Quick Summary
Commerce is one of the most popular career streams in India, with over 40.3 lakh students choosing it as their preferred subject. This stream offers a wide range of career options for commerce students, but the variety can often lead to confusion. With so many paths to choose from, it’s important to understand which career options for commerce students are the best fit for your skills and interests.
When deciding on a career, you may wonder what the most rewarding career options for commerce students are and how to pursue them. There are various courses and fields to explore, from traditional roles like Chartered Accountant (CA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to newer fields such as Digital Marketing and Data Analysis. Each of these offers unique opportunities and challenges, and your choice should depend on your long-term goals.
To help you navigate these options, it’s essential to understand after commerce which course is best to pursue after completing your 12th grade. Whether you’re looking to become an Investment Banker, Financial Analyst, or pursue a career in Tax Consulting, there are many paths to choose from. By focusing on the right courses and gaining the necessary skills, you can unlock some of the most rewarding career options for commerce students. Take time to research and plan your future, as the right choice can lead to a successful and fulfilling career.
Below are the most popular courses after 12th Commerce, that can help you get a great job further:
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) is one of the most preferred courses in commerce for every other student. It is a three-year undergraduate course that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of subjects such as accounting, finance, economics, business management, and taxation. The curriculum is aimed at equipping you with practical and theoretical knowledge. It is essential for pursuing commerce stream jobs in the fields of finance, banking, accounting, or entrepreneurship.
Read more: BCom Accounting and Finance Course in India
Bachelor of Economics (BE) is the second in the 12th Commerce course list. It is an undergraduate academic degree program that focuses on the study of economics, including microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, and other related fields. It offers diverse career opportunities in finance, business, government, and academia. It is a top choice for students looking for commerce career options, providing various career options and the possibility for further studies in economics or related fields after graduation.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) is an undergraduate degree program that is the best course for commerce students. The program covers subjects like accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, and operations management. The duration of this course is three to four years, depending on the institution. After graduation, you can pursue further education, such as an MBA, or start working in various industries, including finance, marketing, and consulting.
The Bachelor of Commerce in Banking and Insurance (BBI) is a three-year undergraduate program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the banking and insurance industry. This program covers subjects like accounting, finance, economics, business law, banking operations, insurance principles, and risk management. This is one of the courses in commerce that teaches students about the various functions of the banking sector.
Read more: Commerce without Maths scope
Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Market (BFM) is another one of the commerce courses after 12th. It is an undergraduate program that focuses on developing the knowledge and skills of students in the financial markets. The course is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the financial world, including financial instruments, investment strategies, risk management, and financial analysis. This degree is ideal for you if you are interested in pursuing a career in the financial market.
Read more: BBA vs BCOM – Which Should You Opt For?
The list of the top 15 career options for commerce students includes some popular options for Chartered Accountancy (CA), Investment Banking, Financial Analyst, and Marketing Manager.
Other career options for commerce students are Company Secretary (CS), Tax Consultant, Digital Marketer, and Entrepreneur. These careers offer great growth potential and high-salary opportunities in various industries.
