The world has changed, and with it, commerce has changed too. Business is no longer the exclusive realm of big banks and brokerage firms – today’s commerce graduates can be found making a difference in a range of areas – they’re supporting women experiencing homelessness, revitalising Perth’s food and bar scene and building sustainable skin care brands.
Commerce careers are as diverse as they are definitive, ideal for forward-thinking individuals who can seize opportunities and apply their business savvy to a range of industries.
What is a bachelor of commerce?
A bachelor of commerce is a degree that gives you the ability to succeed in the business world – that is, the dynamic interactions between consumers and producers. From your morning coffee to the car you drive to the music you like – it’s all founded on strong business relationships.
When you study a commerce degree at Curtin, you’ll have the freedom to personalise your course based on your interests and ambitions. You can choose from a range of commerce areas like marketing, finance and IT, but you can also choose subjects from other areas such as creative arts, design and science.
You’ll learn skills within your chosen discipline, plus develop essential skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, project management and leadership. You’ll graduate with a degree as unique as you, ready to make your mark in the dynamic world of business.
Jobs you can get with a commerce degree
There are so many jobs you can get with a commerce degree! Your imagination is really the only limit. Read on to discover just some of the roles you could you earn with a bachelor of commerce, as well as examples of the tasks you could do and the skills you need.
Marketing manager
Marketing managers come up with creative ways to sell products and services. They are the story tellers of a brand, promoting a company’s beliefs and values so we can make more meaningful purchasing decisions. Marketing managers can create content like social media videos, coordinate photoshoots, organise events, direct the design of billboards, brochures etc. They work across teams and work in diverse sectors such as beauty, fashion, education, health and transport.
What does a marketing manager do?
Tasks a marketing manager might do include:
- creating and coordinating marketing campaigns
- directing or writing marketing content (social, video, email etc)
- undertaking market research and staying up to date with industry trends
- managing cross-functional teams
- coordinating marketing budgets
- Working with key stakeholders.
Marketing manager skills
To be a successful marketing manager you’ll need the following skills:
- Creativity
- Project management
- Communication
- Big-picture thinking
- Leadership
- Problem solving
eCommerce manager
With more of us shopping online, eCommerce managers help companies stay competitive by attracting customers to visit their online store and ensure they have a positive user experience. eCommerce managers can create and maintain the design and function of a company’s digital platforms such as retail apps, website, social media and email. They also coordinate marketing campaigns for these platforms to promote a company’s products.
What does an eCommerce manager do?
Tasks an eCommerce manager might do include:
- designing promotional campaigns (for example, seasonal edits, new products, giveaways)
- coordinating teams to create marketing strategies
- analysing web traffic and sales data
- developing SEO strategies
- evaluating a brand’s online presence and planning improvements
- conducting market research and monitoring industry trends.
eCommerce manager skills
To be a successful eCommerce manager you’ll need the following skills:
- Communication
- Customer service
- Creativity
- Adaptability
- Problem solving and critical thinking
- An understanding of SEO practices.
Accountant
Not only can an accountant give you the best tax return, they can also help companies boost revenue and reduce costs. They are crucial to all successful businesses and can work for global companies like Google, Apple and Microsoft, through to small boutique firms and not for profits.
Accountants have a head for numbers – they collect, calculate and examine all incoming and outgoing finances, and use this information to help a business run more efficiently. Accountants can also provide expertise on tax laws and regulations, business strategy and smart accounting software.
What does an accountant do?
Tasks an accountant might do include:
- formulating budgets
- preparing financial statements
- examining operations costs
- verifying financial records and reports
- preparing tax returns
- implementing accounting software systems
- giving financial advice on business operations or investments.
Accountant skills
To be a successful accountant you’ll need the following skills:
- An analytical, rational mindset
- A head for numbers
- Adaptability
- Critical thinking
- Attention to detail
- The ability to simplify data
- An understanding of accounting principles, regulations and policies.
Double your accounting power with a double degree – study a Bachelor of Commerce with a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Engineering.
Internal auditor
Internal auditors provide insight into how a business can function better. They will examine things like financial statements, expense reports and financial data to make objective evaluations of how how well a business is performing, as well as how risks are being managed. For example, an internal auditor might work with a mining company to evaluate the cost and risk of transitioning diesel trucks to run on green power. They report to senior managers and board directors, providing assurance and consulting to improve business operations where required.
What does an internal auditor do?
Tasks an internal auditor might do include:
- examining financial records
- identifying risks facing an organisation (for example, customer interactions, cyber security or supply chain)
- assessing risk management processes
- communicating key findings
- implementing improvement strategies
- reviewing a company’s compliance with laws and regulations
- investigating fraud.
Internal auditor skills
To be a successful internal auditor you’ll need the following skills:
- Negotiation and communication
- Critical and analytical thinking
- The ability to work independently
- Project management
- Accounting software proficiency
- A thorough understanding of auditing principles, regulations and policies.
Business analyst
If you enjoy exploring the practical applications of data, a business analyst job may be for you. Business analysts use data to identify ways to improve a business or organisation. For example, data from an online store might show that customers are putting items in their online cart but not going through with the sale. A business analyst might decide to capture those customers through a targeted marketing campaign, as well as look at how the website could be better designed to improve the customer sales process. Business analysts are often the conduits between management, finance and IT, creating data-driven strategies that improve business performance and sales.
