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Stuck in low payroll in accounting? Here’s how certifications can change the game

Accounting is a profession that has been deemed as a stable and a respectable…

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Accounting is a profession that has been deemed as a stable and a respectable one. However, many Accounting is viewed as a stable profession but many practitioners end up in low paying payroll or junior positions. Entry-level jobs often involve repetitive tasks with limited growth and modest salary increments. 

In the long run, this leads to frustration particularly when the responsibilities are high yet the compensation is not. In the current competitive market, having a degree is hardly sufficient. Earning potential and career growth through certification of strategic skills has emerged as an effective resolution to earning potential and fast tracking career advancement.

Many professionals now turn to online accounting certificate courses to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry requirements. These programs are practical training oriented, compliance skills, and software skills oriented and assist the candidates to earn more and get into better responsibilities.

Why is salary often low in entry-level accounting roles?

Entry-level accounting roles typically include accounts assistant, payroll executive, or junior accountant. These jobs are oriented on data entry, invoice processing, posting vouchers, and simple reconciliations. 

While essential, such tasks are standardized and increasingly automated, which limits salary growth. Another major reason is lack of specialization. A large number of graduates are not exposed to practice in taxation, filing of compliance, and ERP systems. 

Professionals have problems distinguishing themselves without these skills. In competitive markets, employers are interested in hiring those that would bring instant value and leave the rest of the candidates stuck in low payroll brackets.

How do certification courses increase salary potential?

The certification courses can be used as an evidence of high level of knowledge and real skills. They give employers an indication that an applicant has invested time and effort in mastering specialized areas beyond basic accounting principles.

Certified professionals often possess skills in areas such as:

  • GST and taxation compliance
  • TDS calculations and filing
  • Advanced Excel for financial analysis
  • Tally with GST
  • SAP FICO modules
  • Financial modeling and reporting
  • Payroll compliance and labor laws

These competencies have direct effect on business operations and compliance. Employee value improves significantly when he or she is able to handle independently tax filing, audit preparation or even ERP systems. Increased responsibility normally comes with enhanced compensation packages.

What skills are most in demand in today’s accounting industry?

The accounting profession is no longer restricted to book keeping. Firms are also seeking employees with knowledge of compliance, technology and analytics.

Some of the most sought-after skills include:

1. Taxation expertise:

Knowledge of GST, income tax returns, and TDS and compliance documentation are highly valued. Companies are not able to bear fines because of regulatory mistakes.

2. ERP and accounting software proficiency:

Practical exposure to applications like Tally, SAP and advanced Excel can bring about a better employability.

3. Financial reporting and analysis:

Strategically, knowledge in balance sheets, cash flow statements, MIS reports and budget forecasting will be of value to organizations.

4. Payroll and compliance management:

The technical precision and legal sensitivity in managing salary structures, PF, ESI and statutory deductions is needed. Combining these competencies, professionals leave the routine accounting work and enter the analytical or supervisory work, in which salary-structure is more competitive.

Can certification courses help in career switching or promotion?

Yes, the certifications open career opportunities. A payroll executive may change to work in the taxation area, whereas a junior accountant can also move into the financial analysis jobs.

Promotions often depend on capability rather than tenure alone. The employees that are skilled up show their willingness to take more responsibility. The certifications increase the internal credibility and help in the job interview performance.

For those planning job switches, relevant training will give them confidence and enhance their resumes, raising their likelihood of better salary packages.

Is practical training more important than academic degrees?

Employability is defined by practical training but it is put down on a solid foundation of academic degrees. A good number of graduates in accounting have good theoretical knowledge but fail in practical application.

Certification programs focus on:

  • Live project simulations
  • Real-time tax filing practice
  • Hands-on ERP training
  • Case-based financial analysis
  • Industry-relevant compliance updates

This practical exposure reduces onboarding time for employers. This means that certified candidates are perceived as professionals and not trainees.

Practical capability will count in negotiations in salaries. When costs of training and supervision are reduced, the employers will be willing to pay higher packages.

How quickly can certifications impact salary growth?

The schedule will be different depending on experience and market demand. Nevertheless, most of the professionals claim that their salary increases have been observed within a year after they have completed specialized certifications.

