Hello sir, I am a commerce graduate. I graduated in 2008 and then worked for around 2.5 years in accounting. After that I had a career break of almost 9 years due to family commitments. After that I started giving art workshops for the past 5 years although it's not a steady income. I am considering getting back to accounting. Please suggest relevant courses that I can pursue to enter the account job market.

Ans: Re-entering accounting after a long break calls for updated credentials in core accounting and finance domains. Consider professional certifications such as Chartered Accountant (CA) via ICAI’s direct?entry route for graduates, which bypasses the foundation exam and leads to CA Intermediate registration. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) offers a global credential with eligibility for commerce graduates and exam exemptions based on prior qualifications, typically completed in 2.5–3 years. Certified Management Accountant (CMA) by ICMAI provides strategic cost and management accounting expertise with entry at the graduate level and exams twice yearly. For domain?specific skills, a Diploma in IFRS from ACCA or EY equips you on International Financial Reporting Standards and Ind AS convergence. Short?term courses in Tally ERP 9, GST and bookkeeping enable immediate employable skills for SMEs and accounting firms. Finally, financial modeling certifications (e.g., CFI’s FMVA or NSE’s Financial Modeling & Valuation) deepen analytical capabilities for roles in finance and corporate analytics. Recommendation: Pursue CA Intermediate, ACCA, or CMA for robust professional credentials, complemented by IFRS and financial modeling diplomas, and Tally/GST certifications to swiftly demonstrate practical accounting proficiency. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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