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Table of Contents
Commerce & Finance
Sales
Overview
In general, sales implies selling of goods and services. The primary objective of any sales department is to bridge the gap between producers and consumers by ensuring that goods and services are made available in the most efficient manner. Sales management is the process of developing a sales force, coordinating sales operations and implementing sales techniques in order to meet sales targets. Professionals working in this field make sure that interest is generated in relation to the product or service at hand, the customer is aware of the availability of the product and has access to it. Personnels can be associated with different aspects of a sales process such as conducting market research, developing sales strategy, directly dealing with customers, addressing their grievances, and collecting feedback. It is a fast paced industry which involves ample travel, dealing with different kinds of people and gaining a lot of hands-on experience for some. The success of a business is greatly dependent on the functioning and efficiency achieved by the sales department in meeting the sales objectives set by the company.
Job Prospects
Some of the prospective jobs under this field are :
- Sales Operations : Also known as the ‘Building Team’ or ‘Sales Team’, it is the backbone of the company which bridges the gap between the producers and the customers.
- Sales Strategist : He/she works on the strategy that a company adopts in order to achieve its sales objectives.
- Sales Analyst : They provide assessment after reviewing the functioning of the department and the strategies employed to gain insight into what can be done to improve the overall efficiency and meet goals.
- Sales Manager : A sales manager is someone who directs an organization’s sales team, oversees its processes, and is typically in charge of talent development and leadership. They oversee the preparation of project outlines, sales volumes and revenues, quotas for sales reps, develops budgets etc. with the help of the team.
- Sales Representative : Sales representatives work for the director of sales or their territory managers, depending on the company’s organizational structure. Sales reps use selling strategies, materials and budgets provided by their supervisors.
- Salesperson : He/she is an individual who sells goods and services directly to customers or other interested parties. The successfulness of a salesperson is usually measured by the amount of sales he or she is able to make during a given period of time.
- Sales Correspondent : They offer sales support to customers, sales representatives and sales managers by preparing quotes, orders, acknowledgements, receipts etc.
- Sales Account Executive : You will act as a link between an ad agency and its clients. Duties include presenting campaign ideas to clients, reporting a campaign’s progress and making pitches in order to win new business.
- Sales Agent : Sales agent is the one who is authorized or appointed by a manufacturer to sell or distribute his products within a given territory.
- Wholesaler : A wholesaler is an intermediary entity in the distribution channel who buys a product in bulk and sells to individual retailers rather than to consumers.
- Demonstrator : This job consists of promoting sales through demonstration of products and services. They must explain the defining features, benefits and usefulness of the commodity as well as clarify any queries of the customers.
Roles & Responsibilities
Certain duties attached to this field are :
- Achieve growth and sales targets by ensuring smooth running of sales department.
- Design and implement a strategic business plan that expands company’s customer base and ensures its strong presence.
- Conduct recruiting drives, objectives setting, coaching and performance monitoring of sales representatives.
- Build and promote strong, long-lasting customer relationships by partnering with them and understanding their needs.
- Present sales, revenue and expenses reports and forecasts to the management team.
- Identify emerging markets and market shifts while being fully aware of new products and competition.
Desired Attributes
Given below are desired qualities for professionals in this field :
- Positive outlook and confident nature.
- Friendly and approachable as an individual.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Highly motivated and resilient in one’s approach.
- Emotionally stable and ability to bounce back in face of rejected or unexpected results.
- Ability to multitask and work odd hours of the day.
- Adapt quickly to changing markets and customer needs.
- Work well within a team setup.
- Thrive under pressure and approach competition in a positive manner.
How to get there
Path 1:
- Clear 12th standard in any Stream (Maths is preferred)
- Graduate in any discipline – 3-4 years
- MBA (Specialization in Sales and Marketing)
Path 2:
- Clear 12th standard in any Stream (Maths is preferred)
- Graduate in any discipline – 3-4 years
- Diploma in Sales and Marketing
Insurance
Overview
Insurance is a means to protect oneself against financial loss. It is a contract, represented by a policy, in which an individual or entity receives financial protection or reimbursement from an insurance company against a loss incurred. It is a form of risk management, where for a certain price one can obtain a policy to handle any unforeseen circumstances in the future from a financial standpoint. There are different kinds of insurance policies available in the market today. Life, automobile, health, home, travel are some common examples. Getting an insurance policy for individual purpose or business is an active step taken to handle uncertainties that may arise in the future. Insurance provides cushioning and eases the financial burden in case of different kinds of loss. An insurance company generates funds by collecting premiums from its clients and reinvesting them further in securities, stocks or equities. It provides opportunities for investment and savings for individuals. Hence, the practice of getting insured has a positive impact on the economy of the country through mobilisation of domestic savings.
