Unique Career Options after B.Com (Hons)
Bachelor of Commerce — the most sought after course for Commerce pass-outs always has soaring cut-offs for admission into reputed colleges across India. However, we all know that a conventional Commerce degree does not guarantee a decently paying job in the current competitive market. This is the time to go for a qualification that will make you stand out from the crowd. Today, the BFSI industry is becoming excessively competitive and monotonous, organizations are looking for professionals who can add value to their business growth. There are numerous career options after doing B. Com (Hons) but if you are one of those who think that CA, MBA, CFA have become far too mainstream for you, you have come to the right place. Since you have done your graduation in Commerce, you must be having an interest towards accounting and finance. Below are some unique and emerging career options:
1. Chartered Certified Accountants
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, one of the most reputed international organizations offers this course. It is an accounting qualification which is recognized globally and is a fine way to build a career in accounting, finance, tax consulting, treasury management etc. ACCA, along with Oxford Brookes University have developed B.Sc. (Hons) in Applied Accounting. ACCA also offers its affiliates and members the opportunity to gain an MSc in Professional Accountancy from the University of London.
Eligibility: Class 12th, with five subjects, English and Mathematics are compulsory, Minimum 65% marks in two subjects and over 50% marks in the remaining subjects.
Number of Papers: 13 papers. Also, depending upon your qualifications, you may get exemption in certain papers.
Approved Employers: Accenture, JP Morgan, Microsoft, Shell, Rolls Royce, KPMG
Job Positions: Audit Professional, Corporate Recovery Professional, Revenue Manager, Credit Controller, Financial Modelling Professional
Average Salary: ₹ 4 to 28 lacs per annum.
2. Financial Risk Manager
Offered by the Global Association of Risk Professionals, Financial Risk Manager is a leading professional designation valued internationally. This designation lets employers know that your skills and knowledge of assessing risk have been validated by international standards. FRMs are generally employed by regulatory agencies, insurance companies, major banks, accounting firms, and asset management firms. You get connected to an elite network of expert risk professionals employed by the world’s leading institutions.
Eligibility: Graduation
Number of Papers: 2 parts.
Top Employers: HSBC, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Citigroup, ICBC, Bank of America
Job Positions: Chief Risk Officer, Senior Risk Analyst, Head of Operational Risk, and Director, Investment Risk Management.
Average Salary: ₹ 6 to 30 lacs per annum.
3. Certified Financial Planner
Financial Planning Standards Board provides a certification course called Certified Financial Planner involving the study of financial planning along with other aspects of finance such as personal finance, insurance planning management, risk analysis etc. CFP graduates are equally valued by professionals, industry, and consumers alike. It is globally recognized, considered the best for financial planning training and education. In India, the CFP certification is administered by U.S. based Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB Ltd.). directly
Eligibility: If you follow a regular pathway, class 12th.
Number of Papers: 6 modules. However, you may get exemption papers if you choose the challenge status pathway.
Top Employers: Aditya Birla Group, Max Life insurance, Ford Motor Company, HDFC Life, Dell
Job Positions: Portfolio Managers, Insurance Advisors, Debt Management Specialist, Retirement Planning Advisors, Mutual Fund Advisors
Average Salary: ₹ 3.5 to 15 lacs per annum.
4. Business Accounting and Taxation Professional
Graduates who want to learn in-demand skills and tools in accounting and taxation, this is the course for you. The Post Graduate Program in Business Accounting and Taxation is a practical and experiential learning course which has been conceptualized to help students become an industry-ready accounting professional. As the process and methodology in business accounting and taxation have changed over the years, it is now a more elaborate and detailed procedure. As individuals have understood the importance of filing taxes, this course has become more popular among commerce graduates.
Eligibility: Graduate in a Commerce-related specialization.
Number of Papers: 9 modules
Top Employers: Amazon, FedEx, Reliance, Hitachi, Deloitte, Fossil, Yes Bank
Job Positions: Analyst or a Senior Associate, Assistant or Senior Manager, Accounts Executive, Deputy General Manager
Average Salary: ₹ 1.5 to 12 lacs per annum.
5. Investment Banker:
Investment Banking Certification provides a golden opportunity if you are looking for a comprehensive, short-term and also cost-effective program to develop your skills in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and investment banking. A mini-MBA, by the New York Institute of Finance, is offered 100% online. The program is known for its flexibility as the exams can be taken anywhere in the world. A professional certificate is obtained after its successful completion which would prove beyond doubt your ability to perform in the real world of finance.
Eligibility: Class 12th with basic knowledge of finance
Number of Papers: There are 2 specialization tracks and each has 2 parts. Any 1 track can be selected.
Top Employers: Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse, Barclays Capital
Job Positions: Investment Banker, Private Equity, In-house advisor, Consultant, Corporate Associate
Average Salary: ₹ 10 to 50 lacs per annum.
6. Digital Marketing
Modern information sources are online, and to reach customers and create brands, internet or digital marketing is essential today. With a degree in digital marketing, one can work as a digital marketer, online advertisers, and experts in social media to study, research, and create compelling digital content.Today, companies are waking up every day to the fact that digital marketing is truly relevant and is no longer an option. Times of India has reported that by 2022, Digital Marketing would generate 2.5 Lakh jobs within India.
Programs for digital marketing are highly focused. One can learn how to optimize reach by using internet marketing tools, platforms and networks. The digital marketing courses provide the students new skills in the segments of Copywriting, SEO, PPC, email, mobile marketing, analytics, content management, and social media are covered by a digital marketing degree.
Some of the Institutes offering Post graduate courses (Master’s, Diploma or Certificate) are:
DSIM, AIMA, Digital Academy India, Manipal Global Education, NIIT Digital Marketing. Institutes like ISB and IIMs are also offering 3–6 months Certificate courses in Digital Marketing.
B. Com(Hons) offers a host of opportunities for the students, one may choose the stream/ course depending upon their interest and aptitude. The opportunities are not just limited to the above listed ones. The sky should be the limit for you.
Good Luck!
