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Our doctoral program in accounting offers broadly based, interdisciplinary training.

Emphasis is placed on developing a conceptual framework and set of skills for addressing questions broadly related to information systems and frictions. While issues of disclosure, financial reporting, managerial accounting, corporate governance, and taxation are usually the ultimate concern, emphasis is given to applying basic knowledge of economics, decision theory, and statistical inference to approaching these issues.

Faculty interests

Faculty research uses empirical and analytical methods to investigate a broad spectrum of topics. Examples include:

• Research on the relation between accounting information and capital market behavior examines the characteristics of accounting amounts, the effect of accounting disclosures on the capital market, the roles of information intermediaries, and the effects of management discretion. 
• Research on the production, communication, usage, and effects of disclosures outside of capital markets, including many settings where information frictions undermine transactional efficiency or stakeholder welfare (e.g., ESG reporting, intra-firm communications, and consumer financial product markets). 
• The economic effects of business tax policies on firm decision-making, including financial reporting, investment and employment choices, and firm location decisions 
• The economic effects of auditing and regulation of accounting information
• Problems of information asymmetries among management, investors, and transacting partners. This research investigates the structure of incentive systems and monitoring systems under conditions of information asymmetry. Research on moral hazard, adverse selection, risk sharing, and signaling is incorporated into this work.

Preparation and Qualifications

Successful GSB students have come from a variety of experiences and backgrounds. Work experience in accounting or a related field is valuable but not required. 

During the PhD program, all students will be expected to develop a solid understanding of applied microeconomic theory and econometrics. This requires working knowledge of mathematics such as probability and statistics, linear algebra, calculus and optimization. We recommend that students who do not have recent coursework in these areas work on building their skill sets before the start of the program. If admitted, faculty can advise prospective students on addressing potential gaps.

Programming languages such as Python, R, Stata, and Matlab are frequently used in coursework and research. While the PhD program will help students develop programming skills, gaining some familiarity beforehand can be beneficial.

Faculty in Accounting

Christopher s. armstrong, jung ho choi, george foster, brandon gipper, ron kasznik, john d. kepler, jinhwan kim, rebecca lester, iván marinovic, maureen mcnichols, joseph d. piotroski, kevin smith, emeriti faculty, mary e. barth, william h. beaver, david f. larcker, charles m. c. lee, stefan j. reichelstein, recent publications in accounting, fraudulent financial reporting and the consequences for employees, corporate carbon accounting: balance sheets and flow statements, firm boundaries and voluntary disclosure, recent insights by stanford business, your company is on a high-growth list it may not be there next year., how corporate “diversity washers” spin investors, new data on the quality of esg audits catches regulators’ attention.

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PhD in Accounting

• PhD in Behavioral Science
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Chicago Booth has one of the preeminent PhD accounting programs. Our faculty conduct groundbreaking scholarly work, and our graduates have played a central role in the evolution of modern accounting research.

As a PhD student in accounting at Booth, you’ll have the freedom to explore and cultivate your research interests from day one—wherever they lead.

You’ll join a collaborative research community and work with prominent scholars whose groundbreaking research is recognized for its impact on the academic literature, accounting practice and policymaking, securities regulation, and elsewhere. In addition to your stipend, you may apply for research and conference travel funding from our research centers and the Stevens Doctoral Program. In research workshops and conferences, you’ll present your work and hear about the work of fellow researchers. 

Our Distinguished Accounting Faculty

As measured by research productivity and impact, Chicago Booth has one of the best accounting faculty groups in the world. The group includes Philip G. Berger, Hans B. Christensen, Merle Erickson, Christian Leuz, Michael Minnis, Valeri Nikolaev, Haresh Sapra, Douglas J. Skinner, and Abbie J. Smith, as well as an outstanding group of research-active junior faculty. The school is committed to maintaining the quality of this group.

These distinguished scholars are also teachers and mentors who will advise you, coauthor papers with you, supervise your thesis, help you find an outstanding job, and serve as colleagues throughout your career.

