination dockets for June examination are sent to students
Early June June examinations are administered
August Release of results for June examinations
Results for June examinations are released and Examination Entry Forms (EEFs) for December
examinations are sent together with results.
31 August Closing date for receipt of registration fees for December examinations.
Closing date for receiving registration fees from students who wish to sit December
examinations.
30 September Closing date for receipt of examination fees for December examinations
Closing date for receiving examination fees for December examinations.
November Notices for December examinations issued
i. Notice to candidates or examination dockets for December examinations are sent to
students.
ii. Annual subscription invoices are sent to registered students.
Early December December examinations are administered

Accounting Technician Syllabus 5

 Exemptions
31 March
Closing date for receipt of exemption fees for those who want to sit the June examinations.
30 September
Closing date for receipt of exemption fees for those who want to sit the December examinations.

6 Accounting Technician Syllabus

TC1: ACCOUNTING/1
AIMS OF THE COURSE

i. To develop the student’s knowledge and understanding of techniques in accounting.

ii. To enable the student to prepare final accounts for different forms of businesses.
iii. To develop the student’s understanding of internal controls in an accounting system.

OBJECTIVES
By the end of the course the student should be able to:-
i. Appreciate the role of accounting within organizations.
ii. Understand the system of internal checks in collecting, processing and summarizing of
accounting data and maintaining accounting records.
iii. Prepare final accounts and be familiar with accounts for limited companies.

FORMAT AND STANDARD OF THE EXAMINATION PAPER

The paper will consist of two sections; section A and section B. Section A will be compulsory
with one question. The question will be on preparation of final accounts for various forms of
businesses with some adjustments. This section will carry 40 marks. Section B will have 4
questions, each carrying 20 marks. Candidates will be required to answer any three questions
from section B.

SPECIFICATION GRID
This grid shows the relative weightings of topics within this course and should provide guidance
regarding study time to be spent on each.

Syllabus Area Weighting (%)

Maintaining financial records and adjustments to accounting 35
records and financial statement.
Accounting and reporting concepts. 25
Accounting and reporting for various business 25
organizations.
Role of computers and regulation of accounting in Malawi. 15
Total 100

Learning Outcomes

1.1 Accounting and the accounting process

In the assessment, candidates may be required to:-

1 Define accounting and its purpose

2 Describe the main financial statements namely:
i) Statement of profit or loss

Accounting Technician Syllabus 7

 ii) Statement of financial position

1.2 Financial Accounting vs. Management Accounting

1 Describe financial and management accounting
2 Understand the relationship between financial and management accounting
3 Compare and contrast financial and management accounting

1.3 Qualitative characteristics of accounting information

1 Identify the attributes of accounting information to include, but not limited to:
i) Relevance
ii) Timeliness
iii) Accuracy
iv) Completeness
v) Reliability
vi) Targeted audience
vii) Comparability
viii)Understandability

1.4 Accounting principles and concepts

1 Understand the role of the accounting regulatory system, including the roles of the
IFRS Foundation, the International Accounting Standards Board, and other
international bodies
2 Understand the role of International Financial Reporting Standards
3 Distinguish accounting principles from accounting concepts
4 Learn the important underlying accounting concepts, such as:
i) Historical cost
ii) Money measurement
iii) Business entity
iv) Dual aspect
v) Time interval
5 Identify the fundamental accounting concepts that include:
i) Going concern
ii) Consistency
iii) Prudence
iv) Accruals
v) Separate Determination
vi) Substance over form
vii) Materiality

1.5 Users of accounting information and their needs

1 Identify the main users of accounting information and their needs to include:

8 Accounting Technician Syllabus

 i) Management
ii) Shareholders(current and potential)
iii) Employees
iv) Trade Union groups
v) Banks and lenders
vi) Tax collectors and government agencies
vii) Business contact groups
viii)The general public
ix) Suppliers

1.6 The role of computers in accounting

1 Describe the accounting documents and management reports produced by
computerised accounting systems, and understand the link between the accounting
system and other systems in the business
2 Compare and contrast manual and computerised accounting systems
3 Consider the risks to data security, data protection procedures, and the storage of data
under computerised accounting systems

1.7 Regulation of accounting in Malawi

1 Understand the evolution of the legal and regulatory environment affecting
accounting in Malawi
2 Understand the current regulatory environment of accounting in Malawi, including
the main agencies and instruments such as:
i) The Malawi Stock Exchange
ii) The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi
iii) The Malawi Accountants Board
iv) The Companies and Taxation Acts

2.1 Elements of accounting information

In the assessment, candidates may be required to:-

1 Identify the elements of accounting information that include:

i) Assets, including both current and non current
ii) Liabilities, including both current and non current
iii) Owners equity
iv) Revenue and expenses
2 Learn the distinction between capital and revenue expenditure, including the
implication of wrong accounting treatment of expenditure on the financial statements
3 Understand the accounting treatment of capital receipts, joint expenditure, and loan
interest

Accounting Technician Syllabus 9

 2.2 Types of business transactions
1 Understand a range of business transactions including
i) Sales
ii) Purchases
iii) Receipts
iv) Payments
v) Petty cash
vi) Payroll
2 Understand the implications of cash and credit transactions, including where
applicable, the effect of cash and trade discounts
2.3 Source documents

1 Outline the purpose and content of a range of business documents to include but
not limited to
i) Invoice
ii) Credit note
iii) Remittance advice
iv) Statement of account

2 Prepare a petty cash voucher

3 Prepare the financial documents to be sent to credit customers
4 Prepare remittance advice to accompany payment to suppliers

2.4 Books of original entry

1 Identify the types of books of original entry and outline the purpose and content
of each book of original entry including its format
2 Outline how the books of original entry integrate with the double entry book-
keeping system

3.1 Recording day books

1 Record sales and purchase transactions taking into account discounts, VAT, and
the impact on the value added tax account where applicable, as follows:
i) Enter supplier invoices and credit notes in the appropriate day books
ii) Record sales and purchase returns in the appropriate day books
iii) Prepare the financial documents to be sent to credit customers
iv) Understand the purpose of an aged receivable analysis
v) Produce statements to be sent to credit customers
vi) Explain the need to deal with discrepancies in customer and supplier
records quickly and professionally
vii) Understand how data entry in day books differ when computerised
systems are in use

10 Accounting Technician Syllabus

 2 Record transactions in the cashbook including any value added tax and discounts
effects where applicable, paying particular attention to:
i) Totaling, balancing, and cross casting the cashbook columns
ii) Identifying and dealing with discrepancies
3 Enter and analyse petty cash transactions in the petty cashbook including any
value added tax effects where applicable, paying attention to:
i) Balancing off the petty cashbook using imprest and non imprest systems
ii) Reconciling the petty cashbook with cash in hand
iii) Preparing and accounting for petty cash reimbursement
4 Prepare and enter the journal entries to process payroll transactions including:
i) Calculation of wages for employees paid by the hour, paid by output, and
salaried employees
ii) Accounting for payroll costs and deductions
iii) The employer’s responsibilities for taxes, pension contributions, and other
deductions
iv) Identity of the different payment methods in a payroll system, e.g. cash,
cheques, and automated bank transfers
v) Why authorisation of payroll transactions and security of payroll
information is important in an organisation

3.2 The concept of double entry

1 Define the accounting equation
2 Understand by applying the accounting equation in situations such as:
i) Introduction of capital
ii) Purchase of an asset by cheque
iv) Purchase or sale of an asset on credit
v) Payment of a liability
vi) Effect of profit and loss on capital
vii) Treatment of drawings

3 Understand how the accounting equation relates to the double entry book keeping
system
4 Process financial transactions from the books of original entry into the double
entry book keeping system

3.3 Charts and coding of accounts

1 Importance of charting and coding of accounts in processing of financial
transactions
2 Define an accounting code and identify different types of codes including:
i) Sequence
ii) Block
iii) Significant digit
iv) Hierarchical
vi) Faceted

Accounting Technician Syllabus 11

 3 Code supplier and customer accounts
4 Coding general ledger accounts consistent with a predetermined chart of accounts

4.1 Balancing ledger accounts

In the assessment, candidates may be required to:-

1 Understand the five steps towards the balancing of ledger accounts

2 Justify the frequency of balancing of ledger accounts
2 Understand the meaning of such terms as: c/d, b/d and closed off
3 Explain the importance of balancing of receivables and payables ledger accounts
4.2 The trial balance
1 Prepare ledger balances, clearly showing the balances carried down and brought
down as appropriate
2 Define and understand the nature of a trial balance
3 Understand the nature and impact of errors and closing inventory on the trial
balance, and how these are dealt with.

4.3 Periodic adjustments

1 Understand how the matching concept applies to accruals and prepayments
2 The nature and purpose of accruals
3 The accounting treatment of prepayments, with and without an opening balance
4 The accounting treatment of expenses with prepaid and accrued elements
5 Prepayments and accruals in the financial statements
6 The nature of bad debts and ways in which they may arise
7 Understand the nature and purpose of the allowance for doubtful debts including:
i) How the allowance may be estimated
ii) The accounting entries necessary to recognize the allowance
iii) How the allowance may be increased or decreased
iv) The impact of cash discounts on accounts receivable
8 Understand the nature of non-current assets and purpose of depreciation,
including terms such as:
i) Depreciable amount
ii) Useful life
iii) Residual value
9 Explain the purpose and function of an asset register
10 Understand the four most common causes of depreciation
11 Identify and calculate depreciation using the commonly used methods that
include:
i) Straight line method
ii) Reducing balance method
12 Understand the case for using other depreciation methods that include:
i) Revaluation method
ii) Depletion unit method
iii) Machine hour method
iv) Sum of the year’s digit method
v) Units of output method

12 Accounting Technician Syllabus

 13 Understand how the appreciation in the value of non current assets is treated

4.4 Statement of profit or loss

1 Identify the information from the trial balance needed for the preparation of the
statement of profit or loss
2 Understand the nature and purpose of the statement of profit or loss and how the
following are arrived:
i) Gross profit
ii) Cost of goods sold
iii) Net profit or loss
3 Understand the accounting treatment of returns, carriage, and the adjustment for
inventory when preparing the statement of profit or loss

4.5 Statement of financial position

1 Identify the information from the trial balance needed for the preparation of the
statement of financial position
2 Understand the purpose and nature of the statement of financial position, and
identify the items and layout of:
i) Non current and current assets
ii) Non current and current liabilities
iii) Capital
3 Recognise how the accounting equation underlines the statement of financial
position

5.1 Errors and correction of errors

In the assessment, candidates may be required to:-

1 Identify types of errors in a book keeping system that are disclosed by extracting a
trial balance
2 Identify types of errors in a book keeping system that are not disclosed by
extracting a trial balance
3 Use the journal to correct identified errors
4 Redraft a trial balance following the correction of errors
5 Identify when a suspense account is required and show how to clear the suspense
account using the journal
6 Understand situations when errors may or may not affect the statement of profit
or loss

5.2 Bank reconciliation statement

1 Explain the purpose of reconciliation between the bank ledger and the
corresponding bank statement
2 Identify errors and omissions in the bank ledger account and in the bank statement
3 Identify timing differences
4 Make the correcting entries in the bank ledger account
5 Prepare the reconciliation between the bank statement balance and the corrected
bank ledger account