Career growth typically follows this pattern:

  • Skill upgrade through certification
  • Transition into a higher responsibility role
  • Salary revision or job switch
  • Expanded professional network

The certification also results in job switches that usually have a significant pay increase over the internal increments. Recruiters actively filter candidates based on software expertise and compliance knowledge, giving certified individuals a competitive advantage.

Are online certification courses worth the investment?

Online certifications have become very credible with the introduction of digital learning platforms becoming a common practice. The best thing about it is that it is flexible and working professionals unable to pursue full time programs can find this them very convenient.

In online courses a recorded lecture, live doubt session, practical work and access to software is usually involved. These programs offer systematic guidance when selected at a good institute without disrupting current employment.

The trick lies in picking industry-oriented courses that are based on practical studies and not mainly theory-related modules.

What should be considered before choosing a certification course?

Before enrolling in any certification program, several factors should be evaluated:

  • Course curriculum relevance
  • Practical training components
  • Faculty expertise
  • Placement assistance or career support
  • Industry recognition

Choosing the right course ensures that the time and financial investment yield measurable career returns. The certification decisions made should be in line with the career aspirations in the long term —whether taxation specialization, corporate accounting, financial analysis, or payroll management.

Conclusion: 

The problem of low salary in accounting is not an end-to-end problem; it mostly amounts to a lack of skills. Constant education is the major distinction in a competitive financial environment. The certification courses are the ones that give the technical depth, software proficiency and compliance knowledge needed to advance to the higher paying positions.

To the individuals, who want to receive structured guidance, S20 Training Institute provides industry-oriented accounting certification programs, which are aimed at complementing practical knowledge. It has professional trainers and hands-on learning modules that would assist the professionals looking to grow in their career. Investing in the right certification today can unlock stronger opportunities tomorrow.

FAQs

1. Can certification courses really increase salary in accounting?

Yes, certifications improve technical knowledge and practical knowledge, and professionals can be able to work in high-paid jobs and get a promotion.

2. Which certification is best for accounting professionals?

Courses covering GST, TDS, SAP FICO, Tally with GST, and advanced Excel are highly in demand across industries.

3. Are online accounting certifications recognized by employers?

Yes, particularly when done from well-known institutes that provide an industry relevant and practical training.

4. How long does it take to complete an accounting certification?

The certification programs take between 2 to 6 months as per course depth and structure.

5. Is work experience necessary before enrolling in certification courses?

No, certification programs can be used by both new graduates and working professionals to enhance their employability and salary prospects.

Qualities Required To Be An Accountant

Introduction An accountant handles one of the most crucial roles in a business regardless…

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Introduction

An accountant handles one of the most crucial roles in a business regardless of it being for a large corporation or a small business. They are the financial backbone of a business and handle monetary records, money transactions, and timely taxes.

There are different types of accountants. Government accountants work for government agencies’ monetary records. Public accountants are either self-employed who work audits, documentation, and tax for clients or they account for firms. Management accountants are employed by a single company and they account for internal financial records of that company only.

Who Is An accountant?

An accountant is a professional who is in charge of the protection and transliteration of technical records and survey of financial statement analysis. They work for firms or big and small companies.

An accountant’s day-to-task mostly depends on their educational background and the designation they hold. Have you ever wondered if there was an accounting centre near me? How wonderful would it be to start your journey towards your dream job!

Most people start their journey by getting themselves into a school followed by a Bachelor’s degree in the same BCom course.

But some firms may demand additional educational certifications after BCom. Some of the common accounting designations are  Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Certified Public Accountant (CPA). So, for accounting training and placement, one should look for good cl.

What Does An Accountant Do?

Accountant paints a picture of a company’s stand in the global market by using numbers and financial statements. Some of the accountants’ everyday tasks include the following :

  1. Preparation of profit and loss statements and monthly cost accounting reports.
  2. Maintaining and processing monthly payments and stipends.
  3. Completing audits and interacting with auditors.
  4. Analyzing and accounting.
  5. Evaluating and accounting budgets, outlay, payments, and bills.
  6. Settling account discrepancies.
  7. Maintaining computer software and manual filling systems.

Who Hires An Accountant?

Various businesses hire accountants to balance their taxes and audit the financial records. Organizations having complex financial systems and loaded transactions require accountants.

