What to do after your 12th commerce exams? Expert opinion from IMS Proschool

What to do after your 12th commerce exams?

Undergraduate students, have you thought about what you will do after 12th commerce exams? It is time to start thinking seriously about your future. You are currently at a crossroads. The path you are walking on has split into two. Should you take a left and pick finance? Or head to the right and choose accounting?

Each turn brings out more questions. Should you continue with your bachelor’s degree? Or opt for any of the professional courses after 12th commerce? Does a finance-based degree make sense for you? Or does your future lie in an accounting qualification?

These are some tough life questions. So take a long hard look at yourself before you come to a conclusion. However, to help you along your way, here are some answers that might help you decide the direction of your academic journey.

Some careers options after 12th-year commerce are: 

• Bachelor’s degree in commerce

• Chartered accountancy

• Company secretary

• Bachelor’s in Business Administration

• ACCA certification

As you can see, there are quite a few career options after 12th commerce. Students are often confused between a career in accounting or finance. Since both fields are suitable, it comes down to where your interests and strengths lie.

Finance vs Accounting 

Finance and accounting are two sides of the same coin — both deal with money. They play specific roles within an organization and are inherently connected. However, here are some differences between the two:

Why choose a career in accounting?

Despite digital technology changing the corporate landscape, the demand for accountants remains untouched. There is a steady rise in job openings, especially as more international companies open branches in various cities across India. They need business-savvy professionals who follow global regulations. Accountants play a significant role in helping businesses make decisions for the future by analysing the current financial data. As India’s economy grows, the job positions for accountants are rapidly increasing. Here are some reasons why an accounting course is a good option for many undergraduate students.

• There are abundant job opportunities as every company needs accountants across various levels — from entry jobs to upper management.

• Accounting is an essential department of every company as your job is to carry out a range of critical functions such as managing salaries, taxes, auditing, etc.

• You can work for private financial firms, the big 4, MNCs, tech companies… you are eligible to work in almost any industry

• Due to the nature of the work, salaries for accountants are high

 
The ACCA course after 12th commerce

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is an organization that offers one of the most prestigious professional qualifications. Since its inception in 1904 in England, the ACCA institute has gone from strength to strength, becoming the benchmark in accountancy education. It is now the largest accounting body in the world, with over 500,000 members and students in around 180 countries like Australia, the UK, Singapore and Canada. With this course, you get a fantastic opportunity to start a thriving career at a young age with companies like the big 4, banks, MNCs and other major corporate players.

The ACCA course details

The course is open for 12th-year students who have obtained at least 65 percent in English and maths, and 50 percent in the remaining exams. It is also applicable to working professionals or graduates.

The syllabus contains 3 modules and 13 subjects. Here is the complete list:

Applied Knowledge Level 

• Accountant in business
• Management accounting
• Financial accounting

 
Applied Skills Level 

• Corporate and business law
• Performance management
• Taxation
• Financial reporting
• Audit and assurance
• Financial management

 
Strategic Professional Level

Essential:

• Strategic business leader
• Strategic business reporting

 
Optional (Pick two):

• Advanced financial management
• Advanced performance management
• Advanced taxation
• Advanced audit and assurance

 
Facts about the ACCA exams

• You can give the first four exams on demand
• The remaining nine exams occur in four sessions during the year
• You are allowed to give up to four papers in one sitting
• Along with clearing the exams, you must complete 36 months of experience as a requirement for your certification.

Want to know more about ACCA? Click here

Why is it best to do the ACCA course after 12th commerce? 

Some students choose to apply for an ACCA certificate after graduation. They feel it is better as you get four ACCA paper exemptions if you are a B.com graduate. However, there are many reasons why it is a tactical choice to do the ACCA after 12th commerce.

Get an early head start on your career

If you play your cards right, you can be a graduate and ACCA holder by 20 – 21 years of age. It is a great head start for your career, especially when your peers with degrees are now applying for professional courses. You have saved time, planned accordingly and are now ready to start working.