Accounting Technician Syllabus 13

 6 Identify the bank balance to be reported in the financial statements
7 Understand the arguments for the timing and frequency of the bank reconciliation
statements
8 Understand the process of conducting bank reconciliation under a computerized
environment

5.3 Disposal of non current assets

1 Identify the ledger accounts needed for recording the disposal of a non current
asset
2 Prepare journal and ledger entries to record the acquisition and disposal of a non
current asset
3 Calculate and record profits or losses on disposal of a non current asset for
reporting in the statement of profit or loss
4 Calculate the profit or loss of a revalued non current asset

5.4 Receivables and payables control accounts

1 Describe the purpose of control accounts as a checking devise to aid management
and help identify book keeping errors
2 Explain why it is important to reconcile control accounts regularly and to deal
with discrepancies quickly and professionally
3 Prepare the receivable control account or receivable ledgers by accounting for:
i) Sales
ii) Sales returns
iii) Payments from customers including checking the accuracy and
validity of receipts against relevant supporting information
iv) Settlement discounts
v) Irrecoverable debt and allowance for irrecoverable debts including
any effect of value added tax where applicable
4 Prepare the payables control account or payables ledgers by accounting for:
i) Purchases
ii) Purchase returns
iii) Payments to suppliers including checking the accuracy and validity
of the payments against relevant supporting information
iv) Settlement discounts

5.5 Accounting for inventory

1 Recognise the need for adjustments for inventory in preparing financial
statements
2 Record opening and closing inventory
3 Identify the various methods for valuing inventory and calculate the value of
closing inventory using the following methods:
i) First in, first out (FIFO)
ii) Last in, first out (LIFO)
iii) Average cost
iv) Periodic weighted average cost
4 Recognise which cost should be included in valuing inventory

14 Accounting Technician Syllabus

 5 Understand the impact of accounting concepts on the valuation of inventory
6 Identify the impact of inventory valuation methods on profit and on assets

5.6 Accounts from incomplete records

1 Describe the circumstances which may lead to incomplete records
2 Understand and apply techniques in preparing accounts from incomplete records
as follows:
i) Use of accounting equation
ii) Use of ledger accounts to calculate missing figures
iii) Use of cash and/or bank summaries
iv) Use of profit percentages to calculate missing figures
5.7 Value added tax
1 Identify sources of information on value added tax and explain the relationship
between the business entity and the relevant government tax agency
2 Explain the general principles of the operation of value added tax including:
i) Requirements for registration
ii) Main information to be included on business documentation
iii) Types of taxable supplies and their classification for value added tax
iv) Accounting and payment of value added tax
v) Penalties for late returns or late payment of value added tax
3 Calculate value added tax on inputs and outputs
4 Record the consequent accounting entries and calculate the value added tax due
to/from the business

6.1 Partnership accounts

In the assessment, candidates may be required to:-

1 Define a partnership
2 Explain the purpose and content of a partnership agreement
3 Explain, calculate and account for appropriation of partnership profit:
i) Salaries of partners
ii) Interest on drawings
iii) Interest on capital
iv) Share of residual profit
4 Explain the difference between partner’s capital and current accounts
5 Prepare the partner’s capital and current accounts
6 Prepare the final accounts for a partnership
7 Explain and account for the admission of a new partner including the treatment of
any goodwill arising

6.2 Final accounts for a limited company

1 Understand the capital structure of a limited liability company including:
i) Ordinary shares
ii) Preference shares (redeemable and irredeemable)
iii) Debentures and Loans
2 Understand the nature of reserves

Accounting Technician Syllabus 15

 3 Identify and report reserves in a statement of financial position
4 Prepare a statement of financial position or extracts as applicable from given
information
5 Understand why the heading retained earnings appears in a company statement of
financial position
6 Prepare a statement of profit or loss or extracts as applicable from given
information
7 Understand how accounting concepts apply to revenue and expenses
8 Calculate revenue, cost of sales, gross profit for the year, and total comprehensive
income from given information
9 Differentiate between profit and cash flow
10 Understand the need for management to control cash flow

REFERENCES

ICAM Accounting/1 Manual

Frank wood Business Accounting

Glautier & Underdown Accounting Theory & Practice

16 Accounting Technician Syllabus

TC2: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
AIM OF THE COURSE

To equip students with skills necessary for effective communication in business.

OBJECTIVES
By the end of the course the student should be able to:-
i. Demonstrate an understanding of the communication process in business settings.
ii. Write business documents effectively.
iii. Demonstrate an understanding of the flow of communication in an organization.
iv. Communicate effectively in different oral settings.
v. Use information technology for communication in business settings.

FORMAT AND STANDARD OF THE EXAMINATION PAPER

The paper will consist of 6 questions each carrying 25 marks. Candidates will be required to
answer 4 questions. In addition to the content, the Business Communication module emphasizes
on the correct use of language in terms of sentence construction, correct spellings, choice of
words and punctuation. Therefore, 5 marks will be allocated to correct language use in each
question. However, in those questions which require extended writing, like memos, letters and
reports there will be additional marks for correct use of language.

SPECIFICATION GRID

This grid shows the relative weightings of topics within this subject and should guide the relative
study time spent on each.
SYLLABUS AREA WEIGHTING (%)
Communication Theory 10
Language Skills 8
Business Communication 25
Oral Communication 17
Organizational Communication 15
Small Group Communication 7
Interpersonal Communication 10
ICT 8
TOTAL 100

Learning Outcomes

1 Communication theory
In the assessment, candidates may be required to:-

1.1 Explain the aims of communication

1.2 Describe the communication process
1.3 Identify the eight elements of communication

Accounting Technician Syllabus 17

 1.4 Describe the three media of communication
1.5 Define non-verbal communication
1.6 Explain the functions of non-verbal communication
1.7 Discuss types of non-verbal communication.
1.8 Outline the barriers to the communication and suggest how they can
be overcome

2 Language skills
In the assessment, candidates may be required to:-

2.1 Identify the parts of a sentence

2.2 Construct effective Sentences

3 Business communication
In the assessment, candidates may be required to:-

3.1 Describe the characteristics of good business writing

3.2 Explain the 7 principles of effective business writing (7C’s)
3.3 Write coherent paragraphs
3.4 Describe the four aspects to consider when planning business
messages.
3.5 Explain the uses of a memorandum
3.6 Outline the parts of a memorandum
3.7 Write memos in response to different situations in the organization
3.8 Demonstrate understanding of effective notices
3.9 Outline the features of a notice
3.10 Design effective notices
3.11 Describe the purposes of business letters
3.12 Describe the importance of each of the parts of a business letter
3.13 Write different types of business letters.
3.14 Define a report
3.15 Describe the parts of a short formal report
3.16 Write effective reports

4 Oral communication
In the assessment, candidates may be required to:-

4.1 Describe the basic principles of oral communication

4.2 Outline the measures to be taken when preparing for oral
presentations
4.3 Discuss types of speeches
4.4 Explain the different oral presentation styles
4.5 Describe the methods of delivering a presentation

18 Accounting Technician Syllabus

 4.6 Use audio-visual aids in a presentation
4.4 Describe the listening process.
4.5 Discuss the reasons for listening
4.6 Describe the approaches to effective listening
4.7 Describe the effective use of the telephone in the organisation
4.8 Identify different types of interviews
4.9 Explain the communication skills related to interviews
4.10 Outline the roles of the interviewer and the interviewee
4.11 Describe the phases of the interview process
4.12 Mention the purposes of meetings
4.13 Describe the types of meetings
4.14 Outline the roles of officers and participants in a meeting
4.15 Convene a meeting

5 Organizational communication
In the assessment, candidates may be required to:-

5.1 Examine the importance of communication in an organization

5.2 Describe the functions of communication in an organization
5.4 Differentiate the various communication network patterns
5.5 Discuss the flow of communication in the organisation
5.6 Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of informal
communication

6 Small group communication

In the assessment, candidates may be required to:-

6.1 Appraise the importance of small groups in an organization

6.2 Describe the characteristics of small groups
6.3 Outline the factors which contribute to the effectiveness of small
groups
6.4 State the advantages and disadvantages of small groups
6.5 Distinguish the various leadership styles

7 Interpersonal communication
In the assessment, candidates may be required to:-

7.1 Explain the goals of interpersonal communication

7.2 Identify the situations from which we can acquire interpersonal
communication skills
7.3 Describe the factors which contribute to effective interaction with
other people

8 Electronic communication
In the assessment, candidates may be required to:-

Accounting Technician Syllabus 19

 8.1 Demonstrate understanding of computerized systems of
communication
8.2 Explain usage of different forms of electronic communication
8.3 Set up relevant electronic communication according to different
situations
8.4 Analyse the effectiveness of messages transferred electronically

REFERENCES
ICAM Communication Manual

Adams ND Galanes (2009) Communication in Groups 7th ed New York: Mc Graw-Hill

Beeebe, S. and Masterson, J. (2006). Communicating in Small Groups. New York:

Longman.

Carlin, D. and Payne J. (1995). Public Speaking Today. , Illinois; National Textbooks
Company.

Dombeck F., et al. (1999). Communicating in the work place. Canada: McGraw Hill,
Ryerson.

Evans, D.W. (1990). People, Communication and Organisations. London: Pitman.

Gamble, T. and Gable, M. (1990). Communication Works. New York: McGraw Hill.

Guffey M.E, et al (2003) Business Communication. Canada: Thomson and Nelson.

Griffin, E. (2006). A First Look at Communication Theory. 6th Ed New: Mc Graw Hill.

Hamilton, C. (2011) Communicating for Results: A Guide for Business and Professions
Boston: Wardsworth.

Hybels, S. and R. L. Weaver II (2001). Communicating Effectively. 6th Edition, Boston:

McGraw Hill.

Krizan, A C et al (2005). Business Communication. Ohio: Thomson South Western.

Little, P. (1996). Communication in Business. London: Longman.

Leena Sen (2009) Communication in Business 3rd edition Pitman Publishing

Locker K O and Stephen, (2006). Business Communication: Building Critical Thinking Skills
3rd ed. New York.

20 Accounting Technician Syllabus

Micheal Fielding,(2006).Effective communication in organisations 3rd ed Cape Town: Juta
and Co.

Pearce, B.W. (1993). Interpersonal Communication: Making Social Words. New

York: Harper Collins.

Ronald B Adler and Jeanne Melmhorst (2008) Communicating at work 9th ed. Boston:
Mc Graw Hill.

Sandra C (2009) Communication: A hands on Approach. Lansdowne: Juta and Co.

Sigband, N. B. and Bateman D. N. (1984) Communicating in Business. Illinois: Scott,

Foresmann and Co.

Stanton, N (2004). Mastering Communication. 4th ed. New York: Macmillan.

Stewart L Tubbs and S Moss (2008) Human Communication: Principles and contexts 11th
edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Taylor,S (2009). Communication for Business: A Practical Approach. 4th Ed. New Delhi:
Prentice-Hall.