Job Prospects
- Actuaries : Actuaries use analysis to predict financial consequences of risks from a macro perspective. They help insurance companies decide how much premium to charge in order to ensure the profitability of a company.
- Insurance Underwriter : They assess the likelihood of whether an insurance company will profit by selling insurance to a person or business. Underwriters must balance risk and reward.
- Insurance Sales Agent : These individuals sell insurance policies directly to customers. Their goal is to help customers purchase a plan that suits their needs. They help customers consider premium costs, deductibles and other financial considerations. They also maintain each client’s documents pertaining to a policy.
- Insurance Claims & Policy Processing Clerk : Clerks do administrative work, processing policies that are bought by customers as well as claims that are made. They make sure that records are up to date so that their colleagues — adjusters, sales agents, underwriters etc. work with accurate information.
- Claims Examiner : They review submitted claims to determine whether clients need to be reimbursed or not. Their main job is to decide whether the claims are reasonable and justified in a given scenario. They further convey their findings to the claim adjusters.
- Claims Adjuster : When an insured person needs to make a claim the insurance company must assess the damage and compensate the insured person. An adjuster conducts interviews and gathers facts pertaining to a claim made. This information is reported to a claims examiner for approval after which he/she makes a compensation offer to the client.
- Insurance Investigator : If a claim examiner believes a claim to be suspicious, they refer the case to an investigator, whose role is to protect the company from suspected insurance fraud.
- Medical Reimbursement Specialist : Reimbursement specialists review insurance claims in the billing department and ensure that clients or customers receive accurate reimbursements for their claims.
- Mortgage Clerk : Mortgage clerks interview loan applicants, investigate their backgrounds, prepare loan request papers and documents to be sent to appraisal department. They also review loan papers to ensure that they are complete.
- Loss Control Specialist : A loss control specialist inspects businesses to provide strategies for reducing the risk of loss or damage. Also known as risk consultants, they travel to various workplaces, note any potential hazards and report back to the insurance agency.
- Customer Service Representative : Customer service representatives address customer doubts and grievances pertaining to their insurance policies.
Roles & Responsibilities
Certain duties attached to this field are :
- Present policy options to clients based on their needs.
- Market different insurance policies and highlight their benefits to customers.
- Prepare and maintain insurance policy documents for the client.
- Need to conduct market research on a regular basis to monitor trends and assess competition.
- In case of a claim, follow the protocol to review it in detail.
- Process applications for reinstatement and cancellation of insurance policies.
- Determine the settlement cost for a claim.
- Review settled insurance claims to determine that the payments and settlements have been made in accordance with company practices and procedures.
- Ensure insurance fraud is not being committed.
- Maintain friendly and long term relationships with policyholders.
- Work towards tapping the market and increasing business.
Desired Attributes
Given below are desired qualities for professionals in this field :
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Approachable and friendly demeanor.
- Passionate and self-motivated in dealing with clients.
- Patient and persistent in nature.
- Ability to handle stress in a healthy manner.
- Persuade others with ease..
- Critical and analytical bent of mind.
- Strong business sense and knowledge of the market.
How to get there
Path 1:
- Clear 12th standard with Commerce stream
- B.Com (Banking & Insurance) – 3 years
- Master’s in Business Insurance -2 years
Path 2:
- Clear 12th standard with Science stream
- BSc with Actuarial science – 3 years
- MSc in Actuarial science -2 years
Path 3:
- Clear 12th standard in (Commerce/Science stream)
- B.Com /BSc – 3 years
- PG Diploma in Insurance and Risk Management/Insurance Science/Management of Insurance and Financial services – 1-2 years
Economics
Overview
Economics is an approach to decision making concerned with meeting needs after assessing the resources at hand. As a field, it studies how individuals, businesses, governments and nations allocate resources to meet their requirements. Achieving maximum output after planning, analysing, organising and allocating limited resources is the ultimate goal. Economists employ various research tools and methodologies to collect data and analyse it to make predictions and provide solutions to tackle economic issues such as unemployment rate, consumer expenditure, currency exchange rate, capital distribution, market trends, identifying growth sectors etc. The two broad categories within the field are: Micro economics and Macro economics. Microeconomics is the study of economics at an individual, group or company level. On the other hand, macroeconomics is the study of a national economy as a whole. Students interested in the subject can choose to specialise further depending on their area of interest. There are three general categories of economists: business economists, government economists and academic economists. Each type of economist applies the economic approach to decision making in a different setting.
