BCS Certificate In Commercial Awareness

This certificate is concerned with the commercial and organisational knowledge required for business analysis work. The syllabus is structured around the two key areas of Business Finance and Organisational Behaviour, and uses definitions, techniques and principles from the books specified in the BCS recommended reading list.

What will I learn?

Holders of the BCS Certificate in Commercial Awareness should be able to:

• Understand three techniques used to evaluate a financial case.
• Understand costing and pricing.
• Understand cash flow forecasting and budgeting.
• Describe the contents of financial accounting documents.
• Interpret financial accounts.
• Explain specified business performance ratios.
• Define the elements and usage of Porter’s Five Forces Framework and Value Chain.
• Define the elements and usage of the Boston Consulting Group’s matrix.
• Define the performance measures and usage of the Balanced Business Scorecard.
• Define the elements of specified cultural analysis approaches.
• Explain the different management structures and their characteristics.
• Define the different architectures that may be adopted by organisations.

Prerequisites

There are no specific prerequisites for entry to the examination; however candidates should be suitably prepared and possess the appropriate skills and knowledge to fulfil the objectives above.

Course Outline

Syllabus Part 1 – Business Finance – 50% of course/examination

Evaluating a Financial Case

Budgeting, Costing and Pricing

Financial Reporting and Analysis

Syllabus Part 2 – Organisational Behaviour (based on Organisational Behaviour and

Market analysis and competitive advantage

Organisational behaviour and culture

Group formation

Exam Details

The format for the examination is a closed book one hour multiple-choice examination. The examination contains 40 questions and candidates must answer at least 65% (26/40) of the questions correctly in order to be awarded a pass. Candidates are allowed to use calculators during the examination; these will be provided by BCS. Candidates are not allowed to use their own calculators during the examination.

It is recommended that delegates purchase Business Analysis - Third Edition with the following ISBN numbers:

• 178017277X
• 978-1780172774

However, please note that the syllabus topics are based on sections of these books, not the entire books.

BCS Recommended Reading List

All these books are available from http://shop.bcs.org

Title: Organizational Behaviour

Author: Prof David A Buchanan and Dr Andrzej A Huczynski

ISBN: 0273728598

Title: Finance for IT Decision Makers: A Practical Handbook for Buyers, Sellers and

Managers

Author: Michael Blackstaff

ISBN: 1902505735

Title: Business Analysis Techniques: 99 Essential Tools for Success

Author: James Cadle, Debbie Paul and Paul Turner

ISBN: 1780172737

BCS Membership

Included in your professional certification; one year’s free BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Associate membership.

Upon passing your examination, make the most of your professional certification and continue your career development with BCS Associate membership. Whether you’re looking for career support through the BCS global skills, training and development framework, SFIAplus, seeking promotion or a network of new contacts, we’re here to support you. BCS membership provides exclusive access to resources, content and opportunities that will enrich your career.

BCS Membership allows you to give back to society. Some of the industry’s challenges are around personal data, health, education, and IT capabilities. By becoming part of the BCS professional community you can get involved and do your bit to make IT good for society.