When students enrol for our B.Com or B.Com (Hons) degree programs, they expect to develop a strong foundation in accounting, finance, and business principles. Some common goals of most graduates of our Bachelor of Commerce programs are jobs in the BFSI industry or professional certifications like CA (Chartered Accountant), CFA (Chartered Financial Assistant) or FRM (Financial Risk Management).
They dream of becoming an Accountant, Investment Banker, Stock Broker, or perhaps, a Financial Planner. That’s the limit of their career dreams. But you will be surprised to know that B.Com and B.Com (Hons) can lead to many high-paying careers that are not much talked about in general. We bring you these hidden gems that you can try for and get paid well for all your efforts:
1. Business Continuity Specialist
Alt: Business Careers to Help Businesses Recover from Disruptions
Did you know these business careers actually existed? Business continuity specialists are the ones who help businesses recover from disruptions like natural disasters, cyberattacks, or power outages. They plan, implement, and test strategies for it and are in high demand across all industries – both in India and abroad.
If you have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, consider additional certifications in business continuity management to step into this profile.
Top companies recruiting for these roles include financial institutions, IT firms, healthcare organizations, and government agencies. In India, salaries for Business Continuity Specialists start from anywhere between ₹5 lakhs and ₹15 lakhs per annum and experienced professionals command much higher packages.
2. Business Intelligence Specialist
You might have heard of this one, right? Since data rules the world right now, Business Intelligence (BI) specialists are high in demand across all industries. B.Com graduates may want to go for a postgraduate qualification in Business Analytics or Data Science to enter related business careers.
BI specialists gather, analyze, and interpret data from various sources to generate insights and help with informed decision-making for businesses (especially management). that inform business strategies and decision-making. Businesses of all sizes hire business intelligence experts to identify trends, optimise operations, and gain a competitive edge.
IT firms, consulting firms, e-commerce companies, and market research firms often hire Business Intelligence specialists at packages ranging from ₹4 lakhs to ₹12 lakhs per annum. Senior professionals obviously earn much more.
3. Business Valuator
Business valuators are the ones who determine the financial health of a business and how much a company is worth. They play critical roles during mergers and acquisitions, taxation events, and investment decisions.
B.Com and B.Com (Hons) graduates with a strong understanding of accounting, finance, and financial markets can pursue internationally recognised professional certifications like Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) to enter these business careers.
And if you become a business valuator, you will find ample of opportunities in investment banking, private equity firms, consulting firms, financial advisory firms, and even government agencies. You might start somewhere between ₹5 lakhs to ₹15 lakhs per annum but you will soon be earning much higher with experience (and specialization).
4. Compensation and Benefits (C&B) Specialist
Alt: Compensation and Benefits (C&B) specialists help design competitive salary packages to attract and retain talent
C&B specialists revel in one of the do-good-feel-good commerce careers. They keep your employees happy so that they end up being more productive.
Companies hire Compensation and Benefits specialists to design and implement competitive salary and benefits packages to attract and retain top talent. You will find a C&B specialist researching salary trends, analysing employee needs, and developing compensation plans that are fair, competitive, and motivational.
After you complete your B.Com or B.Com (Hons) program, you can consider an MBA with a Human Resource Management (HRM) specialisation or a professional certification like Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) to get the right opportunity.
IT firms, management consulting firms, multinational corporations, and government agencies in India hire C&B specialists at starting packages between ₹4 lakhs and ₹10 lakhs per annum – and offer much more to senior professionals based on their experience and expertise.
5. Forensic Accountant
If you think like a detective, you can always go into Forensic Accounting. Forensic accountants are the ones who investigate financial crimes by analysing records, uncovering fraud, and providing evidence for legal proceedings.
As a Bachelor of Commerce student, you learn to examine financial statements. As a forensic accountant, you will also uncover transaction trails and check other types of financial data to identify irregularities and potential criminal activity. There are specialised certifications in forensic accounting, such as the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential, that you can pursue to learn about financial investigation techniques and how to handle complex financial crime cases.
The demand for forensic accountants is increasing globally – especially with law enforcement agencies, accounting firms, private investigation companies, and forensic accounting firms. Forensic accountants too earn anywhere between ₹5 lakhs to ₹15 lakhs per annum in the beginning – and the money keeps increasing as you gain experience in the field.