West, R. And Turner, H (2007) Introducing Communication Theory: Analysis and

Application New York: Mc Graw Hill.

Wilmot, W.W. and Hocker J.L. (2001) Interpersonal Conflict. McGraw Hill Companies Inc.
New York.

Zeuschner, R. (2003). Communication Today: The Essentials. New York: Pearson Education
Inc

Accounting Technician Syllabus 21

 TC3: BUSINESS MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS

COURSE AIM
To enable the student to understand mathematical and statistical principles and their applications
in business.

OBJECTIVES
On completion of this module, the candidate will be able to:
i. Solve business equations.
ii. Sketch graphs of business functions
iii. Solve business problems using techniques of sequences and series
iv. Use inequalities, where appropriate, to solve simple commercial situations
v. Apply the concept of matrices in business
vi. Describe data collection techniques and sources of data.
vii. Present data graphically and use data summarization techniques.
viii. Calculate measures of central tendency and dispersion
ix. Interpret measures of central tendency and dispersion
x. Apply the concept of probability in solving business problems.
xi. Forecast using business data.
xii. Determine the degree of relationship between two variables.
xiii. Interpret index numbers
xiv. Perform investment appraisal.
xv. Apply calculus on revenue, cost and profit functions with the aim of finding optimum
points.

FORMAT AND STANDARD OF THE EXAMINATION PAPER

The Business Mathematics and Statistics module will be assessed using a traditional 3 hour
paper-based examination. The examination paper will consist of two sections; section A and
section B. Section A will be compulsory and it will carry 60 marks. Section B will have 3
questions each carrying 20 marks. Candidates will be required to answer any 2 questions.

22 Accounting Technician Syllabus

SPECIFICATION GRID

This grid shows the relative weightings of subjects within this course and should provide
guidance regarding study time to be spent on each.

Syllabus Area Weighting %

Functions, Equations and Graphs 10-15
Sequences and series 5-10
Inequalities and Linear Programming 5-10
Matrices 10-15
Sampling Data Presentation 5-10
Data presentation 10-15
Statistical Measures 10-15
Introduction to Probability 5—10
Correlation and Regression 10
Time Series Analysis 5-10
Index Numbers 10-15
Financial Mathematics 15-20
Introduction to Calculus 5-10

Learning Outcomes
1. Functions, equations and graphs
The candidate will be able to formulate and solve equations from real life situations.

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

 formulate equations.
 solve linear equations.
 solve quadratic equations using graph, factorisation and formula.
 solve exponential and logarithmic equations.
 solve compound interest problems using logarithms.

2. Sequences and series

The candidate will be able to identify patterns in a given set of data and use the
appropriate method to solve real-life problems.

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

 Define an Arithmetic Progression
 Identify an Arithmetic Progression
 Identify a geometric progression
 Determine the of arithmetic and geometric progressions
 Find the sum of a given AP
 Find the sum of a given GP

3. Inequalities and Linear Programming

The candidate will be able to use linear programming techniques to make managerial
decisions.

Accounting Technician Syllabus 23

 In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:
 formulate simple linear inequalities
 solve linear inequalities
 apply inequalities to simple commercial situations
 find the objective function for a given problem.
 come up with constraints from a given word problem.
 plot inequalities and determine a feasible region for a given word problem.
 Use graphical method to find the optimal solution to a linear programming problem.

4. Matrices
The candidate will be able to model relationships between financial or economic
variables using a set of linear equations, represent them using matrices and solve such
models.

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

 Represent data with matrices
 Add, subtract and multiply matrices
 Apply the concept of matrices in manipulating commercial data
 Find the determinant of matrices up to 3 by 3.
 Find the inverse of and matrices.
 Solve systems of linear equations (up to 3 variables) using the inverse method and
Cramer’s rule.

5. Sampling and data collection

The candidate will be able to choose among the various methods employed in choosing
the subjects for an investigation and differentiate the different ways of collecting data.

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

 Distinguish between data and information
 Classify data
 Distinguish between data collection methods and select a suitable method
 State stages in statistical investigation

6. Data Presentation
The candidate will be able to present data using various data presentation techniques.

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

 Present data using various techniques: pie chart, pictogram, bar chart, frequency
tables, histogram, Ogive, Lorenz curve and Z chart.
 Select an appropriate data presentation technique for specific data basing on type of
data at hand, and advantages and disadvantages of the technique.

7. Statistical Measures

24 Accounting Technician Syllabus

 The candidate will be able to calculate and interpret measures of central tendency and
dispersion.

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

 Calculate measures of central tendency from simple data: mean, mode, median,
geometric mean for grouped and un-grouped data.
 Interpret measures of central tendency
 Calculate measures of dispersion: range, mean deviation, variance and standard
deviation, quartile deviation, coefficient of variation and skewness for grouped and
un-grouped data.
 Interpret measures of dispersions
 Compare distributions using summary measures
 Determine the skewness of a distribution: Pearson’s measure of skewness
 Interpret the skewness of a distribution

8. Probability
The candidate will be able to calculate and interpret various types of probability.

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

 Describe the role of probability in decision making
 Describe the classical, empirical, and subjective approaches to probability
 Distinguish experiment, event and outcome
 Apply the rules of probability: addition and multiplication rules
 Calculate marginal and conditional probabilities
 Use a tree diagram to organize and compute probabilities

9. Correlation and regression

The candidate will be able to determine the relationship between two numeric variables
compute the strength of the relationship.

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

 explain the meaning of regression analysis
 identify practical examples where regression analysis can be used
 plot scatter diagrams
 construct a simple linear regression model
 prepare estimates of the unknown variable using the regression model
 compute and interpret the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient
 compute and interpret the Pearson product correlation coefficient
 compute and interpret the coefficient of determination

10. Times Series Analysis

The candidate will be able to use time series data to forecast events or activities.

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

Accounting Technician Syllabus 25

  Plot time series data
 Describe times series models
 Distinguish components of a time series: Trend, Seasonal, Random and cyclical
variation.
 Decompose a time series into its components: Trend and Seasonal variations using
moving averages.
 Apply time series to make forecasts
 Compute and interpret de-seasonalised data.

11. Index Numbers

The candidate will be able to manipulate different published index series and construct
new index series.

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

 Explain what an index number is.
 Distinguish between base year and current year
 Construct single item indices (price and quantity).
 Differentiate between weighted and un-weighted indices.
 Change the base of an index number
 Calculate the Laspeyres and Paasche Indices and explain the difference
 Measure changes in economic data using indices
 Adjust nominal money values into real terms (taking inflation into account)

12. Financial Mathematics

The candidate will be able to solve problems involving depreciation, interest calculations
and investment appraisal.

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

 Calculate interest, principal or period in given various combinations of parameters
 Describe the different techniques of depreciation.
 Depreciate an asset using the various depreciation techniques
 Appraise an investment using payback period, Net Present Values and Internal Rate
of Return
 Compare the various techniques of investment appraisal
 Calculate the maturity value of an annuity
 Calculate periodic payments for a sinking fund
 Calculate the fixed equal payment of annuity given the maturity value
 Describe amortisation as a method of debt repayment

13. Introduction to Calculus

The candidate will be able to apply the principles of differentiation and integration and
apply these to rates of change of functions e.g profit function and interpret the results to
determine when functions are at their minimum or maximum.

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

26 Accounting Technician Syllabus

 Differentiate functions up to the second derivative.
 Evaluate indefinite and definite integrals.
 Find minimum and maximum values of a given function.
 Apply calculus on revenue, cost and profit functions with the aim of finding
optimum points.

REFERENCES

ICAM Business Mathematics and Statistics Manual

Recommended Text
a. Clarke, G.M., and Cook, D., (1998) A Basic Course in Statistics, 4th Ed, Arnold
b. Francis, A., (2004) Business Mathematics and Statistics, 6th ed, Thomson Learning
c. Lucey, T., (2002) Quantitative Techniques, 6th E. Thomson Learning: London.
d. Rosser, M., (2003) Basic Mathematics for Economists, London: Routledge

Accounting Technician Syllabus 27

 TC4: INFORMATION SYSTEMS

AIMS OF THE COURSE

To develop students’
1. Understanding of the role of information and communication technology (ICT) in business.
2. Understanding of the basic components of computerized processing systems.
3. Ability to use computerized business systems.
4. Understanding of how business systems are developed.
5. Understanding of the role of security in business information systems
6. Understanding the use of social media networks

OBJECTIVES
By the end of the course the student should be able to:-

i. Explain the roles of information and communication in business

ii. State the basic components of computerized processing system
iii. Understand the uses of computers
iv. Describe how business applications are developed
v. Describe how ICT adds value to organizations.
vi. Have Knowledge of computer packages

FORMAT AND STANDARD OF THE EXAMINATION PAPER

There will be a three hour examination paper with seven questions. Candidates will be required
to answer any five and each carrying equal marks.

28 Accounting Technician Syllabus

SPECIFICATION GRID
This grid shows the relative weightings of topics within this course and should provide guidance
regarding study time to be spent on each.

Syllabus area Weighting

Introduction to Information Systems 5%

Information Systems Types 10%

Data Processing Options 5%

Computer Hardware 10%

Computer Software 10%

Data Communication 5%

Systems Theory 5%

Systems Development 20%

Information System Management 10%
Data Security and Controls 20%
Total 100%

Learning Outcomes

1. Introduction to Information Systems

Candidates should be able to explain the role of information systems in an organization.

In the exam candidates may be required to:

 Describe essential components and role of an information systems in a business
 Describe various components of office automation
 Explain uses of Computer Networks, Emails and Internet

2. Data Processing

Candidates should be able to explain the following: data processing operations, data
collection techniques, organizational levels and their information needs, role of
computers in data processing and qualities of good information.

Accounting Technician Syllabus 29

 In the exam candidates may be required to:
 Define data processing
 Describe Data processing operations
 Describe the role of computers in data processing
 Describe factors that make information valuable
 Describe qualities of good information

3. Information Systems Types

Candidates should be able to explain the role of different information systems types in an
organization.

In the exam candidates may be required to:

 Describe main information systems types and their uses

4. Data Processing Options

Candidates should be able to define the following terms :- Stand alone systems, multi-
user systems , batch and online systems.

In the exam candidates may be required to:

 Describe batch and online systems
 Describe inputs and outputs from batch and online systems and how the outputs
from each type are used in an organization
 Describe real time systems

5. Computer Hardware

Candidates should be able to explain the various parts of computer hardware.

In the exam candidates may be required to:

 Define computer hardware
 Describe basic components of a computer hardware
 Describe functions and parts of computer system unit
 Explain internal data representation
 Describe different types of computers
 Explain embedded systems
 Explain computer generations
 Describe computer classification

30 Accounting Technician Syllabus

6. Computer Software

Candidates should be able to explain the uses and classifications of various software
products on the market

In the exam candidates may be required to:

 Define computer software
 Describe classification of software
 Explain uses of computer software packages
 Describe generations of computer languages

7. Data Communication

Candidates should be able to explain how organizations can benefit by using the
following technologies :- Internet, intranet and extranets.