Philip G. Berger

Wallman Family Professor of Accounting

Hans B. Christensen

Chookaszian Family Professor of Accounting and David G. Booth Faculty Fellow

Anna Costello

Jeffrey Breakenridge Keller Professor of Accounting

Merle Erickson

Professor of Accounting

Joao Granja

Associate Professor of Accounting and Jane and Basil Vasiliou Faculty Scholar

Christian Leuz

Charles F. Pohl Distinguished Service Professor of Accounting and Finance

Bradford Levy

Assistant Professor of Accounting

Charles McClure

Associate Professor of Accounting

Michael Minnis

Deputy Dean for Faculty and Fuji Bank and Heller Professor of Accounting

Maximilian Muhn

Valeri Nikolaev

James H. Lorie Professor of Accounting and FMC Faculty Scholar

Madhav Rajan

Dean and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting

Thomas Rauter

Amoray Riggs-Cragun

Assistant Professor of Accounting and Kathryn and Grant Swick Faculty Scholar

Delphine Samuels

Associate Professor of Accounting and James S. Kemper Faculty Scholar

Haresh Sapra

Charles T. Horngren Professor of Accounting

Douglas J. Skinner

Sidney Davidson Distinguished Service Professor of Accounting

Abbie J. Smith

Boris and Irene Stern Distinguished Service Professor of Accounting

Christopher Stewart

Assistant Professor of Accounting and Fama Faculty Fellow

Associate Professor of Accounting and Kathryn and Grant Swick Faculty Scholar

Anthony Welsch

Anastasia A Zakolyukina

Alumni success.

The American Accounting Association periodically awards a prize for seminal contributions to the accounting literature. Graduates of the PhD Accounting Program are regular winners of this prestigious prize.

Our PhD graduates in accounting go on to faculty positions  at some of the world's most prestigious institutions.

Fabien Nagel, MBA '24, PhD '24

Donald P. Jacobs Scholar and Assistant Professor of Accounting Information and Management Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University Fabian's research combines theory and data to examine how accounting and information issues affect consumer credit markets. His dissertation area is in accounting.

Sinja Leonelli, MBA '23, PhD '23

Assistant Professor of Accounting Stern School of Business, New York University Sinja's research primarily examines misconduct reporting, regulation and enforcement, and the use of ESG information by stakeholders such as regulators, employees, and consumers. Her dissertation area is in accounting.

Kalash Jain, MBA '23, PhD '23

Assistant Professor of Business, Accounting Division Columbia Business School, Columbia University His research examines the impact of information processing frictions and investor decision making on asset prices and firm investment. His dissertation area is in accounting.

Shirley Lu, MBA ’21, PhD ’21 

Assistant Professor of Business Administration Harvard Business School, Harvard University Shirley Lu studies Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) disclosure, with a focus on climate change and gender diversity. Her dissertation area is in accounting.

Spotlight on Research

Chicago Booth Review frequently highlights the work of accounting PhD students, faculty, and alumni.

One Way Discrimination Creeps into the Supply Chain

A Q&A with Chicago Booth’s Anna Costello about how the pandemic affected which suppliers got paid on time.

AI Reads between the Lines to Discover Corporate Risk

“Corporate risk exposures are often subtly implied in conference call discussions rather than explicitly stated,” write Chicago Booth PhD student Alex G. Kim and Booth’s Maximilian Muhn and Valeri Nikolaev.

Civilization is Based on Accounting

A Q&A with Chicago Booth’s Ray Ball on accounting’s past and future.

Financial Data Privacy Could Help Fight Poverty

Historical data can shape future outcomes, helping to determine whether a prospective borrower has access to a home, car, or other opportunities, write University of Utah’s Mark Jansen, Chicago Booth PhD student Fabian Nagel, and Booth’s Constantine Yannelis and Anthony Lee Zhang.

A Network of Support

Doctoral students at Booth have access to the resources of several research centers  that offer funding for student work, host workshops and conferences, and foster a strong research community.

The Chookaszian Accounting Research Center The Chookaszian Accounting Research Center coordinates accounting research at Chicago Booth and hosts research brown bags and workshops. It also publishes the Journal of Accounting Research , one of the top accounting research journals in the world.

George J. Stigler Center for the Study of the Economy and the State Dedicated to examining issues at the intersection of politics and the economy, the Stigler Center supports research in the political, economic, and cultural obstacles to better working markets.

Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation Chicago Booth’s destination for people committed to tackling social and environmental problems, the Rustandy Center supports the work of PhD students and others who are focused on transforming the social sector.

Inside the Student Experience

For Andrew Sutherland, PhD ’13, coauthoring research with Booth faculty was a highlight of the Stevens Program.