Job Prospects
- Microeconomist : A Microeconomist analyzes, assesses, and predicts what people and companies do with their money.
- Macroeconomists : They study the economy as a whole to find long-term, overarching economic trends throughout history. They draw conclusion and then make generalizations about investment productivity, inflation and unemployment.
- Financial Economist : Financial economists study interest rates to see their effect on banking systems.
- International Economist : They study international markets, currency exchange and the effects of tariffs and trade procedures and laws.
- Organizational or Industrial Economist : They study the markets of individual industries, competitors and make predictions based on the decisions of the competitors. They may also be involved in protecting the industry against monopolies.
- Demographic or Labor Economist : They study trends in salary and determine the need for increase or decrease in labor force based on changing demographics and causes of unemployment.
- Public Finance Economist : They study the government’s involvement in the economy through taxation, deficits or surpluses in budget or policies concerning welfare.
- Econometrician : Their focus lies in the mathematical aspect in all branches of economics. They use models and methods like calculus, regression analysis and game theory to make future predictions.
Roles & Responsibilities
Certain duties attached to this field are :
- Carry out research and analysis of past and present economic scenarios.
- Conduct market research and collect relevant data pertaining to economic parameters.
- Analyze data using understanding of economic relationships to uncover trends.
- Prepare reports, tables and charts that present research results through exhaustive analysis of data.
- Develop financial models to support planning, valuation and forecasting related to economic issues.
- Consult on expenditure planning and capital budgeting processes.
- Advise businesses, governments and individuals on economic issues.
- Write articles for publication in newsletters and academic journals.
Desired Attributes
Given below are desired qualities for professionals in this field :
- Passion and dedication to keep on learning.
- Strong theoretical knowledge of concepts and principles.
- Analytic and critical way of thinking.
- Ability to draw logical conclusions.
- Good communication skills.
- Articulate concepts and theories in a clear and concise way.
- Knowledge of research tools and methodologies.
- Good presentation skills to share one’s research findings.
How to get there
Path 1:
- Clear 12th standard with any stream (maths compulsory)
- B.A.(H) Economics BBA-FIA/ BMS – 3 years
- Masters in Economics
- Mphil/PhD in Economics
Path 2:
- Clear 12th standard with any stream (maths compulsory)
- B.A.(H) in Economics/ B.A. (H) in Business Economics/ BBA-FIA/ BMS – 3 years
- Post Graduation in Management/ Any Other Related Discipline – 2-3 years
- Ph.D- 2-3 years
Path 3:
- Clear 12th standard with any stream (maths compulsory)
- M.Sc Integrated Program in Economics – 5 years (Graduation + post graduation)
Commerce
Overview
The exchange of goods and services between entities or businesses is referred to as commerce. As a field, it impacts the trade and the economy of a nation. It refers to all transactions related to the purchase and sale of any particular item in an economy. The main subjects in the commerce field are Accountancy, Economics, Business Studies and Maths. To pursue a career in this field, an individual needs to have an inclination towards the affairs of corporate finance and stock markets as well as have a clear understanding of the inner financial workings of an economy. It is an interdisciplinary field which forms the functional backbone of many other fields such as finance, accounting, banking, trade etc. When properly managed, commercial activity can quickly enhance the standard of living in a nation and increase its standing in the world. Depending on one’s area of interest, this field opens up a variety of job opportunities for interested candidates.
Job Prospects
- Accountant : The primary task of accountants is to prepare and examine financial records. They make sure that records are accurate and that taxes are paid properly and on time. They help individuals and organisations to create plans of action for improved financial well-being.
- Banking : This field is concerned with accepting and safeguarding monetary funds and reinvesting them back into an economy through different schemes, loans etc. Banks monitor market trends and regulate the economy of a country.
- Business Finance : Business finance covers many areas such as global finance, budget analysis, property management and financial forecasting. The primary goal is to increase profits and minimize financial risks.
- Chartered Accountant : A Chartered Accountant (CA) ensures that the financial transactions of an organisation are maintained according to the law. They also manage issues related to taxation and provide expertise influencing the fiscal decisions of a company. Cost accountancy is one of the most flourishing fields in this discipline.
- Cost Accountant : Cost Accountants integrate, combine and examine the financial data from all areas of an organisation. They look after the cost management, budgeting, performance evaluation and asset management of an organisation.
