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B.COM GET THE EDGE WHILE HUNTING FOR A JOB

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Commerce CommerceCourse Review Course Review

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CONTENTS1. Introduction 03

2. Admission Process 05

3. Course Structure 07

4. Complimentary Courses 08

5. Job Opportunities 10

6. Interview with HoD 12

7. B.Com Curriculum 13

8. Alphabetical List of Top Colleges 14

9. List ofColleges Offering B.Com (Full-time) 16

INTRODUCTION

What do steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal, PepsiCo Chairperson Indira Nooyi and Kinetic Motors’s Joint MD Sul-

laja Firoda Motwani have in common? Besides being established names, all of them are Com-merce graduates.

When it comes to job opportunities, commerce graduates have an edge. No wonder, cut-offs are as high as 100 percent for B.Com (Hons.) in Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), New Delhi. It is close to that figure in reputed colleges across India. B.Com remains one of the most sought after choice for thousands of 10+2 students. This is despite the rush for management programmes at the undergraduate level.

A Bachelor’s degree in commerce is a funda-mental undergraduate course. It offers concep-tual understanding in Accounting, Economics, Business Law, Taxation, Insurance and Manage-ment. The course is also considered as a launch

FAST FACTSTop institutes: Sri Ram College of Commerce (New Delhi), St. Stephen’s College (New Delhi), St Xavier’s College (Kolkata), Loyola College (Chennai), Christ College (Bangalore); Eligibility: 10+2 with Commerce; Job Profile: Accounts Executive, Financial Associate, Analyst, Tax/Investment Professional Earning Potential: Rs 19 lakhs+ at top end for freshers/Rs. 1.2 to Rs. 3 lakhs at bottom end Recruiters: Multinational firms such as McKinsey, Deloitte, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, AT Kearney, Citibank; Public and Private Banks; Insurance Companies; Accountancy Firms

WHEN IT COMES TO JOB OPPORTUNITIES, COMMERCE GRADUATES DEFINITELY HAVE AN EDGE OVER OTHERS.

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Editor: B Mahesh Sarma

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pad for professions like:l Chartered Accountancy (CA)l Company Secretary (CS)l Cost and Work Accountancy (CWA)l Insurance & Banking services

Bachelor’s in Commerce also gives you a grounding for pursuing courses such as:l MBA l Financial Management

A background in commerce aids in setting the stage for a successful career. For some of the big names in corporate sector quoted above, B.Com degree familiarised them with financial foundations of the company. B.Com degree also gave them a solid foundation in core financial matters.

Saniya Seth hails from a business family and completed her B.Com at Sana-tan Dharma College in Chandigarh. She says, “I wouldn’t have liked to give control of my company’s finances to any outsider.” This puts into perspective, her reason for choosing commerce.

ADMISSION PROCESS

There is no entrance test, and admission to this course is usually through merit. Besides your academic performance,

a few colleges conduct interview as well. The degree is offered in colleges across the country in full-time. You can also pursue it in the distance mode. Alternatives exist for students in form of traditional B.Com, B.Com (Hons) or B.Com with specialisations. These specialisations vary from one institute to another. The popular ones include: l Accounting and Finance l Taxationl Auditingl Banking & Insurancel Marketingl Corporate Secretaryship

DurationThis programme spans three years. An exception in this case is University of Delhi (DU) which

HOW MUCH YOU SCORE IN 10+2 WILL DECIDE WHERE YOU STUDY. THANKFULLY THERE IS NO ENTRANCE TEST...




intends to offer 4-year course from academic session 2013-14. In the US, the degree is offered in four years but with a different name: Bachelors of Science in Accounting, Finance, International Business and Taxation etc. Variations further exist from one university to another in the way the entire programme is run in full-time mode. Christ University, Bangalore runs semester-based programme, while Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai offers this in a trimester-based system. Others like Elphinstone College, Mumbai has a yearly pattern.

Course StructureThe curriculum is designed to give exposure and create understanding in streams like finance, accounting, taxation and management. Radhika Goel, a recent alumnus of Delhi’s Shri Ram College of Commerce shares, “The course is interdisciplinary in nature. I became well versed in the concepts of microeconomics, statistics, financial accounting, business communication, corporate law and auditing in the first two years. In the third year, I was able to understand the theories of financial management and macroeconomics”. Gitanjali Sharma, a graduate from SD College, Chandigarh echoes that, “A regular B.Com in the first year entails an overview to subjects like Accounts, Business Environment, and Business Law along with foundation course in a foreign language. Second year introduces the students to streams in financial system like Direct and Indirect Taxes, Cost Accounting, Corporate Accounting, Banking and Insurance. In the third year, students are exposed to specialised streams and management accounting.”

