What is BCom (Professional)? A Beginner’s Guide 

Are you a commerce student who wants a global career in finance or accounting? How about graduating not only with a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree, but also being very near to becoming a Chartered Certified Accountant recognized all over the world? A BCom with ACCA is exactly the same as an accelerated route to obtaining your BCom and, at the same time, the preparation for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification, the most prestigious professional organization for accountants. 

In today’s very competitive job market, employers are mainly focusing more on candidates who have both academic knowledge and industry certifications. The BCom (Professional) program connects these two by combining the core commerce subjects with the ACCA curriculum. From working with multinational corporations, big four accounting firms, or getting your own financial consultancy, this dual advantage can be your distinctive feature. 

The best thing is that we at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) are now offering ACCA-aligned Online BCom (Professional) program via Online Manipal, which means you can follow this powerful combination in your home without compromising quality or flexibility. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what BCom with ACCA aligned curriculum is, how it works, career benefits, eligibility criteria, syllabus structure, and why it might be the smartest investment in your future. 

What is BCom (Professional)? 

BCom (Professional) is an integrated undergraduate program for students who want to establish a strong base in commerce and at the same time pursue a professional accounting qualification (ACCA) that is recognized worldwide. This program provides students an opportunity to complete a BCom degree and an ACCA certification simultaneously instead of consecutively, hence saving time, effort, and money. 

The course is structured figuratively to match the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) syllabus, thus the students get an efficient route to take the professional accountant certification exam at the time of graduation or soon after. 

What is ACCA? 

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is a Globally Recognized professional accounting body based in the UK. ACCA is one of the world’s leading organizations in the accounting and finance industry, with over 241,000 members and 542,000 students spread across 180 countries. 

ACCA was established in 1904, and its goal is to extend the top, business-relevant qualifications to people of application, ability, and ambition around the world. The course covers a broad range of subjects including financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, audit, law, ethics, and corporate governance. The curriculum is intended to develop skills that correspond to the IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) and is commonly accepted by governments, regulatory bodies, and employers. 

Key Features of ACCA: 

• 13 papers to be passed across three levels: Applied Knowledge, Applied Skills, and Strategic Professional. 

• Strong emphasis on professional ethics and strategic decision-making. 

• Registered with more than 7,400 employers worldwide. 

• Gives students both technical and practical skills that are required for the jobs of Chartered Accountant, Financial Analyst, Auditor, Tax Consultant, and CFO. 

• Allows you to study and take exams at your own pace. 

• Enables you to access global mobility and career growth prospects in finance, accounting, and management roles. 

ACCA-certified professionals are the most valuable resources in the job market across various sectors such as banking, consulting, insurance, manufacturing, and IT. Such professionals have a high chance of getting hired by the Big Four accounting firms namely Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG. 

ACCA in India is getting popularity among students and employers because of its global appeal and focus on innovative business practices. The course is quite appealing to the students of Commerce as they can add a globally recognized qualification besides the degree which will not only enhance their technical competence but also their employability. 

Students can save time and effort by pursuing a degree program and obtaining an internationally recognized professional qualification by enrolling in an Online B.Com (ACCA Aligned) offered by MAHE. 

Dual Advantage: Academic + Professional 

A BCom with ACCA aligned program has a dual-focused curriculum that goes beyond academic knowledge of a commerce degree and also includes professional-level training in areas that are relevant to the ACCA certification. This means that learners are not only getting a degree from a university but they are also being trained for the ACCA qualification, thus being much earlier prepared to enter the job market than those peers who follow the traditional route. 

Key Benefits of BCom with ACCA 

Faster Career Progression 

Finish both a commerce degree and get ACCA Affiliate in a shorter period of time. This will give you an advantage in placements and higher positions.   

Global Recognition 

The ACCA is recognized in more than 180 countries. This program will allow you to have career opportunities in any country you want in any area of finance, accounting, auditing, and consulting. With this certification, you can also look for job opportunities in foreign markets like the UK, UAE, Singapore, and Canada. 

Cost-Effective and Time-Saving 

This method of working allows the student to use less money and time when pursuing ACCA separately after graduation. 

Exemptions from ACCA Papers 

Those students who are engaged in BCom (ACCA-integrated) are granted the possibility of leaving to a maximum of 9 ACCA papers (out of 13 total) as their exemption for the qualification becomes more accessible. The students only require to write the 4 remaining Strategic Professional papers, for which the program also includes training and academic support that can be used to assist the students in their studies—thus, students are not obliged to incur the cost of external coaching. 

Industry-Relevant Skills 

The provision of practical activities in which students get to work on real-world case studies, financial tools, and business simulations will certainly close the gap between academics and industry. 

Also read: Why is online BCom the best option for CA aspirants?