- Credit Analyst : They analyse credit data and financial information of persons or companies that are applying for credit or loans to determine the risk factor for banks and other institutes.
- Company Secretary : Company Secretary (CS) can work under various departments such as finance, accounts, legal, personnel and administration. They advise the board to mold governing principles and practices in order to ensure effective functioning of the organisation.
- Financial Analyst : They are responsible for analysing company accounts, profit & loss sheets and cash flow information. They regularly meet with company managers, stock market traders, fund managers and stockbrokers to collect relevant information and devise fiscal plans.
- Management : Management includes a wide variety of activities like organizing, planning, directing or monitoring an organization to achieve its goals. Good management is needed across all sectors in an economy.
- Marketing & Advertising : Personnel in this field work towards identifying the need and potential markets for products or services, developing products, formulating pricing and sales strategies for business growth to increase profitability and maintaining public relations.
- Stock Broker : A stockbroker executes buy and sell orders submitted by investors for a commission. They connect the buyers and sellers of stocks, thereby creating liquidity. They trade in financial securities like bonds, stock, etc.
Roles & Responsibilities
Certain duties attached to this field are :
- Work with the leadership to define business objectives and draw a plan of action to achieve them.
- Promote selling of products by reviewing market strategies.
- Conduct market research and analyze financial statements, sales reports etc. to review performance.
- Maintain, prepare and recommend policies and procedures to be followed by an organisation.
- Prepare asset, liability and capital account entries by compiling and analysing account information.
- Oversee all financial transactions that a company engages in and keep a record for the same.
- Resolve financial conflicts and provide guidance on all fiscal issues.
- Collect data and present reports through balance sheets, profit & loss statements etc.
Desired Attributes
Given below are desired qualities for professionals in this field :
- Resilient and self-motivated.
- Good planning and organisational skills.
- Ability to work well in a team setup.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Adapt and problem solve quickly and in an efficient manner.
- Need to be able to multitask and manage time well.
How to get there
Banking
Overview
Banking can be understood as a business activity which involves accepting money from individuals and lending it to others for a profit. In addition to this, banks provide various other services such as lockers to keep valuables, ATMs, online transfer of funds, credit/debit cards for easier transactions, mobile payments, digital currencies etc. A banker is an employee of a bank or financial institute who services the financial needs of clients. They provide financial advice to clients on matters such as savings, loans, taxes, investments etc. Their focus lies on generating capital and profits for banks to facilitate loans and investments. Banking system facilitates pooling of savings and channelising them into investments to boost the economy of a country. It regulates the flow of cash and ensures that it is readily available for government developmental projects and private businesses in the form of loans, policies, securities etc. Banking sector offers numerous job opportunities to candidates who are interested in finance and want to part of the machinery which regulates the fiscal needs of the country.
Given below are some specialisations within the field of Banking :
- Retail Banking : Retail bankers provide services such as authorising loans, setting up savings accounts and transferring money between entities.
- Private Banking : Private banking includes personalized financial and banking services to individuals for the purpose of managing wealth through investments, tax savings, insurance policies, retirement planning etc.
- Budget Analysis : Budget analysis involves advising businesses and other clients on how to organize their finances. They prepare annual reports and evaluate budget proposals. They also analyze data to determine the costs and benefits of various programs.
- Foreign Exchange Trade : Foreign exchange banking is also known as forex. It deals with converting currencies for the purpose of trade, business , investment etc. Foreign exchange is carried out between banks of different countries.
- Investment Banking : Investment banking is primarily concerned with raising capital for corporations, governments or other entities. Businesses and institutions turn to investment bankers for advice on how to meet their investment goals based on the market trends and the economy.
- Treasury : The treasury serves as the heart of all the banks. It is responsible for balancing and managing the daily cash flow and liquidity of funds within the banks and keeping track of bank’s investments in securities, foreign exchange etc.
Job Prospects
- Auditor
- Credit analyst
- Business analyst
- Personal financial analyst
- Chartered accountant
- Compliance officer
- Insurance risk surveyor
- Loan officer
- Bank teller
- Retail banker
- Treasurer
- Operations analyst
- Investment banker
Roles & Responsibilities
Certain duties attached to this field are :
- Executing daily tasks as per one’s position in the organisation.
- Providing financial advice to clients and deal with any issues or complains.
- Processing payments and withdrawals within and outside banks.
- Keeping complete and accurate records of a day’s transaction of a bank or financial institute.
- Authorising and evaluating overdrafts and loans.
- Promoting and providing various bank’s services to the clients.