In the exam candidates may be required to:

 Describe components and use of internets, extranets and intranets
 Define E - Business
 Explain uses of Computer Networks

8. Systems Theory

Candidates should be able to define systems theory.

In the exam candidates may be required to:

 Explain systems concepts
 Describe systems boundaries, and environment
 Explain open and closed systems
 Describe hard and soft properties

9. Systems Development

Candidates should be able to differentiate systems development life cycle from software
development life cycle.

In the exam candidates may be required to:

 Describe stages of systems development life cycle
 Describe stages of software development life cycle

Accounting Technician Syllabus 31

 10. Information Systems Management

Candidates should be able to differentiate between traditional data processing and

modern data processing organizations.

In the exam candidates may be required to:

 Describe tradition data processing organization (typical structures) and modern
data processing organization ( typical structures)
 Describe end user computing, types of end users , advantages and disadvantages
of end user computing
 Define computer bureau and explain various services and advantages and
disadvantages of using computer bureaus

11. Data Security and Controls

Candidates should be able to explain risks to information systems and various safeguards.

In the exam candidates may be required to:

 Describe data security
 Explain the need for security and controls
 Explain logical and physical controls
 Explain how computer viruses spread and their safeguards
 Explain systematic development of a Disaster Recovery Plan

32 Accounting Technician Syllabus

REFERENCES

ICAM Information Systems Manual

Loudon & Loudon: Management Information Systems : Managing the digital Firm

Turban: Information technology for management: Transforming organizations in the digital

economy

Bocij P.: Business information Systems

.
C.S. French: Computer Science

Internet Resources
http://www.answers.com/Analog computers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embedded_system
http://www.wordiq.com
http://www.computermuseum.li
http://www.columbia.edu/acis/history/generations.html

Accounting Technician Syllabus 33

 TC5: ECONOMICS

AIMS OF THE COURSE

To enable students understand the basic principles, concepts and techniques of economics and
enable students apply these principles, concepts and techniques to current issues and problems
with special reference to Malawi.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this course, the student should be able to:
i. Define and explain the concepts and tools that economists use to address the
fundamental economic problem of scarcity.
ii. Explain the different types of economic systems.
iii. Explain how the market system works to ensure efficient resource allocation.
iv. Describe the operation of price systems.
v. Understand the concept of utility and indifferent curves and how they are used in
making choices to maximize utility (satisfaction) among competing wants with
limited resources.
vi. Explain production and cost decisions.
vii. Determine cost and revenue structures and profit maximization.
viii. Describe different market structures.
ix. Describe factor markets and the income distribution.
x. Explain the role of money, credit and financial institutions in determining national
output.
xi. Use macroeconomic variables to measure performance of the economy at the
national level.
xii. Explain the consumption, saving, investment and the business cycle.
xiii. Explain the role of public finance, fiscal policy and monetary policy in
influencing macroeconomic performance.
xiv. Describe the objectives of the macroeconomic policies.
xv. Explain the causes of poverty and underdevelopment.
xvi. Explain the operations of international trade and payment systems.
xvii. Explain the effects of globalization on national economies.
FORMAT OF THE EXAMINATION PAPER
The examination paper will be divided into two sections. Section A deals with
Microeconomics and will contain 3 questions. Section B deals with Macroeconomics
and will have four questions. Candidates will be required to answer five questions out of
seven that is, two questions from Section A and three questions from Section B.

34 Accounting Technician Syllabus

SPECIFICATION GRID
This grid shows the relative weightings of topics within this course and should provide guidance
regarding the study time to be spent on each.

Syllabus Area Weighting (%)

Microeconomics 40
Macroeconomics 60
Total 100

Learning Outcomes
MICROECONOMICS
1 The nature and scope of economics
Candidates should be able to define basic economic concepts and theories. Concepts of
interest are scarcity, choice, and production possibility curve. Additionally, students will
be exposed to various topical economic issues such as normative and positive economics,
economic systems, exchange and specialization.

In the examination, students may be required to:

 Define basic economic theories and concepts including but not limited to the
following: scarcity, choice, production possibility curve and the opportunity cost.
 Explain the difference between normative and positive economics
 Define various economic systems i.e. planned economy, free market economy,
mixed economy and traditional / indigenous economy.
 Explain the importance of exchange and specialization in economics.

2 Demand and supply analysis

Candidates should be able to define demand and supply and show how these interact in
order to determine equilibrium price in a market place. Candidates will also be expected
to define elasticities of demand and supply. Lastly the candidates will be expected to
define market failure as a justification for government intervention in an economy.

Accounting Technician Syllabus 35

 In the exam, candidates may be required to:
 Define demand and supply.
 Derive demand and supply curves.
 Differentiate between shifts and movement along demand and supply curves.
 Explain factors determining shifts in demand and supply curves
 Explain how demand and supply interact to determine market equilibrium price
and output.
 Explain factors determining demand
 Explain factors determining supply
 Define and compute elasticity of demand
 Explain different types of elasticity of demand
 Define and compute elasticity of supply
 Explain different types of elasticity of supply
 Explain justification for price legislation
 Define market failure and justification for government intervention in an
economy.
3 Theory of the household
Candidates should be able to explain the utility theory and how to derive indifference
curves in order to maximize level of satisfaction.

In the exam, candidates may be required to:

 Explain the marginal utility theory (the cardinalist approach)
 Outline factors that determine utility
 Describe the indifference curves
 Explain the budget line
 Describe the income and substitution effects

36 Accounting Technician Syllabus

4 Theory of the firm
Candidates should be able to explain how a profit maximizing firm makes decisions
given market structures in order to maximize profits.

In the exam, candidates may be required to:

 Distinguish between the short run period and long run period.
 Explain the behaviour of costs both in short run and long run.
 Understand the economists and accountants view of profit.
 Describe the law of diminishing marginal returns and short run cost curves.
 Explain the firms output decisions.
 Define economies of scale and diseconomies of scale.
 Identify and explain the main sources of economies of scale and diseconomies of
scale.
 Analyse the process of competition in different market structures (perfect
competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition and oligopoly).
 Explain what a contestable market is.
 Describe how firms can experience growth.

5 Factor markets and distribution of income

Candidates should be able to explain the demand for and supply of factors of production
in given market environments.

In the exam, candidates may be required to:

 Explain and illustrate how product and factor markets operate.
 Derive the demand curve for labour.
 Demonstrate their understanding of the concept of supply of labour.
 Outline the main determinants of demand elasticity for labour and supply
elasticity of labour.
 Demonstrate their understanding of the pricing of factors of production in
competitive markets and monopolistic markets.

Accounting Technician Syllabus 37

  Describe the institutional intervention in the labour market.
 Define and describe the concepts of economic rent, wages and transfer earnings.

MACROECONOMICS

6 The nature of money

Candidates should be able to define money and describe various forms of money, explain
how central banks operate and describe the financial market.

In the exam, candidates may be required to:

 Define money
 Explain functions of money
 Describe different forms of money
 Explain how value of money changes
 Explain functions of credit
 Explain the banking system.
 Explain functions of central bank.
 Explain tools/instruments of monetary policy.
 Explain the capital markets.

7 The demand for and supply of money

Candidates should be able to explain various theories of money.
In the exam, candidates may be required to:
 Define the quantity theory of money
 Discuss the Keynesian views on the demand for money
 Describe the new quantity theory of money.

38 Accounting Technician Syllabus

8 National income accounting

Candidates should be able define various quantities of national income and describe
circular flow of national income, measure national income and appreciate the difficulties
of measuring national income.

In the exam, the candidate may be required to:

 Define the macroeconomic concepts of national income; GNP, GDP and NNP.
 Illustrate a simple circular flow of income model.
 Understand and explain the approaches used in measuring national income
(expenditure, income and output approaches).
 Outline uses of national income statistics.
 Identify the main problems in attempting to measure national income.
9 The Keynesian model
Candidates should be able to discuss and describe the Keynesian Model and how this
model is used to determine national income.

In the exam, candidates may be required to:

 Explain aggregate demand and its components

 Explain factors affecting consumption, savings, investment and government
spending.
 Discuss Keynesian consumption function and permanent income hypothesis.
 Explain the crowding out effects.
 Define the multiplier and accelerator principles.
 Explain how the national income is determined
 Explain, using a Keynesian cross, how an equilibrium state is achieved.
10 Public finance
Candidates should be able to explain the role of government in the economy and how
government is financed. This takes into account both expenditure and taxation.

Accounting Technician Syllabus 39

 In the exam, candidates may be required to:
 Define public finance
 Explain the economic role of government
 Explain how government sources its revenue
 Explain principles of taxation
 Explain government expenditure
 Explain national debt
 Define fiscal Policy and its implications to the economy

11 Business cycles and economic growth

The candidates should be able to explain business cycles and economic growth and the
relationship between the two.

In the exam candidates may be required to:

 Explain what business (trade) cycles are.
 Define the term accelerator, and the accelerator-multiplier model of the trade
cycle.
 Demonstrate their understanding of the term economic growth.
 Discuss factors affecting economic growth.
 Analyse the benefits of economic growth.
 Outline the costs of growth.
 Distinguish economic development from economic growth.
 Explain the concept of economic re-organisation.
12 Economic development and policies
Candidates should be able to explain economic development and various policies that
countries pursue in order to bring about economic development.

In the exam, candidate may be required to:

 Explain features of least developed countries

 Explain causes of underdevelopment.

40 Accounting Technician Syllabus

  Define inflation and unemployment and show how they are related.
 Explain the types of unemployment and costs of unemployment.
 Discuss ways of reducing unemployment.
 Discuss the main types and causes of inflation and how they can be controlled.
 Explain the effects of inflation.
 Outline the features of supply-side economics..
 Explain the main objectives of supply side policies.

13 International trade and finance

Candidates should be able to demonstrate justification for international trade and its
implications on balance of payment, terms of trade and exchange rates.

In the exam, candidate may be required to:

 Explain reasons for international trade.
 Define protectionism and its implications on welfare.
 Explain Balance of Payment (BOP) and its implications on trade
 Define terms of trade
 Implication of Exchange Rates on trade
 Describe international economic institutions and corporations

14 Globalization
Candidates should be able to define globalization and explain the effects of globalization.

In the exam, candidate may be required to:

 Define globalization
 Explain positive and negative effects of globalization
 Define regional integration
 Discuss local regional integrations
 Explain the economic effects of regional integration

Accounting Technician Syllabus 41

 REFERENCES
ICAM Economics Manual
CIMA, (2008). Paper CO4 Fundamentals of Business Economics Study Text,
UK: Kaplan Publishing

ICSA, (2004). Economics Study Text, UK: ICSA Publishing (London).

Grant, S.J. (2003). Stanlake’s Introductory Economics, 7th Edition,

Longman.
Lipsey, R.G. (1994). An Introduction to Positive Economics, 7th Edition, UK:
Oxford University

42 Accounting Technician Syllabus

TC6: ACCOUNTING/2

AIMS OF THE COURSE

i. To develop the student’s understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts of

accounting.
ii. To develop the student’s ability to apply accounting principles in various practical
accounting environments in line with regulatory and statutory framework.
iii. To develop the student’s ability to prepare, analyze and interpret financial statements.