To make the degree course more rewarding, institutes have add-on courses. They are often integrated as course modules. RA Podar College of Com-merce & Economics, Mumbai offers optional subjects such as Advertising, Company Secretarial Practice, Mass Communication and Journalism in the first year. One could opt for Elementary Operational Research, Export Marketing, Market Research, Psychology of Human Behaviour at Work,

Computer Systems & Applications and Direct/Indirect Taxes in their third year. Christ College, Bangalore has modules in Marketing, Business Finance and Accounting & Investment.

To make students industry-ready, the curriculum has undergone changes with time. For instance, SRCC, New Delhi has e-filing of tax returns in a semester, Christ College offers Tally as a mandatory programme. “These courses are very useful and come handy later in the profession,” affirms Gourav Jain, a commerce graduate and now an executive with HDFC, Indore.

Major electivesAdvertising, Customer Relationship Management and Entrepreneurship are being offered on a contemporary note by many institutes. According to Sang-eeta Lala, Vice President, Sourcing, TeamLease Services, many undergradu-ate colleges are integrating industry-required knowledge in their course curriculum. She explains the reason: “Better placements for students.”

B.Com (Hons.) vs B.ComStudents are often in a dilemma when it comes to choosing between B.Com and B.Com (Honours). “The curriculum of B.Com (Hons) is designed to make the students understand the dynamics of business and economy. B.Com (Hons) programme emphasises on imparting specialised skill sets in areas of finance, accounting and taxation with a view to careers in financial services”, shares Dr Sangita Kher, Dean, Anil Surendra Modi School of Commerce (ASMSOC), a constituent of SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Manage-ment Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai. The programme prepares the graduates for higher studies in finance as well as for professional courses like CA and CS, she adds. Hence, more numbers of corporates are interested in getting students from this programme when they come for campus recruitment.




Teaching methodology

Since the programme curriculum includes both theory and practical sub-jects, colleges have an institute-industry interface through guest talks, sem-inars and field visits. The theoretical subjects get supplemented with case studies, role plays, simulation exercises and current affairs session relevant to the topic. Internships imbibe learning based on experience and observa-tion. This helps in integrating theory and practice with experience in actual workplace environment. Projects are also undertaken in the final year.

Complementary coursesMany B.Com students pursue a professional course like CA, CWA or CFA alongside, so as to enter these highly-skilled professions. By the time they appear in their final year B.Com exam they become eligible to forgo some of the foundation level courses. Some others do Diploma or Certificate Pro-grammes to enhance their skill-set, keeping their preferred career choice in mind. “For instance, obtaining certification in Accounting Technician Course from ICAI or IT-based courses like Tally or Cyber security are good add-on qualifications for commerce graduates,” says Delhi-based Abhishek Mathur who rose to Senior Accounts Manager in a global hotel chain from a Junior Accountant’s position. Such diploma and certification courses are offered by institutes or by the knowledge arms of known organisations. National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange Ltd, for example, runs NCDEX Commodity Certification Course. National Institute of Securities Markets has a 300-hour certification programme in Financial Engineering and Risk Management.

Saniya, while working as finance assistant with ESS India, undertook a 3-week course in Business Development and ICT Innovation from the Lon-don School of Economics in August 2009. The summer school programme in London cost her Rs 1.75 lakh, inclusive of accommodation and food. But it

gave her additional exposure in the field. Supplementary knowledge of stock markets, currency trading, commodity training is also helpful.

Award and outcomePursuing B.Com forms the base to various career options. One can choose to be a Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, Cost & Work Accountant or pursue an MBA. Opting for M.Com at postgraduation level and later pursu-ing PhD can help one be in rewarding career options like teaching, banking and finance. Opportunities also exist to become an accountant after M.Com. “There is no substitute for a commerce graduate degree for one who wishes to be an accountant. One must have knowledge in areas like Basic Principles of Accountancy, Cost Accounting and Management Accounting. And B.Com offers understanding in these areas. However, in depth knowledge can be gained only at postgraduation level,” says Lokesh Sangwan, an accountant with Welcome Group of Hotels, Gurgaon.

