MALAWI

COLLEGE OF
ACCOUNTANCY

2007-2008
Prospectus

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Reasons to study with MCA

Experience
Professionalism
Stability
Service
facilities
care

2
 The prospectus
This prospectus is designed to provide you the reader with
detailed information of each qualification. It contains
information you require to enrol and study with MCA

OUR MISSSION CONTENTS

STATEMENT

To contribute to the economic

development, transparency, 2 Reasons to study with
accountability and good MCA
governance in Malawi and the
Southern Africa Region 3 Contents
through the training and
development of personnel in
accounting, finance and 5 MCA
related fields and to retain
market leadership through 7 Blantyre campus
excellence in training,
education, consultancy and
9 Lilongwe campus
research at an affordable cost.

11-37 Programmes offered

39 Fees

41 Important dates

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Eastern view - Blantyre campus

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 MCA
Professions depend on qualifications - they provide
instantly recognisable standards of ability,
achievement and commitment. -CII

What is MCA ?

MCA is a professional training institution in the field of Accounting and

Finance, One among few which has maintained education standards

MCA is a statutory body (Government owned organization) mandated to

train personnel in Accounting ,

MCA was established in 1980 by Government order under the education

Act 1980. However the first classes were held in 1979. The College now
has 24 years experience.

Over the years the College has progressed from a fully Government funded
institution to one that is self sustaining.

Currently MCA operates from two campuses. One is in Blantyre and the
other in Lilongwe.

Total enrolment on various programmes in both campuses is now at

3000.

MCA enrolls students in January and July – Registration dates reflected on

each programme relate to registration with the examining bodies

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Entrance and reception area -
Blantyre campus

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 Blantyre campus

Location Iponga shopping mall

In Blantyre MCA is
conveniently located at
Ginnery Corner in
Chichiri, between the
Queen Elizabeth Central Chipembere Highway
Hospital and the
University of Malawi,
Polytechnic
It is within easy reach of
most shopping centers
Health
and the Chichiri Stadium
for sport Sciences
Facilities Polytechnic
The College has 14
classrooms, A computer
lab and a lecture theater
For accommodation there is
a 120 bed hostel and a
fully fledged cafeteria
Lecturers
The College has a
teaching staff MCA, BT
complement of 32
lecturers which rank
among the best in
the region.

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Front view - Lilongwe campus

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 Lilongwe Campus
A center which is growing very quickly to meet modern
training needs of organisations and individuals

 Location
Lilongwe campus is located AREA 18
behind capital hill and
opposite Area 10 PTC
It is easily reached by public
Lilongwe Mzuzu
transport
 Facilities
This is a newly constructed
campus which is still
expanding. It now has 8
classrooms, a library and a
computer lab Area
 Lecturers 10
Lilongwe has 16 lecturers PTC
qualified in Accountancy, IT,
Quantitative Techniques and
Business Communications
 Capacity
Lilongwe campus has a capacity
of up to 800 students and it
offers full time as well as
part-time programmes but
MCA, LL
on a non residential basis

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Part of the quadrangle - Lilongwe Campus

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 Summary of programmes offered
MCA offers a wide range of programmes to suit varying needs,
The following shows you the range of programmes offered

 Accounting and Finance

• Certificate in Financial Accounting (CFA)
• ACCA Accounting Technician Diploma
• PAEC Accounting Technician Diploma
• Diploma in Financial Management (ACCA)
• The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
(ACCA)
• The Chartered Institute of Management
Accountants (CIMA)
 Business Administration
• Association of Business Executives (ABE)
• Chartered Institute of Insurance

 Information Technology
• Institute of Management information Systems
(IMIS) higher Diploma
 Short courses and Consultancies

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A typical classroom session –
Blantyre campus

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Certificate in Financial Accounting
Are you looking for a starting point in the field of Accountancy or have
you been working at the book-keepers level without training?
CFA could be a good starting point

Subjects of Target group

A programme meant for beginners in
study the field of accountancy

Entry requirements
1. Business The entry qualification is a Junior
communication Certificate of education (two
years of study at secondary
school)

