C
E R T I F I C A T E
I N
B USINESS A DMINISTRATION
SYLLABUS
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMME
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Certificate in Business Administration
Syllabus
The four compulsory subjects are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Introduction to Business
Introduction to Quantitative Methods
Introduction to Accounting
Introduction to Business Communication
• The Certificate papers are set and marked to BTEC National Certificate standard.
• Following passes in the four subjects above, the successful student will be awarded the
Certificate in Business Administration.
• It is suggested that 80 study hours should be devoted to each subject.
• No exemption is granted from any subject in the Certificate examination.
• The Method of Assessment for all ABE subjects is by written examination and the
following Grades are awarded:
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
Grade
A
B
C
D
E
-
70%+ Distinction
55-69% Credit
40-54% Pass
30-39% Fail
29% and below Fail
Candidates will be notified individually of their results normally about two months after
the examinations.
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Certificate in Business Administration
Conditions of Entry
No formal qualifications are required but applicants must demonstrate competence in the English
language by the attainment of one of the following (or equivalent):
1. British Council - Intermediate Certificate in English/Upper Advanced Certificate in English.
2. LCCI - English for Business (EFB) 1 st or 2nd level.
Pitman/City & Guilds - English for Speakers of Other languages (ESOL)/English for
Business Communications.
3. RSA (OCR) - English language Stage 2.
Or
4. Confirmation by their college of equivalent standard in the use of English.
The decision of Council as to the suitability of the candidate shall be final.
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Certificate in Business Administration
Registration Procedures
ABE Programmes are taught at institutions worldwide, and such institutions are given approval to
run ABE courses only after they have submitted full details of their prospectus, teaching staff and
site facilities which must meet the criteria set by the ABE Education Committee.
Students enrolling with a college are advised to ensure that the college has been formally
accredited by the Association before enrolment. A list is available from the ABE office.
Students wishing to register with the Association should complete a registration form and return
it to the Registrar together with appropriate fees, copies of educational qualifications (in English)
and details of relevant working experience where necessary. Any incomplete applications will be
returned.
All prospective students are advised to enrol with ABE at the commencement of their studies in
order that their eligibility may be confirmed at that time.
Students should be aware of the closing dates for registration and examinations as these are
strictly adhered to. These dates are available at ABE approved colleges or from the ABE office.
Annual subscriptions fall due on the anniversary of the date of registration. An invoice will be
sent direct to each student.
Fees
Examination fees are indicated on Examination Entry Forms. The annual subscription and other
current fees are shown on the Fees list available from ABE.
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Certificate In Business Administration
Introduction to Business
Aims
l.
2.
3.
4.
Understand the nature and purpose of business activity.
Describe the structure of business.
Understand the business objectives of the various stakeholders.
Understand the environment within which business operates and the services available
to assist.
5. Define and describe the functional activities within an organisation and understand the
importance of their interdependence.
6. Apply business theory and concepts to practical business problems.
Programme Content and Learning Objectives
After completing the programme the student should be able to:
I . Understand the nature and purpose of business and its classification by sector, activity and
size.
2. Identify the advantages and disadvantages of different organisations in the private
sector (sole trader, partnership, limited companies, PLC’s, franchises, charities); identify the
advantages and disadvantages of different organisation in the public sector (nationalised
industries, central government and local government departments).
3. Understand the hierarchy of objectives that exist in a business and appreciate the different
stakeholder perspectives.
4. Understand the general influences on an organisation by conducting a PEST analysis (political,
economic, social and technological influences); understand the specific influences that arise
from stakeholder groups (employees, suppliers, customers, competitors, financial institutions
government agencies and the public).
5. Identify and explain the services available to assist business (insurance, banking, sources of
finance, consultancy, and government assistance).
6. Describe the factors that influence the location of a business. Demonstrate an understanding
of the factors that influence the scale of production and the choice between different types
of productive process (job, batch, flow, lean and cell production). Describe the need for and
means to achieving quality. Demonstrate an understanding of the costs and benefits of
holding stock and the need to control stock levels. Identify the benefits of a JIT (just in time)
system of stock management and its role in promoting quality.
7. Define marketing, demonstrate its importance in terms of customer needs and the
achievement of business objectives. Describe various methods of market research.
Demonstrate an understanding of the marketing mix and how it relates to the product life
cycle.
