1. Introduction to Business Finance

Definition and scope of finance

Objectives of business finance

Role of finance in business operations

Differences between accounting and finance

2. Sources of Finance

Internal vs. external sources

Short-term, medium-term, and long-term financing

Equity vs. debt financing

Sources for small and large businesses

3. Financial Planning and Budgeting

Objectives of financial planning

Types of budgets (operating, cash, capital)

Budget preparation and control

Importance of budgeting in decision-making

4. Working Capital Management

Meaning and components (cash, receivables, inventory, payables)

Importance of managing working capital

Liquidity vs. profitability trade-off

Cash management techniques

5. Time Value of Money

Concept and importance

Present value and future value

Simple and compound interest

Applications in investment decisions

6. Capital Structure and Cost of Capital

Meaning of capital structure

Factors influencing capital structure

Cost of equity, debt, and weighted average cost of capital (WACC)

7. Investment Appraisal Techniques

Importance of investment decisions

Payback period

Net Present Value (NPV)

Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

Profitability index

8. Financial Ratios and Analysis

Purpose and importance of financial analysis

Types of ratios: liquidity, profitability, activity, and solvency

Interpretation of financial statements using ratios

9. Sources and Management of Business Risk

Types of business risks (financial, operational, market)

Risk management strategies

Role of insurance in risk management

10. Emerging Trends in Business Finance

Mobile banking and fintech

Digital finance tools (e.g., accounting software, financial apps)

Crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending

1. Introduction to Law

Definition and importance of law

Sources of law in Kenya (Constitution, statutes, common law, Islamic law, etc.)

Classification of law: public vs. private, civil vs. criminal, substantive vs. procedural

2. The Legal System in Kenya

Structure of Kenyan courts

Roles and jurisdiction of various courts (e.g., Supreme Court, High Court, Magistrate Courts)

Alternative dispute resolution methods (ADR): arbitration, mediation

3. Law of Contract

Definition and essential elements of a valid contract

Types of contracts (express, implied, written, oral)

Offer, acceptance, consideration, intention to create legal relations

Capacity to contract and legality of purpose

Termination and breach of contract

Remedies for breach of contract

4. Law of Agency

Meaning and creation of agency

Types of agents and their authority

Duties and rights of agents and principals

Termination of agency

5. Law of Sale of Goods

Definition and essentials of a valid sale

Conditions and warranties

Transfer of property and risk

Duties of buyer and seller

Remedies for breach

6. Law of Partnership

Formation and types of partnerships

Rights and duties of partners

Registration and dissolution

Partnership vs. company

7. Law of Torts

Definition and general principles

Negligence, nuisance, defamation

Vicarious liability

Remedies in tort (damages, injunctions)

8. Employment Law

Contract of employment: rights and duties of employers and employees

Termination of employment

Labour laws in Kenya (Employment Act, Labour Relations Act)

Workplace health and safety

9. Company Law (Basic Principles)

Meaning and types of companies

Incorporation and registration

Memorandum and Articles of Association

Directors, shareholders, and meetings

Winding up and liquidation

10. Consumer Protection and Ethics

Consumer rights and responsibilities

Consumer protection laws in Kenya

Business ethics and social responsibility

Week 1: Introduction to Office Organisation

Definition and importance of an office

Functions of a modern office

Types of offices (centralized, decentralized)

Week 2: Office Layout and Environment

Principles of office layout

Open vs. closed office plans

Office furniture and ergonomics

Week 3: Office Systems and Procedures

Standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Work simplification

Office manuals and workflow charts

Week 4: Office Communication

Internal and external communication

Verbal and written communication

Use of technology in communication

Week 5: Records Management

Filing systems and classification

Digital record keeping

Retention and disposal of records

Week 6: Office Equipment and Automation

Common office equipment (copiers, scanners, computers)

Advantages of automation

Maintaining office machines

Week 7: Office Correspondence

Business letters and memos

Email etiquette

Reports and minutes of meetings

Week 8: Office Staff Management

Roles and responsibilities of office staff

Delegation and supervision

Time management and work planning

Week 9: Office Security and Safety

Security of information and property

Emergency procedures

Health and safety regulations

Week 10: Customer Service in the Office

Handling visitors and calls

Reception duties

Dealing with complaints professionally

Week 11: Office Budgeting and Cost Control

Budget preparation

Cost-saving strategies

Managing office supplies and inventory

Week 12: Ethics and Professionalism in the Office

Confidentiality and integrity

Workplace behavior

Ethical decision-making

Week 13–14: Review, Case Studies, and Final Exam

1. Introduction to Trade Projects

Meaning and importance of a trade project

Types of trade projects (product-based, service-based, innovation-based)

