Filing income tax returns is a veritable nightmare for most people. To facilitate matters, the Income Tax department, M/o Finance, GoI, has announced a scheme to train a fresh batch of professional tax return preparers (TRPs) to help small and medium tax payers prepare and file their income tax and HUF returns. This opens a window of opportunity for self-employment for 5,000 unemployed /under-employed youth (21-33 years). Applicants will be shortlisted for appearing in the enrolment exam on September 23 on the basis of marks obtained at the Bachelor's degree level in commerce/law/economics/maths/statistics or management. Age: 21-35 years (DoB: On or after April 1, 1977). The IT department will offer free training and study material comprising 15 days of self-study and 11 days of classroom-sessions . Upon successfully completing the training and clearing the assessment exam, you'll receive a certificate and a unique identification number authorising you (under the IT Act 1961) to work as a self-employed Tax Return Preparer. You will also be entitled to subsequent support through an online 'Knowledge Portal' and 'Help Desk' to prepare and file returns. Apply online on the TRPS website: www.trpscheme .com. August 20 is the last day.

German delight

After completing my graduation in electronics and a certificate course in German, I have enrolled for diploma from DU. I want to take up a short-term course, which will keep me preoccupied throughout the week. Are there

any short-term courses in German? I want to work as a German teacher or translator. How should I proceed?
Swathi Vishwanath

If you would you like to teach German in a school, college or a professional language institute, Ignou in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut /Max Mueller Bhavan and the University of Vienna offers a diploma in teaching German as a foreign language. The second batch commenced their studies in January 2012. The eligibility for this German language teachers' training programme via distance-learning is a Bachelors' degree in any subject plus knowledge of German (Level B1 'Zertifikat Deutsch' or higher ). The four-module course combines the advantages of self-study in distance mode, contact classes and workshops with practical training of 240 hrs at a partner school. For more information, e-mail to renub@ignou.ac.in

Foriegn shores

What is the difference between doing MS in finance in the US and the UK? Which exams should I take if I want to pursue my Masters in either of these countries? Radhika Uppal

A Masters programme in finance is the equivalent of an MBA-finance , focussing purely on finance subjects, without papers and subjects in marketing, general management, human resources , strategy. A Masters in finance programme is usually a one-year programme in the UK, while in the US it could vary between one and two years. The title of the course may also differ. In the UK, it will usually be an 'MSc in finance' (all courses with a significant math component get classified as science subjects while in the US it will be a 'Masters in finance' or a 'MS in finance.')

You can choose to specialise in areas such as investment analysis, computational finance, financial modelling, financial economics, financial risk management, etc. To apply for such programmes, you will need to take the GRE regardless of whether you are applying to a US or UK university. Along with this, you would need to submit your 'Statement of Purpose' (SoP), academic transcripts and letters of recommendation, if asked for.
From your query it appears you are doing a three-year undergraduate programme. This may prove to be somewhat of a hindrance when applying to the US, as they follow a fouryear undergraduate study system and most of the better courses also ask for additional work experience. There is no such issue when applying to the UK.

Health management

I am pursuing final year of my BPharm. I want to pursue MBA in healthcare management after graduation. I'll take an education loan for postgraduation. Can you suggest institutes/universities that offer courses in the range of Rs 2-3 lakh that can help me get a placement in a good hospital? Aviral Khanna

You've certainly picked a booming field. Healthcare is a promising sector. The emergence of medical tourism and large private and multi-speciality hospitals encompassing a variety of services, further underscores the need for professionalism and quality in hospital administration. A Masters in hospital administration will equip you with the requisite knowledge to plan, direct, coordinate and control the various activities of a large hospital and managing the complex relationships between patients, physicians, hospitals, medical insurers and government agencies . The courses broadly focus on four areas of management: human resource management , facility management, quality & cost management, and information systems . The time, money and energy that you put in to your course is perhaps the most important investment that you can make one that will determine your future career, earnings and prospect. Aim for the best possible and work hard. Some of the institutes you can consider include Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi University, TISS, Mumbai, IIHMR, Jaipur, Apollo Institute of Hospital Administration , Hyderabad & Chennai, ASCIHinduja Institute of Healthcare Management , Hyderabad, Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences, Pune, NMIMS University, Mumbai, CMC, Vellore, etc.