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Do I need work experience to apply for an MBA?

Key takeaways:

  • If you want to apply for an MBA, you must be ready to take on the challenge of studying full-time.
  • An MBA is more than just a degree. It  is also a managerial training programme.
  • You might be able to get into an MBA programme without work experience. Still, you will have a much easier time if you have some work experience under your belt.
  • An MBA with work experience gives you more than just job skills; it teaches you how to manage your time and prioritise tasks.
  • If you don’t have work experience before pursuing your MBA, there are ways to prepare yourself before applying for an MBA programme, such as volunteering or taking on volunteer roles in your current field or industry.

If you are considering applying to business schools, you might wonder if your lack of work experience will hold you back. You are not alone. Many applicants worry that they are too young or don’t have the proper credentials, but there are plenty of ways to overcome this obstacle and get into the programme of your dreams.

The good news is that most schools don’t require a certain number of years in the workforce before applying, so you don’t have to wait until you’ve worked for many years before taking the plunge into business school. Some schools have more applicants who have never worked than those with experience.

While some people who pursue an MBA do so after working in their field for a while, others pursue their first master’s degree as a path to their dream job. It is important to know what makes for a strong application to give yourself the best chance of getting into the programme of your choice.

Why do MBA programmes require work experience?

The answer to this question is a bit complex, but it boils down to the value of work experience.

MBA programmes are designed to train students to be business leaders. To be prepared for the challenges that come with the role, learners must have an MBA with work experience in a real-world environment. This means they need to understand how differently people in a team interact and how they can contribute their unique skills and perspectives.

Additionally, work experience also indicates maturity and commitment. 

Typical work experience among incoming MBA students

Because of the emphasis on career preparation in MBA programmes, students need to have some work experience in the field before they begin their studies. This can be done through internships, volunteer work, or paid jobs relevant to your field of study.

The benefits are twofold: first, you will have more confidence while entering your MBA programme because you already have some experience under your belt; second, you will be most likely to succeed once you graduate.

Work experience among incoming MBA students is varied and rich. Most students have between 1-5 years of work experience before applying to a business school. 

The most common industry sectors of incoming MBA students are consulting, financial services, and technology. In addition, many students have worked in non-profit organisations or with start-up ventures. More than half of incoming students report having worked abroad in at least one of their previous positions, with China being the most popular destination.

MBAs’ most commonly held positions as working professionals are finance, consulting, and operations management. Sales roles are also prevalent among new students. 

How much work experience is ideal for an MBA?

If you are planning to apply to a business school, you might wonder how much work experience is ideal for pursuing an MBA.

Most programmes generally demand a full-time work experience of 2-5 years before applying for an MBA. If you are applying to an accelerated programme or one that requires a significant amount of self-study, less than two years may suffice. 

Many part-time programmes prefer applicants who have worked for a short time. In contrast, others look favourably for applicants with up to 7 years of full-time work experience before applying. Some schools also emphasise internships more than others.

Average MBA work experience for top programmes

When looking at the application requirements for an MBA programme, you will see that most schools require candidates to have at least 2 years of work experience before applying. 

It is because they want applicants ready to hit the ground running after graduation. If you’ve only been working for two years, chances are that your skills and knowledge aren’t as developed as they will be by the time you finish your degree programme.

That said, there are some exceptions to this rule. If your previous jobs were in highly specialised fields like business analytics, those might not count toward your total years of work experience because they are closer to what you will be studying in school than other positions. In addition, if you’ve already finished a bachelor’s degree programme, some of them may waive the requirement or allow you to apply with less than two years’ of employment under your belt (as long as all other requirements have been met).

Does an internship count as work experience for an MBA?

Yes, an internship counts for an MBA with work experience.

An internship is a paid or unpaid position where a student or recent graduate works in a company to gain the credibility of an MBA with working professionals’ experience. Internships are a great way to gain real-world insight into the field you are interested in pursuing and can help you land a job after graduation.

For those hoping to get into management consulting after their MBA studies, internships are beneficial because they provide a chance to learn how managers think and what leadership skills they possess. In addition, they offer valuable insights into the financial, legal, and ethical issues companies face today. An internship can also give you helpful information about what it is like to work within a specific industry sector or business model.

Best work experience for an MBA

A good certification of MBA with work experience is integral to getting into a quality company. If your application shows that you are passionate about the work you do and feel challenged by it, it will better reflect who you really are.

If you are applying for an MBA programme, you need to show that you can handle the pressure of being in the business world.

The best way to do this is by having a resume highlighting the different positions you’ve held at companies known for their high standards and demands. These types of jobs demand a lot from each employee.

Can I get an MBA without work experience?

If you are thinking about going back to school for an MBA, you may be wondering if you can pursue an MBA without having work experience. Here’s what you need to know about getting an MBA without work experience-

  • Most schools expect you to have at least one year of experience as a working professional before applying for their programme. If you don’t have that much experience, ask your school about their exceptions policy. Some schools do allow students close to the 2-year mark in terms of experience.
  • Some schools offer online options or part-time programmes. These options may be more flexible and allow students with no work experience to enrol in a degree programme. At the same time, they continue working in full-time or part-time jobs.
  • Talk to your school’s career services department about your situation, as they may be able to help connect you with alumni who can share their experiences and advice about how best to approach applying for an MBA programme without work experience at your school.

Why choose the MAHE MBA programme curated for working professionals?

The MBA programme by the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) through Online Manipal is designed to be completed in 2 years, with 3 semesters per year. The curriculum is focused on providing students with the skills they require to excel in their workplace. The course is designed in such a way that students can graduate with a valuable degree even if they have a full-time job. 

Working professionals are often looking for ways to advance in their careers without taking time off work, which could cost them their job or send their careers into a tailspin. This programme allows them to improve their skills and earn an MBA while continuing their careers as usual.

Because this programme is designed for learners with full-time jobs, it offers online and on-campus options so students can choose what works best for them. Students will also be able to take advantage of specialised resources such as career counselling services and networking opportunities with other MBA students and alumni from around the world.

What are the qualities, experiences and skills that high-end business schools look for in applicants?

In the world of business school admissions, there are certain qualities, experiences, and skills that are expected of applicants. Here are some of the most important ones:

  • Leadership skills

You’ve got to be a leader if you want to get into an elite business school. That means having the ability to motivate people and inspire them to do their best.

  • The ability to work in a team

You will be working in small groups on projects throughout your course at an elite business school, so this is an essential skill for success there.

  • An understanding of how businesses work

This isn’t just about knowing how to balance the books—you will  need to understand how different departments interact with each other and what drives each one individually as well as collectively.

  • The ability to think critically and analytically

If you want to be successful at an elite business school, you should be able to solve problems creatively without getting stuck in old ways of thinking or making assumptions about what others’ motives might be instead of asking them directly first.

Final thoughts 

The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) with Online Manipal is a pioneer in online MBA education and has the highest ranking among the top 10 Schools across India. It is recognized by UGC and AICTE. 

The institution offers a wide range of programmes that are designed to meet the needs of students who wish to pursue their career in management. The courses offered at MAHE are designed by experts with industry experience along with a strong focus on real-world applications, ensuring that you are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in your career.

Business Management Certificate: Why do I need one?

Key takeaways:

  • The business management certificate is a great way to gain the skills you need to kickstart your management career.
  • It will help you understand what it takes to run a business and how your role fits into the bigger picture.
  • You will be able to define what success looks like for your organisation and how you can achieve it through strategic planning and effective communication.
  • You will have access to a network of professionals who have been there before you and can help guide your career path as you begin making decisions that will impact your future development as an employee or entrepreneur.

What is a business management certificate?

A business management certificate is a degree that gives you the skills and knowledge you need to manage a business.

A business management certificate online may suit you if you’re interested in business management. You will have the opportunity to learn what it takes to start and run a successful business, including budgeting, accounting, human resources management, etc. It can help prepare you for an accountant or financial analyst career. 

Still, it can also be helpful if you’re looking to advance your skills or make a career change to another field that requires similar knowledge of financial matters, such as marketing or sales.

Business management certificates are offered at many levels, including associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. They may also be provided online, so students can complete them from anywhere in the world with internet access.

What skills can I learn by getting a business management certificate?

A business management certificate online can help you learn how to manage a business and develop the skills needed to become an effective manager. It’s a strong choice for people who want to advance their careers by learning how to lead and manage teams and those looking for a career change.

While many other types of business courses are available, such as accounting and marketing certificates, these business management certificate programmes tend to focus on specific areas of expertise rather than general leadership skills. In this section, we will dive into the skills you can learn by getting a business management certificate.

  • Varied experiences, enabling industry integration

An MBA is a great way to build your business acumen, but it’s not for everyone. An online business management certificate allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of accounting and finance and the more advanced skills required to succeed in today’s business environment.

  • Understanding the interface of the business with technology and analytics

The world is changing! Gone are the days when businesses could succeed simply by being good at what they do. Today, companies need to be able to adapt quickly and effectively—and that means understanding how technology can help them do things better than ever before. An business management certificate online will give you this knowledge.

  • Skills aligned with professional requirements and priorities

Many people want to change careers or advance in their current field but don’t know where to start. A business management certificate online allows you to gain valuable information about what kind of career or job you want, and how best to get there!

  • Self and a renewed commitment to personal development 

It can help you build self-awareness and understand your strengths and weaknesses. It will also help you identify areas you need to develop further. This is important because it will allow you to work on yourself to achieve personal growth.

  • Enhanced problem-solving, managerial, communication and leadership skills

The certificate will give you access to specialised knowledge and skills about the chosen electives. This means that after completing the course, you’ll be able to boost your knowledge base and enhance your existing skill set.

  • Specialised knowledge and skills about the chosen electives

If there’s one thing that most people are looking for when choosing a course, it’s specialised knowledge! With a business management certificate, you’ll have access to lots of information about various topics related to business management, such as finance or marketing – all at once!

What job roles can I expect after PGCP in Management?

After receiving your PGCP in Management, what jobs can you get with a business management certificate? You can expect to find jobs many positions, such as –

Job roles Average salary 
Marketing ManagerINR 7.4 LPA
Product ManagerINR 16.3 LPA
Brand ManagerINR 12 LPA
Business ConsultantINR 11.5 LPA
Finance ManagerINR 13 LPA
HR ManagerINR 7 LPA

Source: AmbitionBox

  • Marketing Manager

Marketing managers are responsible for creating and implementing a company’s marketing strategy. They typically work with advertising agencies to create ads and other marketing materials; they also work with sales teams to help them sell the company’s products. 

  • Product Manager

Product managers are responsible for managing all aspects of a product’s development, including working with designers, engineers, and marketers to develop new products or improve existing ones. They also manage budgets for their team members and ensure deadlines are met on time. 

  • Brand Manager

A brand manager is responsible for overseeing the branding efforts of a company or product line. Brand managers often work closely with designers and marketers to ensure that each piece of branding conveys the right message about their brand. 

  • Business Consultant

Business consulting involves analysing and improving management systems, which is especially helpful if your company is trying to scale up or down or is facing a crisis. A business consultant works with businesses to help them grow and improve. They often work directly with clients or on their own, but they also may work for an agency that provides consulting services. 

