Taking different subjects and selecting the right course of path is as difficult as selecting the first step towards schooling. Infact it is considered as a decision for lifetime wherein your choice will actually decide the whole career. After passing out 12th standard, every Commerce student wants to pursue his career wherein he would excel like anything and should also have atleast following characteristics
- Learning of concepts with practical implementation in the corporate world
- Linking your books with the actual processes undertaken on the office desks
- Practical work promotes experiential learning.
- Gain Clarity on the path to be taken going forward
- How to prepare yourself for Post Covid Academic World and Employment?
Students these days have plenty of tasks and questions in their minds when they are about to complete their 10th or 12th Standard. After Pandemic this vacuum has increased considerably. Many students have faced a lot of difficulties in their sessions of 10th and 12th both online as well as offline.
Following are the best professional types of options which are available for the commerce students after passing the 12th standard
| Course | Duration & Eligibility | Subjects |
| Chartered Accountancy by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India | 3-5 years standard duration for this professional course10+2 with a minimum 60% aggregateCourse if divided into three levels- CPT, Inter and FinalPractical Internship is also required to be done by the candidates at a requisite interval of time frameMultiple attempts are also required to be taken sometimes by the candidatesMaximum attempts limit should be checked before pursuing the course | AccountingCost Accounting and Financial ManagementInformation TechnologyTaxationAuditing and AssuranceEthics and Communication Corporate and other LawsBusiness Laws, and others |
| Company Secretary by The Institute of Company Secretaries of India | 3-5 years standard duration for this professional course10+2 with a minimum 60% aggregateCourse if divided into three levels- Foundation, Executive and ProfessionalPractical Internship is also required to be done by the candidates at a requisite interval of time frameMultiple attempts are also required to be taken sometimes by the candidatesMaximum attempts limit should be checked before pursuing the course | Every type of law- Commercial, Industrial, Legal, Corporate, Professional etc Legal proposes and agreements of companies. |
| Cost and Management Accountant by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India | 3-5 years standard duration for this professional course10+2 with a minimum 60% aggregateCourse if divided into three levels- Foundation, Inter and FinalPractical Internship is also required to be done by the candidates at a requisite interval of time frameMultiple attempts are also required to be taken sometimes by the candidatesMaximum attempts limit should be checked before pursuing the course | Business Mathematics and StatisticsLaws and EthicsAccountingEconomicsManagementCompany Accounts and AuditOperation Management Information SystemBusiness Strategy & Cost Management |
CS Course offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India
The Company Secretary Course is offered by Institute of Company Secretaries of India. It is basically a distance learning course, although very popular among the commerce students. It is a professional course which is not only a reputed one rather is very lucrative in terms of salary.
Students who are interested to pursue this course has to undergo different stages of examinations along with some practical training sessions.
The different stages of examination includes the following-
- CSEET – an Entrance Examination
- Executive Programme
- Professional Programme
- Management Training
As all of us understand that now a days, there’s a great emphasis on adherence to norms of efficient corporate governance, hence the demand of Company Secretaries have also risen especially after enactment of Company Act 2013. The role of Company Secretary revolves around the following domains-
- Structure of the company
- Management of the company
- Administration of the company
- Provisions related to conduct of affairs of company
Company Secretary is the Compliance Officer of the Company
- SEBI has mandated that the company secretary of the company will be the compliance officer of the company. A compliance officer is an employee of a company that ensures the firm is in compliance with its outside regulatory and legal requirements as well as internal policies and bylaws. Compliance officers have a duty to their employer to work with management and staff to identify and manage regulatory risk.
- As Compliance officers, Company Secretaries are also responsible for ensuring their organization complies with government regulations — domestically as well as globally, if applicable — and avoids missteps that could result in hefty fines, legal ramifications and reputation damage.
- A company has to follow n number of laws and regulations depending upon the type of business it is into. There are numerous laws which it is required to be followed. A Company Secretary with its vast knowledge helps and supports the companies for adhering to these regulations.
- From the birth of the company i.e. incorporation of the company till its death i.e. Winding up/ Closure of the company, Company Secretary needs to know everything. He is responsible for adherence of every statutory procedure.