Some examples of such organizations are:

  1. Universities And Schools
    Schools and colleges have complex monetary systems and require professional accountants to manage their profits and expenditures. The accountants hired are supposed to make sure that the capital and funds are sufficient to meet the needs of the institution’s various departments and covers the college tuition expenses.
  2. Hospitals
    Hospitals and healthcare providers work with insurance agencies to help people with medical needs. The job will require working directly with insurance companies and make sure the organization doesn’t exceed its expenses.
  3. Agencies of Government
    This sector needs high-precision accounting and ensuring that the revenue and expenditure get properly recorded. Since the government agencies are so large, the job vacancies are a lot as well. The candidate will be responsible for recordings of various programs and initiatives under the compass of these agencies.
  4. Entertainment and hospitality companies
    These businesses perform thousands of transactions every day and experience a lot of revenue every day. They also need accountants to collect the receipts, records, and tax time rolls. They also involve in managing employee payrolls.

Strengths That An Accountant Should Have

  • Analytical Skills
    “Good accountants can pull the analysis together, great accountants look at the output and judge whether it is reasonable, so as not to waste everyone’s time on an analysis that makes no sense when you take a step back and look at it from a common-sense standpoint.”- Bob Prather

    Accounting is a meticulous task that demands attention and precision. 
  • Organization
    The work of an accountant includes client meetings, deadlines, and following proper guidelines. Each of these works demands a notable amount of documentation and keeping track of all the paperwork. 

    “The best way to stay on top of deadlines is by getting organized”- Logan Alec
  • Critical Thinking
    Critical thinking is an invaluable skill in the accounting profession.
    Accountants face a lot of fallacies, discrepancies, and imprecision in their daily work that needs to be detected and rectified. 
    These fallacies’ can have serious aftermath if not addressed in time. Hence, accountants need to think beforehand and think critically to face all potential risks and solve them in time.
  • Adaptability
    As we know that change is the only constant, it holds for the accounting profession as well.
    It constantly changes and evolves. Accountants should always be ready to readjust to technical advancements, workplace dynamics, and altering standards and protocols.
  • Interpersonal Communication
    Accountants serve as data translators. Accountants work for clients and many of them may not be aware of complex monetary concepts. Thus accountants are required to spell out their work and transform the complex concepts into average peoples’ understanding.
  • Time Management
    “Working on different projects and being able to manage deadlines is a trait that separates passable accountants from their top-shelf peers” – Kyle Bryant

    Multitasking and proper management of all the work are the top skills an accountant should have to provide satisfactory results for their clients in time.
  • IT And Industry Knowledge
    Accountants should understand how software accounting works and how it can be applied to make a change for progress.

Top Accounting Skills For Success

  • Innovation
    The evolving business world demands an evolving accounting system along its side. Companies often look for candidates assuring to create a change for the better.
  • Enthusiasm
    Enthusiasm is contagious and it brings positive energy to the team. It shows that the candidate is eager to learn his/her trade and believes what he/she is working towards.
  • Trade awareness 
    It is the knowledge of where the company stands in the global market, how it is affected by social, economic, and political issues and how to make progress and move ahead.
  • Integrity
    Building trust and reputation get the job done halfway. Credibility opens the door for new opportunities.
  • Communication
    Accounting systems are not understandable by the common people, this is where communication skills come in. An accountant should be well-versed with the task they are working on and the way they have to translate it for the common people to understand. They have to fill the gap between numbers and stories.
  • Understanding
    Comprehending new statistics and data is crucial.
  • Initiative
    Initiative proves that the candidate is an independent thinker and can work on his own. This welcomes more trust and better opportunities.

Conclusion

Accounting job includes transaction and producing of monetary reports. 

Candidates have to develop problem-solving skills, decision-making, and critical thinking. So if you are someone who is considering venturing into the accounting field, be sure to develop these characters to be the perfect match for what’s expected to come your way in this field.

Accounting For Reserves And Surplus

Just the way we categorize our expenditures at the end of every month, various…

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Just the way we categorize our expenditures at the end of every month, various business organisations include Reserves and Surplus in their balance sheet keeping their future needs as an organisation in the picture. In simple words, they are the savings of big corporates which can be used as assets during a crisis.

