What to choose for after completing B.Com

So, if you have just completed with your B.Com degree, you should look forth to some career-oriented course that are best-suited for you. Here is a list you could consult:

List of courses for B.Com graduates

Masters of Commerce (M.Com)

M.Com is the most popular course after B.Com. This is a two-year course wherein students can choose their specialisation from the following subjects:

• Finance
• Accounting
• Economics
• Taxation
• Business Studies
• Marketing
• Management
• Statistics

Students must keep in mind that they opt for the course only from a college approved by AICTE or from a university recognised by the Government.

Career options available

• Probationary officer at a nationalised bank
• Customer relationship executive at a nationalised bank
• Relationship manager
• Sales officer (accounts)
• Company law assistant
• Junior accountant
• Loan officer
• Credit officer in an insurance company
• Financial analyst

 

Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in Finance

MBA is one of the most popular courses that assure a good placement. Commerce graduates can opt for MBA in Finance which is a two-year programme. To get enrolled in an MBA course, a student needs to clear an entrance test followed by group discussion and interview. Once enrolled, the student can choose their specialisation from the following:

• Financial management
• Marketing management
• Banking & insurance management
• Systems management
• Human resource management

Career options available

• Asset management
• Derivatives structuring
• Corporate finance
• Private equity
• Corporate banking
• Credit risk management
• Treasury
• Hedge fund management

 

CA/CS/ICWA

Students looking for lucrative job prospects especially in the accounting profile can opt for Chartered Accountancy (CA), Company Secretary (CS) and Cost and Work Accountancy (CWA).

Chartered accountant (CA) exam is conducted by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The candidate needs to clear three exams, namely, CPT, IPCC and Final CA. However, graduate students can directly appear for IPCC which consists of two groups. Once one of the groups is cleared, the student needs to register for articleship with experienced CA's. The period of the articleship should be at least two and a half years. When both, the groups and articleship is cleared, the student can appear for Final CA.

The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI) is the premier statutory professional accountancy body in India for Cost and Works Accountant (CWA). Commerce graduates are directly eligible for ICWAI exam for the Intermediate level.

Company Secretary exam is conducted by The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI).

Career opportunities

• Financial institutions
• Investment consultancy
• Fund management
• International organisations
• Multinational companies
• Public sector and private banks
• Insurance companies

Certified Bank Manager Programme

This two-year programme is offered by the Institute of Bank Management and Research (IBMR), Hyderabad, and covers the following areas:

• Banking and financial services   
• Risk management
• Money
• Banking laws and regulations
• Treasury
• Credit
• Banking strategy

Diploma in Banking & Services (DBFS)

Students willing to establish a career in banking can opt for Diploma in Banking & Services (DBFS). This postgraduate two-year diploma course is offered by the Institute Of Finance, Banking & Insurance (IFBI), Mumbai. Any B.Com student who has attained 50 per cent marks in graduation is eligible for this course. However, the final selection is done on the basis of personal interview.

6) Certified Financial Planners

This is a certified course (duration 6 months to 1 year). Institutes like Indian Institute of Financial Planning (IIFP, Mumbai), Financial Planning Academy (FPA, Mumbai), and BLB Institute of Financial Markets (BIFM, Delhi) offer the course. Choosing a specialisation along with CFP can offer better job opportunities. Students can choose from the following specialisations:

• Financial planning
• Investment planning
• Tax planning
• Insurance and risk management

Certificate Course in Project Finance

The certificate course in Project Finance is offered by Indian Institute of Banking & Finance (IIBF) and Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR). By enrolling in the course, students can gain theoretical as well as practical knowledge in fields like:

• Project appraisal
• Financing
• Lending

 

International Courses in Accounting and Finance

Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

To become a CMA, the student needs to clear two examinations. The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA offers the course. The Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) regularly reviews the content. Students gain expertise on the following:

• Financial planning
• Control
• Professional ethics
• Analysis
• Decision support

Certified Public Accounting (CPA)

This course is considered of the highest standard in Accountancy all over the globe and is equivalent to Indian CA qualification. The course and exam are conducted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Once the course is over, the student has knowledge of the following:

• US International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• US federal taxation and business laws

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

A chartered certified accountant with the ACCA qualification opens numerous job prospects in fields of management, banking, consulting and accounting. The course is quite similar to CA, but additional knowledge on IFRS and laws and UK GAAP give this course an upper hand. To qualify ACCA, 14 papers need to be cleared.