To sum up, following are the essential attributes of a Company Secretary-
1. Expertise for Company Law
2. Effective Communication Skills
3. Time Management Skills and Multi Tasker
4. Attentive to details of the issues
5. Meticulous Planner
6. Good Knowledge of Interpretation of Law
7. Impeccable understanding of law
8. Indepth knowledge of Finance
9. Networking skills
10. Interpersonal skills
11. Continuous learning and development
CS Career Prospects and Opportunities
A certified enterprise secretary is able to locating a task withinside the public and non-public sectors, monetary establishments and banks. Company secretaries also are required in enterprise regulation boards, numerous authorities departments, Department of Company Affairs etc. Top corporations provide appealing pay applications to enterprise secretaries.
Company secretaries also can start their personal consultancy after acquiring a certificate of practice. Companies with a paid up proportion of Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 2 crores are required to lease/ hire the offerings of practising company secretaries for issuing company compliance certificates.
Since these secretaries have big know-how of a huge variety of subjects, they can take in the location of a lecturer/ journeying school in exceptional academic institutes.
The recent disturbances in the corporate world have shaken the confidence of business professionals particularly shareholders. At present, there is a massive demand for displaying corporate transparency and credibility by organisations in managing their internal affairs. Most companies are carving to retain the confidence of stakeholders. The top management of the organisations are busy with managing the general working, they hardly get time to mingle with stakeholders and retain/ gain their confidence. In order to tackle that, the organisations/ companies hire qualified and skilled professionals as Company Secretaries. A company secretary plays a vital role in the smooth functioning of a corporate entity. One can confidently believe that a career as company secretary is not only exciting but also rewarding.
Pros of turning into a Company Secretary (CS)
- The marketplace call for for the profession as a Company Secretary is at the upswing.
- The career has excellent increase in conjunction with outstanding remuneration.
Cons of turning into a Company Secretary (CS)
- ICSI now no longer have a whole lot reputation abroad.
- Since the obligations and roles related to the location are fantastically responsible and visible, there may be steady stress on company secretaries to perform and reach the accepted level of deliverables.
The Company Secretary
- Is a vital link between the company and its Board of Directors, shareholders, government and regulatory authorities and all other stakeholders.
- Ensures that Board procedures are followed and regularly reviewed and provides guidance to Chairman and the Directors on their responsibilities under various laws.
- Commands high position in the value chain and acts conscience seeker of the company
Areas where services of Company Secretary are essential
| Corporate Governance Services | Advising on good governance practices and compliance of regulations and guidelines made thereunder. Company Corporate Governance norms as prescribed under various Secretary also assists in developing a corporate and social Corporate, Securities and Other Business Laws and sustainability framework. |
| Corporate Secretarial Services | Promotion, formation and incorporation of companies and matters related therewith Filing, registering any document including forms, returns and applications by and on behalf of the company as an authorized representative Co-ordinating board/general meetings and follow-up actions thereof All work relating to Securities and their transfer and transmission Custodian of corporate records, statutory books and registers |
| Secretarial/Compliance Audit and Certification Services | Secretarial/Compliance Audit Issuing Compliance certificate for companies not required to employ a whole-time Company Secretary Signing of Annual Return Other declarations, attestations and certifications under the Companies Act, 2013 |
| Corporate Laws Advisory Services | Advising companies on Compliance of legal and procedural aspects, particularly under – SEBI Act, Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act and rules and regulations made thereunder Foreign Exchange Management Act Consumer Protection Act Depositories Act Environment and Pollution Control Laws Labour and Industrial Laws Co-operative Societies Act Mergers and Amalgamations and Strategic Alliances Foreign Collaborations and Joint Ventures Setting up subsidiaries abroad Competition Policy and Competition Law Compliances IPR Protection, Management, Valuation and Audit Drafting of Legal Documents |
| Representation Services | Representing on behalf of a company and other persons before– Company Law Board National Company Law Tribunal Competition Commission of India Securities Appellate TribunalRegistrar of Companies Consumer Forums Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal Tax Tribunals and Other quasi-judicial bodies and Tribunals |
| Arbitration and Conciliation Services | Advising on arbitration, negotiation and conciliation in commercial disputes between the parties Acting as arbitrator/conciliator in domestic and international commercial disputes Drafting Arbitration/Conciliation Agreement/Clause |
