Commerce & Accounts

Certified Public Accountant or CPA provides accounting services to the public and organizations. They are primarily involved in auditing and attesting procedures. They are very well versed with the accounting principles, business and financial concepts, law, tax, etc. CPAs are hired by organizations in the role of finance manager, financial analyst, chief financial officer, etc. There is an examination which is conducted by American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and is called as Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination. In order to practice as a CPA, one need to pass the examination conducted by AICPA. The CPAs are hired by various consulting firms, auditing firms, they can provide service in any area of finance broadly in corporate governance, financial accounting, estate planning etc.

Behind every successful business is a team of chartered accountants, who are trained to minimize losses and maximize gains while remaining in the jurisdictions of the law and following all industry-specific regulations. The role of a chartered accountant can cover many activities, depending on the type and size of organization they work for. The duties of a CA include preparing financial reports and documents, maintaining records of investments, reviewing potential financial risks as well as providing professional opinions in regard to the fiscal decisions of the firm. They play a strategic role by providing professional advice, aiming to maximize profitability on behalf of their client or employer.

A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a specialized professional who looks after financial decisions and investment policies of big companies. A Chartered Financial Analyst is a person trained in areas of management accounting, financial management and investment. Earning a CFA charter demonstrates mastery of a broad range of practical portfolio management and advanced investment analysis skills that will be a limelight for one's career. CFAsnis are in great demand in the finance sector, especially banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, and large corporations.

Commerce related careers are a backbone to all other careers, which take care of the functional processes of an organization in terms of accounting, finance, banking, auditing, taxation, and various other tasks. To pursue this field, an individual requires to have an inclination towards the affairs of corporate finance and/or stock markets as well as inner financing. The growing Indian Economy is opening immense opportunities in the Commerce field particularly in sectors like accountancy, business administration, e-commerce, taxation as well as international economics. Also with the liberalization, Indian economy has opened up capital market for foreign investors along with domestic investors. Many employment opportunities have been generated for individuals in the field due to the heavy flow of capital into the capital markets.

The company secretary acts a bridge between the company and its Board of directors, shareholders, government and regulatory authorities. The company secretary has to impart various services ranging from advising the companies on good governance practices, compliance of legal and procedural aspects, arbitration, negotiation and conciliation in commercial disputes between the parties to finance, accounting, taxation and management services. The company secretary is responsible for the efficient administration of a company, particularly with regard to ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements and for ensuring that decisions of the board of directors are implemented.

The duties of a cost accountant include budgeting, cost management, performance evaluation and asset management within a company or organization. They may work with corporate executives to make a strategic financial plan for the company, or they may prepare financial reports for tax authorities, creditors, stockholders and regulatory agencies. Cost accountants may advance to higher-level positions within the management accounting world, such as Finance Director, Financial Controller, Chief Financial Officer, Cost Controller and Chief Internal Auditor among many other important positions.

Forensic accountants, also referred to as forensic auditors or investigative auditors, utilize their accounting, auditing and investigative skills in various litigation support and investigative accounting settings. A forensic accountant has the responsibility to communicate financial information clearly and concisely in a courtroom setting. They provide an accounting analysis that is suitable to the court which will form the basis for discussion, debate and ultimately dispute resolution. They are trained to look beyond the numbers and deal with the business reality of the situation.