Video Transcript

Andrew Sutherland, ’13: 00:09 In accounting, there's tons and tons of research on these big public firms that have an army of investor relations people and they constant disclosing things. That's where most of the research was happening, but there's this whole other half of the economy, these private firms, that we didn't really know a lot about. We didn't know a lot about how they got credit. What was interesting to me is that a lot of time, firms are able to get credit without even providing any financial statements or any information whatsoever to the bank. The reason they're able to get credit is that they have a credit score. So in other words, the information is coming, not from the form itself, but from another bank who had dealt with them in the past. What really struck me was there wasn't really a lot of research out there on this information channel. That's when I decided I wanted to learn a little bit more about what this reporting channel does to contract and help firms get credit and how it changes banks' incentives to lend.

Andrew Sutherland, ’13: 01:01 Basically, the firms that have a good credit record or a long track record of borrowing successfully were the ones that were able to shop around. We would think that's a good thing, that giving firms more choice about who to borrow from kind of increases social welfare, you get better matching between lenders and firms. Kind of the dark side is that the firms that have had payment trouble that have defaulted or missed some payments on loans sort of get shut out of the credit part. You have a harder time starting any new relationships with outside lenders. That's kind of a cost.

Andrew Sutherland, ’13: 01:34 The second cost is that information sharing changes the game for lenders. So, if participating in this credit bureau basically allows outside lenders to pick off the firms that are doing better, then that destroys the incentive for lenders to kind of invest in relationships to begin with. That's sort of the second dark side of information sharing, if you will.

Andrew Sutherland, ’13: 01:54 So, I coauthor on a number of projects with the junior faculty member here named Mike Minnis. I probably talked to Mike more than I talk to my wife. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. But, I mean, as a PhD student, there's only so much you can learn in class, and having a faculty member to work with that's kind of gone through the ropes and understands the review process, that's done something on their own, it gives you a really good opportunity to learn. That's something, I think that was absolutely instrumental in my success

Current Accounting Students

PhD students in accounting come to Chicago Booth with a wide range of interests and goals. Recent dissertations have focused on everything from machine learning to the impact of fiscal monitoring, and graduates have gone on to positions at some of the world’s preeminent institutions, including Columbia Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Current Students

Esteban Espinoza Aburto Carolina Maia Silva Araujo Samuel Chang Jonas Dalmazzo Jewel Evans Lingyu (Laura) Gu Yanzi (Yvonne) Han Grant Hayes Maria Khrakovsky Alex Kim Ginha Kim Andrew McKinley Pietro Ramella Subhradip Sarker Jizhou Wang Hanbyul Yoon

Program Expectations and Requirements

The Stevens Doctoral Program at Chicago Booth is a full-time program. Students generally complete the majority of coursework and examination requirements within the first two years of studies and begin work on their dissertation during the third year. For details, see General Examination Requirements by Area in the Stevens Program Guidebook below.

Download the 2023-2024 Guidebook!

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• ACCOUNTING EDUCATION

Road map to applying for a doctorate in accounting

Finding the right school is only half the battle..

• Accounting Education

Pursuing a doctorate in accounting can be an exciting and highly rewarding journey. However, especially if you're more accustomed to applying for jobs than to graduate programs, the application process can seem bewildering. It may be more time - consuming and require more preparation than anticipated.

This article can serve as your road map, making you aware of the possible roadblocks, speed bumps, and even the burnout you may encounter along the way (see the sidebar "Tips for Preventing Burnout" below). We outline the process of choosing schools to apply to, getting all your materials ready for application, and planning your time so you can meet the application deadlines. This guide is intended to help you navigate the highly competitive application process and position yourself as a prime candidate for consideration.

ROUTE PLANNING: CHOOSING THE TYPE OF DEGREE TO PURSUE

After you've made the decision to pursue a doctorate in accounting, the next choice you must make is which type of doctorate you want: a Ph.D. in accounting or a doctorate in business administration (DBA) with a concentration in accounting. Traditional accounting Ph.D. programs require full - time residency and consist of face - to - face instruction in a campus classroom. In these programs, tuition is usually waived, and students receive a stipend in exchange for working as a research or teaching assistant.