- Managing budgets and meeting targets through statistical and financial records assessment.
- Reaching out to potential customers to generate new business.
Desired Attributes
Given below are desired qualities for professionals in this field :
- Ability to handle numerical data with ease.
- Precise and detail oriented approach to work
- Analytic and critical thinking.
- Good decision making and problem solving skills.
- Ability to multitask and handle stress effectively.
- Organise and plan well in order to execute duties.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Willingness to keep on learning about the latest trends in the sector.
How to get there
Chartered Accountant
Overview
Chartered accountants ensure that an organisation functions within the law and industry specific regulations to achieve its business objectives. They primarily focus on the fiscal decisions made by the organisation in order to maximise profits and minimise losses. They work in all fields of business and finance including audit, taxation and general management. Depending on the work setting, they could provide services to individuals or manage the financial dealings of an entire organisation. In large organisations, it is common to find a team of chartered accountants working towards preparing financial reports and documents, maintaining records of investments, filing taxes, auditing financial transactions, reviewing potential financial risks and providing inputs in regard to the fiscal decisions made by the organisations. In India, an individual needs to be certified by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to practice as a CA. For a business to run successfully, it needs to have a system in place which keeps a track of all its financial dealings and ensures that rules are being followed for the same.
Job Prospects
Some of the prospective jobs under this field are :
- Government Organisation: Chartered accountants in the government sector have the important duty of ensuring that governmental bodies are transparent, efficient, ethical and responsible in their use of funds. They investigate frauds, money laundering, perform audits for government agencies and conduct research on emerging accounting issues.
- Private Practice: Chartered accountants can run their own private practice and work with individual customers or become associated with business firms. They address financial issues ranging from accountancy, management consultancy, business advice to audit and taxation.
- Business Enterprise: Businesses hire chartered accountants to manage and oversee their financial dealings. They also rely on them to provide guidance in setting business objectives and meeting their goals.
- Civil Services: Chartered accountants have the option of clearing civil services exam and work with Indian Audit and Accounts Services, Indian Defence Accounts Services, Indian P & T Accounts and Finance Service, Indian Civil Accounts Service and Indian Railway accounts Service.
- Non–Profit Organisation: Chartered accountants employed by NGOs work towards providing financial management, treasury management, fund procurement, preparing financial reports and making recommendations based on public-sector audits or internal audits.
- Banking & Insurance Sector: All activities associated with financial transactions between banks or insurance companies with customers such as loans and insurance claims are overseen by team of chartered accountants.
- Corporate Finance: Large firms often have specialised departments in corporate finance. Professionals work towards securing finance for company mergers, acquisitions, management buy-ins and buy-outs and capital reconstruction.
- Law Firms: Chartered accountants working for law firms handle the legal accounts and projects for multiple clients.
Roles & Responsibilities
Certain duties attached to this field are :
- Maintain accounting records and financial statements for businesses or companies.
- Assess the financial documents of an organisation to ensure that rules and regulations are being followed.
- Collect and review all financial statements dealing with transfer of funds within an organisation as well as with external parties.
- Complete all documents pertaining to filing of taxes.
- Conduct regular audits as per the company policy.
- Prepare reports and make recommendations based on internal and external audits.
- Oversee the financial workings of a firm and ensure it meets the set budget.
- Prepare reports detailing the fiscal structure and functioning of an organisation.
- Make recommendations to the management for financial planning and risk prevention.
Desired Attributes
Given below are desired qualities for professionals in this field :
- Strong theoretical knowledge of the field.
- Good communication skills.
- Work well in a team setup.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Ability to lead and manage a project/team.
- Good observational skills.
- Detail oriented approach to work.
- High business acumen.
- Strong sense of integrity and ethics.
- High compliance towards rules and protocols.
How to get there
Path 1 :
- Pass 12th standard in commerce stream
- Bachelors of Commerce (full time) and continue with CA :
Step 1 – Clear the Competency Professional Test (CPT)
Step 2 – Clear Integrated Professional Competence (IPCC) Examination
Step 3 – Pursue Articleship for 3 years
Step 4 – Clear the CA final exam
Path 2 :
- Pass 12th standard with commerce stream
- Bachelors of Commerce in any financial field – 3 years.
- Clear Integrated Professional Competence (IPC) Exam.
- Post graduation in any financial field – 2 years.
- Masters in Commerce or Masters in Business Management and continue with CA:
Step 1 – Clear Integrated Professional Competence (IPCC) Examination.
Step 2 – Pursue Articleship for 3 years.
Step 3 – Clear the CA final exam