There are two types of people when choosing a career: those who, as children, knew exactly what they wanted to grow up to be and those who matriculate or go on to find jobs and still don’t know what careers they’d like to pursue.
Luckily for many of us in the second group, there’s the humble Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)—an academic all-star with serious career clout!
The BCom is one of the most popular degrees because it is versatile. It’s a gateway to many different careers, some mega-niched and specialised, and others with a broad focus.
In this article, we will look at the many Bachelor of Commerce careers, salary potential, and more, so you can decide if this is the right course for you.
What is a BCom degree?
A Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree is an undergraduate qualification focusing on business fundamentals, including finance, economics, marketing, human resources, and more.
Typically, this degree takes around 3-4 years to complete, and some online schools, like REGENT, offer it through distance learning, meaning you can study while working.
It provides students with a broad range of skills that can be applied to various business disciplines, opening doors to many jobs.
BCom job opportunities
If you are wondering what you can do with a BCom degree, this broad qualification opens the door to many job opportunities. Let us have a look at some of the top careers with BCom:
- Financial Manager: The financial industry has many high-paying jobs for Bachelor of Commerce degree holders, including Financial Management, Purchasing Agents and more. According to Business Tech, jobs in the financial sector are rising, making this a great avenue to consider.
- Taxation Specialist or Tax Consultant: If number crunching sets your pulse racing, this is a great way to merge people skills (through consulting) and the financial expertise that a BCom empowers you with.
- Auditor: If you grew up loving detective series, you’d probably enjoy being an auditor! This career involves investigative work. Combine this with your love for numbers, and you’ll be in your element!
- Project Manager: Project managers are among the most in-demand hands-on specialists globally. This is due to their eye for detail, knowledge of all aspects of business (thanks to their BCom training!), and ability to manage multiple tasks strategically.
- Healthcare Manager: This qualification has never been so in demand as it is now amidst the recent global health crisis. There are abundant opportunities in South Africa for skilled healthcare management professionals, and the demand abroad is equally high.
- Information Technology Specialist: The demand for IT experts increases as the world becomes more digitised. A BCom degree in Information and Technology Management would be a great choice.
- HR Manager: If you love dealing with people and have your sights set on a managerial position, you can’t go wrong with a BCom in Human Resources Management. Successful HR Managers have a solid understanding of business and industrial relations and how to bring out the best in people.
- Risk Manager: Risk managers have analytical minds, love nitty-gritty details and are somewhat fascinated by probabilities.
- Retail Manager: The possibilities for redefining the retail space are enormous. The COVID-19 crisis has altered consumer behaviour, and the need for innovative solutions in retail management has never been greater. BCom graduates are ideally placed for the challenge.
- Marketing specialist: Many successful careers in marketing are based on a BCom degree. Graduates become marketing managers, sales managers, client managers, and advertising managers, or they specialise in digital marketing — the in-demand skill for businesses needing to develop alternate business models.
- Entrepreneurship: A BCom is an excellent foundation for starting your business if you are more drawn to flexing your entrepreneurial muscle. You will have all the insight, skills, and knowledge you need to make informed decisions.
- Become a Master: A BCom degree is the perfect stepping-stone to a Master in Business Administration (MBA) qualification. The MBA is like rocket fuel for your career, and graduates are snapped up quickly. You can read more about our MBA offering here.
So, the list of opportunities that our BCom presents is vast. Our RBS student community can tailor their BCom to suit their career objectives by making smart elective choices. These include:
- Economics
- Accounting
- Project Management
- Health Management
- Information Technology
- Supply Chain Management
- Human Resource Management
- Risk Management
- Retail Management
- Digital Marketing
- Digital Leadership
- Business Intelligence
What is the salary for a BCom in South Africa?
In 2025, people with a BCom degree earn an average of R362,000 per year. However, salaries can range between R180,000 and R900,000 depending on your position, experience, and company.
For example, some jobs, such as those in the financial industry, typically earn higher wages than those in marketing.
FAQ
What industries hire BCom graduates?
Graduates with a BCom degree can find jobs in many different industries, including, but not limited to:
- Finances
- Accounting
- Marketing
- Operations management
- Data analysis
- Banking
- Insurance
- Sales
- Human Resources
- Marketing
- And more
How can I specialise after completing a BCom degree?
Most BCom degrees allow you to specialise during your studies by choosing electives. For example, REGENT will enable you to specialise in economics, supply chain management, digital marketing, accounting, etc.
You can also consider specialising through a postgraduate qualification, such as an honours degree or an MBA. This will allow you to progress to more senior-level roles faster.
What additional certifications can improve my BCom career options?
With a BCom, you can take many different certifications to enhance your career prospects. For example, if you are in the financial industry, you could choose industry-specific certifications, such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
Or, if you are looking to further progress your career in human resources, consider enrolling in a BCom Honours in Human Resource Management. With so many certifications and postgraduate courses available, it ultimately depends on your industry.
Study a BCom with REGENT
Talk about having many choices! You can apply here to give your career dreams wings with our versatile, academic all-rounder: the Bachelor of Commerce degree.
This degree is especially useful if you are interested in many fields within the business industry and want to be flexible in your current and future careers.