| FINANCIAL MARKETS SERVICES | Drafting of prospectus/offer for sale/ letter of offer/other documents related to issue of securities and obtaining various approvals in association with lead managers Listing / delisting of securities Private placement of securities Buy-back of shares Raising of funds from international markets – ADR/GDR/ECB Acting as compliance officer under listing agreement Compliance officer for various capital market intermediaries |
| Takeover Code and Insider Trading | Ensuring compliance of the Takeover Regulations and any other laws or rules as may be applicable in this regard Ensuring compliance with SEBI Insider Trading) Regulation, 1992 including maintenance of various documents |
| Securities Compliance and Certification Services | Compliance with rules and regulations in the securities market particularly – Internal Audit of Depository Participants Internal Audit of Stock Brokers/Trading Members/Clearing Members Certifications under SEBI (DIP) Guidelines Audit in relation to Reconciliation of shares Concurrent Audit Certificate in respect of compliance of Private Limited and Unlisted Public Company (Buy Back Securities) Rules Certification regarding compliance of conditions of Corporate Governance under clause 49 of the equity listing agreement Various certifications for trading members of stock exchanges Certification regarding compliance as to issue of Bonus shares Listing Agreement for Listing of Debt Securities and Listing Agreement for Indian Depository Receipts |
| BANKING SERVICES | Diligence Report and Certification in respect of Consortium / Multiple banking arrangement made by Scheduled Commercial Banks/Urban Co-opeative Banks. Loan Syndication Loan Documentation Registration of Charges Status and Search Report |
| FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES | Accounting and compilation of financial statements Working capital and liquidity management Determination of an appropriate capital structure Analysis of capital investment proposalsBusiness valuations prior to mergers and/or acquisitions Budgetary controls Preparation of Project Reports and feasibility studies Internal Audit Secretary to Audit Committee |
| TAXATION SERVICES | Advisory services to companies on tax management and tax planning under Income Tax, Excise and Customs laws, Service Tax and VAT etc. Preparing/reviewing various returns and reports Representing companies and other persons before the tax authorities and tribunals |
| INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND WTO SERVICES | Advising on all matters related to IPRs and TRIPs Agreement of WTO Advising on matters relating to antidumping, safeguard duties and counter veiling duties International Commercial Arbitration Advising on and issuing certificates on Foreign Trade Policy and Procedures Advising on Intellectual Property licensing and drafting of Agreement Acting as registered Trade Mark Agent |
| INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | Compliance with cyber laws Conducting Board Meetings through video-conferencing and teleconferencing Advising on IT related IPR Developing management reports and controls Maintaining statutory records in electronic form E-filing of forms / documents under MCA-21 and other statutory authorities |
| MANAGEMENT SERVICES | Advising on corporate social responsibility Participating in formulation of Business policy, strategy and planning Formulation of the organizational structure Acting as management representative to obtain ISO Certification Advising on sustainability accounting and reporting |
| Corporate Communications and Public Relations | Communication with various stakeholders, like Shareholders, Government, Regulators, Authorities etc Advisory services for Brand equity and image building |
| Human Resources Management | Advising on industrial and labour laws Manpower planning and development Performance appraisal Motivation and remuneration strategies Audit of the HR function Office management, work studies and performance standards Maintaining Industrial relations Attaining cultural Integration |
FAQ related to Company Secretary Course
Q1- What are the courses for CS?
Students who are interested to pursue this course has to undergo different stages of examinations along with some practical training sessions.
The different stages of examination includes the following-
- Foundation Programme
- Executive Programme
- Professional Programme
- Management Training
Q2- Is CS a good career option?
Yes, company secretary is a very good option for career. The Company Secretary
- Is a vital link between the company and its Board of Directors, shareholders, government and regulatory authorities and all other stakeholders.
- Ensures that Board procedures are followed and regularly reviewed and provides guidance to Chairman and the Directors on their responsibilities under various laws.
Commands high position in the value chain and acts conscience seeker of the company
Q3- What is the fees for CS Course?
| CS Foundation Programme | Rs.4500/- |
| CS Executive Programme | Rs.9000/- for Commerce Graduates |
| Rs 12,500/- for CPT passed of ICAI / Foundation passed of ICAI-CMA | |
| Rs 10,000/- for Non Commerce Students | |
| Rs 8,500/- for CS Foundation passed students | |
| CS Professional Programme | Rs.12,000/- |
Q4- Is CS tough?