OBJECTIVES
By the end of the course the student should be able to:-
i. Prepare financial statements for a variety of organizations within the regulatory
framework.
ii. Analyze the performance of a business using financial statements through ratio analysis.
iii. Prepare basic consolidated financial statements for simple group accounts.

FORMAT AND STANDARD OF THE EXAMINATION PAPER

The paper will consist of two sections; section A and section B. Section A will be compulsory
with one question. The question will be on preparation of final accounts for various forms of
businesses with some adjustments. This section will carry 40 marks. Section B will have 4
questions, each carrying 20 marks. Candidates will be required to answer any three questions
from section B.

SPECIFICATION GRID
This grid shows the relative weightings of topics within this course and should provide guidance
regarding the study time to be spent on each.

Syllabus Area Weighting (%)

Adjustment to accounting records and financial statements. 25
Accounting and reporting for various business organizations. 65
Consolidated financial statements. 10
Total 100

Learning Outcomes

1 Overview of accounting procedures and systems

1.1 Types of business organizations and general purpose of financial statements, users and their
needs.

(a) Identify and explain general purposes of financial statements

Accounting Technician Syllabus 43

 (b) Identify and define different forms of business organization sole trader, partnership,
limited company and non-profit making organizations
(c) Recognize legal differences in respect of formation, ownership, capital and liability
in different forms of business organization
(d) Define, understand and apply qualitative characteristics: relevance, faithful
representation, comparability, verifiability, timeliness and understandability
(a) Identify various users of financial statements and their information needs

1.2 Documents used in business transactions including documents for stores and payment
preparation.

(a) Identify and explain documents used in credit sales or revenue systems and credit
purchase systems, cash transactions both sales or revenue and payments such as
quotations, requisition, local purchase order, supplier tax invoice, payment voucher,
petty cash voucher, petty cash return, cash receipts, customer tax invoice, sales orders
cheque books etc
(b) Identify and explain documents used in stores systems: requisitions, stores issue
notes, good received notes, goods returned notes, delivery notes, dispatch notes

1.3 Systems of internal checks in bank accounting, reconciliation, payables reconciliation

and receivables reconciliation.

(a) Identify documentation needed to perform a bank and petty cash reconciliation: bank
statement, cheque stubs, deposit slips, expenses vouchers
(b) Understand bank reconciling items: un-presented/outstanding cheques, outstanding
lodgments and bank or cash book errors
(c) Prepare bank and petty cash reconciliation
(d) Prepare both accounts receivables and payables control accounts
(e) Use accounts receivables control account to determine sales figure
(f) Use accounts payables control account to determine purchases figure
(g) Explain how bank reconciliation, petty cash and control accounts for receivables and
payables perform internal check function

1.4.1 Basic final accounts and interaction of statement of profit or loss and the statement of
financial position including period end adjustments.

(a) Revise preparation of simple statement of profit or loss and statement of financial
position with emphasis on main elements in each statement and recognized formats
(b) Explain the interaction of statement of profit or loss and statement of financial
position using the accounting equation
(c) Prepare statement of profit or loss with periodic adjustments

2 Conceptual, regulatory and statutory framework of accounting

2.1 Accounting concepts, principles and policies

44 Accounting Technician Syllabus

 (a) Define, understand and apply accounting concepts and principles: materiality,
substance over form, going concern, business entity concept, accruals, fair
presentation, consistency, materiality and historical cost

2.2 Overview of the International Financial Reporting Standards.

(a) Define, understand and apply accounting convention and generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP)
(b) Understand the role of the regulatory system including the roles of the IFRS
Foundation (IFRSF), the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), the IFRS
Advisory Council (IFRS AC) and the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC)
(c) Understand the role of the local regulatory system including Institute of Chartered
Accountants in Malawi (ICAM) and Malawi Accountants Board (MAB)
(d) Understand the role of International Reporting Standards

2.3 Overview of the Malawi Companies Act.

(a) Understand and explain the role of the Companies Act relating to governance issues
in respect of financial reporting

3 Application of selected accounting standards

3.1 Accounting for tangible noncurrent assets

The main reference is International Accounting Standard (IAS) 16, Property, Plant and
Equipment. The other relevant accounting standards are IAS 36 Impairment of Assets
and IAS 40 Investment Property
(a) Define the following: property, plant and equipment, carrying amount, depreciable
amount, depreciation, fair value, impairment loss, recoverable amount, residual value
and useful life of noncurrent asset
(b) Explain when cost of an item qualifies to be recognized as an asset
(c) Explain how the value of property, plant and equipment is measured and its elements
(d) Recognize costs that are not costs of an item of property, plant and equipment
(e) Explain the difference between property, plant and equipment under IAS 16 and
investment property under IAS 40
(f) Understand and apply the cost measurements: cost model and revaluation model
(g) Recognize examples of separate classes of property, plant and equipment
(h) Explain basis for choosing a depreciation method
(i) Explain the circumstances an item of property, plant and equipment cost should be
depreciated separately
(j) Record the revaluation of a non-current asset in ledger accounts, the statement of
profit or loss and other comprehensive income and in the statement of financial
position.
(k) Calculate the profit or loss on disposal of a revalued asset.
(l) Illustrate how non-current asset balances and movements are disclosed in financial
statements.
(m)Explain the purpose and function of an asset register.
(n) Identify the circumstances where different methods of depreciation would be
appropriate.

Accounting Technician Syllabus 45

 (o) Calculate depreciation on a revalued noncurrent asset including the transfer of excess
depreciation between the revaluation reserve and retained earnings.
(p) Calculate the adjustments to depreciation necessary if changes are made in the
estimated useful life and/or residual value of a noncurrent asset.
(q) Explain circumstances that would be the basis for derecognition of an asset
(r) Explain and identify minimum requirements that should be considered in assessing
any indication that an asset may be impaired
(s) Prepare disclosure note for each class of property, plant and equipment

3.2 Accounting for intangible noncurrent assets and amortisation

The main reference is International Accounting Standard (IAS) 38 Intangible Assets
(a) Define intangible asset
(b) Identify intangible asset with reference to identifiability, control and future economic
benefits criterion
(c) Recognize the difference between tangible and intangible non-current assets with
examples
(d) Explain the basis for recognition of intangible assets
(e) Identify and explain the treatment of intangible assets based on whether it is acquired,
or internally generated intangible asset
(f) Define and calculate amortization and explain their treatment for intangible assets
with finite and indefinite useful life
(g) Explain and apply the cost and revaluation model options to measurement approach
of intangible asset after recognition
(h) Identify and explain circumstances that would be the basis for derecognition of an
intangible asset
(i) Prepare disclosure note for each class of intangible assets

3.3 Accounting for inventories

The main reference is International Accounting Standard (IAS) 2 Inventories
(a) Define inventories, and net realizable value
(b) Understand the measurement of inventories
(c) Understand the elements of cost of inventories
(d) Identify and apply cost formulas for cost of inventories; first-in, first-out (FIFO) and
weighted average cost formulas
(e) Explain when inventories are recognized as an expense
(f) Prepare a disclosure note for accounting policy for inventory cost measurement and
the cost formula used in preparation of financial statements

3.4 Accounting for leases

The main reference is International Accounting Standard (IAS) 17 Leases
(a) Define lease
(b) Identify and define classes of lease : a finance lease and operating lease
(c) Understand the concepts of minimum lease payments and interest rate implicit in the
lease
(d) Explain the recognition of operating lease and finance lease in financial statements

46 Accounting Technician Syllabus

 (e) Record transactions of leases in the ledger accounts and financial statements for both
the lessor and the lessee
(f) Understand and explain sale and leaseback transaction

3.5 Accounting for agriculture

The main reference is International Accounting Standard (IAS) 41 Agriculture
(a) Define agricultural activity and biological transformation
(b) Identify agricultural produce and a biological asset
(c) Identify types of biological transformation outcome
(d) Explain when a biological asset or agricultural produce should be recognized
(e) Classify biological assets into mature and immature assets

4 Final accounts for various forms of business

4.1 Accounts for non-profit making organizations.

(a) Explain the difference between accrual and cash basis accounting non-profit
making organisations
(b) Calculate income from independent fund raising activities such as competition,
canteen, bars
(c) Make periodical adjustments including income in arrears and in advance
(d) Understand and calculate accumulated fund
(e) Prepare statement of income and expenditure and statement of financial position
for non-profit making organisations such as clubs and societies

4.2 Accounting aspects relating to partnership agreements changes.

(a) Give reasons why a partnership agreement may be changed
(b) Account for revaluation of assets and goodwill that may arise during partnership
changes
(c) Record introduction of new partners, dissolution of partnership and any changes in
partnership agreement in statement of financial position

4.3 Conversion of partnership into limited company

(a) Calculate consideration for each partner for conversion of their interest in the
partnership into shares
(b) Calculate and record goodwill during the conversion process
(c) Identify share capital conversion ratios
(d) Calculate number of shares into which partnership individual capital accounts are
converted
(e) Prepare a statement of financial statement for new limited company from partnership

5 Accounting for special transactions

5.1 Capital structure of limited companies (share capital, including equity and loan
capital).
(a) Understand the capital structure of a limited liability company including:

Accounting Technician Syllabus 47

 (i) Ordinary shares
(ii) Preference shares (redeemable and irredeemable)
(iii) Loan notes.
(b) Explain advantages and disadvantages of different types of capital with reference to
ownership, control of the company and distribution of profits
(c) Compare capital structure of a limited company, partnership and sole trader

5.2 The issue and redemption of shares and debentures.

(a) Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different shares
(b) Understand and explain the process of issue of shares and debentures for both private
and public limited companies
(c) Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using Malawi Stock exchange in issue
of shares
(d) Understand the concepts of market price and nominal or par value of shares and
debentures
(e) Record issue of issue shares and debentures at nominal or par value, premium and
discount in ledger accounts and financial statements
(f) Record forfeited shares in ledger accounts and the financial statements
(a) Explain why shares may be redeemed
(b) Record redemption of shares at par value and premium in ledger accounts and
financial statements

5.3 Treatment of taxation in Malawi Companies

(a) Identify and explain types of taxes payable by limited companies
(b) Identify and explain taxes that companies collect on before of the government
(c) Record taxes that a limited company collects on behalf of the government in ledger
accounts and financial statements
(d) Record taxes payable by a limited company in the ledger accounts and financial
statements

6 Final accounts- limited companies

6.1 Preparation of final accounts for internal use:

(a) Classify expenses by function; distribution expenses, administrative expenses, and
finance expenses.
(b) Calculate and record finance costs in ledger accounts and the financial statements.
(c) Record other income and taxation
(d) Calculate and record dividends in ledger accounts and the financial statements.
(e) Record profit transfers to various reserves in ledger accounts and the financial
statements.
(f) Prepare statement of profit or loss and statement of financial statement
(g) Define a bonus (capitalization) issue and its advantages and disadvantages.
(h) Define a rights issue and its advantages and disadvantages.
(i) Record and show the effects of a bonus (capitalization) issue in the statement of
financial position.

