By Ms. Poonam Jain, CFO & Co-founder, Simandhar Education
As the finance profession undergoes digital transformation, Indian commerce graduates are standing at a crossroads. Automation, analytics, and global compliance frameworks are redrawing what “career readiness” means. By 2026, international qualifications like the US CPA and US CMA are becoming the global standard for employability.
At the forefront of this change is Simandhar Education, which has built one of India’s most comprehensive ecosystems for international finance certifications. In this conversation, Ms. Poonam Jain, CFO & Co-Founder of Simandhar Education, shares how the institute is equipping Indian students to thrive in the borderless world of finance.
Q1. As we approach 2026, how is the career landscape evolving for commerce graduates in India, and what new global opportunities are emerging for them?
Answer: The finance profession is going through a once-in-a-generation shift. By 2026, the idea of a purely domestic accounting career will be outdated. We’re already seeing Indian graduates leading audit teams, analytics projects, and transformation mandates across global capability centres (GCCs) in India and abroad.
With the increasing alignment to IFRS and US GAAP, Indian professionals now have direct access to opportunities in the US, Middle East, and Europe. Beyond accounting, new frontiers such as ESG reporting, financial planning, and automation-driven finance are opening up.
What’s equally inspiring is the rise of women professionals in this space. I’ve seen a visible shift as more women are pursuing global certifications and assuming leadership roles in finance. This diversity is enriching the profession and redefining what leadership looks like in global finance.
Q2. How is Simandhar Education preparing young commerce graduates to compete for international finance roles and certifications like CPA and CMA?
Answer: At Simandhar, our goal has always been to make global finance education accessible, inclusive, and career-ready. We’re proud to be the official learning partner for Becker and AICPA, which ensures our students prepare for the US CPA and CMA with globally benchmarked content.
But where we truly differentiate ourselves is in the ecosystem we’ve created world-class faculty, AI-based adaptive learning, and a strong mentorship network that helps every student, regardless of background, see a clear global pathway.
We’ve also made a conscious effort to bring more women into the talent pipeline. Finance leadership needs gender balance, and we’re seeing women learners at Simandhar outperform, mentor peers, and aim for senior roles at Big 4s and multinationals. Our approach is as much about empowerment as it is about education.
Q3. What are some of the key initiatives or innovations Simandhar has introduced to bridge the gap between classroom learning and global employability?
Answer: The real challenge isn’t the lack of knowledge, it’s the lack of translation. We have brilliant students who need structured guidance to connect what they learn with how global employers think.
To bridge that gap, we’ve introduced AI-driven tools like Simandhar.ai and our digital mentor ‘Digital Sripal’ that offer continuous, personalized support. These platforms track learning patterns, recommend content, and simulate exam scenarios making preparation far more efficient.
We’ve also built a career-services division that works closely with Big 4 firms, GCCs, and Fortune companies to align training outcomes with real hiring needs. Workshops on interview strategy, resume building, and cross-cultural communication ensure students are ready for the global workplace, not just the exam room.
Q4. Looking ahead, what skills and qualifications will define the success of finance professionals in 2026 and beyond?
Answer: Technical mastery will always matter, but by 2026, employers will expect something more: a strategic, data-literate, globally-minded finance professional.
The US CPA and CMA continue to be career accelerators, but professionals must now complement them with skills in analytics, AI, automation, and ESG finance. The ability to translate financial data into business insight will be the real differentiator.
From a leadership lens, I also believe empathy and diversity of thought will shape the future of finance teams. As more women rise to CFO and Director roles, the profession will benefit from broader perspectives on collaboration and risk management. At Simandhar, we’re deliberately building these attributes into our programs because technical skills alone no longer guarantee global success.
The Road Ahead
The finance profession of 2026 won’t be defined by geography, it will be defined by agility. Indian commerce graduates are entering a decade where borders matter less than skills, and credentials like the CPA and CMA act as passports to opportunity.
For Simandhar Education, this moment isn’t just about preparing students for exams; it’s about preparing India for a global stage. The institute’s focus on AI-enabled learning, mentorship, and inclusion is shaping a new generation of finance professionals who can think globally, lead ethically, and adapt constantly.
As Poonam Jain puts it, “We’re not only training accountants but we are also nurturing globally aware professionals who understand the business language of tomorrow.” That language rooted in analytics, accountability, and ambition is exactly what will define India’s finance leaders in 2026 and beyond.