15 Highest Paying Career Options for Commerce Students

“Commerce changes the fate and genius of nations”– Thomas Gray

Commerce is one of the most popular career stream chosen by students in India. As per a report, over 40.3 lakh students choose commerce as their preferences as their subject stream. There are multiple options for commerce students to choose from. However, the availability of many options also creates confusion.

You may ask questions like, what are the best career options for commerce students and how one can achieve them. Don’t worry, here you will get to know all about the best courses in commerce to pursue after the 12^th and what career opportunities in commerce are the most rewarding.

Most Popular Commerce Courses After 12th

The best courses after 12th Commerce are

1. Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)

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 to equip you with practical and theoretical knowledge. It is essential for pursuing commerce stream jobs in the fields of finance, banking, accounting, or entrepreneurship.

Read about: BCom Accounting and Finance Course in India

2. Bachelor of Economics (BE)

Bachelor of Economics (BE) is the second in after 12^th commerce courses 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 commerce students, providing various career options and the possibility for further studies in economics or related fields after graduation.

3. Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

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.

Explore: Exciting Jobs To Watch For After BBA

4. Bachelor of Commerce in Banking and Insurance (BBI)

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.

5. Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Market (BFM)

Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Market (BFM) is another one of the commerce courses after 12^th. It is an undergraduate program that focuses on developing 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.

Suggested Read: BBA vs BCOM – Which Should You Opt For?

Best Career Options for Commerce Students

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

Salary Source: Ambition Box, GlassDoor

Best Career Options for Commerce Students

1. Chartered Accountant

As a CA (Chartered Accountancy) professional, you will become an accountant and financial expert which is considered one of the best career options for commerce 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.

Education Qualification

1. Complete 10+2 or equivalent level of education from a recognized board or institution.
2. Complete graduation from a recognized university or college
3. Complete the ICAI’s dedicated course, including three levels, Foundation, Intermediate, and Finals with exams at the end of each level.
4. Complete a minimum of three years of practical training in a CA firm or under a practicing CA.

Also Read: Salary of a Chartered Accountant in India

2. Certified Public Accountant

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 all financial documents are as per 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, they might have to take additional examinations, this one for the great career options for commerce students after graduation.

Education Qualification

1. Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration is needed for this career.
2. Candidates need to clear the Uniform CPA Examination, consisting of four sections covering topics such as auditing and attestation, financial accounting, reporting and regulation.
3. Work experience in accounting or related field.

3. Digital Marketer

This is one of such career options in commerce 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.

Education Qualification

1. A degree in marketing, business administration, or a related field can be helpful.
2. Certifications are also helpful in demonstrating expertise in specific areas of digital marketing, such as Google Ads, Google Analytics, or HubSpot.

Give a read to Guide to Become a Freelance Digital Marketing Professional.

4. Cost and Management Accountant

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 analyse 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 may also work in government or non-profit organizations as CMA.

Education Qualification

1. Candidate must have bachelor’s degree in commerce, economics, or any other related field from a recognized university.
2. Completed CMA program (all three levels) offered by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI).
3. Relevant work experience in accounting or related field.

5. Cost Secretary

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, like its name.

Education Qualification

1. Candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in commerce or any other related field from a recognized university.
2. Registered member of Cost Accountant and the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI).
3. Clear all the level foundation, intermediate and final course of CS exam.
4. Relevant work experience in the cost accounting field.

6. Investment Banker

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.

Education Qualification

1. A bachelor’s and master’s degree in finance, economics, or accounting are preferred to become an investment banker.
2. Professional certificate like Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, to demonstrate their expertise and competence in the field.

7. Financial Analyst

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 overlooking investment decisions. All decisions are done after looking over the company’s past and present data.

Suggested Read: Career Path and Scope of CFA in India

Education Qualification

1. Any degree in Commerce like B.Com followed by a master’s degree in MBA or M.Com in Finance will make individuals eligible for this role.
2. Certifications like Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Financial Planner (CFP) are also preferred

8. Research Analyst

Research Analyst is also on the list of commerce career options for students. 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 analysing operating metrics.  Most of the work of a Research Analyst is done using spreadsheets for which one needs to know how to forecasts. Research Analysts are one career option for commerce students where most employers are in Finance or Economics.

Education Qualification

1. Finance students can complete their PG studies in Economics in order to be considered for this role.

9. Data Analyst

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.

Education Qualification

1. A bachelor’s degree in a field like mathematics, statistics, computer science, economics, or business.
2. A master’s degree in data science, analytics, or a related field is needed to gain more in-depth knowledge and to increase job prospects.
3. Certifications in specific data analysis tools like programming languages, or data management systems.

10. Business Development Manager

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 that requires 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.

Education Qualification

1. A bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, economics, or a related field.
2. Some employers might ask for master’s degree that’s why MBA is also required.

11. Athletic Director

This is one of the completely different career options for commerce students is 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 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.

Education Qualification

1. Athletic directors can apply for a special postgraduate or graduate degree after their B.Com degrees. Work experience is also a necessity for some recruiters.

12. Writer

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.

Education Qualification

1. A degree in literature, creative writing, journalism, or a related field can help.

13. Relationship Manager

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 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.

Education Qualification

1. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, or Communications.
2. Relevant work experience in customer service, sales, or account management.

14. Event Planner

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.

Education Qualification

1. A bachelor’s degree in event planning or a related field, but it is not always necessary.
2. Gain experience through internships, volunteering, or working in related fields, such as catering or hospitality,

15. Lawyer

Some 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.

Education Qualification

1. Completer the LLB degree from recognized university or college.
2. Relevant work experience in the law field.

Other Helpful Resources:

Complete List of Highest Paying Commerce Stream Jobs
Comprehensive Guide on Understanding CFA vs CA
Solving the CFA vs. MBA Dilemma

Career in Commerce with Chegg

There is a phase between after completion of 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 Subject Matter Expert.

As Chegg Subject Matter Expert, you will be using your 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 its science, business, maths, or healthcare.

Tips To Choose Right Career After Commerce

Confused about how you will choose one career from multiple career options for commerce students. Don’t worry here are a few tips through which you can choose right career for yourself.

1. Identify Your Interest

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.

2. Do the Research

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.

3. Get Expert Advice

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.

4. Make the Decision

After you have talked to advice and done your research, choose the best prospect which also matches your interests, career goals, earning expectations and start working on that.

Create Your Career in Commerce

Commerce is the career path that automatically has money and success embedded in it. What students need to do is evaluate themselves and choose the right courses in commerce. Then after completing courses, one can choose any of the career options that are available.

And if you are searching for great career options for commerce students then you can consider the courses mentioned here. A career as CA, Investment Banker or Analyst looks quite bright if you do your best.

Evaluate numerous career choices to choose the right career path for yourself. Dive into our guide on Career Advice.

Frequently Asked Questions