Nontraditional DBA programs may be conducted completely online or can be "hybrid" programs, where most instruction takes place online, but students are also required to be on campus multiple times throughout the program. One advantage of nontraditional programs is they allow you to pursue a degree while continuing to work, although some students may have difficulty balancing the demands of the program with the demands of their job (see the sidebar "Doctoral Programs for Practitioners" below). A drawback is that the cost of such programs can be quite high ($40,000 to $120,000) compared with the cost of traditional accounting Ph.D. programs. Also, note that having a DBA can affect the types of schools that will hire you as a faculty member, as many larger, research - focused schools prefer or even require candidates to hold a Ph.D. This may not be a problem if you plan to teach at a smaller or teaching - focused school.

CHOOSING SCHOOLS TO APPLY TO

After you determine which type of degree you want to pursue, you will then need to decide which schools to apply to. It is important to keep in mind that most schools accept only a handful of applicants each year. To increase your chances of acceptance into a program, you should apply to at least six to eight schools.

Consider some of the following factors when making this decision:

Accreditation

A school's accreditation status could affect your viability as a candidate for a faculty position. In the United States there are two main types of accreditation: regional and specialized. Regional accreditation applies to the school as a whole, whereas specialized accreditation applies to specific programs within the school. Accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is widely considered the highest standard of accreditation for business schools, and many schools require faculty applicants to possess a Ph.D. or doctorate degree from an AACSB - accredited institution (see the box, "Helpful Resources").

Your future career plans

Consider also where you would like to work after graduation. If you are looking for a position at a research - intensive school, choose a graduate program with a strong reputation for research. Also, note that graduates of a school's accounting Ph.D. program typically do not find their first positions at the school from which they received their Ph.D. Thus, if you know that you would like to work at XYZ University immediately after you finish your Ph.D., you should probably not apply to that school's Ph.D. program.

Your research interests

Explore the type of work your prospective schools' faculties engage in, both the research areas they tend to specialize in (e.g., audit, tax, financial accounting, governmental/ not - for - profit accounting, management accounting, accounting history, etc.) and the research methods (behavioral or archival) they tend to use. This is an important step even if you're not yet sure what type of research you want to engage in, because later in your career you will be expected to develop research interests.

If you find that no one at the school does research you are interested in, or that most of the faculty is engaged in research in areas or methods that don't appeal to you, then that school will probably not be a good fit.

Additional factors

Other factors to consider include location, culture, and reputation. Depending on your situation, a school's location may be a major factor in choosing whether to apply to it. To determine whether a school would be a good cultural fit, consider reaching out to the program's coordinator, current students, or recent graduates. You can usually find their names and contact information on the program's website.

A program's research reputation can be an important factor in your application decision. To get a sense of the school's general and research reputation, speak with the program's coordinator and examine the program's website for listings of faculty publications, job placements of recent graduates, and mentions of its ranking in Public Accounting Report 's Annual Professors Survey. (In this survey, which requires paid access, accounting faculty rank the best accounting doctoral programs in the country.) Additionally, you may want to view Brigham Young University's yearly accounting research rankings.

ROADBLOCKS: APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND LOGISTICS

Your application journey may come to a quick end if you encounter certain roadblocks that prevent you from applying to or being accepted into a program. Read prospective schools' admission requirements carefully, and be especially mindful of the following:

Required classes, degrees, and/or work experience

Some schools either require or strongly recommend having certain prerequisite classes (e.g., calculus, linear algebra, and microeconomic theory), a master's degree in business or accounting, or one or more years of work experience.

Most Ph.D. programs require applicants to provide their Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores. If you have previously taken the GMAT, make sure your score is recent. If you took the test more than five years ago, you will need to retake it.

Studying for the GMAT is important to optimize your chances of being accepted into a program. While minimum score requirements can be in the low to mid - 600s , several schools note on their websites that the average scores of students accepted into the program are 700 or above.

Be aware of application deadlines. Priority deadlines for most Ph.D. programs are in December or January prior to the fall semester of entrance.

Whether a school is accepting doctoral students in a given year

You may find that some schools are not accepting applications to their doctoral program for the upcoming school year because they lack the resources to support doctoral students.

SPEED BUMPS: ALLOW AMPLE TIME TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION

Beware of speed bumps that can slow your application journey. It's advisable to start planning the application process a year in advance. Most schools require the following application materials, all of which can take weeks or even months to compile or obtain:

Recommendation letters

Most schools require two or three letters of reference, and many specify that some or all must be academic references. Depending on how long you have been out of contact with your references, it may take a bit of research and time to find their current contact information and to hear back from them.

