What a accountant actually does
A typical day involves entering transactions, matching bank statements, and preparing GST returns. Tools include Tally, ERP systems, and spreadsheets. An accountant reports to a finance manager or company secretary. Tasks repeat monthly with the GST cycle and annually with audit and tax filing. The role demands accuracy and comfort with numbers, but much of the routine is now automated.
How to become one — the qualification route
Qualification route in India
The standard route starts with a bachelor's degree in commerce. After graduation, many candidates register for the CA Intermediate exam conducted by ICAI. Articleship follows, lasting two years, after which the final CA exam earns the licence. For those who do not wish to become a Chartered Accountant, a B.Com followed by short-term certifications in GST or Tally meets employer expectations for entry-level roles.
| Stage | What it takes | What you can do after it |
|---|---|---|
| Degree + Articleship | B.Com + two-year articleship under a practising CA | Qualified CA licence; audit and advisory roles |
| Degree + Certifications | B.Com + GST or Tally short courses | Accounts executive or bookkeeper roles |
| Direct entry after 12th | Foundation course + self-study of basics | Junior accounts role or apprenticeship |
Regulated professions have statutory entry requirements. Always confirm current rules with the relevant council or university before enrolling anywhere.
Skills the role runs on
Which online courses actually help
Which courses help
| Course | Provider | Price | What it adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Financial Accounting | Udemy | Free | Basics of financial reporting and ledger maintenance |
| TallyPrime+GST+Payroll+IncomeTax+TDS+TCS+MSExcel (ComboPack) | Udemy | Not published by the provider | Full Tally workflow with GST, payroll, and tax filing |
| GST Returns Course (Live Working) | Udemy | Not published by the provider | GST filing practice and ITC handling |
Free options include Introduction to Financial Accounting and Fundamentals of Accounting in Marathi. Paid courses such as the TallyPrime combo pack give hands-on practice with the software most Indian firms use day-to-day.
Courses for accountants
See all accountants courses →| Course | Provider | Rating | Price | Why pick this one | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TallyPrime+GST+Payroll+IncomeTax+TDS+TCS+MSExcel (ComboPack) | Udemy | 4.5★ | ₹469 | Highest rated (4.5★ from 9.1K reviews) | View ↗ |
| Introduction to Financial Accounting | Udemy | 4.4★ | Free | Free — and still gives a certificate | Start free ↗ |
| Advance Tally Prime + GST + Accounting - Certificate Course | Udemy | 4.3★ | ₹469 | All Levels · 16 hours · certificate | View ↗ |
| Tally Prime : Beginner to Advanced Tally ERP with GST 2026 | Udemy | 4.5★ | ₹999 | All Levels · 13.5 hours · certificate | View ↗ |
| Tally Prime with GST: Accounting Course for Beginners | Udemy | 4.1★ | ₹479 | Quickest to finish (2 hours) | View ↗ |
| Zoho Books - Master the Accounting Software | Udemy | 4.1★ | ₹489 | All Levels · 5.5 hours · certificate | View ↗ |