The Government of India introduced the goods and services tax (GST) on July 1, 2017 in India to bring uniformity and transparency in the indirect tax system and to eliminate the cascading effect of taxes on consumers. It is the most significant tax reform, benefiting both manufacturers, traders, and consumers. It also helps the government monitor financial transactions and prevent tax evasion. GST binds India into a uniform economic unit, upholding the government’s ‘One Nation, One Tax’ moto. Competent and skilled professionals are required for better administration of the new tax regime in the country. As with any new system, taxpayers felt it was difficult to understand the nitty-gritty of the new law and the process was complicated and confusing.  All people who are in the business of providing goods and services and service providers need to have a thorough knowledge of the GST laws and procedures. The GST certification course can enhance knowledge of the laws and enhance skills in GST compliance. It can also improve career prospects for finance and tax professionals and graduates aspiring to gain expertise in GST laws. There are various courses, both online and in person. This article aims to provide information on the cost of GST certification course in India.

Importance of GST certification course

The GST council changes policies, tax rates, return formats, and application forms from time to time. The taxpayers and others involved in GST compliance must update their knowledge of the latest changes regularly. The certification courses help enhance GST knowledge and skills and provide a broader understanding of taxation, finance, and accounting principles. The main objectives of the GST certification course is to gain an understanding of GST concepts and provisions with case studies, gain working knowledge and application in regular compliance provisions, and enhance skills for effective business management. It covers various aspects of GST, including its principles, regulations, compliance requirements and filing procedures. It also comprises of input, output, credit mechanisms, the e-way bill system, and various other concepts The GST certification course is beneficial for all people who wish to enhance their knowledge of GST laws and procedures. They are designed for business owners, finance and tax professionals, accountants and students who want to pursue careers in the financial and taxation field. The cost of obtaining the GST certification can vary depending on the institution providing the course, the duration, and the curriculum. Many institutions offer the GST certification course. Depending on your specific requirements, like budget, available time, level of expertise required, and preferred mode of learning, whether offline or online, you must choose the course. Some of the reputable institutions offering the GST certification course are as follows:

1) Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)

2) Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)

3) National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics (NACIN)

4) National Institute of Financial Management (NIFM)

5) Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and other Management Institute

6) Government-Recognized Training Providers

7) Chambers of Commerce and Industry:

8) Regional Tax Practitioner Associations

9) Online platforms

• Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is a statutory body for chartered accountants and various domains like education, accounting, auditing, and ethical standards. It has its headquarters in Delhi. It is a recognized institute for practitioners and provides best GST course in India.it has e-learning resources. ICAI offers two courses: a certificate course and a complicated certificate course on GST. These two courses are exclusively for chartered accountants, they consist of 72 hours of coaching and can be done online or offline. The advanced course is 40 hours online. Fees: The course fee is Rs. 10,000 plus GST at 18%. For the advanced course, the fee is Rs. 14,000 plus GST. The course provides full, updated information on GST in a systematic way. It also helps enhance analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI)

The Institute of company secretaries is an institution, expert in interpreting all aspects of law and has a strong accounting background. They are rendering value added services to trade and industry and help in the regulatory mechanism in the country. This course is aimed at helping company secretaries develop their skills and competency in the GST domain. The ICSI has joined hands with BSE Institute Ltd., to offer a certified course in GST for its members and professional program students. Eligibility: Members and professional program students of ICSI are eligible to join the course. Fees: A one-time registration fee of Rs. 7,500 inclusive of GST is applicable, which can be paid online. Structure of course: It is an advanced level course with web-based classes and online examinations. Duration: Classes are held on Saturday and Sunday for 5 weeks. That is 60 hours. On successful completion of the course, the enrolled candidates get a certificate.

• National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics (NACIN)

Officer trainees of NACIN are trained in the administration of customs, GST and other indirect taxes. The course comprises of classroom sessions and visits to various departments across India. The academy is authorized to conduct the GST practitioners’ examinations by the government. The candidates need to score a minimum of 50% marks to qualify as certified GST practitioners. They also have a GST accreditation program and a training program for members of trade, industry, and other stakeholders. Its objective is to impart training to trade as ‘Approved training partners’. Fees are as specified by NACIN.