Transcripts

Schools will require transcripts from undergraduate and graduate schools you previously attended. Note that transcript processing and delivery time can vary depending on the mode of delivery, holds on your account, and the length of time since graduation.

GMAT scores

You can take the GMAT only once every 16 calendar days, five times within a 12 - month period, and eight times total in your lifetime. Plan accordingly so you can submit or update your GMAT score before your application is due.

If it has been a while since you last updated your r é sumé, you may need some time to research items such as official job duties, dates of service, and reference contact information.

Most schools require applicants to provide a written personal statement and may request additional essays as well. The personal statement is a very important piece of the application process in which you attempt to "sell" yourself to the school; therefore, it is a good idea to put a lot of time and thought into your responses and to hire an editor to read over your responses and provide feedback. Typographical errors, poor grammar, or a lack of enthusiasm are likely to leave a bad impression on the application reviewers.

EYES ON THE PRIZE

The application process is a critical phase in your journey to a doctorate, and it presents many challenges. We hope the tips provided in this article will help keep you on course and prevent you from encountering unwelcome surprises while navigating the application process. Proper planning, preparation, and knowledge can help you achieve your dream of receiving a doctorate in accounting.

Tips for preventing burnout

The process of applying to a Ph.D. program can sometimes feel overwhelming. Here are some ways to alleviate the stress:

Talk to accounting professors about their Ph.D. experience

Most professors would be happy to speak with you about their doctoral journey, including the application process. You are likely to find that they, too, encountered some speed bumps and roadblocks along the way, and they may be able to give you advice.

Stay organized

If you are applying to several schools, it can be difficult to keep up with each program's requirements. A good way to manage this is to keep an Excel spreadsheet or a checklist of each school's requirements and due dates. That way you can check off what you have completed as you go and not worry about forgetting any components.

This help can come in the form of GMAT study courses, having a friend or editor review your essays and r é sumé, or speaking with your target schools' Ph.D. program coordinators for advice (e.g., they may advise you to submit your materials by a certain date to be among the first considered, or to consider retaking the GMAT to increase your chances of acceptance).

Be aware of alternative teaching routes

You don't always need a doctorate to teach at the college level. Many schools require only a master's degree to teach as a part-time (adjunct) lecturer or as a full-time nontenure-track instructor.

Seasoned accounting professionals interested in transitioning from practice to the classroom may consider the AACSB Bridge Program. The Bridge Program is an intense weeklong program held annually at a participating university. Participants gain knowledge on topics such as managing the classroom, creating an engaging learning environment, and planning and delivering courses.

Doctoral programs for practitioners

A CPA with at least three years of professional accounting experience who would like to teach tax or audit at the university level should consider applying to the Accounting Doctoral Scholars (ADS) Program ( adsphd.org ). The ADS Program provides financial support for those pursuing a Ph.D. in accounting who have recent public accounting experience and plan to teach and do research in tax or audit at an AACSB-accredited university after graduation. Those selected for funding receive a total of $40,000 in supplemental payments upon reaching various milestones while pursuing a doctorate in accounting.

Practitioners can also consider participating in the AACSB Bridge Program, an initiative that helps practitioners transition to the classroom and learn teaching and classroom management skills. Visit aacsb.edu/events/bridgeprogram for more information.

About the authors

Sarah Garven, CPA, Ph.D. , is an assistant professor of accounting at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Bailee Pennington is a senior at Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky., majoring in accounting and finance.

To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Courtney Vien, a JofA senior editor, at [email protected] or 919-402-4125.

Helpful resources

• List of AACSB-accredited universities and schools, aacsb.edu
• Brigham Young University's accounting rankings, byuaccounting.net
• The Accounting Doctoral Scholars Program, adsphd.org
• AACSB Bridge Program, aacsb.edu/events/bridgeprogram
• Frequently asked questions about GMAT scores and score reports, mba.com
• Information about how often someone can take the GMAT, mba.com

AICPA resources

• " Don't Let These Myths Stand Between You and a Teaching Job ," CPA Insider , Aug. 7, 2017
• " Transitioning Into Academia: A New Pathway for Practitioners ," JofA , March 2016
• " My Pathway From Practitioner to Professor ," JofA , March 2016
• " A Ph.D. for Me? Really? "
• " From Practice to the Classroom ," JofA , Oct. 2012
• " Pursuing a Ph.D. in Accounting: Walking in With Your Eyes Open ," JofA , March 2009
• Extra Credit
• " From CPA to the Classroom: Going From Practitioner to Professor ," JofA , Feb. 28, 2017
• " Pathway to Academia for Accounting Professionals "
• AICPA Accounting Education Center

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ACCOUNTING PhD

The nation’s top accounting program.

