Introduction

After the 12th standard, many higher education options for commerce graduates are accessible. Whether you’re interested in economics, finance, banking, or management, there are innumerable courses to explore. Each of these courses helps students land lucrative job opportunities.

Selecting the right career path after the 12th is a decision that will determine how successful will your professional life be. So, it is best if you understand your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and expectations. In this article, we will look at the list of career paths for commerce students after 12th grade.

Best Career Choices after 12th in Commerce

1.    CA

Chartered Accountancy is a popular career path that most commerce students pursue. After clearing the 12th standard in Commerce with a good percentage, you can take up the CA qualification. Being one of the best career choices after 12th in Commerce, Charted Account provides a promising career as an Accountant, Tax Consultant, Auditor, Finance adviser, etc.

To become a Chartered Accountant, students should prepare for the CPT – Common Proficiency Test. Candidates who pass this exam can pursue the CA Intermediate courses, followed by the CA final exams and rigorous training. The role of a CA is to manage taxation matters, offer financial advice, and audit financial records.

Salary: INR 8 to INR 9 Lakh annually

2.    Financial Manager

Financial Manager is among the top financial careers for 12th commerce graduates. Students with 55% or above marks in the 10+2 boards can preferably take courses relevant to becoming financial managers. But before that, qualifying for Management Entrance exams such as CAT/ATMA/GMAT, etc., is a must.

As a finance manager, you will oversee an organization’s financial health. You will be responsible for managing the financial data of organizations. Analyzing financial data, creating financial reports, and developing schemes to perfect the organization’s financial performance are primary job roles in this career path.

Salary: INR 5 to 9 Lakh per annum

3.    Risk Management Analyst

After completing the 12th standard in Commerce, students can build a career as a Risk Management Analyst. Graduation from finance/economics/accounting can earn you eligibility to apply for this career field at entry levels. Ensure you have sharp supervision, coordination, and research-oriented abilities. With this set of skills, you can earn high-salary packages.

Risk Management Analysis is one of the best higher education options for commerce graduates. This field involves assessing and mitigating various types of risks an organization faces. These professionals are responsible for identifying potential risks for their clients. And then, they have to develop strategies to minimize or manage the risks effectively.

Salary: INR 2 to 21 Lakh per annum

4.    Investment Banker

A career as an investment banker is another attractive option for commerce students after the 12th. To pursue this career, the minimum qualification is a Bachelor’s Degree. Candidates can take up a 4-year bachelor’s program in finance, economics, or a related field. MBA or CA are also preferred qualifications to advance in this field.

Investment bankers work with companies or organizations providing strategic financial counseling. These professionals are also in demand by many governments and investors. As an investment banker, you must share advice regarding financial transactions, settling mergers, managing resources, raising capital, etc.

Salary: INR 2.46 to 9.61 Lakh per annum

5.    Digital Marketer

Digital Marketer is one of the most lucrative and popular career paths for commerce students after 12th standard. Commerce graduates here get diverse opportunities in terms of job profiles—for example, SEO Management, Social Media Management, Content Marketing Specialisation, etc. This career path is right if you crave creativity, technology, and communication.

BBA (Bachelor’s in Digital Marketing) and BJMC (Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication) are the most desired degrees to become a digital marketer in 2023. Apart from these two courses, students should also obtain online certifications like Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC) certifications, Content Marketing Certification, etc. The job role of a Digital Marketer is to use quantitative skills to plan and execute online marketing strategies.

Salary: INR 0.3 to 9.3 Lakh per annum

6.    CMA

The list of best career choices after 12th in Commerce includes CMA. Cost and Management Accountant is an internationally accredited professional specializing in cost accounting, financial executives, and perspective arrangement. To build a career here, commerce students must graduate in accounting/economics/finance and qualify for the CMA foundation, CMA intermediate, and CMA final.

Cost Management Accountants play a critical job role in the finance sectors of various organizations. These professionals help clients make informed financial decisions. So, if you land on this job domain, get ready to offer insights into cost analysis, budgeting, costing, pricing of goods, and performance evaluation.

Salary: INR 3 to 10 Lakh annually

7.    Tax Policy Analyst

Tax Policy Analyst also finds a place in the list of job opportunities after 12th Commerce. A bachelor’s Degree followed by a Master of Business in Taxation or a Master of Accountancy in Taxation is usually the preferred educational path to build a career in this domain.

As a Tax Policy Analyst, you must analyze, research, and interpret tax policies to guide your client. Also, studying and creating tax laws for businesses and government entities is an integral part of this role.

Salary: INR 2 to 7.6 Lakhs per annum

8.    Entrepreneur

In 2023, entrepreneurship will be one of the sought-after financial careers for 12th commerce graduates. Seeing the growing startup ecosystem and the availability of resources, students, soon after completing their 12th standard, decide to become entrepreneurs and start their businesses.

The job role of an entrepreneur is to oversee financial records for their company, secure a new line of credit or funding, manage budgets, create business plans, etc. Also, entrepreneurs launch their startups with a mindset to build wealth and offer job opportunities for others.

Salary: INR 1 to 30 Lakhs per annum

Top Courses/Degree Options for Commerce Students after 12th

Bachelor’s Degree

• Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com)
• Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (BAF)
• Bachelor of Economics (BE)

Professional Degree

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA)
• Charted Accountancy (CA)

Diploma / Certifications

• Diploma in Management
• Diploma in Banking and Finance
• Diploma in Computer Application
• Diploma in Business Management
• Diploma in Business Analytics
• Diploma in Financial Accounting
• Diploma in Banking & Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can I prepare for Government exams after the 12th from Commerce?

Ans – There are several government job options for commerce students to explore after 10+2—for example, IRS, IBPS PO, IES, etc.

Q2. If I don’t have an excellent command of Maths, can I do well in commerce career options?

Ans – Yes, because maths is unnecessary to build a career in Commerce. Career options like digital marketer, content creator, and human resources don’t require extensive knowledge in maths.

Q3. Which is the highest-paid job in Commerce in India?

Ans – CA, Chartered Accountant, Investment Banker, and Chartered Financial Analyst are the most lucrative jobs in Commerce for Indian graduates.

Conclusion

So, this was the list of job opportunities after 12th Commerce. In conclusion, students need to make an informed decision regarding which career path/job to select.

The commerce stream has many promising jobs for talented candidates. Getting into any of these careers will contribute to your earnings and the Indian Economy.

Don’t delay; instead, decide and make your career now!