BCom with ACCA Curriculum: What You’ll Learn 

The ACCA-aligned curriculum for BCom (Professional) is structured to blend core commerce subjects with ACCA-approved content. Here’s a general idea of what the three-year program includes: 

Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3	Semester 4	Semester 5	Semester 6
Business and Technology	Business Accounting	Audit and Assurance	Financial Management – II	Research Methodology	International Business Management
Financial Accounting	Financial Reporting	Financial Management I	Strategic Business Leader	Sustainable Business Models and Circular Economy	Corporate Governance and Business Ethics
Management Accounting	Principles of Economics	Strategic Business Reporting	Performance Management	Marketing Management	Entrepreneurship and Startup Ecosystem
Business Communication	Taxation	Corporate and Business Law	Advanced Audit and Assurance	Elective 2 (Choose one):	Elective 3 (Choose one):
Computer Applications	Cyber Security	Business Statistics and Mathematics	Elective 1 (Choose one):	– Advanced Taxation	– Indian Taxation
Environmental Studies			– Advanced Financial Management	– Advanced Performance Management	– Security Analysis & Portfolio Management
			– Operations Management	Project – I	Project – II

ACCA Paper Exemptions for BCom Students 

The major advantage of doing a BCom with an ACCA aligned curriculum is definitely the number of paper exemptions you can get. Generally, students receive the following exemptions: 

ACCA Exam Paper	Exemption Status
BT – Business and Technology	Exempted
MA – Management Accounting	Exempted
FA – Financial Accounting	Exempted
LW – Corporate and Business Law	Exempted
PM – Performance Management	Exempted
TX – Taxation	Exempted
FR – Financial Reporting	Exempted
AA – Audit and Assurance	Exempted
FM – Financial Management	Exempted

After completing the BCom with ACCA-aligned curriculum, you may only need to appear for the final 4 strategic-level papers of ACCA, i.e, Strategic Business Leader, Strategic Business Reporting, Advanced Financial Management, (AFM) and Advanced Performance Managament (APM) making the path to global certification faster and more affordable. These 4 papers are covered in this curriculum saving students both time and additional exam preparation efforts after graduation. 

Eligibility Criteria 

The following criteria apply to candidates seeking admission to the Online BCom (Professional) with ACCA program offered by Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) through Online Manipal. 

For Indian Students: 

• Candidates must have completed 10+2 / intermediate / senior secondary education from a recognized board, or hold an equivalent qualification as recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), in any discipline. 

For NRI & Foreign Students: 

• Candidates must have completed 10+2 level education with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. 

• Candidates who have completed their 10+2 or graduate-level education outside India must submit a certificate of equivalence issued by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). 

Career Outcomes After BCom with ACCA 

After finishing the integrated BCom with ACCA aligned curriculum, graduates have the skills to take on multiple positions which are in demand globally in diverse industries. The following are some of the jobs that ACCA Affiliates can explore: 

Job Role	Average Salary (India)
Corporate Finance Manager	₹12– 21.3 LPA
Pricing Analyst	₹4 – 10 LPA
Financial Accountant	₹1.8 – 12.8 LPA
Cost Accountant	₹2 – 14.5 LPA
Financial Reporting Manager	₹9 – 36 LPA
Financial Analyst	₹2.2 – 37 LPA
Financial Planning & Budgeting Manager	₹2.4 – 29 LPA
Tax Consultant	₹2.5 – 13 LPA
Chartered Advisor	₹11.9 – 19.5 LPA
Managing Director (with experience)	₹20 Lakhs – ₹1.6 Crore
CEO/CFO (with senior-level experience)	₹12 Lakhs – ₹1 Crore

Read more: What is the best career move after BCom: Job or MCom?

Industries Hiring ACCA Professionals 

Graduates with ACCA qualifications are in demand across various industries, such as: 

• Professional Services 

• Financial Services 

• Public Sector 

• Retail 

• Media 

• Telecommunication & IT 

• Transport, Travel and Leisure 

• Engineering, Manufacturing, and Exploration 

This global relevance and versatility make the BCom (ACCA aligned) an ideal launchpad for a successful and future-proof finance career. 

ACCA-aligned Online BCom (Professional) at Online Manipal 

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) offers a BCom (Professional) program aligned with ACCA structure, which is entirely online through Online Manipal. This course is designed for current students who aspire to acquire a strong academic foundation, and a professional qualification recognized globally. The advantages of online study allow you to follow your passion in finance and accounting without any obstacles, and at the same time, you have the opportunity to study at your own pace and from any place. 

• Degree recognized by UGC and awarded by MAHE, which ensures the degree is also recognized both nationally and internationally 

• Curriculum following ACCA standards, providing up to 9 paper exemptions, thus speeding up the process to become an Associate Chartered Certified Accountant 

• Complete online education with an opportunity to participate in live lectures, watch recorded sessions, and do interactive assignments 

• One-on-one mentor support, and regular webinars conducted by industry experts for all-round learning 

• Budget-friendly fee structure with easy EMI options and scholarships available for those who qualify 

• Learning schedule that is flexible, perfect for working professionals, full-time students 

 Conclusion 

Pursuing a BCom combined with ACCA is a clever choice for students planning to work globally in accounting, finance, or business management. This innovative program not only enhances your knowledge of commerce but also enables you to obtain accountancy professional certification in a shorter amount of time. It provides the skills that are relevant to the industry, allows you to be exempted from some papers, and is recognized worldwide; hence, it is a door to a wide range of opportunities across different sectors and roles.