Careers360 Logo

Popular Searches

    Fees & Scholarships

    Low-Cost Commerce Courses After 10+2

    By Piyush Chaudhary
    17 Mar'22  9 min read
    Low-Cost Commerce Courses After 10+2
    Synopsis

    For most students who study Commerce in Classes 11 and 12, or “10+2”, BCom is the next step. However, there are professional courses that can be taken up alongside graduation. The top three amongst these are CA, ICMAI and CS, which most commerce graduates generally look at. Also, unlike many professional programmes, training in these is low cost.

    Low-Cost Commerce Courses After 10+2
    Synopsis

    For most students who study Commerce in Classes 11 and 12, or “10+2”, BCom is the next step. However, there are professional courses that can be taken up alongside graduation. The top three amongst these are CA, ICMAI and CS, which most commerce graduates generally look at. Also, unlike many professional programmes, training in these is low cost.

    For students who study Commerce in Classes 11 and 12, there are options beyond BCom. Many students consider one of the three professional courses offered by cost and accounting bodies. The courses include Chartered Accountancy (CA), Cost Management Accounting (CMA) or Company Secretary (CS).

    These can be taken up right after school and studied along with the undergraduate programme. But how much does it cost and is it expensive to pursue these? That and more questions are answered below.

    Chartered Accountancy

    Commonly called CA, the course is offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, a statutory body. It is the professional body for chartered accountants in the country and trains students in taxation, finance, business advisory services and more. The Chartered Accountancy or CA course has three levels: Foundation, Intermediate and Final. Students have to clear all three for ICAI membership and to practise as a chartered accountant.

    CA Overview

    Exam Name

    ICAI CA

    Conducting Body

    The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

    Course

    Chartered Accountancy

    Exam Level

    National-Level Exam

    Exam Frequency

    Twice a year for each level

    Exam Mode

    Online

    Levels of Exam

    Three levels

    • Foundation

    • Intermediate

    • Final

    Language

    English/ Hindi

    No. of Test Cities

    164 cities in India and 35 chapters abroad

    Official Website

    www.icai.org

    Chartered Accountancy Levels

    Levels

    Assessment Criteria

    Foundation

    Application, Comprehension and Knowledge

    Intermediate

    Analysis and Application, Comprehension and Knowledge

    Final

    Evaluation and Synthesis, Analysis and Application, Comprehension and Knowledge

    1. CA Foundation Course

    This is the entry level and open to students who have passed Class 10 or equivalent exam. The first step is to register for the CA foundation course. The Foundation Course consists of four papers - two subjective and two objective. The CA Foundation exams are held in May and November. Course registration is valid for three years and can be revalidated any number of times for a further three years.

    Who can appear for the CA Foundation Exam?

    • Students appearing in the Class 12 exam

    • Students who complete four months of study after registration. Those who have registered on or before January 1 or July 1 can appear in the May or November exam.

    Foundation Course Registration Fee

    Particulars

    Fees

    Cost of Foundation Prospectus

    Rs 200

    Foundation Registration fee

    Rs 9,000

    Subscription for Students’ Journal (For 1 Year) (Optional)

    Rs 200

    Subscription for Members’ Journal (For 1 Year) (Optional)

    Rs 400

    2. CA Intermediate Course

    At this stage, only the working knowledge of core and allied subjects is covered. Students in their final year of graduation can register for CA Intermediate Course on a provisional basis. The Intermediate Course registration is valid for four years and can be revalidated any number of times for a further four years period by paying a fee.

    Eligibility Criteria

    • Those who have passed the CA Foundation exam

    • Commerce graduates or postgraduates with at least 55% marks

    • Graduates or postgraduates in any other discipline with 60% marks

    • Candidates who are in their final year of graduation course can join provisionally. They are required to submit the proof of graduation within six months from the date of appearance in final year exams.

