Which course is better MBA or CA after B.com?

“CAs today face top challenges from MBAs who are good at communication skills know finance and economy better.”  -Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group.

While this comment might be his personal opinion, the truth is that there is a definitive need to answer this confusion about the better options among MBA and CA. The article intends to do the same.

Commerce is a versatile field, holding multiple career opportunities for those who have a taste for numbers, calculations and managing finances. A career in commerce is also attractive in terms of the monetary rewards it carries, which is quite the obvious reason why students choose to make their career in this field. Statistics speak on their own. BCom (honours) is the most sought-after courses in Delhi University and consequently the most competitive also. A percentage less than 90% in 12^th boards has very bleak chances of making up to the cut-off and if you want a seat in one of the colleges of North Campus, then anything less than 95% is less than enough. Once you secure a seat and pass through all the rigors of the course with flying colours, you are faced with the quintessential confusion of either going for a job or pursuing higher studies. Now if you chose the latter, another conundrum that is bound to crop up is whether seeking a MBA degree will be more rewarding or pursuing CA would be more fruitful.  Here is a head to head to comparison between the two.

The ABCD of CA

As industry and TRADE is growing, so is the need for chartered accountants to manage their growing business.   The Institute of Chartered Accountants in India is the authoritative body in India which runs chartered accountancy courses in the country. Commerce graduates with at least 50% passing marks are eligible to register for the Integrated Professional Competence Course. After passing through the course, candidates are required to register as articled clerks for admission to final course of Chartered Accountant. It approximately takes 5 years to complete the course including the practical training.

The ABCD of MBA  

Master of Business Administration is the new shining passport to a flying career start in India. The management degree comes in various flavours. While most of the colleges offer Post Graduate Diploma in Management, there are others that offer an equivalent Masters of Business Administration. Most of the colleges have to be approved by AICTE and UGC, although there are exceptions to the rule like Indian School of Business which offers an MBA-equivalent PGDM accredited by  Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, (AACSB), a worldwide agency to accredit international business schools. The course is of two year duration and minimum eligibility requirements include 50% passing marks in graduation from any field.

Which is better; MBA or CA?

Now coming back to the original question, deciding the better between a MBA and a CA is like comparing a one day match with test match. Both have their own relevance, yet one is more popular, has more rewards and is more sought after by the public. Both CA and MBA are an integral part of the company, as both have different duties to perform. As such there should no competition whatsoever amongst the two. However, the fact is as a CA you will be look after the finance and accounts department and can expect to rise to the ranks of CFO of the company, while on the other hand an MBA can expect to raise a notch higher to the position of CEO of the same company.

You are completely within your rights to ask why this preference to MBA. The answer is:

MBAs are better at communication skills, the courses are better designed to understand the global economic scenario and they are trained to be a visionary and leader right from the very start of their course. MBAs are exposed to various aspects of the business and hence are better equipped to take decisions that matter to the future direction of the company. While MBAs take a bird’s eye view of the organization CAs are trained to have a look on the eyes of the fish and this is the precise reason MBAs make better CEOs than CAs.   Therefore, for the time being, the grass is greener on the side of MBAs as compared to CAs, who still make for a good and respectable profession.