• National Institute of Financial Management (NIFM)

NIFM is considered as one of the best GST and financial accounting training institutes in India. NIFM Certified GST Professional course covers all practical aspects of GST and helps participants gain a comprehensive knowledge of the key areas of the impact of GST on businesses in India.    The objective of the course is to gain an overall understanding of the GST law and rules governing compliance. The participants can acquire practical knowledge of the different procedures required under GST Act, such as registration, filing returns, availing input tax credit, TDS, TCS compliance, refunds, documentation required, computerization and hands on practice. Officers of government of India, states and PSUs, and members of trade, academia, professional bodies and practitioners can avail themselves of the course, Fees: The course fee is Rs. 25,000 plus taxes, and the program duration is 2 months. GST is not levied for participants sponsored by central and state governments. Participants get the Professional GST Certification from NIFM and they can start their career as GST practitioners with an in-depth knowledge of GST Laws, applications and concepts.

• Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and other Management Institutes

IIM skills provides four-week live online GST training with 16 hours of lectures and practical assignments which will  help participants understand from basic to advanced concepts applicable in GST. The duration of the course is 4 weeks. Fees: The fees for enrolling in the GST Practitioner Certification Course by IIM Skills are Rs 11,900 plus 18% GST. The course is applicable to students graduating in commerce, banking, finance, law, accounting and taxation, chartered accountants, company secretaries, cost and management accountants, businessmen, taxation professionals, traders, income tax practitioners, individuals having a new startup or who want to start a new consultancy firm and are eligible. Live interactive sessions, a comprehensive GST curriculum, practical training, and on-the-spot, doubt clearing sessions. Participants must visit the website to enroll. They get the certificate right after the course is completed.

• Cost and Management Accountants of India (ICMAI)

ICMAI, a statutory body that promotes and regulates the cost and management accounting practice in India. It is a premier institute responsible for training and establishing cost management accountants in India. ICMAI provides the GST certification course to its members, and members of other statutory bodies like ICAI, ICSI, bar associations, etc. The objective of the course is to enhance the skills of the professionals and help them gain knowledge on all aspects of GST by providing information on the latest changes in the rules and procedures of GST. The duration of the course is 72 hours. Faculty members of ICMAI, Advocates, and Experts in the field of GST teach with live doubt clearing sessions. The institute provides study materials and mock test papers for all the participants. People can enroll on their official website. Fees: The course fee is Rs. 10,000 plus 18% GST, and the exam fee is Rs. 1,000 plus GST.

• Government-Recognized Training Providers

The other government recognized GST training providers apart from NACIN, NIFM, ICAI, ICSI, and the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (IIM) are National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), Indian academy for Law and Management, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Institute of International Trade (IIFT), NIIT, Arun Jaitley Institute of Finance Management, International Society for Executive Learning, National Skill Development Corporation, EduPristine, Vskills,  CAclubIndia, Udemy, Henry Harvin, ISEL Global, Tax Guru, GST India Expert.com, Training central, ILMS academy, Rise India, IIPTR, Laqshya etc.  The details of the courses are available on the respective websites.

• Chambers of Commerce and Industry

The Chambers of Commerce and Industry of various states also conduct regular, comprehensive GST training to help the staff of business organizations and students aspiring for a career in finance and taxation. The training covers the concepts of basics of taxation, GST, GST administration, registration, payment, accounting, record keeping, invoicing, key concepts and terminology, and the application and impact of GST.

• Regional Tax Practitioner Associations

Many regional and local tax practitioner associations and tax consultants forums also provide seminars and courses, in collaboration with professional bodies or government agencies.

• Online platforms

To help professionals and aspirants gain expertise on GST, many institutions have introduced online certification courses. As the government introduces many changes regularly in the GST rules and procedures, it is important to understand and implement the changes in their business to stay compliant. These online courses provide them with knowledge of the practical aspects of GST. Some of the renowned institutions that provide online certification courses are:

i) Henry Harvin

Henry Harvin a prime edtech institute in India, provides a comprehensive GST certification course that gives students knowledge of the recent amendments and challenges in the law. They also resolve doubts during and after the training. The students learn about real-life cases and experiences that the experts share. They get technical-based, practical training from the experts.

ii) Tax Guru Edu

Tax Guru Edu, a knowledge wing of Tax Guru, offers online certification courses on GST. The course covers detailed aspects of the GST law with special emphasis on reconciliation, audit, return filing, assessment and analysis, GST amendments and case studies. After successful completion of the course and clearing exam, a certificate is given. The classes are conducted twice a week for one month. The fee is Rs. 10,000 plus GST.

