I am good at Maths and want to experience Commerce

I like Science, but somehow I am just not very comfortable studying it. I am good at Maths and want to experience Commerce. Will it be okay to take up CBSE Commerce in XI or should I take up CBSE Science? Can I give the SAT exams if I take up either CBSE Science or Commerce?

SAT exam is a standardized entrance test mainly taken by those candidates who want to study in the USA. SAT reasoning test examines skills of writing, critical reading and mathematics. So it does not matter from which stream you do 10+2. If you're not comfortable studying science subjects, then go for the commerce stream. But be prepared to work hard and do higher courses from a reputed institute.

Picture Credit : Google

I want to join the air force as a pilot

I want to join the air force as a pilot. I am presently studying in Std XI Commerce (I.P.). Can I join the air force with this stream or with commerce (maths)? If not then what subject should I take and what are the exams conducted to join the air force after Std XII?

There are two entry points to becoming a pilot in the Indian air Force, through NDA or CDSE, but for both you must have Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level.

Selection to the National Defence Academy (NDA) is through an entrance test. After selection, candidates go through a rigorous three-year training regimen followed by specialised training at one of the Air Force Training Establishments. On successful completion, they are commissioned as Permanent Commission Officers and posted as pilots at any of the Air Force Stations.

Otherwise, after completing your graduation (B.Sc. or B.E.), you can appear for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE) and join the Air Force Academy.

Picture Credit : Google

What exactly is CLAT?

I'm a student of Std XI (Commerce with Maths). I am interested in Economics (Hons.). I want to know more about the career options in commerce. What exactly is CLAT? What is the future in CLAT? Is MBA an option even if I do B.Com? Would that be a good option or not?

After 10+2, you can go for courses in Chartered Accountancy/Cost Accountancy/Company Secretaryship. These all are courses done through postal coaching system. Admission is through competitive exams. Or you can do B.Com./ BBA. MBA is a 2-year degree course for which eligibility is graduation in any stream, even B.Com.

Apart from the careers mentioned above, you can also get into streams like advertising, marketing, banking, law and business consulting among many others. It's just a matter of knowing your interests.

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is an all-India entrance examination conducted for admissions to under graduate and post-graduate degree programmes (LL.B & LL.M.) in fourteen National Law Universities. Eligibility for an undergraduate course is 10+2.

Picture credit : Google

What are the careers in commerce stream?

India has come a long way since its independence. The economy has increased tremendously. There is no doubt that the number of commerce courses have increased as well. More than 2 lakh students applied for commerce courses in the past year. The new GST plans put up by the government have not only been giving more importance to commercial studies but it has also given rise to different new programmes.

Commerce courses have always been coveted by people who just want to make a lot of money. However, after some years, a few quit the career because they could not find any job satisfaction. This is because a number of them joined the career for the wrong reasons. Yes, most of the commerce courses are money-making courses but if your personality suits a career with much more exposure or a career that is outgoing and much more than a career that requires you to work 9-5 in an office sitting in front of a computer, you will never get satisfaction, and may quit the career looking for a new one. Hence, when you choose any career in commerce, remember to choose it only if you are genuinely interested in it.

C.A. se Hatke!

Chattered Accountancy is one of the most profitable courses among the commerce courses. Many of the students who choose commerce first choose it because CA is their end goal. However, many join it because they do not know other alternates. Here are the few alternate careers to CA:

Actuarial Science: Actuarial Science is a discipline that assesses financial risks in the insurance and finance fields, using mathematical and statistical methods. Actuarial science applies the mathematics of probability and statistics to define, analyse, and solve the financial implications of uncertain future events. In order to pursue it you will have to take Commerce with Maths, after which you have multiple options. They are B.Sc. in Actuarial Science, Bachelors in Accounting and Finance (BAF), after which you could pursue an MBA or Masters in Actuarial Finances.

Banking: Everyone knows what banking is. Working in a bank in various capacities has been a prestigious career for many years. In order to have a career in banking you have to take commerce and a bachelor's degree in either B.Com, or BAF post which you could either take your Bank PO exam or SBI/RBI exam or simply pursue an MBA in Finance.

Business Administration: If you want to be part of building and growing an organization or business, Business Administration is for you. You could be part of marketing or sales for the business, or the day to day operation in the organization or even hire and sustain employees. You could pursue it by doing a Bachelors in Business Administration after which you can pursue Masters in it and specialize in any field you might be interested in.

Company Secretary: A company secretary is responsible for the smooth functioning of administration of the organization. They have their responsibilities in the financial and legal functions of the organization. In order to be a company secretary you will have to finish your 12th in commerce followed by a course in company secretary from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.

 

Economics: Economics is the social science that studies how people interact with value; in particular production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. As a career you could either teach economics or conduct research on a topic. To become an economist, you will have to take up economics in either Arts or Commerce in 11th and 12th, followed by a Bachelor's in Arts/ in Economics, then a Masters in the same and then a Ph.D. in Economics.

Finance Management: Financial Management refers to the strategic planning, organizing, directing, and controlling of financial undertakings in an organisation or an institute. It also includes applying management principles to the financial assets of an organisation. You could also apply these principals to manage the personal finances of individuals who are looking for insurance options and investment management.