Texas McCombs boasts the most prestigious accounting doctoral program in the country and has graduated more than 300 PhD students since its inception in 1934. Are you ready for the best?

Your Future In Accounting

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ACADEMIC LIFE AT McCOMBS

Mentorship and practice, application deadline.

The application deadline for the Accounting Doctoral Program is December 15.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

If you are a practicing accountant, these topical areas will be familiar to you. However, we welcome students with backgrounds in Mathematics, Economics, Engineering, Finance, Psychology, or other disciplines to apply. We can remedy any lack of accounting knowledge through additional coursework. Most students enter our accounting doctoral program with some knowledge in these areas:

Financial Accounting

Financial accounting researchers are interested in the use of accounting information by investors, creditors, analysts, and other decision-makers. We are also interested in the preparation of accounting information by managers who may respond to economic incentives and use discretion to manage earnings. Finally, we are also interested in the regulation of accounting information by standard setters and other regulators who are evaluating the relevance and reliability of current and potential accounting information.

Auditing researchers are interested in questions of independence, governance, compliance, auditing processes, and biases. This research helps global standard-setters and regulators adopt standards and policies that protect the integrity of our accounting information. 

Managerial accounting research topics include optimal employee compensation and governance, using information for efficiency management, motivating creativity, etc.

Taxation research covers economic incentives, transfer pricing, compliance with tax enforcement, multistate taxation, and numerous topics about accounting for income taxation, where tax rules overlap with financial reporting standards.

RANKINGS & RESEARCH

Academic leadership, research methodologies.

When you earn a doctorate, most of your time is spent developing deep expertise in research methods. Accounting researchers use three main approaches. In all cases, your doctoral studies will involve a firm grounding in statistics and typically a choice of either economics or psychology as an additional foundation.

Archival research involves the statistical analysis of historical data to examine relevant research questions based on economic theory for its predictions. Thus, archival research requires a strong background in statistics and economics, which we provide through rigorous coursework in the business school and the economics department.

Experimental

Experimental or survey methods are commonly used to obtain data to conduct what is broadly known as behavioral research. Behavioral research relies on psychology for its theories. Because this research is interested in what people do and why they do it, it is often necessary to conduct controlled experiments or survey participants. Using experiment or survey methods, researchers in accounting and finance have provided compelling alternative explanations where economic theories fall short.

Analytical research uses quantitative mathematical models to explain and predict behavior. This research is grounded in game theory from economics. Students wanting to conduct analytical research should have even stronger mathematical backgrounds than other applicants. We will design a program of study that builds on those initial strengths with additional coursework in mathematics and economics.

GET READY TO APPLY

Preparation and qualifications, career placement, the world needs you, career destinations.

The primary goal of the Texas McCombs PhD program is to prepare students for exceptional academic careers. Over the last five years, McCombs Accounting PhD alumni have excelled at top institutions globally.

Recent Graduate Placements

Rui Silva | 2024 | University of Washington

Mandy Ellison | 2024 | Texas State University

Minjae Kim | 2024 | Analysis Group (Industry)

Laura Kettell | 2023 | University of Colorado at Boulder

Abhi Ramchandni | 2023 | University of Hawaii

Anthony Welsch | 2023 | University of Chicago

Jesse Chan   |  2022  |  Boston University

Cassie Mongold   |  2022  |  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Ryan Hess   |  2021  |  Stanford University (postdoc); Oklahoma State University

Ryan Ballestero   |  2021  |  Kent State University

Dan Rimkus   |  2021  |  University of Florida (October 2021 graduation)

Shannon Garavaglia  |  2020  |  University of Pittsburgh

Jakob Infuehr  |  2019  |  University of Southern Denmark

Antonis Kartapanis  |  2019  |  Texas A&M University

Kristen Valentine   |  2019  |  University of Georgia

Colin Koutney   |  2018  |  George Mason University

Zheng Leitter  |  2018  |  Nanyang Technological University

Brian Monsen   |  2018  |  The Ohio State University

Xinyu Zhang   |  2018  |  Cornell University

Current Students and *Job Market Candidates

Mary adenle, yiying chen*, dorothy dickmann*, kenzie feinberg, michael gonari, read hadfield, nathan herrmann, sean kemsley, kaitlyn kroeger*, jingpei shi, cindi teasley, albert wang, frequently asked questions, how long does the program take.