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Job opportunities exist right after the programme. Prominent institutions find recruiters making a beeline to hire stu-

dents from campus. St Stephen’s College, New Delhi in 2012-13 witnessed the highest salary of 19 lakhs p.a., with an average of 9-10 lakhs p.a. While such higher packages are restricted to few premier institutions, on an average, one can eye at an annual package of Rs. 2.5 lakhs. Sangeeta of TeamLease Services says, salaries depend on the nature of organisation and type of job. “However, it ranges between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 25,000 per month for a fresh hire,” she says.

A recent industry trend also suggests incli-nation of companies in hiring B.Com pass-out students in comparison to postgraduates and technical graduates. Companies like Accenture have also been into hiring freshers as Accounts Executives. For freshers, “CA practicing firms

YOU CAN GET A JOB RIGHT AFTER COLLEGE. SALARIES ARE GOOD AND GROWTH IS ASSURED IN CAREERS AVENUES...

like TR Chada and Co, Thakur Vaidya Nath Aiyar and Co and Singh Suri and Co absorb a lot of B.Com students. These firms usually employ grads for auditing as well as taxation assignments, accounting and research work,” says Kuldeep Singh, 31, a B.Com graduate and practising CA. Corporates also recruit fresh BCom students from campuses.

“Recruitment policies have changed from vertical to horizontal, a mix of graduates are required. Commerce graduates get an edge because of the existent curriculum and exposure to varied subjects,” shares Prof. KV Bhanu Murthy, HOD, Department of Commerce, Delhi School of Economics. He advises, “It is better for students to have a general degree before going into a specialised degree.”

A career in commerce offers immense growth to the aspirants as demand for professionals is always on a high. What matters at the end of the day is whether one has an inclination for it. One should have discipline, commit-ment and focus to carve a niche in this ever-growing domain.


Commerce CommerceCourse Review Course Review


INTERVIEW

Francis Jose,HOD, Loyola College

Q. The flip side of B.Com curriculum?A. The course has so many papers, you may not go into the details. Practical exposure may not be there in many courses. The exposure to business set-up is not that much. Regular restructuring will make the course more relevant.

Q. What is your advice to commerce students?A. Be inspired. The discipline gives you knowledge about economics, finance and market trading. Fantastic opportunities are available. Here ideas can be converted into reality. Choose a course that is theoretical as well as func-tional. An internship will give you exposure to the field.

Q. The sectors offering opportunities to Commerce graduates?A. Retail marketing, export management, infrastructure and transport. Real estate, Human Resources and New technologies create opportunities as well.

B.Com curriculum i. Foundation Courses*

ii. Core Papers, as prescribed in the syllabus.

iii. Elective ** (one subject from list of electives)

iv. NSS/NCC/Sports/Cultural Activities any one)

v. Career Oriented and Skill Development Courses (Any one)

Foundation Courses:

Semester I: Hindi/ Modern European Language, English

Semester II: Advanced Hindi/ Modern European Language, Advanced English

Semester III: Computer Applications, Our Environment

Semester IV: Information Technology, Environmental Conservation

Semester V: General Studies

Semester VI: Entrepreneurship and Management

Electives**: Computer Applications, Tourism & Travel Management, Advertising, Sales Promotion and Sales Management, Foreign Trade Practice and Procedure, Commerce Professional.

B.Com Honours

i. Foundation Courses*

ii. Core Papers as prescribed in the syllabus.

iii. One subject as the major from the list of electives**

iv. NSS/NCC/Sports/Cultural Activities (any one).

v. Career Oriented and Skill Development Courses (any one).

Foundation Courses*:

Semester I Hindi/ Modern European Language, English

Semester II Advanced Hindi/ Modern European Language, Advanced English

Semester III Computer Applications, Our Environment




B.Com curriculum Semester IV Information Technology, Environmental Conservation

Semester V General Studies

Semester VI Entrepreneurship and Management

Electives**: Accounting and Taxation, Business Studies, Financial Studies

Alphabatical list of top colleges Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, Delhi

Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai

SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai

Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, Delhi

Sri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi

Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi

St. Andrews College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai

St. Joseph College, Bangalore

St. Stephen's College, Delhi

St. Xaviers College Mumbai

St. Xaviers College, Kolkata

Symbiosis Society’s College of Arts & Commerce, Pune

Alphabatical list of top colleges Christ College, Bangalore

Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai

Hansraj College, Delhi

Hindu College, Delhi

Indraprashtha College for Women, Delhi

Jesus and Mary College, Delhi

K J Somaiya College of Arts & Commerce, Mumbai

K.P.B. Hinduja College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai

Kamala Nehru College for Women, Delhi

Kishinchand Chellaram College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai

Lady Shriram College for Women, New Delhi

Loyola College, Chennai

MOP Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai

Mount Carmel College, Bangalore

Presidency College, Chennai

R.A. Podar College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai

Ramjas College, Delhi




List of colllges offering B.Com (Full-time) Institutes Course Duration Entry Requirements

Sri Ram College of Commerce, New Delhi B.Com (Hons.) 4 yrs 10+2

St. Xavier's College, Kolkata B.Com 3 yrs 10+2

Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi B.Com (Hons.) 4 yrs 10+2

Loyola College, Chennai B.Com 3 yrs 10+2

Loyola College, Chennai B.Com (corporate & secretaryship) 3 yrs 10+2

St. Stephen's College, New Delhi B.Com (Hons) 4 yrs 10+2

Christ College, Bangalore B.Com 3 yrs 10+2 with min. 60 % aggregate

Christ College, Bangalore B.Com (Hons.) 3 yrs 10+2 with min. 60 % aggregate

Christ College, Bangalore B.Com (Finance & accountancy) w3 yrs ICAI registered with 10+2

Christ College, Bangalore B.Com (Professional)w 3 yrs 10+2

Mount Carmel College, Bangalore B.Com 3 yrs 10+2

Mount Carmel College, Bangalore B.Com (Industry integrated) 3 yrs 10+2

Mount Carmel College, Bangalore B.Com (Bus. Mgt in Travel & Tourism) 3 yrs 10+2

Hansraj College, New Delhi B.Com (Hons.) 10+2

Madras Christian College, Chennai B.Com 3 yrs 10+2

Madras Christian College, Chennai B.Com (vocational) 3 yrs 10+2

Hindu College, New Delhi B.Com (Hons.) 4 yrs 10+2

Stella Maris College, Chennai B.Com 3 yrs 10+2 with commerce, maths

Stella Maris College, Chennai B.Com (Corporate Secretaryship) 3 yrs 10+2 with commerce

Narsee Monjee College of Commerce & Economics, Mumbai B.Com 3 yrs 10+2

RA Podar College of Commerce & Economics, Mumbai B.Com 3 yrs 10+2




List of colllges offering B.Com (Full-time) Institutes Course Duration Entry Requirements

KPB Hinduja College of Commerce, Mumbai B.Com 3 yrs 10+2

KPB Hinduja College of Commerce, Mumbai B.Com ( Accounting & finance) 3 yrs 10+2

KPB Hinduja College of Commerce, Mumbai B.Com ( Banking & Insurance) 3 yrs 10+2

KPB Hinduja College of Commerce, Mumbai B.Com (Financial markets) 3 yrs 10+2

Presidency College, Chennai B.Com (Corporate Secretaryship) 3 yrs 10+2

Ramjas College, New Delhi B.Com (Hons.) 4 yrs 10+2

Symbiosis Society College of Arts & Commerce, Pune B.Com 3 yrs 10+2

Jesus & Mary College, New Delhi B.Com (Hons.) 4 yrs 10+2

Elphinstone College, Mumbai B.Com 3 yrs 10+2

KJ Somaiya College of Arts & Commerce, Mumbai B.Com 3 yrs 10+2

KJ Somaiya College of Arts & Commerce, Mumbai B.Com (Banking & Insurance) 3 yrs 10+2

KJ Somaiya College of Arts & Commerce, Mumbai B.Com (Financial market) 3 yrs 10+2

Nizam College, Hyderabad B.Com 3 yrs 10+2

Nizam College, Hyderabad B.Com (e-commerce) 3 yrs 10+2

Ethiraj College of Women, Chennai B.Com 3 yrs 10+2

Mithibai College of Commerce & Economics, Mumbai B.Com 3 yrs 10+2

Ness Wadia College, Pune B.Com 3 yrs 10+2

DAV College, Chandigarh B.Com 3 yrs 10+2

DAV College, Chandigarh B.Com (Hons.) 3 yrs 10+2

St. Xavier's College, Ranchi B.Com (Accounts-Honours) 3 yrs Min. 50% & aggregate in 10+2

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YOUR QUICK GUIDE TO A COURSE IN B - Careers360YOUR QUICK GUIDE TO A COURSE IN. 2 CAREERS360 E-BOOK 3 CAREERS360 E-BOOK Commerce Course Review Course Review Commerce CONTENTS ... from