
Loads of commerce grads will ask themselves whether a short cert actually makes any difference when all their peers appear to have a degree. They'll go out and apply for accounts jobs, they'll list their certs and often get no response at all. The latest data on Tally certification courses and the like (the so-called MicroCerts) is pretty clear in its conclusion: employers are now looking for evidence of specific skills rather than just a degree.
The numbers below are taken from surveys and job market reports published in 2026. Taken together they demonstrate where hiring is heading and why it's such a good idea to be building up your practical accounting skills at this time. The various sections go on to explain what the stats mean for finance roles.
This stat roundup brings together recent figures on skills-based hiring and short certifications. Each one points to the same trend: employers want candidates who can prove what they can actually do.
A 2026 global micro-credentials survey found that every employer surveyed in India uses skills-based hiring in some form and 89% do so extensively at the entry level.
The same survey found that 81% of Indian employers stated that candidates with micro-credentials progressed through their hiring pipelines faster (8 points above the global average).
All of the Indian employers we spoke to said they were happy to pay a higher starting salary to graduates who had micro-credentials.
As per the same report 98% of Indian employers had hired at least 3 people with micro-credentials in the previous year.
A March 2026 India skills gap study found that 38% of respondents felt that employers were increasingly placing value on certifications and micro-credentials as opposed to the traditional degree.
LinkedIn's Skills on the Rise 2026 report for India found that 74% of recruiters were having trouble finding the right candidate.
LinkedIn's research from July 2026 found that applicants per open role in India have more than doubled since early 2022, making proof of skills more important than ever.
A July 2026 jobs market tracker showed total white collar hiring down 12%, banking and financial services down just 5% and a monthly increase in compliance and risk roles.
A 2026 college hiring report found that just 21% of companies have fully moved to skills first hiring, with 51% still allowing grades to play a part in their hiring decisions.
Taken together the figures point to very strong momentum in favour of skills based hiring, though the transition is by no means complete. The candidate with both a degree and demonstrable practical skills is clearly the one in the best position in this hybrid market.
The data actually points quite clearly in one direction for those wanting to go into accounts and finance. A degree still counts, but a practical certificate with actual skills is what's going to get you the job.
Short certs are emerging as a credible indicator of job readiness in particular for the entry level accounts and finance space.
Faster movement through the hiring pipeline means that certified candidates can get to interviews and offers much quicker.
Since academic results still count in so many organisations a certificate is best used in conjunction with a degree rather than as a replacement for it.
With applicants per role going up, practical skills such as GST entries and bank reconciliation will help candidates stand out in a very competitive field.
Finance and compliance have held up much better than a number of other areas which in turn has supported the continued demand for accounting skills.
The fundamental point is that a certificate is only as good as the actual skills that underpin it. The best way to demonstrate that in an interview is to have a small portfolio of practical work to hand. A month's worth of entries for a sample business would be ideal.
Recent finance support associate jobs news points to steady demand for people who can handle daily accounting and compliance work. These roles are a natural entry point for Tally-trained candidates and freshers.
Finance Support Associates record the vouchers, invoices and payments on a daily basis with care and accuracy.
They prepare the GST invoices and have the data ready for the monthly returns (GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B).
They match the bank statements and deal with any outstanding customer and supplier invoices.
They facilitate audits by ensuring the records are complete, well organised and easy to trace.
They now go through entries produced by the automated tools before they are finalised and reported.
Many of the employers will test this in a short practical element of the interview. The candidate who can do the entries, explain input tax credit and print out a trial balance without a second thought is going to be the one that stands out from the rest.
GST Council updates keep changing how businesses record and report tax, which keeps demand steady for trained accounts staff. The 57th GST Council meeting, held in October 2026, approved several procedural reforms.
The vast majority of the changes are due to come into effect from 1 April 2027, providing businesses with plenty of time to get ready.
GST rate decisions will be made once a year and will apply from the commencement of the following financial year.
Refund applications are to be acknowledged within 10 days rather than the current 15 days.
No GST notices will be issued for tax amounts below ₹10,000 and any notices currently pending which are below that threshold will be withdrawn.
A faceless assessment system for the Central GST is on the cards, which will in turn change the way businesses respond to tax queries.
Each change means updated processes, ledgers, and records for businesses of every size. Official updates are published on the GST portal, and accounts staff who follow these changes add clear value to any finance team.