6. Fraud Investigator
Fraud investigators are the watchdogs of financial integrity within organizations. They uncover financial discrepancies and fraudulent activities, protecting businesses from financial losses. Like financial accounts, they analyse financial data and may also conduct interviews. You often find them working closely with law enforcement agencies when necessary.
B.Com graduates with a strong grasp of accounting principles should pursue M.Com with a specialisation in Accounting or Finance and the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification to get hired for these positions.
Accounting firms, internal audit departments of large corporations, risk management consultancies, and government agencies hire fraud investigators. Salaries depend on experience and the specific industry but generally range from ₹4 lakhs to ₹12 lakhs per annum.
7. Franchise Consultant:
Have you heard of established brands with successful franchise businesses? Franchise consultants help them and aspiring entrepreneurs select the right business opportunities, navigate legal aspects, and take their businesses to the next level.
If you have strong business acumen, communication, and interpersonal skills, you might want to do an MBA with a specialisation in Operations, Marketing, or Finance to make a career in this field. Some franchise consultants work independently and others are employed by franchisor companies. The compensation depends on the specific franchise brand you are working with and the number of clients you serve.
8. Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Analyst:
When it comes to high-stakes deals, M&A analysts are always in demand. Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions require detailed research, analysis, and evaluation of potential deals. Mergers & Acquisitions analysts work on complex financial models, assess market trends, and offer strategic advice to companies to make sure that the deals they make are financially sound and beneficial to them.
If you are good with financial modelling and analytical skills, B.Com graduates might opt to do an MBA or M.Com with specialisation in Finance or Investment Banking. M&A analysts often end up working with investment banks, private equity firms, consulting firms, and corporations with active M&A strategies.
The salaries easily range from ₹8 lakhs to ₹20 lakhs per annum in India and move up with experience. International opportunities in this field can pay you much more – so keep an eye open for them too.
9. Pricing Analyst:
Some commerce careers are not as talked about as they deserve to be. Pricing analysts play a crucial role in a company’s success. They research market trends, analyse competitor pricing strategies, and assess cost structures to determine the optimal pricing strategy for a company’s products or services.
Bachelor of Commerce students with good accounting, market research, and analytical skills can excel in this field. An MBA with Marketing or Business Analytics specialisation can increase your chances of being hired as a Pricing Analyst.
Large corporations across various sectors (like FMCG, retail, and e-commerce) hire pricing analysts – at starting salaries ranging from ₹5 lakhs to ₹12 lakhs per annum. Experienced professionals command much more based on their expertise and the industry.
10. Turnaround Specialist:
Struggling businesses need help. Turnaround specialists are the doctors of the business world. They diagnose the problems plaguing businesses, develop restructuring plans, and guide them back to profitability. And that requires the ability to analyse financial statements, identify operational inefficiencies, and implement strategies to improve cash flow and overall performance.
B.Com graduates with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, along with a thorough knowledge of accounting and finance, are advised to pursue an MBA to enter this field. Some of the top universities abroad offer MBA programs with a specialisation in Turnaround Management or Distressed Assets or Business Restructuring that you may want to pursue.
Turnaround specialists can earn ₹10 lakhs to ₹25 lakhs per annum in India depending on their experience and the size of the project.
11. Venture Capitalist (VC) Analyst:
VC Analysts are the scouts for venture capital firms, researching and evaluating potential startups to identify promising investment opportunities. They assess the business model, market potential, and the management team of startups to determine if they align with the investment thesis of the VC firm.
B.Com graduates with a strong understanding of finance and an interest in technology and innovation can pursue a career in this field. They can pursue an MBA with a focus on Entrepreneurship to pursue such business and commerce careers.
Venture capital firms, angel investor groups, and investment banks with VC divisions hire VC analysts. While salaries may vary depending on their experience, the size of the VC firm, and the performance of the investments they recommend, VC analysts do earn competitive salaries along with performance-based bonuses.
So, if you are pursuing B.Com or B.Com (Hons) from SMS Varanasi, you should look beyond traditional business and commerce careers and prepare for these exciting opportunities that are in high demand and pay quite well. Contact us at the Career Development Centre to learn more!