Once you are done with commerce in 11th and 12th you have three options; Bachelor's in Commerce (B. Com), Bachelor's in Accounting and Finances (B.A.F) or Bachelor's in Financial Management (B.F.M), followed by any of those courses you can pursue an MBA in Finances.

Forensic Accounting: As a forensic accountant, you will be working in the Indian Revenue Services (IRS). You will be tasked with protecting people from tax and other financial frauds. You will also be tasked at making sure people obey the laws of the country and manage their finances in accordance with these laws. In order to have career in the IRS, you have to take up Commerce in 11th and 12th followed by a Bachelor's in any of the commerce courses (B.Com, BAF, BFM, BBA). Once you are 21 years of age you can give your IRS exams.

Human Resource Management (Payroll): As a Human Resource Manager you will be in charge of hiring employees and sustaining them in the organization. In the Payroll department, you will be in charge of managing the employees' salaries including other finance-related issues of the employee which include their provident fund and employee taxes. In order to have career as an HR you need to purse commerce in 11th and 12th followed by either B. Com. or BBA and then an MBA specialising in Human Resources.

Yes, Commerce is all about the money; however, patience is another very important aspect. Choose Commerce only if you are a person who is comfortable with working indoors for long hours and if you're good at Maths.

Credit : Darryl D'Souza (The Teenager Today)

Picture Credit : Google

I am interested in both Arts and Commerce



I am interested in both Arts and Commerce. I am planning to take Arts as a subject and do C.A. as an additional qualification degree. I've heard that C.A. can be done only by taking either PCM or Commerce. Is that right?



10+2 students with any stream can go for a Chartered Accountancy course. First you need to appear in CPT (Common Proficiency Test). It is a test of four subjects, i.e., Accounting, Mercantile Laws General Economics and Quantitative Aptitude.



After acquiring minimum qualifying marks in CPT exam, you will join IPCC (Integrated Professional Competence Course), followed by articleship and final course. The entire duration of the CA course is around 4.5 years, if a student clears every exam in the first attempt.



The examination syllabus of C.A. is quite extensive and in depth studies are required. ICAI (icai.org) provides the required theoretical knowledge through postal tuition as well as practical training.



 



Picture Credit : Google


I come from a small town, Commerce is considered more as a weak subject and many of my fellow mates have been telling me to drop out.



I’m a student of Std XI and I’ve opted for Commerce with Maths. Since I come from a small town, Commerce is considered more as a weak subject and many of my fellow mates have been telling me to drop out. But I don’t like science. I want to know the scope of this field and any five best colleges which I can go to after completing my 12th.



A commerce degree opens up a world of career opportunities: commercial banking, accounting, retail management, real estate, foreign trade, etc.



Then there are courses like Chartered Accountancy (CA), Cost & Works Accountancy (CWA), Company Secretaryship (CS), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), where having a commerce background is a definite advantage. While chartered accountants are highly valued in Finance & Accountancy related jobs, cost accountants are considered experts in optimizing the cost for better product and service. Company secretaries are quite influential in the decisions regarding financial matters of a company. Chartered financial analysts focus mainly on financial analysis of corporate sector.



If interested in management, you can go for MBA. Students can also go for a course in library science, journalism, travel & tourism, teacher’s training, law various competitive examinations, where the eligibility is graduation. Some of these are: Probationary Officer’s Exam, Civil Services Examinations.



 



Picture Credit : Google


What are the upcoming areas in commerce?


 



I think the most promising area is e-commerce. All those courses that require heavy input of information technology will gain ground. Commerce is done more and more with the use of IT. Basics may remain the same but there will be a lot of infusion of the technological aspects.



Let me add here that commerce by itself is not a very distinct discipline. It’s an amalgam of several things. In fact it’s multi-disciplinary. Commerce has become popular precisely because it has multi-disciplinary content. In commerce we teach English, we teach political science, history and economics.



 



Picture Credit : Google


The general perception is that civil services and media are the domain of humanities, science, medical and engineering students. Commerce students do not opt for these careers.



No, not any longer. There has been a change in the trend. Commerce student can take up anything now. In fact many of my students have gone for mass communication. Even in civil services, you will find good number of commerce students.



In fact, in lighter vein, when parents come to me for advice, as to what their children should study, I ask them in return, what they want their child to be: do they want him to be a film actor, or a politician, a journalist, a professor, a businessman or chairperson of a company. And I add, whatever career choice the child makes, he should equip himself to get admission to SRCC. Because I can name the best actors, best politicians, best police officers who have graduated from here. So name a field, and we have churned out the best in that field.



If the students are good, they can excel in any area. Now many doors are open, except that a commerce student cannot be a professor of physics or an engineer or a doctor. Barring that, you can be anything.



 



Picture Credit : Google


Where does commerce figure today in the scheme of things of a career-oriented student? What kind of avenues and openings can commerce per se offer to those who pursue it?



I think it figures very prominently because it opens up many doors for those who want to make a good career. A lot of students give priority to commerce – this was not so earlier.



There are openings for commerce students in the traditional sense. They can go for CA, ICWA, for company secretaryship, or related areas in accounting and finance. If you want to do MBA, CA, CS or ICWA, you don’t necessarily have to be a B.Com. Even a BSc student can go for CA or MBA. The only difference is that commerce students or commerce pass-outs have an advantage over non-commerce students in case of courses like CA, CS or MBA, because some of the papers they have to study are taught at B.Com Hons level.



 



Picture Credit : Google