Here are some commerce job lists and salaries:
| Career Option | Skills Required | Average Salary (in INR) |
| Chartered Accountant | 1. Accounting and Tax Knowledge 2. Knowledge of Regularity Standards 3. Software Proficiency 4. Analytical Skills 5. Communication Skills | 11.5 LPA |
| Certified Public Accountant | 1. Accounting and Tax Knowledge 2. Knowledge of Regularity Standards 3. Software Proficiency 4. Analytical Skills 5. Communication Skills | 7 LPA |
| Digital Marketer | 1. Content Creation 2. Data Analytics 3. CRM 4. SEO & SEM Knowledge 5. Communication Skill | 9.2 LPA |
| Cost and Management Accountant | 1. Research Skills 2. Problem-Solving Skills 3. Analytical Skills 4. Forecasting Skills 5. Budget Analysis | 7 LPA |
| Company Secretary | 1. Time-Management Skills 2. Multi-Tasking Skills 3. Analytical Skills 4. Strong Numerical Skills 5. Knowledge of Company Law | 9.1 LPA |
| Investment Banker | 1. Numerical Skills 2. Analytical Skills 3. Problem Solving Skills 4. Project Management Skills 5. Networking Skills | 16.6 LPA |
| Financial Analyst | 1. Accounting Skills 2. Financial Literacy 3. Technical Skills 4. Interpersonal Skills 5. Problem-Solving Skills | 6 LPA |
| Research Analyst | 1. Statistical and Maths Knowledge 2. Data Analysis 3. Problem-Solving Skills 4. Critical Thinking 5. Attention to detail | 5 LPA |
| Data Analyst | 1. SQL Knowledge 2. Data Management 3. Statistical Programming 4. Machine Learning 5. Analytical Skills | 7 LPA |
| Business Development Manager | 1. Analytical Skills 2. Problem-Solving Skills 3. Negotiation Skills 4. Technical Skills 5. Project Management Skills | 10 LPA |
| Athletic Director | 1. Interpersonal Communication Skills 2. Leadership Skills 3. Analytical Skills 4. Budgeting Skills 5. Problem-Solving Skills | 3.5 LPA |
| Writer | 1. Creativity 2. Research Skills 3. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) 4. Editing/Proofreading 5. Time-Management Skills | 3.8 LPA |
| Relationship Manager | 1. Presentation Skills 2. Negotiation Skills 3. Problem-Solving Skills 4. Mathematical Skills 5. Technical Skills | 6.2 LPA |
| Event Planner | 1. Leadership Skills 2. Strategic Thinking 3. Problem-Solving Skills 4. Communication Skills 5. Change Management | 3 LPA |
| Lawyer | 1. Law & Legal Knowledge 2. Verbal Communication Skills 3. Logical and Rational Thinking 4. Technical Skills 5. Teamwork | 8.5 LPA |
Top career options after 12th commerce include Chartered Accountancy (CA), Investment Banking, and Financial Analysis. These fields offer high salary jobs in commerce stream with great earning potential and growth opportunities.
Other popular career options for commerce students are Marketing Manager, Company Secretary (CS), and Digital Marketing. Each of these paths provides rewarding careers with excellent prospects for development and advancement in various industries.
As a Chartered Accountant (CA) professional, you will become an accountant and financial expert, which is considered one of the best commerce career options for students. As CA, you will be providing financial advice, auditing, taxation, and accounting services to individuals, businesses, and organizations.
The career path for a CA typically involves completing a rigorous education program, including practical experience and passing certification exams. Once qualified, you can work in a variety of fields, including public accounting, corporate finance, government, or academia. This career is highly respected and in demand due to specialized knowledge and expertise in financial matters. Your career in CA can lead to a lucrative and rewarding profession with many opportunities for growth and advancement.
Read more: Salary of a Chartered Accountant in India
A certified Public Accountant, or CPA for short, is a finance expert who has a certification to work as an accountant. They prepare tax returns, budgets, and reports, and conduct audits for clients. The CPA also ensures that all financial documents are as per the law. CPAs can work as bookkeepers and also as accounts payable clerks in India. As a CPA, you are also eligible to work internationally, however, you might have to take additional examinations, this one for the great career options for commerce students after graduation.
This is one of such commerce subject jobs that is a different career path than Finance but just as profitable. The best part about these career options for commerce students is that there are many sub-specializations to explore and work in. Branding, SEO, SEM, social media, Content Writing, and even Analytics all have different job positions and salary ranges. The responsibilities will differ in each position.
Recommended Read: Guide to Become a Freelance Digital Marketing Professional
A Cost and Management Accountant (CMA) is one of the great career options for commerce students. As a CMA professional, you will specialize in financial management and strategic planning. And use your knowledge of accounting, economics, and business management to help organizations make informed financial decisions.
