Advanced Diploma (Associateship Course)

Financial Reporting Analysis Planning

Introduction

The course covers the nature and use of accounting, relating to business entities, available to practicing bankers. The legal ang regulatory frameworks within which information is produced and reviewed and the limitations of published accounts. From this basis, the analysis of a business development and an introduction to business planning will also be included in the syllabus.

Objectives

The learner should be able to:

• Understand the statutory requirements and accounting standards adopted in the construction of financial reports and accounts.
• Understand the content and structure of financial reports including group financial statements.
• Undertake a detailed study of financial analysis including traditional accounting ratios and cashflow analysis, and an appreciation of methods of predicting corporate success and failure.
• Understand business valuation and corporate structures including reconstructions.
• Undertake a selective study of business planning and decision making, including cost behavior, investment appraisal and forecasting.
  
  
  

The Monetary & Financial System

Introduction

The course provides tools of decision making for bankers based on generally accepted principles of economics. It focusses on monetary economics covering the functions of money, financial markets, commercial banking, the money supply and demand, determination of equilibrium interest rates, fiscal and monetary policies, international financing.

Objectives

The learner should be able to:

• Explain the functions of money and financial institutions.
• Explain objectives of monetary policy.
• Explain how monetary policies relate to banking institutions.
• Make adjustments in bank policies as changes in monetary policies take place.

Management & Organization

Introduction

Effective Management within rapidly changing organizations is one of the biggest challenges facing financial services professionals today. This course will provide students with a backcloth against which to judge issues relating to management and the organizations of work,  and will help them, through an improved understanding of the problems, to become a more flexible and effective manager.

Objectives

The learner should be able to:

• Acquire backcloth against which to judge issues relating to management and the organization of work.
• Understand the problems and prospects of managing and organizing in current financial services contexts.

Law & Practice Relating to Banking & Finance

Introduction

Over the years, the business of banking and financial services has been based on clearly defined legal principles and objectives.
The purpose of this course is to provide a broad overview and detailed coverage of the various legal principles and their practical application in transacting banking business and other financial services.

Objectives

• To prepare the candidate to serve competently in the banking industry.
• To understand the establishment, operations and legal framework of banks and non-bank financial institutions.
• To understand the relationships between banks and customers, banking operations and the implications arising from different types of accounts and events affecting their conduct.
• To understand the law relating to cheques and other payment systems.
• To understand securities and the legal process involving their perfection, discharge and realization.
• To enable the candidate to apply the legal principles to the day to day banking operations.

Strategic Marketing Management

Introduction

Most organizations now accept that corporate objectives are best achieved through the concentration on the identification and satisfaction of customer needs. This philosophy applies equally to manufacturing, public sector, and the financial services industry. This course provides you with a comprehensive insight into the basic disciplines which underlie the marketing philosophy and an in-depth understanding of the functional areas of marketing which are relevant for the financial services industry.
Covers: Strategic planning and the strategic planning environment: marketing management, with an emphasis on the marketing of services: marketing planning: market segmentation, targeting and positioning, market research and information systems: Consumer buyer behavior: Product and pricing decisions: Marketing channels: The communications and promotion mix, the extended marketing mix and service quality: Ethical issues in marketing: Issues for International marketing.

Objectives

This course is designed to teach marketing as a creative and integrative approach to the operation of any organization. It is based upon the recognition that corporate objectives are best achieved through concentration on the identification and satisfaction of customer needs. This philosophy is equally relevant to manufacturing or service industries, consumer or business markets, private or public sector organizations, domestic or international activities.

The programme provides students with a comprehensive  insight into the basic disciplines which underlie the marketing philosophy and an in-depth understanding of the functional areas of marketing which are relevant for the financial services industry. Special attention will also be paid to the recent change in emphasis in the marketing of financial services.

Lending

Introduction

This course is designed to enable students demonstrate their understanding of the techniques of good credit assessment with particular emphasis on evaluating the risks associated with lending of personal customers and smaller to middle market business customers. 
Covers: Analysis o accounting statements for lending purposes: Assessment of lending proposition, factors creating credit risk and its control, security lending requirements of different types of business, advances, other specialist bank services related to lending.

Note: The student is advised to study the following subjects prior to sitting this paper:

• The Law and Practice Related to Banking and Finance.
• Financial Reporting Analysis and Planning.
• International Trade Finance.

Objectives

The learner should be able to:

• Understand the techniques of good credit assessment with particular emphasis on evaluating the risks associated with lending to personal customers and business customers.
• Identify, appreciate and understand the basic principles to be applied in any given lending proposition or credit application.
• Acquire broad technical knowledge necessary for application in developing strong technical skills and the professionalism in credit administration and management.
• Identify the various banking and financial services products available to banking customers and the public, together with an understanding of their individual benefits to both the bank and its customers.

International Trade Finance

Introduction

This course enables the student to understand the methods employed in and the customers engaged in international trade; to appreciate the features and benefits of the range of service providers in the field; To understand the international trade payment systems that are in place and the regulations and procedure adopted; and to recognize the terminologies used in international trade.

Covers: The meaning of international Trade  Finance and payment sources; Methods of Trading, trade promotion and assistance or advice available from banks and other sources.

Objectives

The learner should be able to:

• Understand international trade transactions, settlement and financing.
• Identify the needs of customers engaged in international trade.
• Match the relevant international trade products to the customer needs.
• Understand the international payment systems, regulations and procedures in use.
• Recognize terminologies and documentation universally used in international trade. 

Taxation

This course should provide students and persons studying banking and finance qualification, a wide coverage of various taxation laws and procedures applicable in Kenya. The course covers in detail all the tax statutes, the various types of taxes levied in the country and the administration of tax applicable to both individuals and businesses.

Objectives

The learner should be able to:

• Acquire knowledge of the theory, law and practice of taxation.
• Appreciate the impact of taxation on business operations.
• Understand current Government taxation policies.

Insurance

Introduction

This course is intended to equip a banker with managerial techniques to make sound decisions regarding insurance. The focus is on the place and role of insurance within the financial framework and in relation to banks and other financial institutions.

Objectives

The learner should be able to:

• Acquire adequate knowledge and understanding of the concept of risk.
• Understand the development and appreciate the role of insurance in the financial framework.
• Understand the various classes of insurance and assurances, types of providers, intermediaries and reinsurers.
• Familiarize with the insurance legislative environment.

Investment

Introduction

This course should equip the learner with a comprehensive knowledge on the role and scope of investment in the financial world, outlining in detail the composition and structure of the securities (capital)markets with an understanding of their economic value in business; The type of investment decisions faced by both individual and market and the type of securities traded.

Objectives

The learner should be able to:

• Identify customer’s needs, problems and investment opportunities available in the market.
• understand the various investment products, both traditional and derivatives and their applications in portfolio management.
• Gain an understanding of the international markets and securities.
• Develop investment portfolios that maximize returns for risks taken.
• Evaluate the performance of investment portfolios.