Most of the papers in this course are theoretical, hence for some students it is difficult to learn and remember a lot of concepts. But if prepared well, the exams can be cracked easily.
Q5- Is Maths compulsory for CS?
No. Maths is not compulsory for CS.
Q6-Is there any age limit to pursue a CS course?
No, there is no age limit for pursuing CS course. Only the eligibility criteria is required to be met for starting the course.
Q7-How many attempts are allowed for CS programme?
For CS executive, 10 attempts are allowed. For CS Foundation, 6 attempts are allowed while 10 attempts are allowed for CS professional.
Q8-How can I become CS after BCom?
Candidates who complete the B.Com course can take direct admission to the CS Executive course. You are not required to give a CS Foundation exam.
Q9- Can CS and CA pursued together?
Although there is no legal binding stopping the pursuing both the degrees together. Still students can consider one course at one time for hassle free learning.
Q10-How can I get an exemption in CS Executive programme?
If a candidate appears in all the required papers covered under the module and scores at least 25% marks in each paper, he/ she shall become eligible for exemption in those paper(s)in which he/she scores 60% or more marks.
Chartered Accountancy Course offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
The Chartered Accountancy Course is a distance learning professional course offered by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, although very popular among the commerce students. It is a professional course which is not only a reputed one rather is very lucrative in terms of salary. Infact Chartered Accountancy is one of the most sought after and the toughest examination in the country as far as the professional accountancy examinations are concerned.
Students who are interested to pursue this course has to undergo different stages of examinations along with some practical training sessions. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India provides a three level CA program comprising the following 3 stages.
The different stages of examination includes the following-
- Foundation Programme
- CA Intermediate Programme
- CA Final Programme
As all of us understand that now a days, there’s a great emphasis on adherence to norms of efficient Corporate Governance and Risk Assessment, hence the demand of professional of Chartered Accountants have also risen especially after enactment of Company Act 2013.
Qualifying Chartered Accountancy
Chartered Accountancy being a very lucrative profession opens up various career opportunities for the qualified candidates. Also it is to be noted that Chartered Accountancy is an in demand and a secure profession. Irrespective of their size, almost all companies need to have Chartered Accountants. Apart from these all there are other major reasons for doing Chartered Accountancy Examination and becoming Chartered Accountants, which are as follows-
1. Chartered Accountancy gives avenues for various career options
After qualifying chartered accountancy, the candidates have numerous options with themselves like getting into the job or doing their own professional business or practice or on partnership basis-
a. Auditing Jobs
b. Taxation Jobs
c. Finance Jobs
2. Chartered Accountants are well paid professionals
There is no doubt that Chartered Accountants gets handsome salary/ income from whatever option they chose. They are considered as highly paid in the companies and when it comes to practice/ own business there is no limit once they decide the type of business they chose to proceed with.
The take home salary once they decide can vary between Rs. 5 lacs to Rs. 10 lacs but with experience the rise and growth can be exponentially high.
3. Varied Career Paths
When into job, the Chartered Accountants can select as many options for them as they think for. These days Chartered Accountants play a very major role in helping companies grow and succeed. They also act as business advisors and they may not always be in forefront but still an intrinsic part of the strategy making and planning. They also occupy various critical positions in business setting.
While acting as business advisors they also help the business owners to reach to a higher level of profits and excellent margins. Over the years the experience and skill set acquired by them have actually helped them in establishing their own Chartered Accountancy Firm.
4. International Benefits and Operations
The demand for CAs in the foreign market is getting higher and higher day by day and infact at a peak right now. If anyone has anytime dreamt of settling abroad then this is the right choice for him. The demand for CAs in the foreign market is as much as the demand is in India. Pursuing CA would be a great option for you if you are thinking of starting your international career.
5. Vast Learning and a Secure Profession
Chartered Accountancy has evolved like a secure learning platform for all the candidates who aspire to learn something new and exciting every time they start their career. Even there is a big misconception that Chartered Accountancy is only about numbers, rather it carries vide knowledge and coverage when it comes to different subjects and approaches. The program also helps the aspirants to develop a good understanding of business, great expertise in finance-related subjects, and technical skills as well. This type of training helps CAs adapt to and work in almost any sector nowadays. For those who have an entrepreneurial streak, the CA program also offers a good foundation for starting their own business.