  • Finance Manager

A Finance Manager oversees money matters for a company or organisation. They ensure that bills are paid on time and that there’s always enough cash flow available for day-to-day operations and long-term investments. 

  • HR Manager

A Human Resources Manager oversees all aspects of employee relations, including hiring employees, ensuring compliance with labour laws, negotiating contracts with unions and other organisations representing employees’ interests within the workplace (such as through collective bargaining agreements), and so on. 

What can I do with a business management certificate?

There are several options for people who have earned a business management certificate. Some of them include –

  • It can help you get a job

Business management certifications are an excellent way to boost your career and make you more marketable to employers. If you’re looking to advance in your current role or hoping to switch industries, these certifications can give you the tools you need to stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs. 

Many employers require certification as part of their hiring process, so having this on your resume will give you an edge over other candidates who don’t have it.

  • You’ll learn valuable skills

Business management courses teach students important topics like finance, marketing, leadership and operations management. With this knowledge under your belt, you’ll be able to make better decisions at work and improve your performance and those around you. This will help ensure your company stays competitive and profitable in today’s marketplace.

  • Gain a competitive edge

Nowadays, having a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for most jobs. A business management certificate can help you stand out from the crowd by showing that you have taken additional steps toward developing your skills and gaining knowledge in business management.

  • Learn about new business practices

A business management certificate online can help you learn about new practices in the world of business. For example, if there is something specific that your company needs but doesn’t offer yet, such as an online store or social media marketing campaign, then learning how those things work might help you get more out of your company’s current offerings.

  • It can help you become a successful entrepreneur

While this might not be a primary reason you would choose to get a business management certificate online, it is still worth considering. If you want to start your own company or if you’re going to work as an entrepreneur, having a certificate in business management will give you some advantage over others who don’t have one. 

These best online business management certificate programmes can teach students –  

  • How to manage employees and finances
  • How to market their products or services
  • How to develop new products or services
  • How to write business plans 

Why choose an online business certificate?

If you’re thinking about starting an online business, there are a lot of things to consider. One of the most important is whether or not you should get an online business certificate. Here are some reasons why you might want to consider it. Advantages of pursuing an online PGCP in Management are:

  • It is flexible 

If you’re a working professional, you may be looking for an online certificate program to help you advance your career while allowing you to continue working full-time. With the online business certificate program, you can access courses and materials at your convenience, any time of day.

  • It is affordable 

The cost of the PGCP in management is much lower than that of many other best online business management certificate programmes because it is offered as an online course. You will also have access to various resources such as books, videos, podcasts and more that can help supplement your education without increasing your expenses.

  • You can work while you study

With so many options available today, finding ways to make studying for an online business certificate program fit into your schedule is manageable. You’ll have access to instructors who are experts in their fields and ready to guide you through this process step-by-step; they’ll even provide feedback on assignments so that each one meets their standards.

  • You gain valuable skills

Online business certificates provide the skills needed to succeed in various business roles. For example, you may want to learn how to work with people or develop your management skills. An online certificate will help you gain these valuable skills through classes and hands-on learning that is practical and relevant. You will also have access to a network of professionals who can guide you in applying these skills in your career.

  • It provides a competitive edge

A competitive edge is essential when applying for jobs or promotions. A certificate helps demonstrate that you have taken the time to invest in yourself by gaining valuable knowledge and skills through education and self-improvement efforts. This can be especially useful if you are applying for jobs within a large corporation where there may be many applicants with similar backgrounds and experiences.

MBA vs Business Certificate: Which one to consider?

MBA Business Management Certificate
An MBA is affordable comparative to a business management certificate.A business management certificate is in demand and hence is more cost effective than a business certificate.
An MBA can take more time (2 years) as compared to a business management certificate.A business management certificate can be completed in one year which is less as compared to MBA programmes.
An MBA could be a wise choice if you want to pursue further studies in a good field.A business management certificate programme is more likely worth the extra time and expense because it will give you more options for jobs and advancement opportunities.
If your goal is to crack new top colleges in India and pursue your career with necessary skills, then an MBA could be good.If your goal is simply to get into management roles, then a PGCP in management is the right choice.

Master your skills with TAPMI’s PGCP in Management

Enrolling in TAPMI’s PGCP in management is indeed the best decision you can make to upgrade your skills. The course is designed by TAPMI, a consultant unit of the reputed Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). The courses are available on the world-class e-learning platform Online Manipal.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is known for providing quality education and as a hub for research. It has been ranked among the top universities in India by many surveys and rankings. It houses many colleges, schools, and research institutes that provide affordable quality education.

The course provides an opportunity to polish your skills by offering practical knowledge to make you future-ready. It teaches you how to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures, making you more confident when dealing with others in the workplace. The course also teaches students how to implement their knowledge into real-life situations and apply what they learn from their textbooks to real-life scenarios.

The course also helps students develop leadership qualities and analytical thinking abilities, making them more employable than other candidates who do not possess these skills. The course also exposes students to different kinds of businesses which they can apply in their future careers. 

This helps students learn how to work in a corporate environment and develop communication skills through group projects.

Final word 

The business management certificate online is a great way to build your skills and advance your career. Whether you want to be a leader at the top of your company or an entrepreneur with your own business, this certificate can help get you there.

MBA Vs PGCP program – What to choose?

The dilemma of choosing MBA vs PGCP remains a top question in the minds of the aspirants who want to take their career to the next level through the postgraduate management course. The confusion is because the candidates are unaware of the difference between MBA and PGCP.

MBA stands for Masters in Business Administration, while PGCP indicates Postgraduate Certification Program. Most candidates tend to consider the PGCP inferior to MBA due to the term ‘certification’. However, it’s imperative to understand and dispel some common myths around MBA vs Business certification courses.

Scroll down to discover more about the similarities and differences between MBA and PGCP to find the one that suits your dream.

How is a certificate program different from a graduate degree?

Higher education in management or certification in the same niche can make the candidates possess the desired position in the corporate world. Amidst the need to add an extra qualification to one’s resume, the real question is to choose the one that is suited for you – between MBA and PGCP. 

  • Diploma or degree 

The major difference between the two courses is that MBA is a professional degree while PGCP is a certification course. Thus, MBA is not completely equal to PGCP. Nonetheless, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) accreditation improves the worth of the program.

  • Comprehensive syllabus

In the online MBA degree program, candidates will acquire more theoretical knowledge about management concepts and practices. One has to complete a comprehensive syllabus that covers various traditional concepts and modern subjects as part of their MBA study. On the other hand, the PGCP only deals with the core concepts that will expose students to practical training and insights into real business situations. In short, the certification course will be more practical and dynamic.

  • Curriculum focus

Both MBA and PGCP courses have similar core subjects. Nonetheless, some people claim that MBA has a more focused curriculum than certification courses. The real scenario is MBA is specialised in theoretical and technical aspects of management while PGCP is about indication orientation and essential skills needed for present market requirements.

  • Teaching methodology

A standard PGCP course offers more than classroom teaching. It gives utmost importance to case study pedagogy that will help you understand the application of implementing effective solutions to real-time problems. While the teaching methodology for MBA is generally more theoretical in nature.

You may also like to read the differences between MBA and PGDM.

Why choose an MBA?

Organizations’ and businesses’ needs are also changing in the ever-evolving world. Hence there is also increased demand for qualified managers, executives, functional leaders, and specialist executives. Below are some of the benefits of choosing an MBA.

  • Better career opportunities

MBA graduates can access a more diverse and wide range of job opportunities in several fields and industries, including HR management, statistics, technology, finance, and other key areas. 

  • Build a network of expert peers and leader

MBA candidates will get more exposure to connect with their network of peers through various events. They can also meet or connect with experienced individuals and leaders of leading multinational companies, facilitating the chance to build a successful network.

  • Acquire transferable skills

Pursuing an MBA will cultivate critical skills, including collaboration, communication, adaptation, creativity, and emotional intelligence, to refine your ability. The course will hone your interpersonal and technical knowledge, making you stay ahead.

  • Gain personal credibility

Earning an MBA indicates a deeper understanding of the business world. The program exhibits the impression of real-world challenges, enabling you to manage risks by making the best decisions.

  • Obtain an international perspective

In the globalized business environment, acquiring an MBA degree is invaluable. It will help you gain confidence to face the world market’s complex nature, familiarizing you with your peers’ perspectives, expertise, and experience.

Why choose a PGCP program?

Management is a rewarding career path, and pursuing a PGCP program will be a strong foundation to boost your career in the desired field. Here are some reasons to pursue a PGCP course,

  • Convenient and flexible

The course duration and timings per week of a PGCP course are flexible compared to full-time MBA courses. It also allows you to instantly access the resources per your preferred schedule and attend the course at your convenience. 

  • Earning while learning

These certification courses are especially for those who want to learn and earn simultaneously. In most cases, learning as a working professional will help you to advance in your career, increase your abilities and move you forward to the next level.

  • Application-based experiential learning

PGCP course is designed in a way to give the students experiential learning opportunities through a strong application-based approach. Such diverse integrated pedagogy will help them to gain the opportunity to be a part of the faster-growing industries with countless career opportunities.

  • Diverse career scope

The program enables industry integration and cross-fertilisation of business deals, allowing the students to perform diligently in multiple domains, including international marketing, business finance, laws, policy framework, sales, operations, project management, and consulting. 

  • Entrepreneurial skill development

As a course that is widely recognized across every industry, it will help the students to acquire IT-related skills in managing data in the face of complex workplace realities. Moreover, the skills obtained can be used to explore career options across the world.

Also read the PGCP vs MSc in Business Analytics.

Who should consider doing an MBA?

Several factors have to be taken into consideration if you are planning to pursue your higher education and an MBA. MBA course is a regular postgraduate program that trains candidates to establish their role in the field of management. However, the common question that comes to mind is will it be a good option for you and your career? The course is highly valued by students in both the Indian and international corporate world.

  • It will help the students who want to communicate and interact with expert leaders in the field. It will help them to attain success through a robust professional network.
  • The course will help the student to leverage their knowledge and skills creatively when they are in the middle of starting their business venture.
  • It is suitable for aspirants who want to climb the corporate ladder with higher remuneration, sharpening their skill sets and transforming their career path.

Who should consider doing a PGCP program? 

Postgraduate Certification Program or PGCP is a professional course that teaches candidates about the practical aspects of business through state-of-the-art learning techniques like case studies and experiential learning. Many renowned institutes offer PGCP courses for those who are interested in pursuing a career in management.

  • The course is apt for candidates from all disciplines and is designed to help them define their careers.
  • As an interdisciplinary course, it combines various streams – management, accounting, and economics to meet the needs of the market.
  • It helps the students who want to alight their skills with present industry demands.

Here are the PGCP Business Analytics course eligibility.

Career scope: MBA vs PGCP 

From the higher education perspective, having an MBA degree might put you ahead in the job market in the stage of application evaluation. However, not all career aspects get a certification course. Since both courses belong to the managerial stream, candidates will get more lucrative job opportunities in the modern era.

All said, the fact is most corporate sectors treat both MBA and PGCP courses equally. In a nutshell, the skill set and qualitative value of the professional experience play a critical role in the long-term career run.

Let us explore the career scope and salary structure of both MBA and PGCP below.