CMAs work to analyze financial data to identify trends, create budgets, and develop forecasts. They also advise on cost management and cost control strategies, helping organizations to reduce expenses and increase profitability. This career in commerce requires a strong understanding of financial accounting principles, as well as excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. You can work in the private sector, but you may also work in government or non-profit organizations such as CMA.
Indian students popularly choose either CA or CS for core finance career options for Commerce students. CS or Company Secretary is provided by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. CS performs several responsibilities including administrative and financial duties. Major duties include taking care of tax returns, auditing, ensuring financial regulations are met, and also maintaining financial records. This is the best career in commerce that is not clerical, as its name.
Among other career options for commerce students mentioned here, investment banking requires a certification or degree. Investment banking is a profession that is about investing and helping clients make the most money effectively. These are experts who have high levels of analytical and persuasion abilities.
The range of clients for investment banking ranges from multinational corporations and even the Government. Most employers for investment bankers are banks where they will look for ways to raise capital. Other responsibilities include helping with mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, hedge and mutual funds, and also private placement of capital.
A Financial Analyst is an analytics position that deals with large amounts of data. They will look over the current financial status of a company and then make recommendations to make changes. These changes are designed to get more profit through better investments. This full-time career options for commerce students have the financial analyst preparing investment strategies and overseeing investment decisions. All decisions are made after looking over the company’s past and present data. A career in finance offers lucrative opportunities for growth and advancement.
Recommended Read: Career Path and Scope of CFA in India
Research Analyst is also on the list of commerce student career options. As, a research analyst your responsibilities vary according to the employer; generally, you will be involved in preparing reports based on the investigation of data involving markets, finance, operations, customers, etc.
Some responsibilities this analyst handles are creating financial models, report writing, and analyzing operating metrics. Most of the work of a Research Analyst is done using spreadsheet,s for which one needs to know how to forecast. Research Analysts are one career option for commerce students, where most employers are in Finance or Economics.
One up-and-coming career option for commerce students is Data Analyst. Data analysts work with data from collection to analysis and interpret it. You will be using tools such as SQL, Python, and R to extract and manipulate data, and often present their findings in visual formats such as charts or graphs.
Data Analysts also help identify areas for improvement and develop strategies for optimizing data-driven processes. This career in commerce requires strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, and is in high demand across various industries such as finance, healthcare, and technology.
All businesses, big or small, require an expert who knows how to expand them. The role of a Business Development Manager is central to the future success of a company. They are trained to research and find out the best markets that fit company goals, generate leads, meet with prospective clients, and also maintain relationships.
Business Development Managers are one of the top career options for commerce students who require a strategic mindset with also an ability to multitask and work on their own. Sales, marketing, and price negotiation are also additional tasks handled by the BDM.
This is one of the completely different commerce stream career options in Sports Management. The Athletic Director is responsible for different sports teams and also schools and universities. Here, you will handle the entire Athletics department.
This is more of an administrative role but it requires knowledge of sports and fitness as well. For instance, on an average day, the Athletic Director would be preparing the sports budget, hiring coaches, and arranging and attending conferences. Other tasks also include taking care of sports equipment, managing disputes, and writing reports on the school teams.
There are many career options for commerce students that do not require additional qualifications. One can even work in these positions while completing their studies. Writing or authoring is one such job. Here, writing can be in terms of SEO writing for blogs, website copies, and also books. All one needs to work in this role is a steady internet connection, a laptop, and creativity with words.
Writers can work both in a full-time capacity and as remote workers in a freelance capacity. In the latter mode, payment is in the form of per word, per hour, or project basis. Writers can choose the type of project or niche to write on.
Within organizations, many jobs do not require individuals to pursue a specific degree. Among them, Relationship Managers are top of the list. This is one of the many career options for commerce students that provide long-term sustainability. Relationship Managers maintain relationships with a company’s customers. From answering queries and complaints to general information and sales, all fall under the purview of the Relationship Manager’s duties.
