How to become a Accountant
Accountants keep business finances accurate and compliant — the workhorse profession of every company, entered via commerce degrees and practical skills.
Eligibility at a glance
For India (India). Conditions marked "Not required" genuinely do not apply.
Minimum education
B.Com strongly preferred; B.Com + accounting software skills make you employable within months.
School subjects
Commerce with accountancy (ideal)
Degree / diploma
B.Com typical; not strictly required for bookkeeping roles
Graduation required
Not required
Minimum marks
Not required
Minimum age
Not required
Maximum age
Not required
Age relaxation
Not required
Nationality
Not required
Physical requirements
Not required
Medical requirements
Not required
Gender-specific rules
Not required
Number of attempts
Not required
- · Practical software skill (Tally/ERP) matters as much as the degree
- · Certifications (GST practitioner, CMA) upgrade roles
The path, step by step
The standard entry route. Alternative routes are listed under Education paths below.
Class 12 (Commerce preferred)
B.Com (3 years)
Learn Tally/GST/Excel practically
Junior Accountant job
Accountant → Senior Accountant
Accounts Manager / Controller
What this career actually is
Accountants record, reconcile and report business finances — books, GST/TDS compliance, payables/receivables and reporting for decision-making. Entry runs through commerce degrees plus practical accounting skills (Tally, Excel, GST filings); progression leads to senior accountant/controller roles or professional qualifications (CA/CMA).
A typical day
- · Recording transactions and reconciliations
- · GST/TDS compliance work and filings
- · Payroll and vendor payments
- · Month-end closes and management reports
Main responsibilities
- · Keep books accurate and on time
- · File statutory returns correctly and on time
- · Flag discrepancies early
- · Protect financial confidentiality
Work environment
Offices of companies, CA firms and consultancies — desk-based, month-end crunches, software-driven.
Who this suits
- · Detail-oriented, systematic people
- · Those who like numbers to add up
- · Commerce students wanting quick employability
How long the path takes
Roughly 5–6 years after Class 12 from the point the path begins.
Class 12 (Commerce)
2 years
B.Com
3 years
First accounts job
from graduation
Senior roles / CA-CMA
3–5 years
Timelines vary — few people follow the exact same schedule. Treat this as a map, not a schedule.
What to study — complete checklist
Tick topics as you learn them. Your ticks are saved in this browser.
Skills required
Qualifications get you in; these keep you there.
Technical skills
- Double-entry bookkeeping
- GST/TDS compliance
- Tally/ERP
- Excel
Practical skills
- Reconciliation discipline
- Deadline management
- Documentation hygiene
Communication skills
- Explaining finances to non-finance managers
- Clear emails to authorities
Tools & software
- Tally
- Excel
- ERP systems
- GST portal
Languages
- English
- Local language for small-business clients
Certifications
- Tally certification; CMA/CA for advancement
Portfolio
Work samples (anonymised) of clean books and filings
Education paths
Every major route into this career — including routes that skip a degree where they exist.
B.Com + Tally
Typical duration: 3 years- B.Com
- Tally/GST certification
- Accounts job
Direct skills route
No degree neededTypical duration: 6–12 months- Accounting course
- Small-firm bookkeeping
- Grow with experience
Is college compulsory? No — recognised non-college routes exist (shown above).
Without a degree: Small businesses hire skilled bookkeepers without degrees, but corporate roles prefer B.Com — skills + certification close the gap.
Entrance exams: None
Career progression
How roles typically advance. Alternative branches shown where the path forks.
- Accounts Assistant
- Accountant
- Senior Accountant
- Accounts Manager
- Finance Controller
Where the jobs are
Earning potential
Broad ranges only — pay is never guaranteed and varies hugely by employer, city and seniority.
| Entry level | Broadly ₹1.8–3.6 lakh per year |
|---|---|
| Mid-career | Broadly ₹3.5–8 lakh per year |
| Experienced | ₹8–18 lakh per year at controller level in larger firms |
SME pay varies widely; treat figures as indicative.
What you are up against
An honest picture of competition and effort — no fake difficulty scores.
Competition
Moderate; software skills decide employability
Study load
Moderate
Selectivity
Skills and accuracy over pedigree
Major challenges
- · Repetitive precision
- · Deadline pressure (filings)
Time commitment
3–5 years
What candidates commonly struggle with
- · GST/TDS updates
- · Excel depth
- · Work volume at month-end
Documents you will need
Commonly required for applications and admissions. Exact requirements are set by each authority — always check the official notice.
- ✓ Aadhaar card or other government photo ID
- ✓ Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets and certificates
- ✓ Recent passport-size photographs
- ✓ Scanned signature (as per the notified size and format)
Recommended Books
Recommended Books
Book recommendations are being curated.
Checked for Accountant — nothing is listed until it is genuinely recommended.
Frequently asked questions
Can I become an accountant after Class 12?
You can start as a bookkeeping trainee, but the standard route is B.Com plus Tally/GST skills — employable within the degree itself via articleship/internship.
Do I need CA to be an accountant?
No — CA is the professional/audit credential. Bookkeeping and corporate accounting run on degrees plus software skills; CA opens audit and senior finance.
Accountant vs CA?
Accountants run day-to-day finance; CAs are licensed professionals handling audits, attestations and complex taxation.
Is accounting a safe career?
Yes — every business needs it. Automation shifts the work toward review, compliance and advisory rather than entry.
Government accountant jobs?
Yes — SSC and state recruitments hire for accounts posts; commerce degrees are the usual base.
Can I enter this career after Class 10?
Not directly. The standard entry path starts later — see the roadmap above for where it actually begins.
Can I enter this career after Class 12?
Yes — Class 12 is a genuine entry point for this career. Look at the education routes and roadmap for the exact next step.
Which stream should I choose in Class 11–12?
Choose subjects covering: Commerce with accountancy (ideal).
Is a degree compulsory?
No — this career can be entered without a degree. Small businesses hire skilled bookkeepers without degrees, but corporate roles prefer B.Com — skills + certification close the gap.
What is the age limit?
There is no fixed age limit for the standard entry path. Where a specific exam or employer applies one, it is listed in that exam's or employer's own rules — always verify from the official source.
Is there an entrance exam?
Not a single mandatory one. Entry depends on recruitment processes and, where applicable, written tests conducted by the employer.
How long does it usually take?
Roughly 5–6 years after Class 12, counting from the point where the path begins. Timelines vary — people repeat years, switch routes and start at different points, so treat this as a map, not a schedule.