    CA Intermediate Course Registration Fee

    Particulars

    Fees (Both Groups)

    Fees (Group 1/ 2)

    Registration fee

    Rs 15,000

    Rs 11,000

    Student Activities Fee

    Rs 2,000

    Rs 2,000

    Registration Fee as Articled Assistant

    Rs 1,000

    -

    Total

    Rs 18,000

    Rs 13,000

    3. CA Final Course

    The Final Course is the last stage of the Chartered Accountancy curriculum. Students who have qualified all the papers of Group 1 and 2 in the Intermediate Course can register for the CA Final Course. Students are allowed to appear in the Final exam during the last six months of practical training after successful completion of the four weeks Advanced Integrated Course on Information Technology and Soft Skills (AICITSS). The Final Course registration is valid for five years and can be revalidated any number of times for a further five years period by paying a fee.

    Eligibility: Candidates who have passed all the papers of both Group 1 and 2 in the CA intermediate Course.

    Final Course Registration Fee: Rs 22,000


    2. Cost Management Accounting

    A Statutory body under an Act of Parliament, The Institute of Cost Accountants of India is a professional body of management accountants in India. It comes under the administrative jurisdiction of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India and is a member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), The Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants (CAPA) and The South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA).

    It has 4 Regional offices at Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and New Delhi, 91 chapters across the country, 9 centres abroad. More than 5 lakh students are registered with the institute which also has about 70000 members(CMAs) serving in various roles across the world.

    The Cost Management Accounting (CMA) course offered by the institute has three stages: Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. Details are given below.

    ICWA CMA Overview

    Exam Name

    ICWA CMA

    Conducting Body

    The Institute of Cost Accountants of India

    Course

    Cost Management Accounting

    Exam Level

    National Level Exam

    Exam Frequency

    Twice a year

    Levels of Exam

    Three levels

    • Foundation

    • Intermediate

    • Final

    Career Opportunities

    Financial Analyst, Research Analyst, Cost Manager, Chief Accountant, Auditor, Financial Controller

    Language

    English/ Hindi

    Official Website

    icmai.in

    1. CMA Foundation Course

    The entry level to ICWA CMA is the foundation course. Class 10 passed students are eligible to apply for the foundation course while students who have passed Class 12 can appear for foundation exam. The CMA Foundation Course consists of four papers and its duration is eight months. The foundation exams are held twice a year. The course registration is valid for three years and can be revalidated any number of times for a further three years.

    Eligibility:

    • Candidates who have passed Class 10 or equivalent

    • Students who have passed Class 12 or equivalent can also apply

    • Those awaiting final results can apply for provisional admission

    Foundation Course Registration Fee

    Particulars

    Fees

    Oral course fee

    Rs 6,000

    Postal course fee

    Rs 6,000

    2. CMA Intermediate Course

    The ICWA CMA intermediate examination is conducted to assess skills gained in the foundation course. After qualifying the foundation exam, students are required to pursue the CMA Intermediate course. Students learn about financial accounting in depth and are introduced to various financial sections such as direct and indirect taxation, cost accounting, and more. On completing the course, students are required to appear for the Intermediate exam.

    Eligibility:

    • Should have passed Class 12 or

    • Completed the foundation exam level of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India or qualified the Intermediate (Entry Level) Part I examination of Certificate in Accounting Technicians (CAT) Course of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India or

    • Completed graduation from a recognized university or equivalent in any subject other than music, dancing, photography, painting and sculpture/ pursuing Engineering and have completed year two/ semester IV/ equivalent or are qualified engineers

    CMA Intermediate Registration Fee

    Oral

    Postal

    Option I (Without Installment)

    Option II (With Installment)

    Option I (Without Installment)

    Option II (With Installment)

    Rs 23,100

    Rs 12,000

    Rs 11,100

    Rs 23,100

    Rs 12,000

    Rs 11,100

    3. CMA Final Course

    This is the last stage in the journey to become a CMA. Candidates who have qualified in the Intermediate exam are eligible to enrol for the course. They need to complete the “Industry Eligible to enrol for Final Course Examination Oriented Training” and 50 hours additional Computer Training (if applicable) to appear for the final exam.

    Eligibility

    • Should have qualified the CMA Intermediate exam

    • Should have a valid registration number

    • They should have completed prescribed training of the CMA Final course

    CMA Final Registration Fee

    Oral

    Postal

    Option I (Without Instalment)

    Option II (With Instalment)

    Option I (Without Instalment)

    Option II (With Instalment)

    Rs 25,000

    Rs 15,000

    Rs 10,000

    Rs 25,000

    Rs 15,000

    Rs 10,000

    3. Company Secretary (CS)

    A national professional institute set up by an act of parliament, the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs,

    Government of India. Set up to regulate and develop company secretaries, ICSI is headquartered at New Delhi and has 4 regional offices at Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and 70 Chapters (including 1 in Dubai).