MBA helps you to lay a solid foundation for a new career, preparing yourself for better and higher-paying career opportunities.

RoleDescriptionSalary range (LPA)
HR ManagerTo ensure the hiring and onboarding process goes smoothly for new employees and make sure to take care of the needs of existing ones.INR 7-8 
Business AnalystTo collect information from the past about the organization results and compare them with the future goals.INR 6-7
Marketing ManagerTo handle the marketing of a business’s products or servicesINR 5-8
Investment BankerTo arrange, manage and execute all kinds of investment projects for the clientsINR 8-10

PGCP will help to gain a range of knowledge in various areas from marketing to customer service, allowing to go further in the career landscape in a shorter period.

RoleDescriptionSalary range (LPA)
Project ManagerTo oversee and handle every project within an IT company.INR 12-15
Tax SpecialistTo ensure all sales, profit and taxes of property are well administeredINR 5-7
ConsultantTo plan effective strategies to become more competitive in the corporate worldINR 9-12

Course duration: MBA vs PGCP

Understanding the course duration and curriculum will help you to plan, structure, set targets, and discover opportunities to align your goals for the current and prospects. For instance, if you are a working professional, you can opt for PGCP for flexible learning opportunities, while MBA is open for those who want to gain value through their higher education. Let us get right into the duration of both courses. 

ProgramDuration
MBA24 months (15 to 20 hours per week)
PGCP6 months to 1 year

Course eligibility criteria: MBA vs PGCP

There is little to no difference in how the Indian job market treats individuals with either PGCP or MBA. Most of the time, the reputation of the course solely depends on the name and brand of the institution. The course eligibility of MBA and PGCP has subtle differences.

Here for an MBA degree and PGCP course, you must meet the following requirements –

CourseAcademic QualificationProfessional Experience
MBA (Indian Students)Graduates (10+2+3) in any discipline from recognized universities/ institutions, or an equivalent qualification as recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) with a minimum of 50% of marks or equivalent grade.One year of work experience in reputed organizations / work experience is desirable (depends of institutions)
MBA (International Students)Graduates (10+2+3) in any discipline from recognized universities/ institutions, or an equivalent qualification as recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) with a minimum of 50% of marks or equivalent grade. Candidates must have completed a graduation degree certificate of equivalence from the Association of Indian Universities required for students with foreign education to apply to any university in India.One year of work experience in reputed organizations / work experience is desirable (depends of institutions)
PGCP programsGraduates from recognized universities with minimum of 50% marksMinimum 1 year of industry experience from reputed companies is desirable (depends on institutions)

Course fees: MBA vs PGCP

The fee for MBA is higher when compared with PGCP. The difference might be due to the financial aid and tuition fee between the programs. However, this is not an ironclad rule, since some institutions offer MBAs with low-cost factors, especially in government-approved universities. Here we have compiled the cost factor for both courses.

CourseFees
MBAINR 2,60,000 (INR 65,000 each semester)
PGCPINR 80,000 – INR 1,50,000 (varies for program to program)

You may be interested to find out the differences between MBA in SCM and PGCP in Supply Chain Management.

In a nutshell  

Their capabilities and professional endeavors define an individual’s career path. The key takeaway for the ultimate guide is to visualize the career path, be it MBA or PGCP. In short, if you are from a different field and looking for a career change, then you can go for PGCP programs. 

On the other hand, if you wish to explore the in-depth details of how a business and an organization work or to want to enter the research field, then an MBA should be your go-to option.

And while you are contemplating choosing the one, be sure to enroll in the management courses (MBA and PGCP) provided by the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) through Online Manipal. The course will help you to take your career forward by equipping you with essential industry skills. Focus on what you want, your career choice, and what is in demand in the industry and job market will help you to align your professional goals, bringing out the best in you at every step of your career.

Key takeaways:

  • Aspirants who are interested in pursuing management courses have countless options. Hence learning the difference between MBA and PGCP is critical before making an informed decision.
  • MBA is a degree course that can be offered by universities or colleges affiliated with universities, while autonomous institutions offer PCGP courses.
  • Even though both management courses have some subtle differences, the career growth is almost similar, mostly based on the individual’s performance. No matter the course, to have a good start, one must go to the most reputed institute to pursue their dream.

Globalising Rupee in global trade – Is RBI thinking in the right direction?

Have you ever wondered why countries trade? Countries trade due to the differences in technology, resources endowment, demand, government policies and existence of economies of scale.  

Let us understand what happens when Indian Rupee depreciates. When we say that Indian Rupee value has fallen against US Dollar, it means that Indian products has become cheaper in the international market. When Indian products become cheaper, exports increase whereas India has to shed out more Rupee against Dollar, thus making imports dearer. 

Common terms used in international trade:
Terms of trade – the ratio of country’s export and import price
Exchange rate – price of a country’s currency in terms of another currency. Eg: USD 1 = INR 80
Depreciation of currency – fall in the value of currency in terms of other currency
Appreciation of currency – is when the value of currency appreciates in terms of other currency

Dominance of Dollar in global trade 

After World War II, global trade was dominated by dollar as the US turned the world’s biggest economy. In 1944, Dollar was stable as compared to any other currencies and was pegged to gold. In 1970, Dollar was delinked from gold and then came the floating exchange rate, which means exchange was now determined by the market forces.  

Difference between the international trade with Dollar and trade in Rupee 

When Russia invaded Ukraine, America imposed sanctions which removed them from SWIFT network leading to many challenges in trading for India and other countries. Now the question is what the SWIFT network is and how it works. 

Let us say Company A of India has to import from Sri Lankan company B. There are six entities involved in this method, Indian trader Indian Bank, American Bank I, American Bank II, Sri Lankan Bank, and the Sri Lankan trader. 

Now the Indian Bank will have an account in American Bank I in Dollars in the same way the Sri Lankan will have an account in America Bank II in Dollar. Let us suppose Company A has to import goods worth of INR 1 crore from Sri Lanka, they give Indian Bank INR 1 crores and will ask to give INR 1 crore worth Dollar to American Bank II to pay to Sr Lankan trader. This INR 1 crore worth Dollar to in American Bank I will be converted according to the current exchange rate, say $1 = ₹80, which means $125,000 and transferred to American Bank II. Now the American Bank II will deposit the equivalent of $125,000 worth of Sri Lankan Rupee in Sr Lankan Bank, then Sri Lankan Bank will pay the Sri Lankan trader. This SWIFT system requires a lot of calculation and complex transaction management. The system is controlled by US and Europe; they can impose sanction on any country as they did on Russia who can no longer trade through SWIFT.  

Internationalising Rupee 

To reduce the dependency on foreign currency, India plans to soon select its trade in Indian currency. International trade settlement in this case requires involvement of trading partner country and its bank. Indian banks will be allowed to open special Rupee vostro account of bank with trading countries. All payments will be channelled through vostro account, as was in the case of crude oil imports from Iran. If such deals are signed with more countries, it will be a big step in internationalising the Rupee.  

SBI Group Chief Economist Soumya Kanti Ghosh said in a research note that the RBI should make a “conscious effort” to internationalise the Rupee and the payment disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war offers a good opportunity to insist on export settlement in Rupee, beginning with some of the smaller export partners. 

Let us understand how it works with a simple example – 

  • Countries must be interested to trade in Indian Rupee 
  • Both countries should open vostro accounts in their respective countries. Eg: if India is trading in Rupee with Russia, Russia should have a vostro account in India and vice versa 
  • Both should have reserves in local currency 

Suppose India wants to export to Russia. Russia will pay in their currency – Rouble. This payment will not be made to the exporter directly but will be deposited in their Indian bank account. The bank will then calculate it in Indian Rupee and pay traders in Rupee (this conversion between Rupee and Rouble will happen according to the exchange rate determined by market forces).  

Application of trade without SWIFT network in real-world scenario 

Suppose an Indian trader wants to import goods from a trader in Russia without SWIFT network in Rupee or dollar. Russia will have bank account in an Indian Bank with money in Indian Rupee, which is nothing but a vostro account (an account maintained in Rupees by a local bank for a foreign bank). Now, the Indian trader when importing goods from Russia will pay to Russian account in Indian bank (vostro account) in Rupee, the Russian Bank will pay to the Russian trader in Rouble according to the market exchange rate. The same happens when the Indian trader is exporting goods to the Russian trader. In such cases, all transactions happen through the vostro account. 

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How will internationalisation of Rupee benefit India? 

  • This will increase the demand for Rupee as foreign traders will require Indian Rupee 
  • It will help in preserving foreign reserves which in turn reduce our trade deficit 
  • Trade easiness with countries like Russia, Sri Lanka and Iran means saving for both the sides, if the trade happens with Dollar 
  • It will enhance our integration into the global economy 
  • Promote development of financial markets 
  • Increase international trade with South Asian countries 

Why RBI decided to take such a step? 

All said, it is not an easy step, as Dollar is widely recognised and is the strongest currency of choice for international trade. Another Asian giant- China- has been trying for several years but could still contribute to only 3% of global trade transaction. This decision has been taken to promote global trade, lower transaction cost and motivate exports with partner countries. This is not just a fair deal from the economic angle, but also an important move from the geo-political angle.  

Reference: 

https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/trade-in-rupee-a-little-step-forward-but-nothing-more-122071701064_1.html

https://www.euromoney.com/article/b12knpn8zhpl3j/india-globalizing-the-rupee

https://www.business-standard.com/podcast/economy-policy/will-the-rupee-settlement-plan-be-a-game-changer-for-india-122071300111_1.html

How to stand out in an interview? 

It is said that ‘First impression is the last impression’. A job interview gives you the opportunity to leave an initial mark in an organisation, and you need to prove yourself to get that position. In the present cut-throat job market, you need to work hard to stand out from others in terms of your hard skills and soft skills. By effectively presenting your knowledge and skills with the right body language leaves a remarkable impression on the interviewer and improves your chance of securing the job. The employer might check how familiar you are with the organisation and your motivation for applying for this job. The following are some of the points you can work upon to stand out in an interview: 

Do your Research  

Explore the organisation you are planning to get into, as it will help you understand the company’s culture, goals, requirements, achievements, and other details. Go through the organisation’s vision and mission statements, history, and interest group to give a reasonable reaction. 

Exhibit how you can add value to the organization. 

The employer looks for candidates who can add value to the organisation and in the due course of time proves to be ideal for the group. So, highlight your abilities as well as personal traits, as they are significant and can be the determining parameters for the final round of the interview. Make the best use of the opportunity to showcase your strengths, achievements, and abilities. Talk with certainty and authority about your skills and work insights and how you can benefit the organisation. Plan and demonstrate a career objective for yourself and how it will benefit the organization. 

Bring a hard copy of your resume with a cover letter 

The recruitment managers go through several resumes at the time of shortlisting the candidates. It is possible that they have forgotten what made them give you a call for the interview. So, the resume and cover letter in hand serve the purpose of giving them a fresh look at why they picked you. 

Describe more than your resume 

The employer has previously perused your resume, so they know the nuts and bolts about your education qualification, work experience, and abilities. The interview is the right opportunity to give some extra information about your distinguished qualities and talents. Use this opportunity to give more insights into your previous accomplishments. Explain how you helped overcome tough situations, provided valuable inputs, and the recognition you received from your previous employer(s). This will help you in making a place for yourself.  