3. Financial End result

It gives good bookkeeping skills besides
Accounting creating an employee who
understands the work
environment because of the
support subjects. The programme
5. Practical can be used as a starting point in
studying towards an accounting
Mathematics and qualification

computing Duration and mode of study

Currently available on part-time study
and duration is one semester (six
months)
7. Business Awarding body
Knowledge Examined by Public Accountants
Examination Council of Malawi

Registartion dates
Registration for exams is January 31
and August 31

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An environment for studying -
Lilongwe campus library

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 PAEC Accounting Technician
Awarded by a local exam syndicate to address Malawian needs
while embodying international standards
Subjects of study
TC1 - Accounting 1
TC2 - Business Communication
TC3 - Business Mathematics and
Statistics
TC4 - Information Systems
TC5 - Economics
TC6 - Accounting 2
TC7 - Auditing
TC8 - Business Law
TC9 - Cost and Budgetary
Control
TC10 - Tax
TC11 - Management
TC12 - Company Law,
Reistration for exams
January 31 and August
31 each year
The PAEC Accounting Technician
This a diploma level qualification.
The examining and awarding body
is the Public Accountants
Examination Council of Malawi.
This qualification enables one to
offere valuable support to
professional Accountants, although
in smaller organizations one can
use it to run an Accounts Office
Entry Requirements
The entry qualifications are either a
pass at MSCE (6 “O” levels) which
includes English and Mathematics.
Alternative entry qualification is
the Certificate in Financial
Accounting
Progression
The PAEC technician is a
qualification in its own right
besides being used as an entry
qualification for most major
Accountancy Bodies. ACCA and
CIMA grant exemptions from their
foundation stages.
Mode of study
MCA offers both fulltime and day release
(part-time) courses on this
programme
The papers on the programme can be
taken in any order except for
Accounting 1, Communication and
Accounting2. The latter can only
be sat after passing TC1 and TC2.
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In session - a typical class at
Lilongwe campus

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The Certified Accounting Technician
(CAT)
A vocational accountancy qualification awarded by the ACCA.
It provides essential practical accounting and business skills
Subjects on Current scheme
 Level 1
- Paper 1 (INT) – Recording
Financial Transactions
- Paper 2 – Information for
Management Control
 Level 2
- Paper 3 (INT) –
Maintaining Financial
Records
- Paper 4 – Accounting for
Costs
 Level 3
- Paper 5 – Managing People
and Systems
- Paper 6 (INT) – Drafting
Financial Statements
- Paper 7–Planning, Control
& Performance
Management
- Paper 8 (INT) –
Implementing Audit
Procedures
- Paper 10 – Managing
Finances
CAT
This is an Accounting technician
(Diploma) level qualification which is
examined and awarded by the
Association of Chartered Certified
Accountants. A CAT qualification
enables one to provide support to
professional Accountants, although in
smaller organizations one can use it to
run the Accounts Office
Progression
CAT is a qualification in its own right.
However one can use it as entry into
most major Accountancy Bodies like
the ACCA, CIMA. ACCA and CIMA
grant exemptions from their
foundation stages.
Mode of study
MCA offers both fulltime and day
release (part-time) courses on this
programme
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements
provided the applicant is aged 16 or
above. There must however be
documentary evidence of age
Registration for exams
December 31 and August 15
each year
MCA offers computer based
assessment for CAT level 1 and
level 2 exams
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A smaller group – tutorial at
Lilongwe campus

