Why skills decide the first job
A BCom degree gives you the theory of accounting, taxation and business law. Employers hiring for accounts and finance roles also look for hands-on skill with the tools used every day. A few months of focused practice can close that gap.
The five skills
| Skill | What to learn | Practice project |
|---|---|---|
| TallyPrime | Company creation, ledgers, vouchers, inventory, GST entries and reports | Maintain a full year of books for a mock trading company |
| Excel | Pivot tables, lookup functions such as XLOOKUP, Power Query, basic financial formulas | Build a monthly MIS report from raw sales data |
| GST basics | Registration, invoicing, input tax credit, and returns such as GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B | Prepare a mock GSTR-3B from sample invoices |
| TDS basics | Common sections, deduction timing and deposit | Compute TDS for a sample payroll and vendor list |
| Power BI (basic) | Importing data, simple measures, one-page dashboards | A sales dashboard from your Excel MIS data |
A 90-day plan
| Days | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1–30 | TallyPrime end to end, then record a set of mock vouchers daily |
| 31–60 | Excel for finance, plus GST concepts with sample invoices |
| 61–90 | GST reconciliation (for example matching purchase books to GSTR-2B), TDS basics and a Power BI dashboard |
Show it, don't just list it
- Keep a folder of finished practice files with a one-line description of each
- Add measurable outcomes to your resume: 'reconciled 500 invoices in Excel'
- Take a vendor or institute certificate in TallyPrime if it helps — and follow it with practice, not instead of it
- Offer to help a local business or a family firm with books; real data teaches fast
Where it leads
These skills support accounts executive roles, GST and tax practice, audit support and analytics-flavoured finance work. They also complement a CA Foundation attempt or an MBA later. Explore our guides on accounting and taxation, data analytics, BCom with CA Foundation and jobs after BCom.
Planning your BCom?
Talk to an advisor about online BCom programmes and specialisations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which software should a BCom student learn first?
TallyPrime, widely used by Indian small and mid-sized businesses, followed by Excel. Then add GST and Power BI.
Do I need a certificate for Tally?
Not strictly. A certificate can help, but employers care most about whether you can complete real tasks. Pair any certificate with practice files.
How long does it take to learn these skills?
A focused 90-day plan with daily practice can build working proficiency, though depth comes with experience.
Will these skills help if I plan to do CA?
Yes. Practical accounting and GST skills support articleship and exam preparation, and they make you more employable in the meantime.