Speak genuinely and confidently 

Avoid giving the usual answers or just saying what the employer wants to hear. Such kind of answers can make you seem dishonest or tricky, and neither will help you with pushing ahead in the interview. What will help you stand apart is talking honestly and being your genuine self. All things considered, not simply abilities and experience will get you the job, it is the impact you create in the given time that sets you apart from the rest. 

Focus on your non-verbal communication 

Your non-verbal communication says a lot, and it’s equally important as your verbal communication. Focus on your body language, appearance, and the way you use gestures and posture. Good posture and strong eye contact likewise help you in establishing a decent connection. Remember, you might be fluent and confident but if you are not maintaining your posture, you might lose the opportunity. The same goes for eye contact in case you are not maintaining the eye contact and looking elsewhere while talking gives the impression that you are either nervous or lying.  

Show your enthusiasm by asking the right questions 

In case the interviewer gives you the opportunity to ask something, grab the chance to show your willingness and dedication to get the job by asking questions related to the organisation. For e.g. You can ask questions related to the work culture, organisational hierarchy, future goals, etc. By making inquiries that will give you an understanding of what it is like to work for the organisation, you are showing the employer that you are really intrigued by the job. Additionally, it gives you an opportunity to know the organisation better. Avoid questions regarding perks and leave policies in the initial phase, such queries should only be asked when your candidature is confirmed. 

Dress sense 

The way you dress for the interview should match the clothing regulation of the working environment. Dress in formal attire. If you cannot say much about what the clothing standard is, go with business casuals. Clothing should be neat, clean, and pressed. Avoid bright and flashy colours. Make sure your hair is neatly combed and set. 

Go to your interview venue early 

Reach the venue before time to avoid the last-minute hassle. Make sure that you have all the necessary documents. Being right on time for your interview shows the employer that you can be relied upon to fulfill time constraints and are ready to face any challenge.  

Depict your accomplishments 

During the interview, you should highlight your achievements. In a humble way, relate the various outcomes you’ve created in your past jobs. Take the period of the last five years in such cases. You will need to stress your methodology and how your abilities and experience are useful for your new job. 

Lastly, have the confidence to get things done in your favour and learn from the present interview experience.  

Conclusion

Regardless of how knowledgeable and resourceful you are, it’s important that you present yourself and convey your abilities to the interviewer in an effective manner. Your soft skills, body language, and the way you conduct yourself during the interview are equally important as your technical skills and subject knowledge. Being punctual, attentive, dignified, and confident helps you leave a good impression and stand out in an interview. 

Advantages of cloud computing

Key takeaways:

  • The cloud computing system is the delivery of online services via the internet.
  • Hosts run every cloud application. Based on this, it can be bifurcated into three types: public cloud, private cloud and hybrid cloud. 
  • The advantages of cloud computing are centred around access at ease and high-security measures. 

Cloud computing is a term for executing computing services on the internet. Computing services include servers, storage, databases, analytics, intelligence, software and networking. PHP is the programming language used in development and cloud computing because of its ease of learning and employment. So, while you don’t initially have to know how to code, you can still achieve knowledge of programming skills at the time of studying cloud. Today, the advantages of cloud computing have grown manifolds, and we shall explore those as we progress in the article.

General skills for cloud computing –

  • Platform expertise 
  • Programming languages (AWS) 
  • Application programming interfaces (APIs) 
  • Database management 
  • Network management 
  • Development and operations (DevOps)
  • Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) 
  • Cloud Security
  • Hybrid cloud 

How cloud computing works

The cloud is a broadcasted platform to share data all over the world via satellite networks. As a host for each cloud application exists, the hosting companies are accountable for maintaining gigantic data centres. Any error in this will lead to a massive downfall in security, storage capacity and the huge power supply required to run all the data users share across the cloud. 

The hosting companies own the privilege to sell their cloud rights so that they can operate and save data on their private networks while providing the end user with an ecosystem for the communication between devices and applications. 

Given below in tabular format are the different types of clouds and how they function:

Public cloudPrivate cloud Hybrid cloud
It guarantees public cloud access everywhere.It is similar to public cloud, with the exception that infrastructure needs are offered by the company of the user of the service. A good old combination of both public and private models. 
Examples of users: Amazon, Microsoft, Apple and GoogleExamples of users: VMware, Microsoft Corporation, AWS, Cisco Systems, Red Hat Software, Dell, OpenStackInfinidat, Ensono, Threat Stack, DataCore Software Unitas Global

Benefits of cloud computing 

With the cloud computing technology ageing for almost two decades now, there still remains a large enough chunk of the business community that continues to function without the cloud. 

An international data group study claims that 69 per cent of the business are pre-existing users of the cloud in some of the other forms, while 18 per cent admit that they aspire to implement it soon. Also, Dell reports that businesses investing in huge data, the cloud, mobility, and heavy security boast up to 53 per cent of the increased growth rate of revenue in comparison with their competitors. 

Companies and industries identify the benefits of the cloud computing trend as a factor that puts them ahead in the market. A result of this is a rise in profit margins, leading to happy customers and equally joyous employees. The advantages of cloud databases are as follows:

  • Cost-effective

Because huge servers take the weight of complex technology remotely, customers do not need to invest in expenses such as hardware that demands regular upgrades. The cost is sparsely distributed across all cloud customers. Operations conducted in this manner give customers access to increased speed and capable hardware at a cheaper rate.

  • Data security

Building a database is no overnight success, which is why cloud computing systems fully grasp the importance of securing data. The years that the company has toiled to create a brand position to earn customer loyalty and revenue are all at the risk of cyber crimes. Cloud provides you with features like granular permissions and access management through federated roles that restrict the direct access to sensitive information to the employees who require it for work.  

  • Flexibility 

With a limited amount of focus to divide among your various business-related responsibilities, relying on an external organisation to manage IT hosting and infrastructure will help you concentrate more on aspects of your business alone. This takes off pressure building up from issues with respect to computer and data storage.

  • Mobility

Cloud computing can now be accessible on smartphones. This is truly a revolutionary step in ensuring no one is left out. A healthier work-life balance can be achieved through the cloud as it offers easy access to information on travelling sales staff, freelance employees and remote employees.

  • Scalability

Scaling up and down your business needs is no more your responsibility as your cloud service provider will take care of it as per what you prefer. This gives way to easy operation and management of storage concerns. It grants you all the more time to single-mindedly focus on the running of your business. 

  • Enhanced collaboration 

Businesses with two or more employees must prioritise collaboration, and cloud computing comes to your aid on collaboration. While collaboration is very much possible without a cloud-computing solution, it would not be as simple. 

With specialised services like collaborative social spaces (for example connecting employees all over the organisation, hence magnifying interest and engagement), collaboration is made extremely accessible.

  • Quality control 

Businesses can slow down because simple aspects have gone wrong. This implies low quality and unreliable reporting. The cloud system’s organisation skills beat every other system as all documents are stored in one commonplace consistent format. Such an approach enables one to maintain uniformity of days, prevent human errors, and have crystal clear ideas of upcoming updates. 

  • Disaster recovery 

You could spend an overload of time planning your business to crispy minute details, ensuring it is absolutely foolproof. Yet, some factors will never completely be in your control. This downtime—lost productivity, lost revenue and brand reputation tampered, may be a bigger hit to your business than you could ever imagine. 

While this cannot be fully avoided, cloud computing helps to recover. It is equipped with speedy data recovery for catastrophic events from natural disasters to massive power outages.

  • Loss prevention 

Without the cloud, all of your indispensable data is hopelessly encased in the office computers it was entered in. This problem will be more prominent when one of your local hardware gives up, erasing that only copy of your data. On a cloud server, however, your information can offer comfortable access through any computer on any inherent connection, regardless of abrupt malfunction.

  • Unlimited storage

Cloud has an infinite amount of space to hold any kind of data in various cloud types. It depends on the availability, performance level and frequency of the information that needs to be accessed. Based on these, the rule of thumb says that the expense of storage keeps going up with use and time. 

If surpassing the business limits, this cost can be brought down through the creation and optimisation of the cloud expense structure policy. 

  • Competitive edge

Some businesses choose to keep it local by sticking to the old ways. This can give you a headstart and put you ahead of your competitors with the cloud at the other end of your fingers. A recent Verizon study reflects that 77 percent of businesses sense that this technology served them with a competitive edge. Also, 16 percent of these believe it is true. 

  • Sustainability 

Just dumping a recycling bin in some corner of the breakroom is no longer enough to claim that organisations are acting up on saving this planet. Real action involves solutions that address eco-friendly ways at every level of the organisation. Fewer carbon footprint is an environmentally sound result of hosting on the cloud. 

Uses of cloud computing technology 

Cloud Computing Technology has several uses specific to Information Technology. They are listed below – 

  • Data backups
  • Recovery of lost data
  • Email services 
  • Virtual desktops
  • Software development and testing
  • Massive data analysis 
  • Customer-facing web applications 

Disadvantages of cloud computing 

No system is devoid of flaws and outbreaks, and cloud computing isn’t either –  

  • Data confidentiality threat 
  • Heavily relies on internet connection 
  • Security levels 
  • Compliance deviation
  • Vulnerability to attack
  • Mobility of data
  • Technical issues

How can I launch a career in cloud computing? 

Follow this step-by-step process to become a cloud professional –

  • Get a bachelor’s degree in any technical field
  • Get yourself enrolled in a cloud development course
  • Study a programming language
  • Work on cloud-focused projects
  • Get relevant experience 

The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) with Online Manipal offers professional certification courses in cloud computing, logistics and supply chain management, management, and business analytics. Enrol with Online Manipal today to get the best experience at a well-reputed institution.

ALSO READ: Benefits of learning cloud computing courses online

Sum up

A benefit of cloud computing is that it makes accessing information umpteen times easier and more convenient. It offers the most speedy innovation, incredible flexibility of resources, along with economies of scale. 

30 Financial Analyst interview questions you should know

Financial analysts analyse financial data and utilise the results of their findings to assist businesses in making financial decisions. Frequently, their analysis is intended to aid businesses in making important investment decisions.

Some of the essential responsibilities and duties that a financial analyst performs regularly are as follows:

  • Assessing current and previous financial statistics, data, and performance.
  • Preparing analysis-based reports and projections.
  • Examining current capital investments and losses.
  • Examining investment opportunities.
  • Developing and reviewing profit plans.
  • Identifying financial performance trends and making improvement suggestions.
  • Reviewing financial information and forecasts with other members of the finance team.
  • Creating financial models.

How much does a financial analyst make? 

The national average salary for a financial analyst is ₹ 4.0 LPA in India. The salary of a financial analyst ranges from ₹ 2.1 Lakhs to ₹ 10.1 Lakhs based on their skills and years of experience. 

Helpful article: How to get a job in the finance sector

Who is eligible for the position of a financial analyst?

The following are the essential eligibility criteria for applying for the position of the financial analyst:

  • 0 – 3 years of working experience in company finance or other relevant fields
  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or any other relevant fields
  • Expertise in financial modelling techniques
  • Strong analytical and data collection abilities
  • Advance understanding of different excel or sheets functions
  • Excellent understanding of businesses and financial models
  • Outstanding interpersonal skills and problem-solving abilities

Individuals with an Online MBA degree are usually preferred as they display the appropriate skills and experiences needed for the job.