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 The ACCA Professional
Qualification
“…The ACCA qualification encourages people to think
strategically and look positively at the future..”
- Jan van Schalkwyk, RSA
Syllabus for the Professional
qualification
PART 1
P1 Accounting Framework
P2 Legal Framework
P3 Management Information
P4 Organisational Framework
SKILLS MODULE 1
F4 Corporate & Business Law (CL)
F5 Performance Management (PM)
F6 Taxation (TX)
SKILLS MODULE 2
F7 Financial Reporting (FR)
F8 Audit & Assurance (AA)
F9 Financial Management (FM)
ESSENTIALS MODULE
P1 Professional Accountancy (PA)
P2 Corporate Reporting (CR)
P3 Business Analysis (BA)
OPTIONS MODULE
Any two from the following:
P4 Advance Financial Mngt (AFM)
P5 Advance Performance
Management (APM)
P7 Advance Audit & Assurance
(AAA)
Enquire from MCA on Oxford Brookes
University honors degree which you
can obtain while studying for your
ACCA Qualification
ACCA (the Association of Chartered
Certified Accountants) is the
largest and fastest-growing
international accounting body, with
over 300,000 students and members
in 160 countries.
ACCA offers a number of
qualifications including the
following:
The ACCA professional qualification
This enables members to reach
the highest level in accountancy
Entry qualifications
o At least 18 years of age &
o 2 A-levels and 3 GCSE
passes or their equivalent
Alternate
o PAEC Accounting
Technician or the CAT
o Other recognised degrees
and diplomas
o CAT or PAEC technician level
o a Diploma in financial
management
o BSc (Hons) in Applied
Accounting
Check with ACCA for exemptions
Registration for exams
December 31 and August
15 each year
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Lecture – Lilongwe campus

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 The ACCA Diploma in Financial
Management
Are you a manager, a consultant, or advisor, who is qualified or
experienced in your own field which is different from
Accounting and Finance but you are having to make profound
financial decisions, budget or deal with financial personnel-here
is a tool for you
 The diploma
Subjects of study – The diploma is a post
graduate qualification
– Interpretation of meant for non finance
managers
Financial – It is awarded by the
statements ACCA and it is
internationally
recognized
– Holders can receive
– Performance exemptions at MBA
Management  Entry Qualifications
– A non accounting
degree
– Proven experience at
– Financial Strategy management level
 Duration
– Duration is one year
– Risk Management
 Mode of study
– MCA offers the
programme on an
evening basis to suit the
modern manager
 Registration Dates
– December 31 and
August 15
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Eastern view - Blantyre campus

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This is a prestigious qualification for strategic and financial
and management - MCA will support you to attain this
Current Syllabus
Certificate Level
– Financial Accounting
Fundamentals
– Management Accounting
Fundamentals
– Economics for Business
– Business Law
– Business Mathematics
Management Level
– Financial Accounting & Tax
Principles
– Financial Analysis
– Management Accounting:
Performance Evaluation
– Management Accounting:
Decision Making
– Integrated Management
– Organisational
Management & Information
Systems
Strategic Level
– Management Accounting -
Business Strategy
– Management Accounting -
Financial Strategy
– Management Accounting –
Control & Risk Strategy
– Test of Professional
Competence in
Management Accounting
CIMA
qualification
CIMA
 A leading professional
accountancy body which
develops professional
qualifications and makes the
CIMA award
 The qualification is applicable
in industry, commerce, not-
for profit and public sector
organisations.
 Areas of focus are Business,
Information and Finance
Strategies.
Entry qualifications.
 To register you must have the
equivalent of a minimum of two
subjects at GCE Advanced level
and three GCSE passes, two of
which must be in Mathematics and
English language.
 Entry requirements differ across
the globe, and exemptions from
certain subjects are available to
those applicants with relevant
qualifications.
 There is also a 'mature student
entry' route – check with CIMA
Mode of study
Full time as well as part-time
Registration dates
February and August
MCA offers computer based exams
for CIMA Certificate level. 23
Computer lab – Blantyre campus

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 IMIS Diploma
“In the 21st Century, competitive advantage will go, not to those
who have and use the latest technology, but to those who use and

manage it most effectively ”- IMIS

Subjects of study
Diploma Part 1
D21 Information Systems
Practice
D22 Business Fundamentals
D23 Communications &
Business Technology
Diploma Part 2
D24 Programming & Web
Applications
D25 business Information
Systems
D26 Information Systems
Building
IMIS Diploma
 This programme is
targeted at those who are
interested in computers
but would like to apply
the knowledge and skills
in the business world.
Progression
 The programme is used as
an entry qualification to
the higher diploma
Mode of study and
duration
 The programme is
available on part-time
basis and takes a total of
two semesters (12
months)
Entry requirements
 MSCE or an equivalent
of 6 “o” levels

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Computer lab – Lilongwe campus

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 IMIS Higher Diploma
“Information Technology now plays a vital role in most aspects of our
business and personal lives. As a result, IT professionals have levels of
access to data, and influence over the commercial success of our
enterprises, undreamed of in the 1960's” - IMIS.