8. Identify sources of short, medium and long term finance available for business. Justify the use
of different sources of finance in different situations. Define and understand the purpose of
balance sheet and profit and loss statements. Differentiate between financial accounting and
management accounting. Demonstrate an understanding of the use to which accounts may
be put by the various stakeholders.
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9. Understand the importance of human resources to an organisation and the need for human
resource planning. Describe different methods of recruiting and selecting staff. Describe and
comment upon the various means of remunerating employees (output-based wage, timebased wage, salary, commission etc.). Understand the health and safety issues concerning
staff. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of training and development both as
a means of acquiring skills and as a means of motivating employees.
Method of Assessment:
By written examination. The pass mark is 40%. Time allowed 3 hours.
The question paper will contain:
Seven questions of which four must be answered. All questions carry equal marks.
Reading List:
Essential Reading
Structure of Business
Business Studies
M. Buckley
Susan Hammond
(Pitman Publishing)
(Longman)
Business Studies
John Birchall and
Graham Morris
(Nelson)
A Student’s Guide to
Business Studies
1. Dorton and
A. Smith
(Hodder and Stoughton)
A-Z The Complete Business
Studies Handbook
D. Lines, 1 Marcouse and
B. Martin
(Hodder and Stoughton)
Additional Reading
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Certificate in Business Administration
Introduction to Quantitative Methods
Aims
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Apply the rules of numeracy.
Carry out basic numerical calculations with or without a calculator.
Use elementary algebra.
Present and use mathematical data in graphical form.
Present and analyse simple business data.
Apply statistical analysis to business data.
Use the laws of probability.
Programme Content and Learning Objectives:
After completing the programme the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate the rule of numeracy by:
• applying the four rules to whole numbers, fractions and decimals
• expressing numbers in standard form
• multiplying and dividing negative numbers
2. Apply calculations to:
• compare numbers using ratios, proportions and percentages;
• obtain values for simple financial transactions involving purchases, wages, taxation,
discounts;
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•
•
•
•
•
calculate values using simple and compound interest;
convert foreign currency;
make calculations involving roots and powers;
evaluate terms involving a sequence of operations and use of brackets;
Interpret, transpose and evaluate formulae;
approximate data using rounding, significant figures.
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3. Use algebraic methods to:
•
•
•
•
solve linear and simultaneous equations;
solve quadratic equations using factorisation and formulae;
determine the equations of a straight line through two points;
determine the gradient and intercept of a straight line.
4. Construct and use:
• charts and diagrams derived from tabular data;
• graphs applying general rules and principles of graphical construction including axes, choice
of scale and zero. Identify points of importance e.g. maximum, minimum and break even.
5. Apply statistical methods to:
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•
•
•
distinguish and use sigma continuous variables;
represent and interpret variables using histograms and cumulative frequency curves;
recognise and use sigma notation for summation;
calculate and interpret summary statistics: these would include measures of location (mean,
mode, median), measures of dispersion (range, interquartile range, standard and deviation,
coefficient of variations) and measures of skewness;
• construct statistical graphs for time series, identifying trends, seasonal and random
components;
• determine a trend using moving averages and make a simple forecast.
6. Apply the laws of probability to:
• mutually exclusive, independent and dependent events;
• determine probability using sample spaces, contingency tables or tree diagrams;
• determine probability using the normal distribution including use of tables.
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Method of Assessment:
By written examination. The pass mark is 40%. Time allowed 3 hours.
The question paper will contain:
Two sections:
Section A contains four questions on parts 1 to 4 of the programme content, of which three
must be answered.
Section B contains three questions on parts 5 and 6 of the programme content, of which two
must be answered.
All questions carry 20 marks.
Students may use electronic calculators for most questions, but are reminded of the importance
of showing detailed steps in calculations.
Reading List:
Essential Reading
Business Mathematics and
Statistics
A. Frances
(DP Publications)
R. N. Rowe
(DP Publications)
Additional Reading
Refresher in Basic
Mathematics
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Certificate in Business Administration
Introduction to Accounting
Aims
1. Understand the basic principles of both financial accounting and management accounting
and their applications.
2. Acquire the knowledge and techniques which will assist students in the performance of both
financial and management accountancy functions in industry and commerce.
3. Acquire the basic skills necessary for the pursuit of a recognised accountancy qualification.
Programme content and learning objectives:
After completing the programme the student should be able to:
1. Prepare a trading, profit and loss account, balance sheet and cash flow report for sole traders,
partnerships and limited liability companies, after taking into account a normal range of
adjustments to the trial balance necessary for such preparation.