You are qualified to work with the best financial firms

Despite your young age, your qualifications are on par with some of the best professionals in the business. Companies like E&Y, Deloitte, HP, Microsoft and Goldman Sachs are some of the many firms that hire ACCA-certified employees. Your resume will be impressive as you have proven you can successfully multitask and complete two qualifications, Plus, you probably will be among the youngest candidates for the job! You have the skills, training and expertise to work with the best of the best.

You can become an ACCA member sooner

You must work for 36 months in a relevant position to qualify as a member of the ACCA board. If you have completed the course with your graduation, you can focus on getting a good job and use that experience to get your membership. Once you are in, you get all the tremendous benefits of the ACCA community, such as knowledge of the latest job postings and industry developments.

Your earning potential increases 

As an ACCA professional you stand to draw a higher salary than graduates who lack a similar qualification. The average annual salary is around Rs 4 to 5 lakhs for freshers. If you are an ACCA member, it can go up to Rs 7 or 8 lakhs. After you gain experience, the numbers can go up to Rs 15 to 20 lakhs. Established ACCA executives in senior positions can command a yearly income of Rs 40 to 45 lakhs. It all depends on the company, your role and your negotiating skills.

At IMS Proschool, the syllabus goes above and beyond the regular format for an ACCA qualification. You learn the relevant ACCA subjects and receive additional training to make you a one-of-a-kind accounting specialist. The Proschool Global Professional Accountant (GPA) course incorporates essential tools and skills to give you a complete, well-rounded education.

Let’s take a closer look at this highly recommended course:

Specially designed program after 12th commerce

Undergraduates can choose between two variants:

GPA comprehensive: All 3 modules

GPA: First 2 modules

An incredible team of teachers

The faculty consists of industry experts with first-hand experience working in the field. They teach students how to apply themselves in the real world. The lessons use unique active learning methodologies so that the subjects come alive. You can focus better, and learning becomes much easier. It helps, especially if you are juggling two courses side by side.

Subjects are taught innovatively and intensively

You receive the core knowledge and a real-world understanding of how accounting works. The course also offers training in several specialities such as financial planning and interpersonal skills.

Choose your mode of learning

Proschool has centres in various cities across India. You can attend live classroom sessions with a capable teacher. However, you could also study through online sessions or distance learning. Whatever works best for you.

CA vs ACCA – A Comparison 

Accounting students can opt for either of these professional courses after 12th commerce. Here is a comparison chart between the two to give you a clearer idea.

Why you should consider the ACCA course at IMS Proschool 

At Proschool, the ACCA certificate gets upgraded to a GPA program. This is a uniquely designed course that includes the ACCA subjects, along with additional skill sets that give you the edge you need to make an impact in your career. The Global Professional Accountant course is a holistic blend of accounting theory, practical applications and extra interpersonal skills. Students receive personalised attention, in-depth training and head start to their careers.

What makes the GPA program the right one for you? 

• You can pick a variant of the course that appeals to you
  • GPA and GPA comprehensive for students after 12th commerce
  • GPA gateway and GPA professionals for degree holders
• You can learn with some of the best experts in the business. The faculty members are experienced professionals from the industry
• The syllabus includes real-world skills like financial modelling, enhanced communication and 100 percent placement assistance (such as mock interviews and resume building)
• You get access to some exceptional resources like practice papers, training videos and hard copy Kaplan study guides
• You can choose to attend live classes, study online or through distance learning
• On completion of the course, you get a Proschool GPA as well as a NSDC certification
• The intensive training helps you better your chances of landing a good job after your certification

 
Conclusion

An accounting career requires you to be proficient in creating financial reports and statements for internal and external use. It will be your job to convert financial details into an organized structure.

If you choose accounting as your future, an ACCA certification is your best bet. It is one of the best professional courses after 12th commerce. You will achieve your goals faster and enjoy a successful career within the industry.

Sign up for the ACCA course today. Click here to get started