Now that the 10th Standard results are out, it is the time for a student to take the first step to make a choice that would determine both the domain of interest and rewarding career.
Commerce stream is a popular choice for students and many students take up this domain & eventually aspire to qualify as a CA or an MBA.
Unlike those opting for Engineering, Pure Science, or Medical fields, where the road map for a student is quite well structured, Commerce stream students face massive challenges in scaling up their learning to levels needed to meet the dynamic & fast-changing environment to tomorrow.
This is where it is critical for a student entering Pre-University to acquire deep technical skills in finance and accounts early on and take a learning path that will empower them to generate the best possible opportunities in the marketplace.
We met up with Don Andrew D’Souza, Mangalore Partner, Strategy and Business Relations at CFO NeXt – a popular academic institution that provides professional training in Finance and Accounts domain and interviewed him about options that a young 10th Standard graduate can explore.
News Karnataka: What are CFO NeXt and its objectives?
Andrew, CFO NeXt: We are a GOLD Approved authorized learning partner of ACCA (UK) that provides high-quality training in financial and accounting programs also such as, CMA, CFA, CPA along with several other international certifications.
CFO NeXt is a edutech start-up founded by Jai Goel – a Chartered Accountant and an ACCA member with global experience. The objective is to deliver high-quality training to enable the next generation of high impact CFOs. Hence the name CFO NeXt.
This apart, we are learning partners to many corporates to upskill their employees.
News Karnataka: What is your advice for a 10th Standard graduate who has opted for the Commerce Stream?
Andrew, CFO NeXt: Technology such as Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning is disrupting the job market hugely resulting in automation of many processes.
This enhances the need to develop very strong technical credentials for Commerce stream students at an early stage of their academic career. There has never been a bigger necessity than now.
ACCA (UK) has Foundation in Accountancy (FIA) program for the PUC students where they will be awarded a Diploma in Accounting & Business on completion of the following 3 exams:
1. Foundation in Accountant in Business
2. Foundation in Management Accounting
3. Foundation in Financial Accounting
The students are assessed and acquire the following skills.
News Karnataka: What are the Key Knowledge and Skills Assessed in the FIA Diploma Program?
Andrew, CFO NeXt: The following skill sets are an outcome of the Diploma:
• Introduction to the business organization within a political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal context.
• The role of accounting in business and the principles of individual and team management within an ethical framework.
• Management accounting information for performance planning, financial control, and decision making, the design of accounting systems, and preparation of management reports.
• The preparation of accounting information and external financial reports for regulatory and decision- making purposes.
News Karnataka: What is the benefit of the FIA Diploma?
Andrew, CFO NeXt: This qualification would have particular relevance for:
• Those planning to work in a wide-ranging and responsible accounting role.
• Those looking to be involved in financial reporting and/or in financial decision-support roles, possibly in supervisory roles in the accounting departments of larger organizations.
• Roles in accounts payable and/or receivable, or a financial manager role in fixed asset accounting in financial shared service centers.
Thus the student acquires solid technical skills that can empower & motivate them to smoothly transition to acquire an ACCA Certification during B Com.