Potential interview questions for financial analyst job aspirants

Here are 30 potential financial analyst interview questions and answers that are asked to candidates applying for the role of a financial analyst.

1. What four financial statements are used to monitor a company’s finances?

The four financial statements that are used to monitor a company’s finances are: 

  • Balance sheets
  • Income statements 
  • Cash flow statement
  • Statements of shareholders’ equity

2. Explain financial modelling.

Financial modelling is a process wherein a company’s expenditures and incomes are summarised (usually into spreadsheets) to predict the impact of a future event or decision. It is also very impactful for the following tasks:

  • Estimating the value of any business
  • Comparing competitors
  • Strategic planning
  • Experimenting with various scenarios
  • Budgeting and allocating funds
  • Measuring the effects of economic policy changes

3. What is a cash flow statement?

In simple terms, a cash flow statement is a financial statement that summarises the movement of cash and cash equivalents (CCE) that come in and go out of a company. 

4. What is the best evaluation metric for analysing a company’s stock?

The most common method for determining a stock’s value is to calculate the company’s price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio. The P/E ratio is calculated by dividing the company’s stock price by its most recently reported earnings per share (EPS).

5. Tell me about quarterly forecasting and expense models.

Quarterly forecasting is the analysis of expenses and revenue that are expected to be produced or incurred in the future. An expense model specifies which expense categories are permitted on a specific type of work order, which serves as the foundation for budget creation. It aids in identifying variable and fixed costs and serves as a foundation for accurately forecasting the company’s expected profit or loss.

6. What process do you use to create sales reports?

Sales reports are written summaries of a company’s sales activities for a given time frame. These reports often contain data on revenue, leads, new clients, and sales volume. Creating a sales report is a detailed step-by-step process requiring a thorough understanding of the requirements and the purpose of making the report. Filing a sales report can be implemented by adhering to the following steps.

  • Identify the report’s target audience and goals
  • Choose a specific time frame
  • Gather pertinent information
  • Describe the data
  • Make it appealing to the viewers

7. Do you have any industry licence or certifications? If so, what are they?

An interviewer may ask this question to know if your qualifications are suitable for the position. If you have certifications or licensure, this is a perfect chance to discuss how they helped improve your skills.

8. What financial methodologies do you use for conducting an analysis?

Analysts employ various strategies to gain a thorough grasp of a company’s financial performance. The three methods of financial analysis most frequently used are ratio and trend analysis, vertical analysis, and horizontal analysis.

9. List the differences between a journal and a ledger

Transactions are recorded in a supplementary book of accounts called the journal. A ledger is a primary book of accounts to organise the transactions entered in a journal. The journal entries are entered in reverse chronological order from the day of the transaction.

*The ledger includes specific accounts taken from the original journal, a book where all financial transactions are first recorded. So in layman’s terms, journals are the raw books that play a pivotal role in preparing the ledger. It gives us a second conclusion: if you wrongly prepare a journal, your ledger will also be faulty.

However, here recruiter will ask this question during the financial analyst interview to understand your foundational knowledge as this, directly or indirectly, relates to the Financial Analyst job role, which is mentioned below:

  • Reviewing journal entries (to ensure the data is correct)
  • Checking the distribution work area to manage journal entries for ledgers
  • Ensuring that all accounting standards are met
  • Verifying the set of subsidiaries or management segment values
  • Managing sub-ledger source transaction
  • Recurring general ledger journal entries
  • Reviewing financial statements and other transactions

10. What is ‘cost accountancy’?

Cost accountancy is the application of costing and cost accounting principles, methods, and techniques to the science, art, and practice of cost control and the ascertainment of profitability and the presentation of information for managerial decision-making.

11. Name the various financial statements.

There are four main financial statements:

  • Balance sheets
  • Income statements 
  • Cash flow statement
  • Statements of shareholders’ equity

12. What do you know about the stock market?

A stock market is where investors buy and sell company shares. It is a network of exchanges where companies trade shares and other securities.

13. What is ‘capital structure’?

In corporate finance, capital structure refers to the combination of several external funding sources, also known as capital, utilised to finance a company. It is listed on the firm’s balance sheet and comprises equity owned by shareholders, debt, and preferred shares.

14. How would the income statement change if a company’s debts increased?

Interest payments on debt lower the net income and cash flow but do not erode ownership. Due to the decreased taxable income, this decrease in net income also provides a tax advantage. Leverage ratios like debt-to-equity and debt-to-total capital grow when debt levels rise.

*An interviewer asks this question to assess how prepared you are for a financial analyst position and whether you have the correct expertise to perform well. Your answer should directly address how company debt affects an income statement. Example: “If a company’s debts increase, this would decrease the net income (or profit) listed in a company’s income statement.”

How would you explain solvency to a person without financial knowledge?

Solvency is the ability of a company to meet its long-term debts and other financial obligations. Solvency is the measure of a company’s financial health since it demonstrates its ability to manage operations into the foreseeable future. Investors can use ratios to analyse a company’s solvency. An example of a business with solvency is that it can pay all its bills – the ability to pay debts, specifically interest debt payments, when they are due. 

16. What do you know about valuation techniques?

For calculating the valuation of a business or stocks, generally, the following three types of valuation techniques are used:

  • DCF analysis – helps in forecasting future cash flows
  • Comparable company analysis – helps in comparing the current worth of one business to other similar companies using P/E and EBITDA.
  • Precedent transactions – helps in identifying the transactional values of a company by comparing an interaction with other businesses which have been sold recently.

*You may also consider the following courses for a better understanding of the subject:

  • Payroll Management Courses
  • GST Courses
  • IFRS Courses
  • Commercial Banking Courses
  • Taxation Courses

17. What is ratio analysis?

Ratio analysis is a quantitative approach used by financial analysts to gain deeper insights into a company’s overall equity analysis by studying its financial statements. Stakeholders can assess a company’s profitability, liquidity, operational efficiency, and solvency status by the ratio analysis method. It aids in:

  • Examining the current performance of your company with past performance
  • Avoiding potential financial risks and problems 
  • Comparing your organisation with other 
  • Making more substantial and data-driven decisions

Some of the most frequently analysed financial ratios are:

  • Liquidity ratios
  • Solvency ratios
  • Efficiency ratios
  • P/E and dividend ratios

18. How do you create financial analysis reports?

The financial analysis report focuses on a company’s financial strengths and shortcomings. The data on a financial analysis report indicates the company’s financial health to investors. A financial analysis report can be used to pique the attention of investors and aid in the expansion of a firm. The steps below are followed in developing financial analysis reports:

  • Collect financial statements – You have to collect financial data in order to prepare your financial analysis report. Collect financial statements as well as other documentation such as income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets. Compile any financial notes, quarterly or annual records, and government reports (if applicable).
  • Calculate ratios – Determine certain ratios that can aid in the analysis of your company’s financial health. For example, you may compute and include your company’s return on investment ratio. Determine which ratios are essential to your firm and fill out your financial analysis report with those ratios and calculations.
  • Perform a risk assessment – Investors want to know if the company is worth the risk. Conduct a risk assessment to demonstrate to investors that the company is worth investing in. It can be done by:
    • Identifying risks
    • Documenting the found risks
    • Evaluating risk control measures
    • Regularly assessing threats
  • Assess the value of your company – Finally, figure out the value of your company. Estimate the value of your company’s stock and how much value it can bring to investors.

19.  Differentiate between a P&L statement and a balance sheet?

A balance sheet gives thes summary of the financial position of a company for a specific point in time. The profit and loss statement gives info about revenues and expenses during a set period.

20. Differentiate between cash flow and free cash flow.

Free Cash Flow refers to the remaining cash available for investors after considering money for operating and investing expenses. It is used to find the value of a business in its current position. Free cash flow helps in defining the business valuation required by investors. It includes capital expenditure and changes in Net Working Capital. 

On the other hand, cash flow is used to find cash inflow in various business activities, for example, operating, investing, and financing. 

21. How will you gauge a company’s liquidity?

Measuring the firm’s liquidity means finding the company’s ability to pay its current debt with its existing assets. Here is an essential process to measure the company’s liquidity:

  • Calculate the current ratio of the company (Current Assets/Current Liabilities)
  • Calculate the quick ratio (Current Assets-Inventory/Current Liabilities)
  • Find the Net Working Capital of the company (Current Assets – Current Liabilities)

However, if you choose between cash flow or income, the better idea is to gauge the company’s liquidity based on cash flow since using earnings is a more reliable approach.

22. What is variance analysis?

Variance analysis is the quantitative analysis of the difference between planned and actual numbers. The sum of all variances depicts the overall over-performance or under-performance for a particular reporting period. Companies assess the favourability of each item by comparing actual costs to standard costs in the industry.

23. Tell me about EBITDA. 

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation, or EBITDA, is a method of measuring the total financial success of a company. It frequently serves as a replacement for other indicators, including earnings, revenue, and income.

There are two methods to calculate this:

#Method 1:

EBITDA=Net Income Interest Taxes D A

Where:

D=Depreciation

A=Amortisation  

#Method 2:

EBITDA=Operating Profit DE AE

Where:

DE=Depreciation expense

AE=Amortisation expense

24. If you encounter inconsistencies in a company’s finances, how will you handle the situation?

An employer uses this question to determine how you would react to a potential problem or an ethical dilemma. In your response, demonstrate your devotion to ethical business practices and enforcement. Example: “In my previous position, I was analysing a small business’s financial records when I noticed that a portion of funds had disappeared from its income statement. There was no record of where these funds went, and the same amount was missing each month, so I talked with my supervisor and we brought it to the business owner’s attention.”

25. What do you feel is the best profitability model to forecast your projects?

I would usually choose a profitability model that reflected the type of business I was forecasting, but if I had to choose one for all of my projects, I would use the financial model because a company’s finances constantly fluctuate.

*Interviewers use this question to gauge your knowledge of industry terminology. When you give your answer, specify a model and explain your reasoning for choosing it.

26. Explain why you should analyse long-term liability.

Debts outstanding for more than a year refer to long-term liability. By analysing it, a company can know its financial strength.

27. What are the components of the DuPont model, and how do you calculate them?

Asset turnover ratio, financial leverage, and net profit margin are the main aspects of the DuPont model. A company’s return on equity (ROE) is evaluated with these. 

Net Profit Margin is calculated with the following steps:

Profit Margin = Net Income/Revenue

The formula for calculating the Asset Turnover Ratio is:

Asset Turnover Ratio = Net Sales (or Revenue) / Average Assets

Financial Leverage is calculated by:

Financial leverage = Average Assets / Average Equity

28. How are the income, balance, and cash flow statements related?

The three financial statements are linked to net income, calculated on the income statement (after the deduction of all expenses from the company’s income). The income statement’s bottom line is the net income. Net income is linked to the balance sheet and the cash flow statement. Net income transfers into stockholders’ equity via cash flows on the balance sheet. Net income is the first line on the cash flow statement since it determines cash flows from business activities.