iii) CA Club India

The CA Club offers online GST certification courses to provide knowledge of the practical aspects of GST and understand the provisions thoroughly with case studies. The course helps students learn about the challenging issues in GST compliances and the detailed procedures to file periodic returns. Bimal Jain is the main faculty member in the institute, and has more than19 years experience in indirect taxation. They provide 61 hours of online classes and an e-book on GST in English. The fees is Rs.6599/-. The students get the e-certificate on completion of the course.

iv) ICT Academy

The certification course offered by ICT academy helps professionals understand key areas of impact of GST on their businesses. The faculty members consist of leading CAS and indirect taxation professionals. The syllabus includes model of GST law, both CGST and IGST, business process registration and returns, accounts and records, valuation of supplies of goods and services, overview of IGST act, interim provisions, revisions, appeals, etc. This course helps participants to learn to prepare for contingencies, provide documentation for refunds, and understand the key areas of impact of GST on business. The duration of the course is 30 hours for 2 months. After successfully completing the course, the participants get the GST certificate.

V) PwC India’s Tax Academy

PWC India’s Tax Academy has a professional certification program on GST on the online learning platform Coursera. Learners gain basic GST skills and knowledge on GST, including on the method of applying GST on transactions, filing returns and other compliance procedures. The course focuses on the practical aspects of GST through case studies and real-life scenarios. It is a 24-week course and participants can pursue other educational or work opportunities simultaneously. On completion of the course, participants earn a professional certificate from PwC, with job-oriented  skills for GST jobs in India.

Features of GST certification course

• Introduction to GST aims to help understand the concept of GST laws, rules and regulations.
• Study of GST laws, rules, and compliance requirements.
• Process of registration to GST
• Specified hours of learning with videos, exercises, quizzes, and study materials
• Query resolution with discussions and communications with experts
• Flexible learning time with ability to learn from anywhere, anytime
• Online and physical classes as per the convenience of students
• Accessible on mobile, laptop, and desktop computers
• Affordable, cost-effective courses with cancellation and refundable options

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Transform Your Skills: Benefits of Enrolling in a GST Certification Course

Benefits of GST certification courses

The main benefits of GST certification courses are:

• Greater career opportunities
• Significant salary hike
• Develop valuable skillset
• Adaptability to evolving taxation rules
• Comprehensive knowledge of taxation
• Improved networking and professional growth
• Competitive salary package
• Enhanced problem solving and analytical skills
• Practical knowledge with case studies at real time
• Expert guidance from CAs and CSs
• Start a tax consulting business
• Boost bookkeeping and tax auditing abilities
• Become a certified GST Practitioner

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Your Complete Guide: How To Become A Certified GST Practitioner?

Conclusion

There are various GST certification courses offered by different institutions. They provide the relevant information necessary to become a qualified GST provider or practitioner. Accordingly, there is no specific flat fee for the course. The cost of the course varies depending on the services provided by the course, such as type of course, basic or advanced), syllabus covered, material provided, exam fees, etc. As more businesses come under the purview of GST and the rules and procedures get stricter, the requirement of skilled GST professionals increases. The GST certification course will help professionals gain expertise and become efficient GST professionals, so that they can explore more job opportunities across various sectors. Choosing the right course is important for a rewarding and fulfilling career as GST professional.

 Frequently asked questions

1. Who is eligible for the GST certificate course in India?

Answer: The GST certificate course is relevant to chartered accountants, company secretaries, and professionals of finance, accounting, taxation and auditing. It is also beneficial for students who wish to pursue a career in the finance industry.

2. How useful is the GST certification course?

Answer: The GST certification course helps participants gain knowledge of GST rules and procedures and increase job opportunities.

3. Are free GST certification courses available?

Answer: There are various online GST certification courses available, but they may not have the same features as paid courses.

4. What can we expect to learn from the GST certification course?

Answer: The GST certification course provides in-depth knowledge of GST law and the provisions, rules, and regulations, compliance with GST procedures; and interactive sessions with case studies pertaining to GST.

5. What are the basic conditions for becoming a GST practitioner?

Answer: The basic conditions required for becoming a GST practitioner is that they should be a resident of India, be of sound mind, not be listed as an insolvent, not be convicted of any crime, or be imprisoned.