Top courses you can pursue along with online BCom

Confused about what to do after finishing your schooling in the commerce field? Then, we suggest you lay a robust foundation in business education with an online Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree program. Complementing your BCom with additional courses opens a gateway to a wealth of opportunities, preparing you for a bright career in a variety of commerce fields like digital marketing, accounting, financing, management, and even entrepreneurship.

Choices are unlimited when considering online courses to boost career prospects for BCom graduates. From specialized certifications to strategic management courses, there are several interesting courses that a BCom graduate can take to enhance the core skills in commerce. A BCom degree acts as a springboard for specialized professional courses like Chartered Accountancy (CA) and Company Secretary (CS).

Stay tuned as we will acquaint you with the best complementary courses for BCom students in this post and from where to pursue them. 

Top courses you can pursue with BCom 

For Bachelor of Commerce students gearing up for a business career, it’s not just about textbooks and lectures. Various skill-building courses for BCom students can act as secret weapons to help them become pros in specific areas. In short, these additional courses act like a turbo boost for your regular BCom studies, making you not just book smart but also super skilled for the real business world. 

So, let us explore the top courses a BCom graduate can pursue:

• Chartered Accountancy (CA): Organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the Chartered Accountancy (CA) is the most popular course chosen by several BCom graduates. The course has three levels: Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. The CA qualification is highly regarded globally across various sectors. After pursuing this course, one can apply for job roles such as accountant, banker, and auditor. 

The table below will give you details about the Chartered Accountancy (CA) course:

Eligibility	Completion of 10+2 with at least 50% can register directly for the CA Foundation course
Age Limits	No age limit
Duration	Minimum of 5 years
Examinations	3 Levels of examinations are conducted by the ICAI at the foundation, intermediate, and final levels.
Approximate Salary	INR 8.8 lakhs per annum

• Company Secretaryship (CS)

Organized by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), the Company Secretary (CS) course is the second most in-demand course among BCom graduates. The main objective of this course is to train people to perform the role and responsibility of a company secretary. Interested candidates can enroll in the foundation course and pass the foundation exam to reach the executive and professional levels. Post these three levels, there is a final management training round before one gets the CS course degree in hand.

The table below will give you details about the Company Secretaryship (CS) course:

Eligibility	Completion of 10+2 with at least 50% can register directly for the CS Foundation course
Age Limits	No age limit
Duration	Minimum 3 years
Examinations	3 Levels of examinations are conducted by the ICSI at the foundation, executive, and professional levels.
Approximate Salary	INR 6 lakhs per annum

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

Every year, several commerce graduates enroll in the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants course. The basic course curriculum revolves around the core concepts of chartered accountancy, such as financial reporting, taxation, accounting, business finance, and financial management. There are three main levels in the ACCA course: Knowledge, Skill, and Professional level. Individuals with ACCA certificates are in high demand for job profiles like Accounting, Risk Advisory, Statutory Audit, and Mergers and Acquisitions.

The table below will give you details about the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) course:

Eligibility	Completion of 10+ 2 with at least 65% in Accounts, English, and Mathematics and at least 50% in other subjects
Age Limits	No age limit
Duration	1- 7 years
Examinations	BCom or MCom graduates must appear for 9 examsCA graduates must appear for 4 exams
Approximate Salary	INR 8 lakhs per annum

• Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

Certified Management Accountant (CMA), regulated by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI), is one of the popular certifications to enhance BCom qualifications. This course is designed for those interested in taking up management accounting or financial management as their profession in the coming years. In this course, students are enlightened with topics like financial planning, strategic financial management, performance, and analytics.

The table below will give you details about the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) course:

Eligibility	Completion of at least 10th class boards to enroll for the foundation level, and completion of 10+2 to enroll for the intermediate level
Age Limits	No age limit
Duration	Minimum 3 years
Examinations	3 Levels of examinations are conducted by the ICAI at the foundation, intermediate, and final levels.
Approximate Salary	INR 7 lakhs per annum

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a globally recognized certification regulated by the CFA Institute. It is a 2-year course divided into three levels. The course curriculum covers topics such as corporate finance, ethics, investment tools, and much more. Completing this course after BCom makes a person suitable for roles like Investment Banker, Portfolio Manager, and Risk Manager. 

The table below will give you details about the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) course:

Eligibility	Completion of an undergraduate degree in any discipline and a work experience of at least 4 years
Age Limits	No age limit
Duration	Minimum of 2 years
Examinations	3 Levels of examinations are conducted by the CFA at the Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
Approximate Salary	INR 6 lakhs per annum

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Individuals keen to open doors to many career opportunities in accounting must pursue the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) course. It is a globally recognized certification that increases the chances of promotion if you are already working somewhere. The course is merely 18 months duration during which students have to clear 4 exams to get the certificate. 

The table below will give you details about the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) course:

Eligibility	Completion of an undergraduate degree in any discipline
Age Limits	No age limit
Duration	Minimum 18 months
Examinations	4 Paper Assessment within 18 months course duration
Approximate Salary	INR 6.8 lakhs per annum

Advantages of pursuing online BCom 

After gaining insights into the industry-relevant courses for BCom professionals, one thing must be clear by now and that is doing a BCom before the above-mentioned courses is crucial. You can opt for traditional campus BCom, but why not enjoy the flexibility of studying at your own pace and saving money on commuting and accommodation by choosing an online BCom? Well, this was just a glimpse of the advantages of pursuing an online Bachelor of Commerce degree program, more are elaborated on below:

1. Freedom to work while studying: The ultimate plus point of pursuing BCom online instead of the traditional campus way is that it allows you to work part-time or full-time while studying. 

2. Digital literacy: Access to vast online resources, unlimited global exposure, and digital literacy come along as added advantages of an online BCom course if done from a recognized university like SMU. 

3. Affordability and accessibility: Students who choose to study BCom online gain the twin benefits of affordable education, which is accessible from anywhere and anytime. They can save money on commuting and accommodation and study using a laptop or computer and an internet connection. 

4. UGC-entitled degrees with NAAC A+ accreditation: Students who pursue an online BCom degree program from a reputed institution like Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) via the Online Manipal platform need not worry about the recognition of the degree they will earn after completing the course. Sikkim Manipal University rewards students with UGC-entitled degrees with NAAC A+ accreditation that is globally recognized, just like a traditional BCom degree. 

5. Diverse learning experience: Another benefit of choosing an online BCom degree over a traditional campus degree is that the former creates a global and diverse learning experience. Students get to interact and network with fellow students across the globe during the online BCom course. 

Conclusion 

To conclude, we would say that combining an online Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree with targeted supplementary courses is an approach that aligns with Sikkim Manipal University’s commitment to preparing graduates for the modern business landscape. Enroll in an online BCom from SMU using the Online Manipal platform and then continue enhancing the knowledge gained with other diverse range of supplementary courses to empower yourself for meaningful contributions in the commerce industry.