48 Accounting Technician Syllabus

 (j) Record and show the effects of a rights issue in the statement of financial position

6.2 Preparation of final accounts for publication

(a) Prepare statement of profit or loss and statement of financial position according to
International Financial Reporting Standards, Companies Act and Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice
(b) Calculate earnings per share according to IAS 33

6.2 Statement of changes in equity.

(a) Identify the components of the statement of changes in equity
(b) Record movements in the share capital, share premium accounts and other equity
components

6.4 Cash flow statement for a single company.

The reference is IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows
(a) Differentiate between profit and cash flow
(b) Understand the need for management to control cash flow.
(c) Recognise the benefits and drawbacks to users of the financial statements of a
statement of cash flows.
(d) Classify the effect of transactions on cash flows
(e) Calculate the figures needed for the statement of cash flows including:
(i) Cash flows from operating activities
(ii) Cash flows from investing activities
(iii) Cash flows from financing activities
(f) Understand different treatments of interest and dividends
(g) Calculate the cash flow from operating activities using the indirect and direct method.
(h) Identify the elements of cash and cash equivalents

7 Introduction to consolidated accounts

Reference standard is IFRS 10

7.1 The definition of various investments (trade investment, subsidiary, an associate and
joint ventures.
(a) Define and describe the following terms in the context of group accounting: Parent,
Subsidiary, Control, Consolidated or group financial statements, Non-controlling
interest, Trade / simple investment
(b) Identify subsidiaries within a group structure.

7.2 Preparation of basic consolidated financial statements for a company with one
subsidiary.
(a) Define and describe the following terms in the context of group accounting:
(i) Parent
(ii) Subsidiary
(iii) Control

Accounting Technician Syllabus 49

 (iv) Consolidated or group financial statements
(v) Non-controlling interest
(vi)Trade / simple investment
(b) Identify subsidiaries within a group structure.
(c) Calculate goodwill (excluding impairment of goodwill) using the full goodwill method
only as follows:
Fair value of consideration X
Fair value of non-controlling interest X
Less fair value of net assets at acquisition (X)
Goodwill at acquisition X
(d) Describe the components of and prepare a consolidated statement of financial position or
extracts thereof including:
(i) Elimination of inter-company trading balances (including cash and goods in transit)
(ii) Removal of unrealized profit arising on inter-company trading
(iii) Acquisition of subsidiaries part way through the financial year taking into account
pre and post- acquisition profits.

8 Interpretations of financial statements

8.1 Importance and purpose of analysis of financial statements

(a) Describe how the interpretation and analysis of financial statements is used in a
business environment.
(b) Explain the purpose of interpretation of ratios

8.2 Ratio Analysis.

(a) Calculate key accounting ratios: profitability, liquidity, efficient use of resources and
financial position ratios
(b) Deduce elements of financial statements from given ratios

8.3 Analysis of financial statements

(a) Calculate and interpret the relationship between the elements of the financial
statements with regard to profitability, liquidity, efficient use of resources and
financial position.
(b) Draw valid conclusions from the information contained within the financial
statements and present these to the appropriate user of the financial statements.
(c) Recognize limitations of ratio analysis in interpretation of financial statements

50 Accounting Technician Syllabus

Reference

ICAM Accounting/2 Manual

Wood, Frank. (2005 edition), business accounting tenth edition
BPP manual (2010) F7- Financial Reporting
BPP manual (2010). - Interpretation of Financial Statements, Diploma in Financial Management
manual
BPP manual (2012) P2 Corporate Reporting

Accounting Technician Syllabus 51

 TC7: AUDITING

AIIMS OF THE COURSE

To develop candidates’ practical knowledge and understanding of the process of performing an

audit and other assurance services in the context of the professional and legal framework (s) both
globally and locally.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completing this paper, candidates should be able to

i. Explain the objectives of an audit within the concept of assurance
ii. Understand regulatory framework within which the accountancy profession operates, the
audit and other assurance services are provided and the need for the services to be carried
out by appropriately qualified professionals.
iii. Understand and discuss the structure of an audit process and the fundamental concepts
guiding the process.
iv. Understand and discuss the impact of computers and electronic processing and
information management systems of a client on the auditor’s work.
v. Prepare draft reports from a given assignment, and
vi. Explain the purpose and scope of internal audit, another form of assurance services.

FORMAT AND STANDARD OF THE EXAMINATION PAPER

The paper will consist of seven questions each carrying 20 marks one of which will be
compulsory and it will be on the application of audit procedures in a computer environment and
use of computers in the audit process. Candidates will be required to answer the compulsory
question and any 4 questions.

SPECIFICATION GRID
This grid shows the relative weightings of sections within this course. Marks available in the
examination assessment will roughly equate to the weightings below, although slight variations
may occur in individual sections assessments to enable suitably rigorous questions to be set.

Syllabus Area Weightings %

Nature and purpose of audit and other assurance engagements 30
Legal and professional requirements of the auditor 25
Gathering Evidence: planning, internal controls and substantive 35
tests.
Review and reporting 10
Total 100

52 Accounting Technician Syllabus

Learning Outcomes
The course syllabus endeavor to achieve the following learning outcomes from the syllabus.
1. Nature and purpose of audit and other assurance engagements

Candidates will be able to explain the concept of assurance, its purpose and where an
audit and other assurance services fit within the concept.
In the assessment, candidates may be required to:
a. Define the concept of assurance amongst many other services a professional may
be engaged in.
b. State the purpose of assurance reports and provide examples of the benefits
gained from them such as to assure the entity’s report quality with respect to a
subject matter reported on.
c. Compare the functions and responsibilities of the different parties involved in an
assurance engagement.
d. Identify and compare the purposes and characteristics of, and levels of assurance
obtained from, different assurance engagements and define the concepts of
reasonable assurance.
e. Define an audit as one of the assurance engagement relating to its present form.
f. Review an audit historical origins and its development over time to its present
form.
g. Identify principles of corporate governance and the role of internal audit within
the corporate governance structure.
h. Define the audit and assurance process which includes: (obtaining engagement,
determination of score of work, planning and risk assessment of the client,
determination of scope of work, planning and risk assessment of the client
obtaining evidence and evaluation of the results and reporting to the engagement
party).
i. Identify the role of regulations and guidelines in the engagement process.

2. Legal and professional requirements of the auditor

Candidates will be required to identify the legal and other regulatory issues which have a
direct impact on the professional work in general and audit and other assurance
engagements in particular. The legal aspects are mainly contained in the company’s Act
and the Public Accountants and Auditor’s Act, while professionally, candidates will be
able to understand the importance of ethical behavior, and identify issues relating to:
integrity , objectivity, competence, confidentially and courtesy behavior amongst other.
In the assessment may be required to:
a. State the contractual requirements between the auditor or other assurance services
providers and other parties in the engagement.
b. State the qualifications requirement under the Companies Act and the Public
Accountants and Auditors Act for a person or a firm to be engaged to carry out a
statutory audit.

Accounting Technician Syllabus 53

 c. State the auditor’s and entity directors or management respective duties and rights
during the engagement as provided for by the Companies Act.
d. Explain the auditors’ contractual performance expectations and resulting liability
for negligence.
e. Explain the auditors’ responsibility and liability with respect to money laundering
and other illegal acts or non-compliance with other relevant laws and regulations.
f. State the role of ethical code and identify features of the professional ethics
adopted by the IFAC, and how they work in public interest.
g. Suggest courses of actions that may be taken to resolve ethical conflict of interests
relating to the ethical fundamental principles identified above.
h. State the importance of confidentiality, identifying the risk of accidental
disclosure of client’s information, and stating exceptional cases when this may
not apply.
i. Define objectivity and independence and recognize why those undertaking
assurance engagements are required to be independent of their clients.
j. State to fundamental ethical principles and independence of assurance providers,
as identified by the IFAC, and possible safeguard to eliminate or reduce such
threats.
3. Gathering evidence: planning, internal controls and substantive tests

Candidates will be able to plan and select methods of obtaining sufficient and appropriate
evidence from which conclusions can be drawn, or reference to senior colleagues where
necessary.
In the assessment, candidates may be required to:
Planning
a. Carry out appropriate tasks and procedures to understand the client’s entity’s
business and its environment before any ground work can be carried out.
b. Assess audit risk associated with the client and set appropriate materiality levels,
including determination of whether or where there is need to gather evidence on
sampling basis.
c. Develop and audit strategy and draw an audit program including determination of
the nature, extent and timing of specific audit tests and procedures.

Internal Controls
a. Define internal controls and state the reasons for organizations having effective
systems of control.
b. Identify the fundamental principles of effective control system.
c. State why the auditor needs to identify the entity’s main areas of a business and
test the effectiveness of its control systems.

54 Accounting Technician Syllabus

 d. Identify the components of internal control in both manual and IT environments
including: the overall control environment, preventive and detective controls and
internal audit.
e. Define and classify different types of internal control, with particular emphasis on
those which impact upon the quality of financial information.
f. Show how specified internal controls mitigate risk and state their limitations.
g. Identify internal controls for an organization in a given scenario.
h. Identify internal control weaknesses in a given scenario, state the possible
eventualities of such weaknesses and suggest possible improvements.
i. Identify the process through which the auditor can communicate to those charged
with governance of a specified organization.

Substantive Testing
a. State the nature and attributes of good audit evidence
b. Explain financial statements assertions and state techniques that may be employed
to gather audit evidence.
c. Carry out detailed tests of elements of financial statements, including collection
and evaluation of samples thereof.
d. Design and carryout appropriate tests in clients’ computerized systems, including
use of CAATs.

4. Review and Reporting

Candidates will be able to carry out overall reviews of financial and other information
related to the financial statements under review to form an overall conclusion on financial
statements to report on them.
In the assessment, candidates may be required to:
Overall Reviews
a. Perform appropriate analytical reviews and consistency reviews to see whether
information as a whole make sense.
b. Assess whether opening balances for the current period financial statements were
properly brought forward from previous periods and whether all the comparative
information from previous periods has been properly disclosed, and they seem to
be consistent with current period.
c. Review any event occurring after the reporting date and whether they have any
effect on financial statements under review.
d. Seek any other additional information and explanations through management
representations.

Reporting
a. Identify all parties to the audit or other assurance engagements and demonstrate
awareness of other immediate stakeholders to the report and the auditors’
responsibility towards hem.

Accounting Technician Syllabus 55

 b. Identify key parts and appropriate wording in the audit report.
c. Identify and explain all forms of modification to the reports and circumstances
under which such modifications are appropriate.
d. Identify and state the purpose and contents of the management (weaknesses) letter
issued to those charged with governance of an entity in addition to the main
report.

56 Accounting Technician Syllabus

References

ICAM Auditing Manual

A.H. Millichamp – Auditing (DP Publications)
M.J. Pratt – Auditing (Longman)
F.A. Attwood & N.D. Stein-dePaula’s Auditing (Pitman)
Introduction to Malawi Auditing Standards and Guidelines (ICAM)
E. Woolf – Auditing (MacDonald and Evans)
Coopers & Lybrand Students Manual of Auditing (Gee & Co)
Spicer & Pegler – Practical Auditing (Butterworths)
Malawi Companies Act 1984

Accounting Technician Syllabus 57

 TC8: BUSINESS LAW

AIM OF THE COURSE

To develop candidates’ understanding of the broad range of basic legal principles and the ability
to apply this knowledge in various business transactions.