Subjects as offered by The higher diploma

MCA
Higher Diploma Part 1
H33 Contemporary IS Development
H34 Database Development
H35 Project Management
Higher Diploma Part 2
H31 Management Information
Systems
H32 Information Systems Strategy
H36 Business IS Project
All subjects are required
Check with MCA for registration
dates
 The award is by the Institute
of Management Information
Systems (IMIS).
IMIS
 IMIS, now in the business for
over forty years, is among the
first and a leading Institute
for users and managers as
well as technicians of
Information Systems.
 The main aim of IMIS is to
promote the Profession of IS
Management through setting
and maintaining high
standards of qualification
and practice
 The higher diploma is a key
factor to achieving the aim
Entry requirements
IMIS Diploma
Mode of study
Course available on parttime only
at the moment and duration
is 12 months

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Computer training – Blantyre
campus

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 The Chartered Institute of Insurance
The insurance and finance markets are becoming increasingly
competitive and continually expanding: success will depend on
appropriately qualified personnel – improve your qualifications with
MCA.
The CII
Current Syllabus The CII is one of the largest
and most influential
Insurance Foundation professional and educational
(IF) Certificate organisations in the global
insurance and financial
IF1: Insurance, the services industries today. The
qualification it offers is
market, legal and internationally recopgnised.
regulatory
Entry Qualification
background
 The IFC is open to anyone
IF2: General (non-life) working in the insurance
Certificate of Insurance industry irrespective of age,
Practice educational background or
Compulsory Foundation experience.
Module:  For the Certificate of
P01 - Insurance Practice Insurance Practice (CIP) the
entry qualification is
P02 - Long-term Successful completion of the
Insurance Practice IFC
P03 - Legal aspects of  No formal educational
insurance qualification required for
those aged 21 and above.
P04 - Modern Business  Other routes are also available
Practice (check with the CII)
Branch Module-optional Mode of study
(Check with CII) Part-time
Associate ship Check with MCA for registration
Enquire from MCA dates
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Library - Lilongwe Campus

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 ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS
EXECUTIVES (ABE – UK)
– BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
“ ..with every subject during…I found that something at work was
relevant…I was able to apply my knowledge directly at work..”
 Subjects
Certificate (All four subjects)
- Introduction to Business
- Introduction to Business
Communication
- Introduction to Accounting
- Introduction to Quantitative
Methods
Diploma Part 1(All four subjects)
- Organisational Behaviour
- Financial Accounting
- Economic Principles & their
Application to Business
- Quantitative Methods for Business
& Management
Diploma Part 2 (Three compulsory
subjects)
- Human Resource Management
- Marketing Policy, Planning &
Communication
- Management in Action
Plus two of the following options
- Systems Analysis and Design
- Managerial Accounting
- Principles of Business Law
Advanced Diploma (Three compulsory
subjects)
- Corporate Strategy and Planning
- Managing in Organisations
- International Business Case Study
Plus two from the following options
- Strategic Marketing Management
- Strategic HRM for Business
Organisation
- Corporate Finance
- Managing the Information Resource
The ABE
The Association of Business
Executives (ABE) is recognised as
an awarding body and regulated
by the Qualifications and
Curriculum Authority (QCA) of
UK. The Business Management
programme is accredited by the
QCA and approved by the
Management Skills Council
(MSC) Uk.
Entry Qualification
Certificate Level - A school
certificate
Diploma Level - 2 years work
experience
Mode of study
Full time and weekend
Duration
2 years 6 months
Progression
Holders of the Advanced Diploma
are able to proceed to university or
into employment. ABE has
agreements with several
universities for direct entry onto
the final year of honours degree or
with required work experience,
onto masters level degrees.
Registration dates January and June
each year
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Computer session - Lilongwe