Through the efforts of the Relationship Manager, the business expands and also brings in more profit. Undoubtedly, Relationship Managers need to be good communicators and have interpersonal skills. Being able to convince people and the ability to perceive emotions would make the job easy. Most RMs are given a set of customers or vendors to fully service while also acquiring new customers.
Event planning is one of the top career options for commerce students to thrive in. The Event Planners manage personal and corporate events from start to finish. All aspects of the event, from meeting clients, researching, and talking to vendors to the actual day itself, everything is under the Event Planner. Most Event Planners work on their own through an entrepreneurial practice or under an Event Management company. Half of the job involves visiting sites and talking with vendors to negotiate deals. This is quite a tough and also taxing job.
One of the best courses for commerce students that is also not about core finance is the law. These career options for commerce students, in truth, involve a complete change of career. However, lawyers hold a prestigious position in society and they work in servicing others. Fresh graduates, generally, start by assisting a senior lawyer. After some time and experience, they handle their cases in any field of law.
By considering these factors and career options, commerce students can make informed decisions about their professional futures.
Before choosing a career path, it’s important to know the skills you need and the average salaries associated with different jobs. This understanding can help you make informed decisions about your future. Below, we’ve listed some of the top career options for commerce students in India, along with the key skills needed for each role.
| Career Option | Required Skills |
|---|---|
| Cost Accountant | Mathematics, Economics, Analytical Skills |
| Chartered Accountant | Accounting, Finance, Analytical Skills |
| Professional Accountant | Accounting, Taxation, Software Skills |
| Investment Banker | Finance, Stock Market Knowledge, Analytical Skills |
| Actuary | Mathematics, Risk Management, Analytical Skills |
| Financial Analyst (CFA) | Economics, Finance, Analytical Skills |
| Public Accountant (CPA) | Accounting, Taxation, Financial Reporting |
| Personal Financial Advisor | Financial Planning, Investment Strategies, Communication Skills |
| Certified Financial Planner | Financial Planning, Investment Strategies, Knowledge of Regulations |
| Financial Examiner | Regulatory Compliance, Financial Analysis, Attention to Detail |
| Retail Manager | Retail Management, Inventory Management, Leadership Skills |
| Budget Analyst | Budget Analysis, Financial Reporting, Attention to Detail |
| Company Secretary | Corporate Governance, Legal Compliance, Communication Skills |
| Investment Analyst | Financial Analysis, Research Skills, Data Interpretation |
| Management Analyst | Data Analysis, Business Management, Communication Skills |
Understanding these career options and the required skills can help you prepare for your future and improve your chances of securing a high-paying job in the commerce field.
Confused about choosing a career from multiple career options for commerce students? Don’t worry! Start by assessing your strengths and interests to narrow down your choices.
Once you know your interests, research the various career options for commerce students, such as accounting, finance, or marketing. This will help you make an informed decision and choose the right career path for you. Here are a few tips through which you can choose the right career for yourself –
You need to be interested in the work that you might do throughout your life. So, before choosing any career in commerce, gauge your interests, abilities, future goals, and skills. Short-list such options which meet all these criteria.
After you have short-listed the various courses and career options for commerce students, you need to research and gather information about them. Know their institutions, future scope, earning potential, risks associated, growth rate, etc.
Before you go and choose any commerce course or career options for commerce students, do take expert advice. You can talk to your seniors in the field, people who are already doing that course or job or can go to a career consultant. Talking to experts will provide you with deeper insight.
After you have talked to advisors and done your research, choose the best prospect that also matches your interests, career goals, and earning expectations, and start working on that.
There is a phase between after completion of the graduation course and choosing career options for students, during this phase, you are confused about what to do in your career and how to do it. But if there is a way to earn even during this period, and yes you don’t even need to learn any additional skills; just use your gained knowledge. This is the opportunity to work with Chegg India, as a Subject Matter Expert.