This is a full-time, in-residence (i.e., in-person) program of coursework and research which usually takes four to five years to complete.

When is the application deadline? What is the timeline for reviewing applications?

Our deadline is December 15 th for admission starting the following fall. The admissions committee will begin reviewing applications shortly after this deadline, so it is in your best interest to make sure all required materials have been submitted by that date. We typically start virtual interviews in January, with campus flyouts for a small group of applicants starting in late January or February.

How many students do you admit per year?

We usually receive about 80 applications each year and are likely to admit two or three students to begin in the following fall term.

What kind of background do I need to be admitted to the program?

Students come from a variety of backgrounds, with some entering the program immediately after their undergraduate degree, others with their degree and work/research experience, and some with work/research experience and a master’s degree. Because our students come from various backgrounds and the competition in the applicant pool changes from year to year, it is difficult to determine the likelihood of acceptance without viewing the strength of your application as a whole compared to the pool of fellow applicants.

How do you evaluate applicants?

The admissions committee takes a holistic approach to admissions. We consider factors such as: intellectual curiosity, reasoning ability, writing ability, quantitative skills, institutional knowledge, work experience, research experience, familiarity with the academic accounting literature, knowledge of what a PhD entails, and insights from recommendation letters.

What kind of math background do I need for an accounting Ph.D.?

Many successful applicants will have already begun taking some math refresher courses, such as engineering calculus I and II and linear/matrix algebra. The longer it has been since these quantitative tools have been used, the harder the doctoral coursework will be. The initial doctoral classes typically also include students in finance and economics, and they typically enter their doctoral programs straight from rigorous quantitative master's degrees.

Will I need a TOEFL score?

For applicants who have completed their undergraduate degree in a country where English is not the primary language, a TOEFL score will be a necessary part of the application. This is a university-wide requirement and is necessary even if a graduate degree has been completed from an accredited university in the United States.  TOEFL scores over two years old will not be accepted. A list of TOEFL-exempt countries can be found on the UT Austin Graduate School website.

Do I need to take the GMAT or GRE? Can this requirement be waived?

For all applicants, the Department requires a GMAT or GRE test score. This requirement cannot be waived. Scores over five years old will not be accepted.

Can the application fee be waived?

The application fee is charged by the Graduate School, which does offer fee waivers for financial hardships for domestic applicants. There are no waivers for international students. Please see the Graduate School website for more details.

Do you offer financial support to Ph.D. students? Do I have to pay tuition?

Financial assistance is offered to all students admitted to the doctoral program and includes fellowship payments as well as a 20-hour teaching assistant/research assistant appointment. This appointment covers the cost of tuition and also provides health insurance coverage. 

The financial support we provide is competitive with other top PhD programs in the U.S. 

ARE YOU READY TO CHANGE THE WORLD?

The Texas McCombs Doctoral Program is seeking individuals who are interested in transforming the global marketplace. Are you one of these future thought leaders?

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PhD Program

Wharton’s Ph.D. program in Accounting trains students to be successful academic researchers. To this end, the program is designed to provide students with opportunities to learn to develop their own research ideas and to learn to implement appropriate research methods. Students learn these skills through rigorous coursework, as well as mentoring relationships and often research projects with faculty members that provide “on-the-job” training. When a student completes the program, he or she will have a dissertation and other publishable research in progress that can credibly communicate to the academic community the student’s skills and potential for future success as a researcher.

For examples of joint work between students and faculty, Click here . For student placements since 1999, Click here .

About the Program Find out more about the Accounting admission requirements.

Course Information View the Accounting course requirements.

Course Schedule View the Accounting course schedules.

Current Students View a list of our current Accounting PhD students.

Sample Plan of Study

PhD Accounting Program Coordinator Luzi Hail Stephen J. Heyman Professor, Professor of Accounting 1319 Steinberg Hall-Dietrich Hall Philadelphia, PA 19104-6365 Phone: (215) 898-8205 E-mail: [email protected]

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Department of Accounting | Ph.D. Overview

Ph.d. overview.