Ca Salary in India: Chartered Accountant Average Earnings 2022-23
Although the salary and remuneration depends upon the skill and experience of the candidate also but at the same time this profession brings atleast minimum security on account of financial front. If we arbitrarily try to bring an estimate on the basis of experience of the candidate, then some picture may come out like below-
| Years of experience | Salary can range upto |
| 0-5 years | Rs. 8 lacs |
| 5-10 years | Rs. 13 lacs |
| 10-15 years | Rs. 22 lacs |
| 15-20 years | Rs. 35-45 lacs |
The demand for CAs in the foreign market is getting higher and higher day by day and infact at a peak right now. If anyone has anytime dreamt of settling abroad then this is the right choice for him. The demand for CAs in the foreign market is as much as the demand is in India.
As per the profile offered to them , their salary varies from role to role. For instance-
| Role Profile | Estimated salary per annum |
| Financial officer in the company | Rs. 35 lakh |
| Account executive | Rs. 5-10 lakh |
| Accountant- in accounts deptt | Rs. 15-25 lakh |
| Finance controller job | Rs. 10-19 lakh |
| Managerial Role- Finance manager | Rs. 10-15 lakhs |
| Financial analyst profile | Rs 6- 8 lakh |
| Assistant account manager | Rs. 5-7 lakh |
| Senior account executive | Rs. 4-5 lakh |
| Senior Accountant | Rs 3.5- 5 lakh |
| Business analyst role | Rs 4- 5 lakh |
| Account assistant | Rs 2-5 lakh |
Location based salary structure
The remuneration of the Chartered Accountants also vary from the location in which the job profile is posted, for example in Gurgaon the salary will be higher as compared to Punjab region. Similarly if we talk about Chennai or Mumbai region it will be even more than Gurgaon and far higher than Punjab region. Normally maximum Chartered Accountants opt for working in and around Delhi region. Other regions include Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur as top locations among others across India.
Now lets study some highest paid employers for Chartered Accountants Nationally as well as Internationally
| Employer | CA Salary per annum (Avg) |
| Reliance Industries | Rs. 25-45 Lakhs (Highest) |
| Hindustan Unilever Ltd | Rs. 10-36 Lakhs |
| Deloitte | Rs. 14-35 Lakhs |
| KPMG | Rs. 14-32 Lakhs |
| Aditya Birla Sun Life | Rs. 13-28 Lakhs |
| ICICI Bank | Rs. 11-27 Lakhs |
| ITC | Rs. 10-25 Lakhs |
| TATA company | Rs. 10-22 Lakhs |
| Bharti Airtel | Rs. 12-22 Lakhs |
| SBI Bank | Rs. 6-17 Lakhs |
Source: CA Salary In India
(C ) Cost and Management Accountancy Course offered by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India
The main purpose of designing of this course is to nurture young minds into business leaders of tomorrow, wherein cost accountants can play a very important role in decision making. Students are more inclined in understanding the concepts of costing and management accounting and applying them in the practical work of field, they usually opt for this course instead of Company Secretary or Chartered Accountancy Course.
The different stages of examination includes the following-
- Foundation Programme
- CMA Intermediate Programme
- CMA Final Programme
Career after CMA
- Finance Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Chief Financial Officer
- Financial Controller
- Corporate Controller
- Chief Investment Officer
- Cost Accountant
The average salary for a fresher CMA in India is 7 lakh rupees per annum. However, this number can go up to rupees 20lakhs too based on your skills. With experience and developed skillset, there is no bar on earnings for CMAs.
Can all the three courses – CA, CS and CMA at a time?
Yes, all the three courses can be pursued together. There are different pros and cons for this decision.one has to identify all kinds of pros and cons while taking that decision. Some of the Institutes might have some exemptions available while others may require some extra or additional permissions to pursue those courses in parallel.
So which course is the best?
Answering this question is not at all simple, as it totally depends upon the choice and zeal of the student in which direction he wants to pursue the career.
As we have understood till now that the curriculum for all three courses – CA, CS, and CMA – is quite similar. However, the major difference comes in to the picture when we talk about the focus/ thrust of the course.
- the primary focus of a CA is finance, audits, and taxation.
- CMA focuses on accounting and cost management in depth,
- CS provides a complete study structure for corporate law and corporate secretariats.
So in whatever domain the student wants to pursue the career as well as has the commitment towards learning, can select the right course.