What Do Reserves And Surplus Mean?
Reserves
A financial accounting Reserve is a part of the shareholder’s equity except for basic share capital. A Reserve is profits that have been appropriated for a particular purpose. In accounting terminology, reserve implies the amount set aside for future activities which include buying assets, paying for bonuses or even legal settlements.

Surplus
Surplus describes the amount of an asset or resource that exceeds the portion that is actively utilised. In the budgetary context, a Surplus occurs when income earned exceeds expenses paid.
Reserves and Surplus, as the name suggests, are the accumulated profits that a company has earned and retained over time. Retained profits are the profits that are left after repaying the shareholders. General Reserves are created out of profits and kept aside for the financial strengthening of the company in bad years.

Difference Between Reserves And Surplus
Reserves are the primary amounts that are earmarked by the organisation for specific purposes. Whereas Surplus is where all the profits of the company reside.

Types Of Reserves And Surplus
Depending on their purpose there are various types of Reserves used in a balance sheet.

Capital Reserve
A Capital Reserve is the type of Reserve that is created from capital profits. Capital Reserve is maintained to prepare the company for sudden hazards like inflation, business expansion and funds for new ventures.

  • Cash received by selling current assets
  • Excess on revaluation of liabilities and assets

are a few examples of Capital Reserves.

Capital Redemption Reserve (CRR) 
Capital Redemption Reserve is created when the preference shares or the capital is redeemed. It is a statutory Reserve. When a company wishes to redeem shares a Capital Redemption Reserve account is created to benefit both the creditors and employees.

A Capital Redemption Reserve comes in handy for the company on a rainy day. Several litigations are attached to this reserve such that the company can open this reserve only under certain circumstances.

Security Premium Reserve
It is the additional amount charged on the face value of any share when the shares are issued, redeemed and forfeited. Security premium account is a part of the Shareholders Fund, it refers to the difference between market value and the face value of a share.

Debenture Redemption Reserve
A Debenture is a debt security that lets the investors borrow money at a fixed rate. A Debenture Redemption Reserve must be created to protect investors from the possibility of a company defaulting.

Debentures are not backed by any kind of asset, lien or collateral. Free Reserves are those Reserves upon which the company can freely draw, Debenture Redemption Fund is one such Reserve.

Revaluation Reserve
Organisations have the freedom to construct line items for assets on the balance sheet when they believe it is a necessity for correct accounting to be presented. Revaluation Reserves are not inherently normal, but they can be used when a business assumes that the value of their assets will fluctuate after a certain time frame.

Other Reserves: Specifying Nature And Purpose

Surplus
Surplus i.e balance in statement of profit and loss disclosing allocations and appropriation such as dividend, bonus, shares and transfer to/from Reserve etc.

Accounting is a part of our daily chores, let it be a multi-crore business or the expenses of a middle-class family accounts play a vital role, here is a link to a certified accounting course in Ahmedabad that will make you a pro at finance and accounting.

Why Are Reserves And Surplus Called Liabilities?
Aren’t Reserves supposed to be good? They are money set aside for future endeavours and hazards, How is being financially safe considered a liability? Isn’t having surplus money a boon?

Well here are the answers to all your queries,

Reserves are considered on the liabilities side of a balance sheet because they are sums of money that have been set aside to be paid out on a future date. To be more precise Reserves are considered a liability keeping the peasant scenarios in mind. Reserve is considered a liability keeping all the future requirements in mind.

Reserves also represent the obligations that the form has, which makes Reserves a liability item. Reserves can be future or potential obligations to various stakeholders or future use of funds to benefit various stakeholders.

For a better understanding, we can compare Reserves to a bank, though the bank is always expected to have money, yet it is considered a liability keeping in mind that money is not for the bank but to meet up with the financial needs of their account holders.

What Is Meant By A Negative Reserve?
Negative Reserves are considered as assets, for example, the money which is due to the policyholders i.e debtors. But these are assets which may be realised or forgetting that the policyholders may withdraw, leading to a policy lapse.

To conclude, accounting at the end of the day is an asset to our lives, it is a massive ocean of its own, here is the address of an Accounting institute in Ahmedabad, they offer various  Accounting Training in Ahmedabad that will turn you from a liability to an asset.