29. How do assets and liabilities affect a company’s cash flow?

There are a few aspects of how a cash flow of an organisation can be affected:

  • Change in accounts receivable
  • Change in inventory 
  • Change in prepaid expenses
  • Depreciation factor
  • Change in operating liabilities          

30. What do you mean by working capital? Explain the various types.

The working capital formula best defines current assets minus current liabilities. The primary function of working capital is to analyse the total amount of money you have readily available to meet the demand of all the current expenses. 

Types of Working Capital

  • Permanent Working Capital
  • Regular Working Capital
  • Reserve Margin Working Capital
  • Variable Working Capital
  • Seasonal Variable Working Capital
  • Special Variable Working Capital
  • Gross Working Capital
  • Net Working Capital

*Financial analysts play a significant role in being information mediators in capital markets, so understanding working capital needs is essential. Also, analysts must stay on their toes to forecast the actual working capital requirements, significantly when the company is constantly growing or expanding. Also, you can highlight a few prior incidents when your existing company felt the need for additional working capital. You can even back your answer with the ways you used to boost the working capital.

Related articles:

MBA finance course guide

Key concepts to learn in MBA finance course

MBA in finance or M.Com in finance

Know how Online Manipal’s placement assistance programme helps you land your dream job

Online Manipal, the online platform of Manipal University Jaipur, provides a range of UGC entitled finance-related courses and placement assistance programmes to students. Various finance-related courses provided by Online Manipal include B.Com, M.Com, MBA in Finance, MBA in IT & Fintech, and MBA in BFSI. The courses are designed by industry experts to equip students with relevant skills and experiences for a bright future.

Students are prepared to be focused and interview-ready for future opportunities. Sessions like resume review, LinkedIn profile building, interpersonal skills, business guidelines etc., are provided to groom students for their future careers. Career advisory and skill development programmes provide additional benefits to students enrolled in the online programmes. The placement cell works with leading organisations to offer internships and jobs to potential students across various sectors. Final selection happens based on the hiring company, their recruitment policies and candidature fit. 

Conclusion

The financial analyst role is essential for a company’s financial planning and analysis department. They help in analysing financial statements and predicting the future of the company. They also forecast future expenses and revenues in modelling capital structure and budgeting. They keep track of the financial plan, analyse the company’s performance, along with changes and market trends. They help calculate variances and trends between forecasts and actuals and find out the causes of these variances. Their job is to report findings to the management and stakeholders and help shape the company’s strategic planning.

MBA or Business Certificate: What should you prefer?

The path to achieving your career aspirations can frequently appear taxing. You might be unclear about which path to choose when deciding between a business certificate and an MBA while thinking about advancing your career. Which of these two options best suits your preferences? What is the most exemplary programme that provides the best investment return? The answers to these questions primarily depend on your objectives and career goals. Some factors to consider before making a choice are the course’s completion duration, fees, abilities and skills you’ll acquire, and the potential career options you’ll want to choose after completing the course. Let’s examine the specifics of these programmes and the benefits they provide.

A business certificate and an MBA are both useful in various ways. A top online MBA programme can help you succeed if you wish to achieve proficiency across different business and management-related areas or pursue leadership and managerial positions. In contrast, a business graduate certificate could assist you in developing specialised abilities that will complement your existing knowledge. 

An MBA programme provides students knowledge across various business disciplines, while certifications concentrate on one specific discipline. A quality MBA course teaches soft skills, including communication, mentorship, work ethic, accountability, and business management information. The development of soft skills and leadership qualities in an MBA programme is usually lacking in most certifications. However, having specialised knowledge obtained through certifications improves your chances of landing a higher-paying job in various domains.

The first step in earning qualifications is determining which educational background best fits your needs, preferences, and professional objectives. Some questions to consider are:

  • Which speciality is most appropriate for you? 
  • Which degree appeals to you most? 
  • Which programme will assist you in getting a decent job? 

Your career objectives and goals will determine the answers to all of these questions. Candidates with a Certification or an MBA degree can distinguish themselves from others in a competitive employment market. But it can be difficult to make selections when it comes to picking the best vocation or course of study. Let’s examine the differences between an MBA and a business certification. You can choose the best job route with the following article’s assistance. The information provided is valuable, but it is crucial for you to grasp the advantages and disadvantages of each method to understand which suits your long-term professional objectives better.

An Overview of MBA

An MBA is a postgraduate business degree emphasising management, entrepreneurship, and business. It is typically regarded as a terminal degree, and most MBA grads do not continue their education after receiving one. However, a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) or a PhD are other choices for MBA graduates who want to continue their education further.

The MBA degree is occasionally regarded as the first step toward higher-level and more esteemed professions, like those with executive or managerial designations. Although an MBA aims to impart students a thorough knowledge of business management, most learners select a specialisation that enables them to focus their studies even more on particular skill sets. For instance, you might decide to pursue an MBA with an emphasis in marketing or a financial or technological specialisation.

How much time does it take to earn an MBA?

A full two years of academic dedication was once necessary for MBA programmes, and many MBA programmes still take this much to conclude. Since there are now opportunities for rapid, intensive study, you might be able to finish your MBA in as little as a year. You can also choose a full or part-time MBA course through some institutions. Full-time programmes demand a significant time commitment and are typically advised if you want to take a break from your work career to reset your vocation fully. Part-time courses are preferable if you wish to improve your abilities while holding your current job role. Furthermore, part-time programmes are beneficial if you want to keep the same job path instead of radically altering it.

What will I explore in an MBA programme?

Although the curriculum can differ from institution to institution, most programmes aim to train you to manage an organisation. As a result, courses frequently concentrate on how to lead others, manage a team, evaluate vast amounts of data, and manoeuvre through multiple business models and organisational hierarchies. In addition to more specialised topics like organisational psychology or business ethics, everything from finances and accounting to marketing can be covered in specific MBA courses.

Useful articles: 

10 best career options for you after an online MBA

10 ways how MBAs shape leaders

Is an MBA worth it? Pros & Cons of doing an MBA

Eligibility criteria for MBA aspirants

  • After clearing the 10+2 examination, a minimum 3-year bachelor’s degree from a reputable university with a minimal total grade-point average of 50% (45 per cent for SC/ST/PWD).
  • Aspirants in the last year of graduation can apply if they have confirmation from the academic administrator.
  • A CAT/GMAT cutoff score that is legitimate.

An overview of a Business Certification

Business Certification courses are usually seen as alternatives to conventional degrees. A Business Certification frequently emphasises the development of specific abilities, whereas degrees offer a more comprehensive background in a subject or field.

What distinguishes a Business Certification?

Business Certification can usually be completed online and at your speed, and they generally take less time and expense than degree programmes. Make sure to research the institutions and universities you want to enrol in in advance because not all of them offer Business Certification courses.

Also, remember that graduate certificates often present opportunities to build your professional portfolio, which can be helpful when networking or actively seeking employment because they are focused on specific talents. Additionally, you can use your graduate certifications to upskill, which entails discovering new skills in your industry that will enable you to advance in your career or take on a more significant role in your existing position.

What specialisations does Business Certification provide?

Business Certification courses have always had a strong business focus because they provide a quick and affordable option for professionals to develop their abilities in preparation for management or executive-level employment. Corporate app development, business info systems, or cybersecurity are typical examples of business certificates. 

Who can enrol for a PGCP program?

Graduates from reputable institutions with at least a 50% grade point are eligible to enrol for a PGCP in Management.

Work experience is desirable.

Advantages of an MBA degree

Analyzing the benefits of pursuing an MBA degree.

  • Advanced learning source

Students that enrol in an MBA programme gain a diversified range of expertise. MBA courses offer students the chance to acquire business abilities through a thorough curriculum encompassing operational business disciplines, including accounting, data analysis, finance, and marketing. Graduates of MBA programmes can simultaneously gain the management and leadership abilities necessary to direct decision-making for various organisational structures. In contrast, most business certification courses will only cover one subject. Although they don’t require the same level of dedication as an MBA degree, certificate programmes allow students to hone in on particular skill sets.

  • All round development 

An effective online MBA programme stands out for its capacity to cover a wide range of business-related subject areas while also fostering the growth of soft skills like mentoring, communication, work ethic, and accountability. Any MBA course can teach you business fundamentals, but only the finest ones can encourage the informal contacts and global collaboration that breed innovative leaders.

  • Networking at its best

Online MBA courses not only provide the freedom to complete the degree while advancing in your career but gives the opportunity to interact in-depth with other business executives worldwide. In reality, the top online MBA schools aid students in developing lifelong professional relationships. Top MBA programme administrators and faculty do not merely upload recordings of their lectures to online platforms; they also design the courses based on real-world business skills. It ensures that online students benefit from the flexibility of the programme while maintaining academic rigour and networking possibilities.

  • Greater employment prospects

All tiers of businesses can benefit from the information gained via an MBA degree, and recruiters are aware of the advantages MBA holders can bring to their businesses. So, firms intend to hire MBA graduates for full-time positions. Business certification programmes are helpful, but the benefit depends on whether businesses seek the particular skill set that the course offers. The certificate programme’s compatibility with the rest of your educational and working experience is another consideration.

  • Better prospective salary

In the long run, an MBA can significantly boost your earning potential, but a business certificate might be less expensive. There would be some pay differences between an individual with an MBA vs an individual with a business certification as leadership positions are open to MBA degree holders as opposed to certificate holders. However, sometimes, for the same roles, MBA grads usually garner better salary packages than experts with a business certificate.

Also read: Employers explain why MBA salary packages are so high

Benefits of Business Management certification programmes

Here are some of the benefits of pursuing a certificate program in management or business.

  • Expense

Business administration certificate programmes are less expensive than MBA degree programmes since they are not full-time programmes, and fewer sessions are needed to complete them. 

  •  Expertise in a specialised subject

An online business certificate programme can be ideal if you are currently recognised in your field and want to develop specialised abilities. A certification in business analytics, for instance, can address the knowledge gap if you are the team leader for a marketing department and wish to increase your skills in a field like analytics. An MBA programme, however, would be a better choice if you’re hoping to entirely change your career or move to a leadership role because it will give you a more well-rounded practical education and more opportunity to polish your leadership abilities.

  • Time Dedication

Business certifications can be obtained in months, but an MBA degree takes one to two years. A business certificate might give you a quick return on your investment when you are trying to upgrade your current talents

Check out how online certification courses can boost your resume

MBA or Business Management certification?

Many considerations must be made to understand the contrast between an MBA degree with a Business Management certification. Business certification is preferable for people in developing fields or those wishing to perfect a particular set of talents. An MBA is frequently a better value for individuals looking to qualify for executive or managerial-level positions over a more extended period. 

One of the simplest ways to assist you in making a selection when you consider the advantages and disadvantages of these options further is by researching institutions and comparing courses. Discover the opportunities and launch your career with an MBA degree or business credential as per your suitability. You might need to pursue further education after a business certification to adjust to changes in the employment marketplace. On the other hand, MBA graduates are well-equipped with a depth of knowledge in business operations and leadership capabilities. The outcome has been that there is a relatively high employment rate for professionals with an MBA degree.

Planning out the knowledge and experiences you hope to acquire may be helpful when you think about your next professional move. A certificate course in business management might be the quickest option to make the process more manageable if you need expertise in a single, focused field. However, an MBA programme would probably provide a superior long-term payback if you are hoping to network with other business professionals, develop practical leadership abilities, and acquire interdisciplinary industry experience. 