OBJECTIVES
On completion of this course, candidates will be able to:
i. Explain the various sources of law in Malawi.
ii. Explain the organization of the courts and administration of the courts in Malawi.
iii. Distinguish between civil and criminal liability.
iv. Explain the basic principles related to law of torts.
v. Explain the principles of the law of contract.
vi. Explain the law relating to sale of goods.
vii. Explain the principles of the law of agency.
viii. Describe the law relating to labour and employment in Malawi.
ix. Explain the fundamental features of a company, classification and practical
procedures in the formation of a company.
x. Explain the nature of the legal constitution of a registered company.
xi. Explain the legal effects of incorporation of a company.
xii. Describe company membership, the concept of shares and their transferability
xiii. Describe the capital and financing of companies.
xiv. Explain company administration in relation to shareholders, directors, the company
secretary, auditors and company meetings.
xv. Explain receivership, the forms of company liquidation and the key aspects of
liquidation and the role of the liquidator.

FORMAT AND STANDARD OF THE EXAMINATION PAPER

There will be a three hour examination and the question paper will have seven questions each
carrying equal marks. The paper will be divided into sections A and B. students will be required
to answer five out of the seven; at least two questions from each section. Candidates will be
expected to demonstrate an understanding of a wide range of topics covered by the syllabus.
Emphasis will be more on knowledge levels than application of skills. Students will nevertheless
be required to show ability to use this knowledge to solve legal problems. They will also be
expected to cite case law and discern the legal principles enunciated in such cases. The
demonstration of basic legal logic will be a hallmark of the examination. Students must show
that they understand that common sense is not law or a substitute for legal logic. Candidates will
lose marks for failing to communicate clearly including grammatical errors.

58 Accounting Technician Syllabus

SPECIFICATION GRID

This grid shows the relative weightings of subjects within this module and should guide the
relative study time spent on each. Over time the marks available in the assessment will equate to
the weightings below, while slight variations may occur in individual assessments to enable
suitably rigorous questions to be set.

Syllabus Area Weighting

The Malawi Legal System 20
The Law of Tort 10
The Law of Contract 20
Employment Contracts 10
Agency 5
Sale of Goods 10
Hire Purchase 10
Negotiable Instruments 10
Bankers Commercial Credits 5
100
1. The Malawi Legal System

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

i. explain the system of courts and administration of justice in Malawi.
ii. discuss sources of law in Malawi, including legislation, case law, custom and equity.

2. The Law of Tort

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

i. distinguish a tort from other wrongs
ii. explain remoteness of damage; vicarious liability; negligence, strict liability, nuisance,
defamation and general defenses in tort.

3. The Law of Contract

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

i. recognise when a legally binding contract exists between two parties and how a contract
may be enforced.
ii. identify the circumstances under which a contract can be terminated and possible
remedies for breach of contract.

4. Employment Contracts

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

i. identify the main legal consequences of employment status.

ii. identify the key features of employment contracts and recognise circumstances in which
an employment contract may be terminated and the consequences arising thereform.

Accounting Technician Syllabus 59

 iii. explain dispute resolution processes in the workplace and statutory benefits payable to
employees.

5. Agency

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

i. identify the methods by which agency can be created.

ii. identify the duties and rights of agents.
iii. recognise the authority an agent has to enter into contracts on behalf of a principal,
including express, implied and apparent authority and the termination of the agency
relationship.

6. The Contract of Sale of Goods

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

i. explain the requirements for the formation, performance, discharge and remedies under a
sale of goods contract.

7. Hire Purchase Contract

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

i. explain the requirements for the formation, performance, discharge and remedies under a
hire purchase contract.

9. Negotiable Instruments

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

i. explain the requirements for the formation, performance, discharge and remedies under
negotiable instruments including cheques and promissory notes.

10 Bankers Commercial Credits

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

i. explain the requirements for bankers commercial credits.

60 Accounting Technician Syllabus

Reference

ICAM Business Law Manual

Accounting Technician Syllabus 61

 TC9: COSTING AND BUDGETORY CONTROL

AIM OF THE STUDY

To enable students understand principles of costing, their application in product costing,

management information systems and preparation of budgets and budgetary control.

OBJECTIVES
By the end of the study students should be able to:
 Ascertain costs for products and services using appropriate costing methods and use them
to establish prices;
 Prepare budgets for various activities using appropriate budgeting approaches and
methods:
 Analyse standards and budgets of various activities and compare with actual to explain
differences;
 Use relevant cost theory to make simple and short term management decisions.

FORMAT AND STANDARD OF THE EXAMINATION PAPER

The paper will consist of 5 questions each carrying 20 marks. Candidates will be required to
answer all questions.

SPECIFICATION GRID
This grid shows the relative weightings of topics within this course and should provide guidance
regarding the time to be spent on each.

Syllabus Area Weightings (%)

Cost Ascertainment 40
Planning, performance measurement and
control 30
Decision 30
Total 100

Learning Outcomes
1 . Cost ascertainment

Students will be able to ascertain costs for products and services using appropriate
costing methods and use them to establish prices.

Students should be able to:

a) Understand the basic concepts of cost accounting
b) Classify costs into fixed, variable and mixed and able to separate mixed costs into
variable and fixed components.
c) Select the most suitable method of costing for different products and services
d) Understand basic concepts of overhead allocation, apportionment and absorption

62 Accounting Technician Syllabus

 e) Prepare management information using :
 Marginal costing
 Absorption costing and reconcile the differences in profits reported
f) Use non traditional costing methods in the provision of management information

2. Planning, performance measurement and control

Students will be able to identify and describe the purpose of standard costing system and the
application in budgetary control. Select appropriate budgeting approaches and methods and
prepare budgets.
Students should be able to:
a) Understand the concepts of standards and standard costing and how they are
set.
b) Explain how budgeting fits into the overall planning and control framework
c) Identify and describe the various stages in the budgeting process
d) Prepare functional and master budgets using different techniques
e) Apply the principles of flexible budgeting in budgetary control
f) Calculate differences between actual performance and standards or budgets in
terms of cost and volume effects and identify possible reasons for those
differences.

3. Decision making

Students should be able to apply principles of marginal costing and relevant costs for use
in management decision making.

Students should be able to:

a) Calculate the breakeven point, contribution and margin of safety for a given
product or service.
b) Understand Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) analysis, assumptions and limitations.
c) Distinguish between relevant and irrelevant costs and revenues for decision
making.
d) Describe the key concept that should be applied for presenting information
for product mix decisions when capacity constraints apply.
e) Describe how marginal costing can assist in short-term decision making.

Accounting Technician Syllabus 63

 References

ICAM Manual Costing and Budgetary Control

Drury, J.C. (2012) Management and Cost Accounting, (8th Edition). Cengage Learning: London.

Lucey, T. (2009) Costing, (6th Edition???). Continuum: London

Horngren, C.T, et al (2002). Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis, (13th Edition). Prentice
Hall International

64 Accounting Technician Syllabus

TC10 : TAXATION

AIM OF THE COURSE

To enable candidates understand the general objectives of taxation and to apply this knowledge
in practice by calculating income tax for different taxable persons including individuals,
partnerships, corporate bodies and taxation principles applicable to special trades.

OBJECTIVES
On completion of this module the candidate should be able to:-

i. Explain the principles of taxation

ii. Describe the administration of taxes in Malawi
iii. Explain the general objectives of Malawi tax and the different types of tax
iv. Calculate tax liabilities for individuals and corporate bodies
v. Calculate value added taxes, excise and customs duties owed by taxpayers
vi. Prepare various tax returns

FORMAT AND STANDARD OF THE EXAMINATION PAPER

The examination will be divided into two sections, A and B. Section A will have two compulsory
questions. Section B will have five questions and candidates will be required to answer any
three. Section A will account for 40% of the examination and section B 60%. There will be a
balance between narrative and computational questions.

SPECIFICATION GRID
The table below shows the relative weightings of topics within this module and gives an
indication of the exam content for each area.

Syllabus area Weighting

Principles of taxation and introduction to Malawi taxation 5%

Income tax on individuals and corporate bodies 40%

Capital allowances 10%

Taxation of special trades and cases 10%

Administration and collection of taxes 15%

Value added tax 10%

Customs duties 5%

Excise
xc

Total 100%

Accounting Technician Syllabus 65

 Learning Outcomes
The following are the learning outcomes

1. Principles of taxation and introduction to Malawi taxation

Candidates should be able to explain the principles and objectives of taxation and explain
the Malawi tax system.

In the exam candidates may be required to:

 Explain reasons for a government introducing a tax system
 Describe essential elements of a good tax system
 Describe the Malawi tax system (past and present) and the basis of taxation
 Classify and explain the nature of taxes

2. Income tax on individuals and corporate bodies

Candidates should be able to classify entities as individuals, partnerships, or companies
for tax purposes and state how they are taxed.

In the exam candidates may be required to:

 Identify assessable and exempt income, allowable and non- allowable
deductions and taxable income
 Compute fringe benefits tax
 Compute capital gains or losses
 Compute foreign exchange gains or losses
 Compute tax on investment income
 Compute taxes for individuals, partnerships and corporate bodies.

66 Accounting Technician Syllabus

3. Capital allowances
Candidates should be able to explain and compute the different types of capital
allowances and identify the scenarios and on which assets on which they can be claimed.

In the exam the candidate may be required to:

 Describe initial, investment and annual allowances
 Identify assets that qualify for capital allowances
 Compute capital allowances
 Compute capital gains or losses
 Describe incentives and restrictions on capital allowances

4. Taxation of special trades and cases

Candidates should be able to describe how special trades are taxed.

Candidates may be required to compute taxes for:

 Charities and trusts
 Clubs and societies
 Ecclesiastical bodies
 Sale of timber and land on which timber has been grown for sale
 Farming

5. Administration and collection of taxes

Candidates should be able to identify the obligations the Malawi tax system imposes on
tax payers and the implications of non-compliance.