    The CS course has been restructured in recent times and now has two stages - Executive and Professional. Admissions to the CS Executive Programme is through the Company Secretary Executive Entrance test (CSEET). CS Executive qualified students can go for the Professional course.

    Company Secretary Course Overview

    Course Name

    Company Secretary

    Level and CS course duration

    The CS programme comprises two levels:

    Executive - 9 months

    Professional - 15 months

    Eligibility criteria

    CS Executive: Qualify CSEET exam. Candidates need to pass the Class 12 exam

    CS Professional: Candidates should have passed the CS executive exam

    Company secretary job profiles

    Legal Advisor, Corporate Policymaker, Corporate Planner, Chief Administrative Officer

    CS learning mode

    Classroom or postal coaching

    CS registration valid until

    3-5 years

    Education opportunities after CS

    PhD in Commerce, Management and Law

    Compulsory training duration for CS course

    15 months

    1. CS Executive Programme

    The first stage in the CS qualification, the CS executive programme comprises two modules with four papers each. Students who qualify this, need practical training as specified to appear for the Professional exam.

    Eligibility Criteria

    Admission to CS Executive course through two means direct and entrance examination. The eligibility criteria for both have been given below.

    For Admission Through Entrance Exam:

    • Passed Class 12 in any discipline except Fine Arts

    • Graduates and postgraduates also eligible

    • Qualified in Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) of ICSI or

    • Passed the CS Foundation exam

    For Direct Admission:

    • Passed CS Foundation or

    • Passed ICAI Final or

    • Passed ICMAI Final

    Company Secretary Executive Registration Fees

    Particulars

    Fees as per course completed

    CSEET

    CS Foundation

    CA Final

    ICMAI CMA Final

    Registration Fee

    Rs 2,000

    Rs 2,000

    Rs 2,000

    Rs 2,000

    Education Fee

    Rs 6,500

    Rs 6,500

    Rs 6,500

    Rs 6,500

    CSEET Exemption Fee

    Nil

    Nil

    Rs 5,000

    Rs 5,000

    Pre-Exam Test Fee

    Rs 1,000

    Rs 1,000

    Rs 1,000

    Rs 1,000

    One Day Orientation Program

    Rs 600

    Rs 600

    Rs 600

    Rs 600

    Chartered Secretary Journal Subscription (Optional) for 1 Year

    Rs 500

    Rs 500

    Rs 500

    Rs 500

    Total Fees

    Rs 10,600

    Rs 10,600

    Rs 15,600

    Rs 15,600

    2. CS Professional Programme

    Candidates who have cleared the CS Executive programme can apply for the CS Professional course.

    Company Secretary Professional Registration Fees

    Education Fee

    Rs 12,000

    Pre-Exam Test Fee

    Rs 1,000

    Total Fees

    Rs 13,000

    These are some of the commerce courses that come at a relatively low cost and are all over by public institutions or organisations. Despite being less known, these courses typically offer good jobs on completion. Some of the job roles which students get after these courses are Internal Auditing, Tax Auditing, Forensic Auditing, Career in, Accounting and Finance, Taxation Advisory (Both Direct and Indirect), Statutory Audit under applicable statutes, Managing Treasury function, etc.

      Subscribe to Membership Plan

      *Unlock all premium content and benefits:
      Read more from Latest Stories

      Careers360 helping shape your Career for a better tomorrow

      student

      250M+

      Students

      colleges

      30,000+

      Colleges

      exams

      500+

      Exams

      ebook

      1500+

      E-Books

      Download Careers360 App's

      Regular exam updates, QnA, Predictors, College Applications & E-books now on your Mobile

      • student
        250M+

        Students

      • colleges
        30,000+

        Colleges

      • exams
        500+

        Exams

      • ebook
        1500+

        E-Books

      • certification
        12000+

        Cetifications

      student
      Mobile Screen

      We Appeared in