7 Promising Careers After 12th in Commerce
Commerce students have a strong understanding of business principles, accounting, and finance, making them ideal for various job opportunities in the financial world. As a commerce student, you have an opportunity to choose from roles that offer high annual salaries as well as good growth potential. From the reputed CA role to a global career as an investment banker, you can choose from different roles based on your interests and skills. This article covers the job options available to commerce students in both established and emerging fields.
Seven career options for commerce students after class 12
Chartered accountant
Becoming a certified chartered accountant remains one of the most promising careers for commerce students. If you have completed your commerce degree with maths, you can become a CA. As a chartered accountant, you will handle a diverse range of responsibilities like tax planning, financial reporting and accounting, auditing financial documents, tax counselling, and offering financial guidance to individuals and businesses. To become a CA, you have to pass the CA course exam conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. This course has three levels: Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. You have to pass the intermediate level exam, complete your mandatory articled training (2.5 years at least), and pass the Advanced ICITSS test before taking the Final level exam.
Eligibility: Commerce students with at least 50% aggregate marks in the 12th grade.
Annual salary estimate: Up to Rs. 17.9 Lakhs
Financial planner
With the need for prudent income and investment management, the demand for trained financial planners is steadily rising. As a certified financial planner, you can help businesses and individuals better manage their finances with guidance on aspects like investment, tax planning, insurance, retirement, and estate planning. You can open your own practice or work for private banks, mutual fund and insurance companies, wealth management firms, and investment consultancy firms. To become a financial planner, you need to complete class 12 in commerce (with maths) and then enrol in the FPSB’s Certified Financial Planner course. Upon course completion, you can work as a financial advisor, wealth advisor, cost analyst, etc. As the BFSI sector keeps expanding, financial planner jobs are expected to be in high demand.
Eligibility:
- Pass all exams covering the six modules of the CFP course.
- Gain 1-3 years of relevant work experience.
Annual salary estimate: Up to Rs. 15 Lakhs
Investment banker
Building a career as an investment banker means entering a high-stakes role. As an investment banker, you will help companies raise capital through the issue of stocks and bonds, set prices of securities, and negotiate merger and acquisition deals. If strategic thinking, quantitative skills, and negotiation power are your strong suits, you can consider this career option. You can also have a chance to work with top global recruiters like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and HSBC. In terms of career growth, you can progress to the position of senior analyst, associate director, and even managing director.
Eligibility:
- A degree in commerce or finance from a recognised university/college.
Annual salary estimate: Up to Rs. 45 Lakhs
Financial analyst
According to statistical data, India has the third largest Fintech market in the world. This sector is expected to grow to $421 billion (approx. Rs. 34.94 lakh crore) by 2029, making it one of the most prominent job markets for commerce graduates. Financial analysts are responsible for procuring, managing, and analysing financial data for companies and organisations. Working as a financial analyst, you will have to assess financial data to predict company/industry performance and advise businesses on their investment decisions. Various organisations hire financial analysts, including FinTech firms, banks, investment firms, hedge funds, and corporations. You can start as a financial analyst and then progress to higher positions like those of a portfolio manager or equity research analyst.
Eligibility:
- Degree in commerce or accounting with mathematics.
- A CFA or Chartered Financial Analyst Degree is preferred.
Annual salary estimate: Up to Rs. 13 Lakhs
Company secretary
Becoming a company secretary is a promising career option for students who have completed 12th in commerce without mathematics. A company secretary is responsible for ensuring that the company complies with statutory and regulatory requirements. To become a company secretary, you will have to pass the Company Secretary course offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). You can complete this course either after your 12th grade exams or while pursuing an undergraduate degree. While you start as a company secretary, you can progress to senior positions like those of the company registrar, legal advisor, managing director, and chief administrative officer.
Eligibility:
- Pass class 12 with commerce subjects.
Annual salary estimate: Up to Rs. 16 Lakhs
Actuary
If you possess good mathematical and statistical analysis skills, you can pursue a career in the actuarial sciences after class 12. Actuaries use maths and financial theory to assess the likelihood of events and accordingly devise strategies to avert risks. The demand for experienced actuaries is high in the insurance, pension, and financial sectors, making it a good option for students who have completed class 12 commerce with maths.
Eligibility:
- A degree in commerce, mathematics, or statistics.
- Certification from reputed bodies like the Institute of Actuaries in India (IAI) is required.
Annual salary estimate: Up to Rs. 13.1 Lakhs
E-commerce management
As per a Deloitte Report, the Indian e-commerce market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21% until 2030. This rapid growth is expected to be accompanied by a simultaneous increase in job roles, making it a perfect career pathway for commerce students. Students who have studied commerce without maths can consider this career option. As an e-commerce manager, you will manage sales happening through online marketplaces, ideate marketing strategies, and oversee customer experiences.
Eligibility:
- Pass class 12 with commerce subjects (with/without mathematics).
- Gain relevant work experience and enroll in required certification courses.
Annual salary estimate: Up to Rs. 20 Lakhs
Conclusion
Now you know the best and most promising career options for commerce students after 12. Most of these career options require a basic commerce degree as well as specialised certification courses that have their own curriculums and exams. Choosing the right option depends entirely on your academic strengths and interests. Apart from these options, you can access others as well, even ones abroad. If you wish to go abroad for higher studies, you can always apply for an education loan through an NBFC or bank and fulfil your dreams.