Role of trade projects in entrepreneurship and skill development

2. Project Selection and Planning

Identifying business opportunities

Choosing a suitable trade project

Setting project goals and objectives

Work plan and timelines

3. Market Research

Identifying target market

Understanding customer needs and preferences

Analyzing competitors

Determining pricing and demand

4. Business Planning

Business name, location, and structure

Resources required (financial, human, physical)

Budgeting and capital sourcing

Legal requirements and licensing

5. Project Implementation

Setting up the business

Product or service delivery

Record keeping and stock management

Customer service and promotion

6. Monitoring and Evaluation

Daily/weekly progress tracking

Identifying challenges and solving problems

Adjusting strategies based on feedback

7. Financial Record Keeping

Cash book and petty cash

Income and expenditure statements

Profit and loss summary

Cost analysis

8. Report Writing

Structure of a trade project report:

Title page

Acknowledgment

Introduction

Objectives

Methodology

Findings and analysis

Challenges and recommendations

Conclusion

Appendices (invoices, photos, receipts, etc.)

Presentation of the report

1. Introduction to Economics

Definition and scope of economics

Basic economic problems: scarcity and choice

Types of economic systems (capitalist, socialist, mixed)

Factors of production

2. Theory of Demand and Supply

Law of demand and determinants

Law of supply and determinants

Equilibrium price and quantity

Elasticity of demand and supply (price, income, cross)

3. Consumer Behavior

Utility and satisfaction

Law of diminishing marginal utility

Consumer equilibrium

Indifference curve analysis (introductory level)

4. Theory of Production

Meaning and types of production

Short-run and long-run production

Law of variable proportions

Returns to scale

Costs of production: fixed, variable, average, marginal

5. Market Structures

Perfect competition

Monopoly

Monopolistic competition

Oligopoly

Price and output determination in different markets

6. National Income

Definition and concepts: GDP, GNP, NNP, NI

Circular flow of income

Methods of measuring national income

Problems in measuring national income

7. Money and Banking

Functions and characteristics of money

Types of money

Commercial banks and central bank functions

Credit creation and monetary policy

8. Inflation and Unemployment

Types and causes of inflation

Effects and control of inflation

Types and causes of unemployment

Remedies for unemployment

9. International Trade

Importance and types of trade (domestic vs. international)

Theory of comparative advantage

Balance of payments

Exchange rates

Trade restrictions: tariffs, quotas

10. Economic Planning and Development

Meaning and objectives of economic planning

Characteristics of developing economies

Strategies for economic development

Role of government in development

1. Introduction to Accounting

Definition, objectives, and importance of accounting

Types and users of accounting information

Branches of accounting

Accounting cycle

2. Accounting Principles and Concepts

Business entity concept

Going concern

Consistency

Accrual and matching concept

Prudence, materiality, dual aspect, and historical cost

3. Books of Original Entry

Source documents

Journals (Sales, Purchases, Returns Inwards, Returns Outwards)

Cash book (Single, Two, and Three-column cash books)

Petty cash book and imprest system

4. Ledger Accounts

Types of ledgers (General, Debtors, Creditors)

Posting to ledgers

Balancing ledger accounts

5. Trial Balance

Purpose of trial balance

Preparation and correction of errors

Suspense accounts

6. Adjustments and Final Accounts

Accruals and prepayments

Depreciation (straight-line and reducing balance)

Provision for doubtful debts

Closing stock

Preparation of income statement and balance sheet for sole proprietorship

7. Control Accounts

Debtors control account

Creditors control account

Preparation and uses

8. Accounting for Non-Profit Organizations

Receipts and payments account

Income and expenditure account

Balance sheet

9. Accounting for Partnerships

Formation and features of partnerships

Capital and current accounts

Profit and loss appropriation account

Admission, retirement, and dissolution of partnership

10. Incomplete Records and Single Entry

Features and limitations

Conversion into double-entry

Preparation of statements from incomplete records

1. Introduction to HR Records

Definition of HR records

Importance of HR records in organizations

Legal and administrative significance

2. Types of Human Resource Records

Employee personal records (biodata, contact info, next of kin)

Recruitment and selection records (applications, CVs, interview notes)

Employment records (contracts, job descriptions, promotions)

Training and development records (training attended, certifications)

Attendance and leave records (absenteeism, annual leave, sick leave)

Performance records (appraisals, performance warnings, goals)

Compensation and benefits records (salary history, allowances, bonuses)

Termination records (resignation letters, exit interviews, final dues)

3. Systems for Managing HR Records

Manual vs. electronic systems

HR Information Systems (HRIS)

Cloud storage and data protection

4. Legal and Ethical Aspects

Data protection laws (e.g., GDPR, Kenya Data Protection Act)

Confidentiality and access control

Record retention schedules and policies

5. Storage and Security of HR Records

Filing systems (alphabetical, numerical, subject-based)

Physical vs. digital storage

Back-up and disaster recovery strategies

6. Record Disposal and Archiving

Criteria for disposing HR records

Archival procedures for permanent records

Shredding and secure deletion