The following inquiries will assist you in choosing between an MBA and business certification:

  • How much will my income increase if I get an MBA versus a certification?
  • Will the skills I acquire be useful for my career?
  • Would I be qualified for a promotion or a career change (if necessary or desired) with the new skills?
  • How much can I invest from my budget to learn something new?

These inquiries are all related to Return On Investment which should be your first concern. It implies that investing money in a course should pay off in the long run by providing you with additional opportunities, resources, and skills. Additionally, ROI on an MBA from a prestigious university may be higher than ROI on a certificate programme.

Job opportunities for MBA graduates and business certification holders

One of the most important factors to consider as you compare the benefits and drawbacks of an MBA against a business certification is the kind of employment you will have access to.

Jobs with a business certification

You will have a wide variety of employment opportunities to pick from based on the precise field or skill set you pursue. For instance, obtaining a certificate in advertising or designing can assist you in locating employment as a web designer, social media promotion manager, or analytics specialist. Your ability to work in accountancy or budgeting divisions may be enhanced by having a certificate in finance. Business certifications are typically insufficient for executive-level roles or careers that need leadership and teamwork, as these positions are more suitable for MBA grads.

Jobs with an MBA degree

 Many careers require an MBA degree to provide competitive salaries and leadership opportunities. The in-demand MBA degree professions include:

  • Investment banker
  • Marketing manager
  • Business operations manager
  • Information technology (IT) manager
  • Project manager

Remember that the MBA is frequently seen as a route to potential managerial or executive roles. After receiving your MBA, you might be eligible to seek a position as a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or CEO.

Online Manipal is your first choice for an online MBA or Certification

Online Manipal is the online platform offered by Manipal University Jaipur that allows students to complete courses online. Manipal University Jaipur is a NAAC A+ accredited institution that offers UGC-entitled MBA programme in various specialisations. Online MBA program offered by Manipal University Jaipur through Online Manipal help you to advance in your chosen field with the guarantee of career advancement. Get ready to excel in a leadership role with the accredited online MBA programmes from Online Manipal. 

The online MBA programme allows you to hone skills and expertise in your chosen sector and build relationships with other like-minded individuals who are constantly working to advance their careers as future leaders. Professionals might opt to specialise in advanced electives and learn skills that are relevant to the market. This interactive curriculum focuses on studying at one’s speed while being supported by live online sessions, self-learning resources, and more. MUJ’s online MBA programme offers education in intriguing fields like marketing, finance, human resources, retail management, etc.

Real-world case studies are part of the online MBA programme’s pedagogy, which will help you improve and strengthen your critical thinking abilities. The outstanding faculty at Manipal University Jaipur will provide participants with high-quality mentoring that increases the value of real-world perspectives and enables them to forge new pathways to success. The professors at Manipal University Jaipur will assist students in developing rigorous professional self-expression in a fast-paced business environment.

Students are prepared for interviews after completing the online MBA programme from Online Manipal through various placement assistance facilities. A broad range of placement assistance activities is provided, such as resume writing workshops and interview tips to help you land your dream job. Manipal University Jaipur also organises job fairs during the final year of the postgraduate programme, and many reputable companies participate in it to recruit suitable candidates. 

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) offers a host of certificate program through Online Manipal that include PGCP in Business Analytics, PGCP in Logistics & Supply Chain Management, and PGCP in Entrepreneurship & Innovation. The integrated learning approach of certificate program in entrepreneurship help aspiring entrepreneurs acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in their entrepreneurial journey.

Conclusion

The process of learning and gaining knowledge never ends. Individuals should be aware of some of the most recent and cutting-edge developments as technology is rapidly evolving. Getting an MBA degree or a business certification will prepare you to face challenges in climbing up the corporate ladder confidently. 

Both MBA and business certification aid in improving your career prospects. They help you hone your knowledge and skills and gain in-depth understanding of theoretical and practical concepts that help you thrive in your chosen domain of work. While an MBA is a good option for those who want to pursue a postgraduate degree and can allot two years of time for that, a business certification is right for someone who wants to climb up the ladder in their existing domain by enhancing their existing subject knowledge and skill set. Also, a business certification can be completed in less time compared to an MBA. So, it all narrows down to your individual requirements and preferences like your future goals, time constraint, budget, etc., that help you decide which is a better option for you.

All you need to know about Cloud Computing?

Key takeaways:

  • Cloud computing is a compilation of various internet services available at your fingertips. 
  • The advantages of cloud computing may overlap with its downsides, as every customer is entitled to their own experiences. The main two to blend are security and cost. 
  • It is extremely simple to use, now available even on smartphones to supply connections everywhere and at all times. 
  • No specific qualification is mandatory for a company to adapt to cloud computing. Any organisation or individual user can take it upon themselves to make this technological leap. 

What is Cloud Computing? 

Cloud Computing, to put it in simple words, is a collection of online services offered on the internet or the cloud. It essentially implies the replacement of local hard drives and personal data centres with remote servers for the purpose of storing, processing, managing and accessing data. 

It provides quicker innovation, more flexible delivery of resources, as well as scale economics. Usually, payment is only asked for your choice of services, which ultimately will reduce your operating expenses, assure the effective flow of your infrastructure and optimise as and when your business needs to modify. In this article, we shall discuss what is cloud architecture, what is cloud computing with examples, cloud applications examples, advantages of cloud computing, and much more.

Types of cloud computing are explained below –  

Public cloudPrivate cloudHybrid cloudMulti-cloud
These are operated by third-party cloud providers. Services are delivered over the public internet. A single individual or business firm makes use of resources and storage. Users access private cloud services via a private internet which others in public servers cannot. It combines both private and public services. Organisations enjoy the freedom of choosing elements of the two types.Under multi-clouds, businesses prefer to use numerous third-party cloud providers in order to strengthen their cybersecurity systems. 

A brief history of cloud computing 

It was in the 1960s that the very first concept of time-sharing was well known, mostly with regard to one the largest vendors like IBM and DEC. 

Cloud as a term was used as a reference to distributed computing platforms in 1993 at the time of Apple’s spin-off General Magi along with AT&T applied it to describe their Telescript and PersonaLink technologies. In December 2019, Amazon declared AWS Outposts—a completely managed service extending AWS infrastructure and services, APIs, and tools for consistently authentic hybrid experiences. 

How does cloud computing work? 

The majority of today’s most sparkling names on the internet (example: Google, Microsoft, Amazon) are growing with the times by extending their services to both enterprises and consumers, aiming to make maximum use of the gravitating potential and flexibility it has to offer. 

The process of Cloud Computing is a rather simple one. It is programmed to start when computer-associated processes and calculations occur remotely. Listed below is a step-by-step information guide –

  • Customers sign up/register to cloud services 
  • The user accesses them online through either of the two specialised computer programmes or in-web browsers 
  • Extensive and resourceful remote servers look after heavy lifting and number crunching

Benefits of cloud computing 

A number of advantages of cloud computing can be enjoyed. Some of them are as follows-

  • Performance

As Cloud providers invest without holding back in the latest, best, and speedy hardware at hand, they can serve customers with constant upgrades in the system while offering maintenance when and where needed. To keep up to their high-performance status, they ensure that the least span of downtime is witnessed while offering the fastest access to all. 

  • Reliability 

A vast network of server farms enables the providers to bear a resilient presence all the time, despite the circumstance in which one server may fail. Server farms guarantee efficient load balancing and accurate scalability. 

  • Loss control and data recovery 

The backup system is so reassuring that with numerous replicated copies saved of any given file at many varying locations, it gives complete security against loss of data and damage. 

  • Usability 

Minimised setup is demanded from the users as the providers take care of managing their systems. With their mastermind teams of well-trained staff to handle technical glitches, customers can comfortably focus on their business without being bugged by complex support problems. 

  • Automated Updates

On top of high-priority activities in your business, fretting over software updates only wastes time. With Cloud Computing, application updates are set to update and refresh automatically. Not only do you save up time, but external IT consultant expenses are also prevented. 

Automated updating privilege rids the users of any inputs and thus, warrants that they have access to the newest and quickest version. 

  • Insight

Cloud-based storage features provide integrated cloud analytics with a microscopic focus. With it, you can easily trace and locate any misplaced information. Additionally, customised reports can be created for analysing the information across the organisation. You will no longer have to sift through mass data to find what you’re looking for. 

Disadvantages of cloud computing 

Similar to any other IT-based setup, it’s natural for the cloud to experience technical fallouts, such as –

  • Reboots
  • Outage of network
  • Downtime
  • Gaps in security measures (example: Code Space shut down because of deleted database) 
  • Vulnerable to cyber attacks
  • Limited control
  • Data issues arising at the time of vendor lock-in
  • Expense concerns

What is cloud architecture?

The combination of SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) and EDA (Event Driven Architecture) makes up the architecture of the cloud computing system. Components of cloud architecture are –

  • Client Infrastructure 
  • Application
  • Service 
  • Runtime cloud
  • Storage
  • Management
  • Security 

The cloud architecture is categorised as follows-

FrontendBackend
A component of Front-end is client infrastructure, that is consisting of user interface and applications a client utilises to successfully access the cloud computing servicesIt handles the sources along with managing them and offering security tools
Client side of the systemService provider side of the system
Includes application, service, runtime cloud, storage, infrastructure, management, security, internet. 

Uses of cloud computing

Usage of cloud computing can range from technical use to commercial use. Go through this list to learn more in-depth –

  • Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
  • Hybrid cloud 
  • Multi-Cloud
  • Test
  • Development 
  • Vast data 
  • Complex analytics
  • File storage
  • Backup data and archiving feature 
  • Communication 
  • File sharing
  • Data recovery 
  • Others like banking, email, services, media, streaming and e-commerce

Who uses cloud computing?

Organisations of any and every kind in terms of type, size, and not limited to industry type. 

Cloud computing users include Pinterest, Amazon, Spotify, Netflix, and Expedia, among others. 

How can I launch a career in cloud computing? 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to becoming a cloud professional –

  • Graduate with a bachelor’s degree
  • Study coding and programming languages 
  • Get applicable experience and certificates 
  • Make a resume
  • Apply for cloud engineering positions 
  • Work on your hard skills and soft skills

Where can I earn a cloud computing certificate?

You can earn all the required cloud computing skills by enrolling in PGCP in Cloud Computing course at Online Manipal. Offered by Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), this six-month comprehensive programme covers all the components of cloud computing that enables you to become an in-demand cloud professional.

ALSO READ:

Cloud computing course details

Benefits of learning cloud computing courses online

Winding up

If you are looking forward to pursuing an online PGCP in cloud computing, Online Manipal may be the right match for you. With an impressive variety of courses created by Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) along with seasonal resources to prepare you for your future cloud computing career. 

Supply chain course details 

Supply Chain Management (SCM) is the management of the transportation of goods, data, and finances associated with a product or service – from raw material purchase to final product delivery.

Supply Chain Management (SCM) covers all of the actions required to get the appropriate product into the hands of the right consumer in the right quantity and at the right time. The main areas of concentration for SCM are planning and forecasting, purchasing, product assembly, transportation, storage, distribution, sales, and customer service. 

