WAEC GCE Book Keeping Syllabus 2025/2026
The 2025/2026 WAEC GCE Book Keeping syllabus focuses on basic accounting principles, business transactions, ledger entries, and financial records. It prepares candidates for careers in business, finance, and entrepreneurship.
This syllabus is designed for candidates preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for Private Candidates (GCE). It emphasizes foundational knowledge in bookkeeping and the ability to apply it in real-world business scenarios.
Scheme of Examination
- Paper 1: Objectives
- 50 multiple-choice questions
- Duration: 1 hour
- Marks: 50
- Paper 2: Essay and Practice
- Section A: Theory-based questions (answer 2 out of 4)
- Section B: Practical questions (answer 3 out of 5)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Marks: 100
Core Syllabus Topics
1. Introduction to Book Keeping
- Meaning and importance
- Differences between bookkeeping and accounting
- Career opportunities
2. Business Transactions
- Types: cash, credit, bank
- Source documents: invoices, receipts, cheques
- Recording procedures
3. Double Entry Principles
- Debit and credit rules
- Ledger accounts: personal, real, nominal
- Balancing accounts
4. Books of Original Entry
- Journal, cash book, petty cash book
- Sales and purchases journals
- Returns inwards and outwards
5. The Ledger
- Classification of accounts
- Posting from journals
- Trial balance preparation
6. Bank Reconciliation Statement
- Causes of differences
- Adjustments and preparation
7. Control Accounts
- Sales and purchases ledger control accounts
- Reconciliation and error detection
8. Final Accounts of a Sole Trader
- Trading, profit and loss account
- Balance sheet
- Adjustments: depreciation, accruals, prepayments
9. Depreciation and Provisions
- Methods: straight-line, reducing balance
- Provision for doubtful debts
- Bad debts written off
10. Single Entry and Incomplete Records
- Limitations and conversion to double entry
- Statement of affairs
- Computation of profit/loss
11. Payroll Accounting
- Wages and salaries
- Deductions: tax, pension, union dues
- Payroll preparation
12. Ethics in Book Keeping
- Integrity, transparency, confidentiality
- Fraud prevention and detection
Sample Questions
Objective Example:
Which of the following is a book of original entry?
- Ledger
- Trial balance
- Journal
- Balance sheet
Answer: C. Journal
Essay Example:
Explain five differences between bookkeeping and accounting.
Answer Tip: Focus on scope, purpose, users, timing, and complexity.
Practical Example:
Prepare a trial balance from the following ledger balances: Cash ₦50,000, Sales ₦120,000, Purchases ₦80,000, Rent ₦10,000.