In the exam candidates may be required to:

 Explain the powers of the commissioner general
 Explain the significance and application of the rule of secrecy
 Explain who is responsible for administering tax on behalf of corporate bodies
 Identify the records that must be kept for various taxes.
 Explain collection procedures (Pay as you earn, withholding tax, provisional tax,
non-resident tax)
 State due dates for various tax returns and penalties for non-compliance
 State appeal procedures

6. Value added tax

Candidates should be able to calculate the amount of VAT owed by or owed to
businesses

Accounting Technician Syllabus 67

 In the exam candidates may be required to:
 Classify supplies as exempt, zero-rated, and taxable.
 Explain when a taxpayer could or should register or deregister for VAT
 Explain the obligations of a registered person
 Describe the VAT credit system (input and output VAT, and refunds)

7. Customs duty
Candidates should be able to explain the principles of customs duty and, where
applicable, calculate the amount of customs duty owed by taxpayers

In the exam candidates may be required to:

 Describe the nature and functions of customs duty
 Explain importation and declaration procedures (ports of entry, import
documentation, valuation of goods, and purpose of importation)
 Explain the functions of customs tariffs
 Explain rules of origin and preference of imported goods
 Compute customs duty
 Explain storage and post importation procedures (clearing procedures, bonded
warehouses, customs record keeping)

8. Excise
Candidates should be able to explain the principles of excise duty and, where applicable,
calculate the amount of excise duty owed by taxpayers

In the exam candidates may be required to:

 Explain what is meant by excise as part of the indirect taxes and how it is
accounted for in Malawi.
 Explain legal provisions as read in the Customs and Excise Act and Regulations
 Identify goods liable for excise tax
 Explain registration procedures and conditions applying to all excise traders and
their obligations

68 Accounting Technician Syllabus

Suggested readings

ICAM Taxation manual

Malawi Taxation Act

Value Added Tax (VAT) Act

Customs and excise Act

A. Silke South African Income Tax

Accounting Technician Syllabus 69

 TC11: MANAGEMENT

AIMS OF THE COURSE

To develop the students’ understanding of management theory and practice in the environmental
framework within which accounting and financial information is produced and used.

OBJECTIVES
By the end of the course students should be able to:-

i. Define an organization.
ii. Describe and analyze the main functions of business organizations.
iii. Describe organization design and structure and other factors that affect organizations.
iv. Explain the main factors that influence organization design and structure.
v. Identify key stakeholders, their influences and interests in business organizations.
vi. Define the management concept.
vii. Explain the development of management theory.
viii. Explain managerial functions, roles and principles.
ix. Analyze various approaches to management.
x. Explain the strategic management process and its application in modern organization.
xi. Define and explain theories of motivation and the role of motivation in management.
xii. Explain various theories of leadership.
xiii. Explain the impact of change and management of an organization in the global economy.
xiv. Describe the concept of corporate governance and its application in a modern business
environment.
xv. Explain the components of organizational culture.
xvi. Explain the ethical considerations in management.

FORMAT AND STANDARD OF THE EXAMINATION PAPER

The examination will have seven questions each carrying 20 marks. Candidates will be required
to answer any five.

SPECIFICATION GRID

This grid shows the relative weightings of topics within this subject and should guide the relative
study time spent on each. Over time the marks available in the assessment will equate to the
weightings below, while slight variations may occur in individual assessments to enable suitably
rigorous questions to be set.

70 Accounting Technician Syllabus

Syllabus Area Weighting
Organization forms, designs and 5
structures
Management theories 5
Management functions 35
Business functions 30
Management processes 15
Contemporary issues 10
TOTAL 100

Learning Outcomes

1. Meaning and nature of an organisation

In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define an organization.
 Differentiate formal from informal organization.
 Differentiate commercial and non commercial.
 Analyze the main functions of business organizations.
 Identify the characteristics of business objectives.
 Identify the key stakeholders in business organizations.
 Identify the roles and benefits of key stakeholders.

2. Organizational design and structure

In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define organization structure.

 Explain factors influencing the design of organization structure.
 Identify the objectives of organization design and structure.
 Explain the common patterns of departmentation.
 Differentiate centralization from decentralization.
 Describe types of authority.

3. The development of management school of thought

In the exam the candidate may be expected to:

 Define management.
 Identify management functions and roles.
 Explain the nature of management.
 Explain management theories.

4. The administration function

In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

Accounting Technician Syllabus 71

  Define management and administration.
 Describe administrative functions.
 Identify the duties and responsibilities of administrative managers.
 Differentiate between administration and management.

5. Production
In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define production.
 Describe factors of production.
 Identify types of production.
 Explain approaches to production management.

6. Purchasing
In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define purchasing.
 Explain the objectives of purchasing.
 Identify the responsibilities of purchasing departments.
 Describe the purchasing process.
 Describe the purchasing mix.
 Explain the supply strategy.

7. Marketing
In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define marketing.
 Explain organizations philosophy towards their production and customers.
 Describe marketing mix.
 Explain market research.
 Explain market segmentation.

8. Finance
In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define financial management.

 Identify sources of finance.
 Describe control methods of financial resources.
 Explain financing strategies.

9. Research and development

In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

72 Accounting Technician Syllabus

  Describe main types of research.
 Identify functions of R & D.
 Identify factors that determine allocation of resources to R & D.
 Differentiate product from process research.

10. Human resource management

In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define HRM
 Identify objectives of HRM.
 Explain functions of HRM.
 Identify HRM roles.
 Describe the process of HR planning.
 Explain HR training and development.
 Explain the concept of career development.
 Explain labour relations

11. Information communication technology

In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define ICT.
 Describe the main elements of ICT.
 Illustrate the application of ICT.
 Explain the benefits and challenges of ICT.

12. Planning
In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define planning.
 Explain the planning process.
 Describe the levels/types of planning.
 Explain the benefits and challenges of planning.
 Explain planning strategies.

13. Organizing and coordinating

In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define organizing.
 Explain the organizing process.
 Describe principles of organizing.

14. Leadership
In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define leadership and leading.

Accounting Technician Syllabus 73

  Describe characteristics of effective leadership.
 Explain theories of leadership.

15. Controlling
In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define control.
 Explain approaches of control.
 Explain the importance of control.
 Identify types of control.
 Identify qualities of an effective control system.
 Explain control tools.

16. Group dynamics and team building

In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define group dynamics.

 Outline common features of groups.
 Describe main types of groups.
 Explain the benefits of groups.
 Explain the factors that determine the cohesiveness of groups.
 Describe the stages of group formation.
 Explain the characteristics of effective and ineffective groups.
 Describe team roles.

17. Communication
In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define communication.
 Explain the importance of communication.
 Identify forms of communication systems.
 Describe the communication process.
 Identify barriers to communication.
 Explain procedures of effective meetings.

18. Job design and motivation

In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define job design and motivation.

 Identify approaches to job design.
 Explain theories of motivation.

74 Accounting Technician Syllabus

19. Organizational culture
In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define organizational culture.

 Explain the components of organizational culture.
 Explain the functions that influence organizational culture.
 Discuss the characteristics of various types of organizational culture.
 Explain the factors that can be used to identify and classify organizational culture.

20. Managing change

In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define change.
 Identify sources of change.
 Explain types change.
 Describe the process of change.
 Identify elements that can be affected by change in organizations.
 Explain causes of resistance to change.
 Explain strategies to mitigate resistance to change.
 Explain the role of a Learning Organization in managing change.

21. Corporate governance

In the exam the candidate will be expected to:

 Define corporate governance.

 Identify components of corporate governance.
 Explain the concept of whistle blowing.
 Describe corporate governance practices.
 Explain professional values and ethics.
 Explain the strategies to manage social responsibility and ethics.

Accounting Technician Syllabus 75

 REFERENCES

ICAM Management Manual

Cole, G.A. (2003). Management Theory and Practice (6th Edition). London:
Thomson Learning.

Robbins, S.P. (2003). Organization Behaviour (10th Edition). NJ: Prentice Hall

Appleby, R.C (1981) Modern Business Administration. London: Pitman Publishing.

Armstrong, M. (2006). A Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice (10th Edition).

London: Kogan Page.

Flippo, E.B. and Munsinger, G (1978). Management (4th Edition). Allyn and Bacon.

Katz, D. and Kahn, R.L. (1966). The Social Psychology of Organizations. NY: John Wiley.

Kreitner, R. (2001). Management. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.

76 Accounting Technician Syllabus

TC12: COMPANY LAW

AIM OF THE COURSE

To develop candidates’ understanding of company law theory and practice in Malawi.

OBJECTIVES
On completion of this course, candidates will be able to:
i. Explain the formation of a company, fundamental features of a company and
classification.
ii. Explain the basic or fundamental framework of the limited company.
iii. Discuss the legal effects of incorporation of a company.
iv. Explain the company membership and concepts of shares transferability.
v. Discuss capital and financing of companies.
vi. Discuss company administration in relation to some key management personnel.
vii. Mention the various arrangements available to a company for survival in the
competitive world, and the globalization.
viii. Explain different aspects of company liquidation and receivership and the role of
the liquidator.

FORMAT AND STANDARD OF THE EXAMINATION PAPER

The examination will contain seven questions each carrying 20 marks. Candidates will be
required to answer any five. Candidates will lose marks for grammatical errors and failing to
communicate clearly.

SPECIFICATION GRID

This grid shows the relative weightings of topics within this module and should guide the
relative study time spent on each. Over time the marks available in the assessment will equate to
the weightings below, while slight variations may occur in individual assessments to enable
suitably rigorous questions to be set.

Accounting Technician Syllabus 77

 Syllabus Area Weighting
Formation of a Company 10
The Constitution of a company 10
The Legal Status of a Company 10
Management of a Company 10
Company Directors and other Officers 10
Liability of a Company 5
Majority Rule and Minority Protection 5
Company Finance – Share Capital 10
Maintenance of Share Capital 5
Company Finance – Loan Capital 10
Company Accounts 5
Company Liquidation 10
TOTAL 100

Syllabus area (%)

Learning Outcomes

1. Formation of a company

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

i. define and explain the legal personality and the nature of a limited liability company as
compared to other forms of business organizations such as partnerships.
ii. define the role of promoters in the formation of companies; pre-incorporation contracts;
classification of companies and their conversion.

2. The Constitution of a company

In the assessment, the candidate may be required to:

i. explain the importance of the Memorandum of Association and the Articles of
Association; their contents and alteration.

3. The Legal Status of a Company

i. explain the rule in Salomon v Salomon and its legal consequences as well as lifting the
veil of incorporation.

4. Management of a Company

i. describe company membership; company meetings both general and board meetings.

78 Accounting Technician Syllabus

5. Company Directors and other Officers

i. define company officers; their appointment; an outline of their powers, duties and
responsibilities including the remedies of shareholders against company officers and the
termination of their appointment.

6. Liability of a Company

i. explain the liability of a company through the acts of its directors and employees as well
as the ruke in Royal British Bank vs Turquand and its exceptions.

7. Majority Rule and Minority Protection

i. explain the majority rule as propounded in Foss v Harbottle and its exceptions.

8. Company Finance – Share Capital

i. define a share and explain how shares are classified; requirements of their transfer and
offer to the public.

9. Maintenance of Share Capital

i. explain rules for the maintenance of share capital including how the share premium
account may be used and the payment of dividends.

10. Company Finance- Loan Capital

i. define a debenture; outline its classes and explain the rules relating to secured and
unsecured loans and their repayment priority and the role of the receiver.

11 Company Accounts

i. discuss the general requirements on company accounts and the role, duties and
responsibilities of the company auditor.

12 Company Liquidation

i. explain the types of liquidation and legal consequences of liquidation including the role
of the liquidator.

Reference
ICAM Company Law Manual

Accounting Technician Syllabus 79

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Accounting Technician Syllabus 83
 THE INSTITUTE OF
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
IN MALAWI

Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi

Stansfield House
Haile Selassie Road
P.O. Box 1
Blantyre

Tel: 01 820 301/318/423 Fax: 01 822 354

Email: [email protected] Website: www.icam.mw
84 Accounting Technician Syllabus