2. Recognise and apply appropriate accounting conventions to a range of transactions within
the context of the accounting regulatory requirements.
3. Understand and describe the appropriate books of account for different types of accounting
transactions and be able to prepare a trial balance from these books of account. To prepare
and maintain a range of control accounts appropriate to the books of account. To prepare
journal entries and deal with the treatment of suspense account items.
4. Understand, calculate and interpret a range of basic financial ratios appropriate to a set of
financial statements, particularly in the key areas of profitability, solvency/liquidity, asset
utilisation and investment ratios.
5.
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•
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Understand the basic principles of cost behaviour cost ascertainment and to be able to: Classify direct and indirect costs.
Prepare an indirect overhead allocation summary.
Calculate overhead recovery rates by a variety of techniques and to apply these for the
purpose of cost compilation.
• Explain the difference between fixed and variable costs.
• Calculate break-even points of activity and prepare break-even charts.
• Appreciate and explain the limitations of break-even analysis.
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6. Understand the basic principles of different costing techniques and to be able to:
• Define the different costing techniques.
• Explain and understand the differences between each technique, and
• calculate costs using any of the techniques.
7. Understand the basic principles of capital investment appraisal and be able to
calculate and interpret figures using the pay back, accounting rate of return or
discounted cash flow methods of investment appraisal.
Method of Assessment:
By written examination. The pass mark is 40%. Time allowed 3 hours.
The question paper will contain:
Two compulsory questions, one in financial accounting and one in management accounting, and
a choice of three from four remaining questions.
Reading List:
Essential Reading
Business Accounting 1
Wood F
Pitman
Costing, An Introduction
I Drury C
Chapman & Hall
Costing
I Lucey T
D P Publications
Business Accounts
Cox D
Osbourne Books
Foundation Accounting
Millchamp A
DP Publications
Business Accounting 2
Wood F
Pitman
Additional Reading
Supplementary Journals
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•
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•
Accountancy
The Certified Accountant
Management Accountancy
The Certified Accountants Students Newsletter
The Association of Accounting Technicians Journal (monthly)
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1
Certificate in Business Administration
Introduction to Business Communication
Aims
1. Use written English competently, accurately and appropriately in a variety of business
communication scenarios.
2. Present a variety of data unambiguously in both written and graphical form, bearing in
mind the fundamental importance of neatness, clarity and accuracy.
3. Understand the principles of business communication, and be able to use the most
suitable medium in given situations.
4. Appreciate what are the most common barriers to successful communication and how
they can be overcome.
5. Draft all the usual forms of business correspondence from given data.
6. Understand and appreciate current developments in communications technology and
the effect that they have on business.
Programme Content and Learning Objectives:
After completing the programme the student should be able to:
1. Written English:
• Accurate spelling and punctuation. Range of vocabulary, correctly used
• Paragraphing
• Appropriateness of tone. Neatness
2. Correspondence:
• Letters, memos, advertisements. Addresses, headings, salutations
• Clarity in describing any situation
• Clarity in stating requests, opinions, etc.
• Common abbreviations. Presentation
3. Principles of Communication:
• Structures within an organisation
• Purpose of communication
• Appropriate channels
• Spoken and written
• Barriers and how to overcome them
• Technical terms
• Presentation of self
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4. Communications Technology:
• Computers and associated technology
• Use of satellites
• Telephones, pagers, networks
• Awareness of its effect on business
• Applications of technology
5. Graphs:
• Line graphs, histograms, pie charts
• Neatness and accuracy
• Clear labelling
• Use of colour
• Identifying trends from data
Method of Assessment:
By written examination. The pass mark is 40%. Time allowed 3 hours.
The question paper will contain:
Two sections containing a total of eight questions of which five must be answered. At least
three questions must be answered from Section A. The questions in Section A require longer
written answers than those in Section B. All questions carry 20 marks.
Reading List:
Essential Reading
People & Communication
C.S. Deverell
(Gee & Co)
Business Communication
S. Smithson & J. Whitehead
(Financial Training Publication)
A. Murdock & C. Scutt
(Butterworth Heinemann)
Additional Reading
Personal Effectiveness
All Businesses Communicate R. H. Sheldon
(Peter Andrew)
Successful Presentations
(Director Books)
F. J. Bergin
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