As a Chegg Subject Matter Expert, you will be using the knowledge gained from your graduation to help other commerce students. Subject Matter Experts are responsible for solving queries and answering the questions posted by the students on the platform. And for every accurately resolved question you make money. You can choose from various subjects like accounting, economics, finance, operations management, etc. This opportunity is not only for commerce students, but for anyone who has subject matter expertise, whether it is science, business, maths, or healthcare.
Commerce offers a wide range of career options for commerce students, many of which come with the potential for money and success. The key for students is to evaluate their interests, strengths, and long-term goals. By choosing the right courses in commerce, students can set a solid foundation for a successful career.
Once you’ve completed the necessary courses, you can explore various career options for commerce students. These options span across fields like finance, accounting, marketing, and management. With the right qualifications and skills, you can pursue a career that aligns with your passions and talents.
If you’re looking for top career options for commerce students, consider fields like Chartered Accountancy (CA), Investment Banking, or becoming a Financial Analyst. These careers have a bright future and offer excellent earning potential for those who dedicate themselves to achieving excellence.
Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive into our guide on Career Advice.
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In conclusion, the commerce stream offers a wide variety of career options for commerce students across multiple sectors, including finance, marketing, and management. With numerous paths available, students can explore careers in high-demand areas such as Investment Banking, Chartered Accountancy, and Product Management. These career options for commerce students not only provide growth opportunities but also promise lucrative salaries, ranging from INR 3 LPA to INR 18 LPA, depending on experience and expertise.
As the demand for skilled professionals in areas like financial planning, market analysis, and strategic management increases, there are more opportunities for commerce students to advance in their careers. The need for expertise in these fields is rapidly growing, making career options for commerce students highly relevant and rewarding. This rising demand ensures that commerce professionals can enjoy long-term job security and stability, along with attractive salary packages.
To make the most of these opportunities, it is crucial for students to stay updated with industry trends and continuously develop the skills needed to succeed. By focusing on key areas like financial analysis, digital marketing, and leadership, students can significantly enhance their career prospects. With the right education and experience, students can reach their full earning potential and achieve substantial career growth in the diverse and rewarding field of commerce.
The best jobs for commerce students include Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Investment Banker, Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Digital Marketer, Tax Consultant, and Company Secretary (CS). These careers offer high salaries, growth opportunities, and stability in the financial and business sectors.
The highest-paid job in commerce is Investment Banking, where professionals can earn lucrative salaries through financial advisory and trading. Other high-paying careers include Chartered Accountant (CA), Actuary, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Financial Analyst, and Management Consultant, offering excellent income potential and career growth.
A career in commerce offers challenging roles such as Chartered Accountant, Chief Financial Analyst (CFA), and Investment Banker. These jobs are known for their high stress, significant responsibility, and complex decision-making. The demands of these positions make them some of the toughest, requiring strong skills, dedication, and the ability to handle pressure in fast-paced environments.
After 12th commerce, you can pursue jobs like Accounting Assistant, Tax Consultant, Banking Associate, Digital Marketer, Stock Broker, Insurance Advisor, Retail Manager, and Business Analyst. Higher studies like B.Com, CA, CS, CFA, or BBA can open doors to even better career opportunities.
Yes, commerce is a great career option as it offers diverse and high-paying opportunities in fields like finance, accounting, marketing, banking, entrepreneurship, and management. With the right skills and qualifications, you can build a successful career in sectors like investment banking, taxation, business analytics, and corporate law.
Authored by, Amay Mathur | Senior Editor
Amay Mathur is a business news reporter at Chegg.com. He previously worked for PCMag, Business Insider, The Messenger, and ZDNET as a reporter and copyeditor. His areas of coverage encompass tech, business, strategy, finance, and even space. He is a Columbia University graduate.
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Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