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In use - Lilongwe campus library

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Hostels - Blantyre Campus

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Short Courses and Consultancies
…Continuing education and consulting experts in any field
is a success factor…

 MAJOR AREAS and EXAMPLES 

COURSES
Being an expert in
Accounting and Finance
– ACCOUNTING and FINANCE MCA offers the most
• Maintaining financial
records & cashiering comprehensive short term
• Finance for non-finance programmes meant to
managers
• Basic auditing skills for revitalise staff
internal auditors
– INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY  Many offer information
• Computerised accounting –
sage line 50 accounting
technology and
• Advanced secretarial information management
computer skills
• Introduction to computers programmes including
•
•
Networking computers
Pastel partner v5.2i
accounting packages, MCA
• Project planning monitoring does so in the correct
and evaluation
– MANAGEMENT context of Accounting and
• Office administration and
supervisory skills
Finance
• Modern customer care and
public relations  MCA can tailor
• Effective selling and
marketing skills programmes to an
• International procurement
procedures
• Credit control and
organisations needs
management
– SPECIALISED CONSULTANCES  Duration
IN ACOUNTING SYSTEMS,
MANAGENEMENT one to two weeks
INFORMATION SYSTEMS.

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Blantyre Cafeteria and Lilongwe
campus

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 Fees
……. value for money is what counts……– try MCA
MODE OF ATTENDANCE
DAY
EXAMINING BODY & COURSE FULL TIME RELEASE WEEKEND
 PAEC
Certificate in Financial Accounting 11,000.00 N/A 8,000.00
Technician 13,000.00 11,000.00 9,000.00

 ACCA
Technician 13,000.00 11,000.00 9,000.00
Foundation N/A 18,000.00 14,000.00
Skills Module 1 30,000.00 26,000.00 20,000.00
Skills Module 2 35,000.00 30,000.00 25,000.00
Essentials Module 45,000.00 N/A 40,000.00
Options Module 45,000.00 N/A 40,000.00
Oxford Brookes Degree (Mentoring) 25,000.00 N/A N/A
Diploma in Financial Management (Evening) N/A 35,000.00 N/A

 CIMA
Certificate Level N/A 18,000.00 14,000.00
Managerial Level N?A 28,000.00 20,000.00
Strategic Level 52,000.00 N/A N/A

 ABE
Certificate 11,000.00 N/A 8,000.00
Diploma 13,000.00 N/A 10,200.00
Advanced Diploma 15,000.00 N/A 13,000.00

 IMIS
Diploma 15,500.00 N/A N/A
Higher Diploma 18,500.00 N/A N/A

 IIA
Diploma N/A 50,000.00 N/A
___________________________________________________________________________________

BOARDING FEES (ACCOMMODATION ONLY) 65,000.00

LIBRARY FEES 1,500.00

 PLEASE NOTE: FEES DO NOT INCLUDE REGISTRATION AND EXAMINATION FEES.

THESE SHOULD BE PAID DIRECTLY TO THEEXAMINING BODIES. BOOKS ARE ALSO
SOLD SEPARATELY. FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

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A typical reprographic room

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 Important dates
..make an effort towards success..- register on time

 MCA receives applications in the following months

– November and December
• for the January to June Semester
– May – June
• for the July to December semester

 Continuing students will be given forms internally

 More details can be obtained from MCA or the relevant

examining bodies

 Contact us:
BLANTYRE LILONGWE
The Principal The Deputy Principal II
P. O. Box 30644 P. O. Box 30363
Blantyre 3 Lilongwe 3
Malawi Malawi
mcabt@globemw.net mcall@globemw.net
www.mcamw.com

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Classroom and administration
blocks - Blantyre campus

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