What does a business analyst do?
Tasks a business analyst might do include:
- reviewing business goals, processes and technological limitations
- evaluating processes for efficiency, cost and results
- communicating data, recommendations and procedures to teams
- managing technical projects
- analysing large data sets.
Business analyst skills
To be a successful business analyst you’ll need the following skills:
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Leadership
- Financial planning
- Statistical analysis
- The ability to see the big picture.
Data analyst and business analyst – what’s the difference?
A data analyst works exclusively with data, collecting and preparing it so it can be understood by stakeholders, like a business analyst, who will use the findings of that data to make better business decisions.
Finance manager
There are many moving parts to a successful business, but managing capital is key. Financial managers oversee and coordinate all transactions, from sourcing initial investments to guaranteeing future cash flow. A good financial manager uses available funds in ways that enable a business to grow and receive a greater return on investment.
What does a finance manager do?
Tasks a finance manager might do include:
- creating and executing business plans
- producing financial reports
- allocating and monitoring budgets and cash flow
- liaising with external auditors and banks
- predicting future financial trends
- investigating market research and competitors.
Finance manager skills
To be a successful finance manager you’ll need the following skills:
- Analytical reasoning
- Adaptability
- Leadership
- Project management
- Forecasting and budgeting.
- Proficiency in financial software applications.
Not sure you meet the criteria to study at Curtin? Use our pathway finder to explore other ways to get into uni.
Sales manager
If you thrive on building new relationships and are goal-orientated, you may be suited to a career as a sales manager. These professionals bring on board new customers for businesses and identify ways to build revenue, such as exploring leads, creating new products and strengthening existing consumer relationships. They are confident at combining their creative marketing skills with technical financial skills to generate clever sales ideas.
What does a sales manager do?
Tasks a sales manager might do include:
- developing and executing new marketing strategies
- negotiating pricing with clients
- Nurturing relationships with new customers
- attending networking and industry events
- forecasting sales revenue
- researching industry trends.
Sales manager skills
To be a successful sales manager you’ll need the following skills:
- Communication
- Negotiation
- Discipline and self-motivation
- Customer service
- Project management
- Data analytics.
Are you confident about your uni journey or still unsure? Our handy high school resources can help.
Operations manager
An operations manager works behind the scenes of a company to ensure the processes involved with the production of goods and services run smoothly. For example, the operations manager of a textile manufacturer ensures the quality production of fabrics, from checking the machines that make the designs to overseeing the shipping of the fabric to fashion houses. Operations managers can work in diverse industries – as well as manufacturing they can find work in mining, hospitality, retail, construction and healthcare.
What does an operations manager do?
Tasks an operations manager might do include:
- designing, managing and improving operation systems
- purchasing materials, planning inventory and overseeing warehouse efficiency
- overseeing quality control
- managing budgets and forecasts
- supporting staff talent and productivity
- examining financial data and review budgets.
Operation manager skills
To be a successful operation manager you’ll need the following skills:
- Big picture thinking
- Attention to detail
- Communication and interpersonal
- Problem solving
- Leadership
- Budgeting and forecasting.
Human resource adviser
The foundation of any strong organisation or business is great employees. The role of a human resource (HR) advisor is to source, manage and retain talent for organisations. An HR advisor can be an envoy between managers and employees and helps improve workplace practices, such as professional development, workplace design and dispute resolution.
What does a human resource advisor do?
Tasks a human resource advisor might do include:
- conducting recruitment initiatives, such as job advertising and interviewing
- reviewing and improving HR policies and procedures
- implementing performance management systems
- settling staff disputes
- conducting management and staff training
- reviewing the impact of organisational change.
Human resource advisor skills
To be a successful HR advisor you’ll need the following skills:
- Advanced interpersonal abilities
- Self confidence
- Conflict management
- Teamwork capabilities
- An understanding of HR software systems
- Strong knowledge of employee relations.
Management consultant
Sometimes it takes a fresh pair of eyes to see the solution to a long-standing problem. Management consultants provide companies with objective, specialised support at leadership levels to solve complex business challenges. They may make recommendations across HR, operations, finance and IT to improve systems, efficiency and profits. Management consultants can find work in diverse industries and they often work for consultancy firms.
What does a management consultant do?
Tasks a management consultant might do include:
- providing expertise in specialised areas (for example, mergers, governance or digital transformation)
- facilitating discussions with stakeholders to identify problem areas
- auditing procedures
- gathering and analysing data
- designing and presenting new solutions
- supporting business development activities.
Management consultant skills
To be a successful management consultant you’ll need the following skills:
- Problem solving
- Leadership
- Strategic thinking
- Conflict management
- Team building
- Data analytics.
So, what jobs can you get with a commerce degree? Loads! It’s this variety that makes the Bachelor of Commerce such an exciting course to study, as you can tailor it to your own interests and career goals.
Now you know a little more about bachelor of commerce jobs, you could speak with a career counsellor or people who work in business areas that interest you, to gain deeper insight into the possibilities of a commerce career.
Want to know what other commerce degree jobs might suit you? Take our Find U Quiz.
