Bachelor of Commerce is regarded as the most flooded course in Kenya but it’s highly marketable. Having this degree may look like a headache for many graduates but knowing how to maneuver in the industry will help you to secure the best job and earn a decent pay.
There are six specific specializations for Bachelor of Commerce students, they include:
- Entrepreneurial option (ENT)
- Human Resource option (HRM)
- Marketing option (MKT)
- Accounting option (ACC)
- Finance and Banking option (FIN)
- Insurance and Risk Management option (INS)
As a student, you have to choose the best specialization. I will suggest that you go for Finance or Accounting options. If you specialize in Finance, you may find yourself not marketable after graduation but the good thing is that you can supplement your degree with a professional course. There are two excellent professional course for Finance specialists, CFA and CIFA.CFA is the most marketable professional course for Finance professionals and it’s offered by Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts.
To pursue a CFA course, you have to graduate first. Upon graduating, register for the course. There are three main levels in CFA, Level 1, Level 2 and Level2.Level 1 is the hardest, less than 50% of the students pass this level. You might take up to 3 years to complete the course.
Armed with a Bachelor of Commerce with Finance specialization and CFA, there is no way you’ll become jobless in Kenya. Your starting salary will be more than Ksh 150, 000.CFA is more superior than MBA in Kenya.
Another important course for Finance graduates is CIFA which is offered by Kasneb.Admission requirements for CIFA are as follows:
- Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination with an aggregate average of at least grade C+ (C plus) or its equivalent.
- Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE) with at least TWO Principal passes provided that the applicant has credits in Mathematics and English at Kenya Certificate of Education (KCE) level or equivalent qualifications.
- kasneb technician, diploma or professional examination certificate.
- A degree from a recognised university.
- International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examination grade C in 6 papers with C in both English and Mathematics.
- Such other certificates or diplomas as may be approved by kasneb.
It’s advisable that you pursue CIFA while in college so that by the time you graduate, you’ll have completed the course. The program contains three levels.
After completing CIFA, start pursing CFA as you seek employment opportunities.
In Kenya, CFA is offered at Strathmore University
For those who specialize in Accounting, ACCA is the best qualification for you. The program is offered by Strathmore. It’s important to register for ACCA immediately you get your KCSE results, the course might take up to 2 years to complete. ACCA is better than CPA because it’s recognized globally.
If you don’t get the opportunity to pursue ACCA, go for CPA though almost every student in the university is pursuing the same. One advantage of pursuing CPA is that it has revision notes—it’s also cheap.CPA admission requirements are similar to CIFA.
CPA can be pursued anywhere in Kenya because Kasneb has examination centered littered across the country.
Accounting and Finance graduates may also opt to specialize in auditing. Auditing pays well if you secure employment in the famous “Big Four” audit firms. The best professional courses for auditors are:
- Certified Internal Audit(CIA)
- Certified Fraud Analyst(CFE)
- Certified Financial Analyst(CFA)
- ACCA
But I highly recommend CIA or CFE because they are globally recognized. If you graduate with a degree in commerce and pursue one of the two professional course, you’ll be highly marketable.
You can also specialize in Insurance if you wish to work in the insurance sector but make sure you pursue the following professional courses in order to secure employment immediately you graduate.
Actuarial Professional courses from the Society of Actuaries
Advanced Diploma in Insurance(ACII)
If you successfully complete the professional courses in Actuarial Science, I don’t see why you’ll be jobless in Kenya.
Finally, ensure that you get at least second upper and above in college—getting a second lower or pass may deny you the opportunity to get employed. For those specializing in Finance, proceed to pursue Masters in Finance at Nairobi University. You’ll later realize that having this masters, CFA and undergraduate course will lead to faster career growth.
If you specialize in Accounting, it’s good to pursue a masters course from a foreign university, probably UK,Australia ,Canada or USA—you will stand a better chance of being a CFO or CEO in your organization.
If you follow what we have just said, you won’t struggle to get a footing in the job market.
Bachelor of Commerce Admission Requirements in Kenya
The best universities to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce degree is the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Egerton University, KCA,Strathmore University and JKUAT.Admission requirements for the course are as follows:
University of Nairobi Admission Requirements
Admission will be on the basis of academic qualifications and more specifically will be governed by any one of the following Senate approved regulations:
The following are eligible for admission into the programme:
a) Holder of KCSE certificate with a minimum aggregate of C+ and a minimum of C in both Mathematics and English/Kiswahili.
b) Holder of KACE certificate with a minimum of two principal passes and a minimum of a credit (6) pass in Mathematics at KCE.
c) Holder of a degree from a recognized university.
d) Holder of a diploma from a recognized institution.
e)Holder of CPA/CPS Part II or equivalent professional qualification.
f) Holder of pre-university qualification with minimum average score of C or equivalent from a recognized university.
g) Holder of qualifications deemed to be equivalent to any of the above.
JKUAT Bachelor of Commerce
Admission Requirements
KCSE Mean grade C+ with C in Maths and English or two principal passes in KACE or Credit in relevant Diploma.
Strathmore University BCom Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- KCSE aggregate C+
- 6 Credits at O level, A level 2 principal passes and 1 subsidiary.
- IB minimum of 24 out of 45.
- A distinction in the Strathmore Entrance Exam.