Supply chain courses are intended for graduates and professionals who want to stand out and establish a name for themselves in this field. The curriculum strongly focuses on an effective supply chain’s theoretical and practical operation. Its goal is to develop qualified and self-driven individuals who can meet the difficulties of this dynamic field and help the business improve its operational efficiencies.

Why should you do a supply chain course? 

If you are wondering, is supply chain management a good career? Then there are a few reasons that You must know before applying for a supply chain management course: 

  • High demand

The course is in high demand because modern SCM systems are digitally based and incorporate material handling and software for all parties engaged in the creation of goods and services, order fulfilment, and information tracking, including suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, carriers, and retailers.

Additionally, The current global business environment is characterised by intense competition and intelligent customers who need quick and inventive solutions. Success hinges on an understanding of and ability to optimise company processes, which explains why supply chain specialists are in high demand.

  • Wide scope

Professionals in supply chain management work in a wide range of enterprises, including manufacturers, merchants, transportation companies, third-party logistics firms, government agencies, and service corporations. Companies from various industries and sectors of the economy hire graduates of SCM. 

One could work in a variety of fields as a supply chain professional, including purchasing, logistics, new product development, international sourcing and procurement, quality management, inventory control or traffic analysis, operations, and supplier relationship management. 

Supply chain course – an overview

What exactly are supply chain management and logistics? Students who complete Supply Chain courses will be highly qualified, knowledgeable, ethical, and responsible logisticians and Supply Chain Management specialists.

In a logistics and supply chain management course, the forward and backward flow of services and goods from one location to another is managed, planned, and coordinated. It assists the learner in gaining a thorough understanding of how products and services are moved throughout a business in a chain style. 

Managers, logistic coordinators, business managers, and commercial managers are some of the jobs that the student may be placed in.

Find the logistics and supply chain management course details –

Courses Duration Eligibility 
BBA in supply chain management 3 years10+2 
PGCP in supply chain management 12 monthsGraduate with minimum 50% from recognised university
MBA in supply chain management 2 years Graduate with minimum 50% from recognised university
Certificate courses in supply chain management 3/6/11 months 10+2 or Graduation

Career options and salary

Career optionsAverage salary (INR)
Purchasing Manager 7 LPA
Logistic manager 6.8 LPA
Supply chain manager 13.6 LPA
Procurement manager 12 LPA
Source: AmbitionBox

READ MORE: Job opportunities for an supply chain management graduate

Different courses in supply chain management 

Following are the varied courses in SCM –

  • PGCP in Logistics & Supply Chain Management

This postgraduate certificate programme in logistics and supply chain management aims to provide you with the abilities you’ll need in this dynamic field. The curriculum helps you excel in your job by giving a theoretical and practical grasp of supply chain operations. The programme lasts 12 months and is broken up into two semesters, each lasting six months.

  • BBA in Supply Chain Management

BBA in Supply Chain Management is a three-year full-time undergraduate course that requires a Senior Secondary Certificate (10+2) qualification with a minimum aggregate score of 50% from a recognised educational Board in any stream.

The programme lasts three years and is broken up into six semesters, each lasting six months.

  • Supply chain management certification programme

It is a certification programme. The candidates can pursue this programme in either a regular mode or a weekend programme with a 3, 5, or 11-month duration. Candidates receive introductory training to help them understand supply chain management fundamentals. It is ideal for students looking for short-term supply chain management courses.

Eligibility for supply chain course

Following are the eligibility criteria for PGCP in Logistics & Supply Chain programme at Online Manipal – 

  • Graduates with at least 50% of the required marks or an equivalent grade in any discipline from accredited universities or institutions
  • Holders of an equivalent certificate recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU)
  • Working experience is desirable

Programme fee

Program fee differs from institution to institution. The course Fee structure of PGCP at Online Manipal is INR 90,000 all-inclusive, INR 45,000 each semester, along with a non-refundable application fee of 1500 INR.

Supply chain course subjects

Supply chain management subjects that are mostly covered by various institutions are: 

  • Fundamentals of logistics management

This subject provides an overview of the key processes, concepts, and methodologies of supply chain management. It emphasises the study of the impact that the supply chain management framework has on business and the economy. 

  • Supply chain management 

This subject provides an overview of Supply chain management or SCM, which is the process of directing how goods and services go from the production of an idea and raw materials to the final consumer product.

  • Operations management

Operations management is the study of producing goods and services effectively in order to meet the demands of certain consumer groups. The subject covers analytical reasoning, problem resolution, and continuous improvement. This subject gives an overview of managing operations in today’s changing business and industry environments.

Supply chain course – semester-wise syllabus

First semester Second semester 
Managing People and OrganisationQuality Management in Logistics and Supply Chain
Data Analysis for ManagersCapstone Project
Supply Chain ManagementElective-1
Fundamentals of Logistics ManagementElective-2
Operations ManagementElective-3

Followings are the elective subjects from which you can choose –

  • Transportation System 
  • Procurement & Purchasing 
  • EXIM Management
  • Managing Business Process Flows 
  • Logistics and Distribution Management 
  • Project Management

Key skills covered in a supply chain course

By the end of the course, you will develop a full knowledge and the technical and soft skills required to enhance your career as a supply chain manager. 

Here are a few mentioned skills & qualities that you will acquire by the end of the course:  

  • Industrial knowledge

Supply chain management professionals learn about the industrial sector. During the course, they study the latest innovations in order to stay current on new technologies, trends, and logistical tasks. You can boost your productivity and expand your work options in logistics by learning as much as you can about the industry.

  • Interpersonal skills 

Teamwork is a crucial component of every supply chain management system, as each position in these processes complements the others. The course will help you develop Interpersonal qualities such as patience, empathy, and active listening.

Additionally, it will help you effectively convey your ideas to superiors and create teamwork among your colleagues. 

  • Analytical skill 

Unexpected changes in logistics operations occur daily. Getting skilled in supply chain logistics can help people understand how to evaluate them, establish resolutions, and promptly apply them. 

Moreover, people in the logistics industry utilise analytical abilities to plan shipments, manage inventory, and respond to customer complaints. They frequently draw on their experiences to create new plans of action that will help them avoid similar problems in the future.

  • Tech-friendly 

As a supply chain manager, you must know the instruments that help streamline and optimise the processes. Therefore, supply chain management courses help you understand software like warehouse management and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. 

Supply chain management requires you to be familiar with enterprise software programmes like TMS, WMS, and ERP. They also develop an understanding of how to use business intelligence software.

  • Improved decision-making 

The job of a supply chain manager includes overseeing the mechanism of the flow of goods. As a result, there are a lot of decisions that are made by a supply chain manager in day-to-day activities. They also develop the ability to improve plans and layout whenever they spot any complications in the flow of goods.

ALSO READ: Supply Chain Management and Operations Management go hand in hand

Jobs roles and salaries in supply chain management

If you want clarity on what jobs in supply chain management, we have covered a list of job positions that you could be hired for! 

  • Purchasing manager

The role of a Purchasing manager is to monitor the purchasing officers and other parties involved in the acquisition of various materials, goods, and services. Additionally, the job includes planning and guiding the actions of the buyers. They frequently represent businesses during contract negotiations and policy development with various vendors. The average annual salary of a purchasing manager starts from Rs. 3L – 4L annually. 

  • Logistic manager 

Logistics managers organise and supervise an organisation’s purchasing, warehousing, distribution, forecasting, customer service, and planning operations in the supply chain process. They oversee the people, equipment, and procedures involved in an organisation’s everyday logistical operations. 

In order to maximise production and efficiency, you work with other departments as a logistics manager to connect logistics with corporate systems or processes. The average annual salary of a purchasing manager starts from Rs. 2L – 3L annually. 

  • Supply chain managers 

Supply chain managers manage costs and enhance accuracy while delivering customer service and security by directing and coordinating the supply chain processes. Moreover, they oversee projects and quotas to track changes and their effects on current supply chain management.The average annual salary of a purchasing manager starts from Rs. 6L – 7L annually. 

  • Procurement manager

The procurement manager is responsible for sourcing items and services for a company. They develop a purchasing plan that considers the firm budget and required goods, after which they search for suitable vendors. The average annual salary of a purchasing manager starts from Rs. 4.5L – 12L annually. 

Therefore, there are ample job roles that you can take after the completion of this course. Let us look at the top recruiters hiring people from a supply chain management course.

Top recruiters 

Top recruiters in Supply chain management courses are:

  • Accenture 
  • Flipkart 
  • Capgemini 
  • Unilever 
  • Tata consultancy service 
  • Wipro 
  • Amazon 
  • Larsen & Toubro

Can I pursue a supply chain course online?

Yes, you can pursue a course in supply chain management through various online education platforms.

For the best PGDCP in logistics and supply management, you can choose supply chain management graduate programmes online from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) with Online Manipal. It offers a post-graduation in logistic and supply management, and the course is fully online, and it is a 12-month program. It also provides subject learning on supply management along with practical knowledge. 

Become a supply chain professional with Online Manipal

With a plethora of course providers available in the market, it can be overwhelming to identify the one that best suits your requirements. Besides, it is also critical to go with a reputed institute in order to ensure that your certificate holds value across geographies. Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) provides top-notch instruction in a variety of fields.  One of India’s top academic and research institutions and a university with a NAAC A++ rating, MAHE is a trusted choice for the youth to start their careers. 

Online Manipal with MAHE, offers the best supply chain management certification programmes, i.e. PGCP in Logistics & Supply Chain Management, with the world’s leading technology-aided teaching through online platforms. It covers a curriculum of supply chain management that utilises projects and modules that are industry-focused to get practical insights. Additionally, it provides you with a platform to interact with mentors and teachers to grasp the opportunities and problems unique to your sector.  

It is one of the best logistics and supply chain management courses in India. You can attend lectures and discussions that are live or recorded according to your schedule. Access study materials on a cutting-edge digital platform that you can use on your phone, laptop, or desktop, even if your internet connection has low bandwidth.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the course, the candidate requires 50% of marks secured through any recognised university by the Association of Indian Universities 

Fee structure
  • The fee structure or supply chain management course at online Manipal is INR 45,000 each semester. 
  • Total fee: INR 45,000 x 2 Semesters = INR 90,000 (total)
  • The application fee for the course is INR1,500 (Non-refundable)

Bottom line

There has been a drastic increase in demand for supply change management as a career. To sum up, supply chain managers can be hired in a variety of industries. There are so many types of courses for supply chain management, and there are a lot of institutions offering this course.

Moreover, according to the reports, this job position will witness approximately 4.8% growth, so this is the right career choice. Therefore, the chances of growth and job prospects are high to build your career as a supply chain manager. Additionally, there are so many job roles and areas for a person to pursue his area of interest after having a degree in supply chain management.

Online Manipal offers one of the best supply chain management courses to pursue your career in Supply chain management. It is the right choice as it provides an online interactive platform with a curriculum that makes you skilled to compete worldwide in this field. 

Key takeaways:

  • Supply chain management entails streamlining the flow of goods and services.
  •  It covers the management of products from raw material to final delivery.
  • The supply chain course is currently high in demand and has wide scope.
  • There are a lot of courses and institutions that you can choose for completion of the course. 

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    Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
    Manipal University Jaipur


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