• Stern’s accounting faculty has a wide range of research interests and continuously publishes works in all major academic accounting research journals such as the Journal of Accounting Research, Journal of Accounting and Economics, the Accounting Review, the Review of Accounting Studies, and Contemporary Accounting Research. Furthermore, Stern’s accounting faculty has published in such major Finance journals as the Journal of Finance, the Journal of Financial Economics, and the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis.
• The Department boasts a large and diverse body of Ph.D. students, who assist faculty with research projects early on in their doctoral program and often become co-authors to papers published in prestigious accounting journals.
• The admissions process is a rigorous one and important criteria are: an interest in doing research and teaching in accounting, strong quantitative skills, and an ability to communicate effectively. There are no formal education requirements  other than possession of a bachelor's degree - an MBA is not required.
• The quality of our Ph.D. program (ranked 7th in the United States by U.S. News and World Report) manifests itself by, among other things, our success in placing our graduates.

Click here to learn more about the PhD admissions process.

Accounting, Ph.D. Program Coordinators

NYU Stern Henry Kaufman Management Center 44 West 4th Street Suite No. 10-77 Phone:  212-998-0025 Email: [email protected]

Xiaojing Meng

NYU Stern Henry Kaufman Management Center 44 West 4th Street Suite No. 10-84 Phone:  212-992-6812 Email:   [email protected]

Explore Stern PhD

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Program Requirements

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Accounting & Management

A minimum of 13 semester courses at doctoral level are required. Each semester students will consult with the Accounting & Management faculty coordinators to receive approval of their course selections.

Microeconomics Theory : A comprehensive two semester sequence on economic theory:

• Microeconomic Theory I (HBS 4010/Economics 2020a)
• Microeconomic Theory II (HBS 4011/Economics 2020b)

All Accounting and Management students are required to have completed one undergraduate or graduate course in introduction to Econometrics. If this requirement has not been fulfilled prior to matriculation, then an equivalent course will be required in the first term of the student's doctoral program.

Courses meeting this requirement include:

• Introduction to Econometrics (Econ 1123)

Students must take four research methods courses, including one course in research design.

Courses that fulfill this requirement include, but are not limited to:

• Introduction to Applied Econometrics (Econ 2120); (Econ 2110. Introductory Probability and Statistics for Economists may be a required prerequisite)
• Econometric Methods (Econ 2140)
• Topics in Applied Econometrics (MIT 14.387)
• Advanced Applied Econometrics (Econ 2144)
• Computational Economics (Econ 2149)
• Time Series Analysis (Econ 2142)
• Seminar in Applied Statistical Methods (HBS 4809)

Research methods courses that meet the research design course requirement include, but are not limited to:

• Advanced Quantitative Research Methodology (Gov 2001)
• Empirical Methods in Corporate Finance (HBS 4220)
• Matched Sampling and Study Design (Stat 240); (Stat 140 or Econ 1127 are strongly recommended as prerequisites)
• Design of Field Research Methods (HBS 4070)
• Experimental Methods (HBS 4435)

Accounting and Management students are required to take seven additional doctoral courses.

• Management Control and Performance Measures (HBS 4403)
• Empirical Research in Financial Reporting and Analysis (HBS 4250)
• Doctoral Seminar in Accounting (MIT 15.539)
• Two breadth courses
• Two elective doctoral courses

All students without an MBA degree are required to complete two case-based HBS MBA courses.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in seminars throughout their program. In the third year, students are required to attend Accounting & Management Unit Seminars .

Good Academic Standing

Teaching requirement.

Students must teach or assist with teaching in a formally offered course for one full academic term. This engagement should include, at least, 8 hours of front-of-class teaching and 16 hours of teaching preparation time. The requirement may be fulfilled by completing a teaching fellow or instructor assignment at a Harvard University

Special Field Exam

Students are required to pass the Special Field Exam at the end of the second year or beginning of the third year. This exam has two parts: a written exam and an oral exam based on the course syllabi from any relevant doctoral research seminars in financial or managerial accounting undertaken by students in the course of their studies.

Dissertation Proposal

By the end of their third year, all students are required to obtain approval of their dissertation proposal by their Dissertation Chair.

Dissertation

Students are required to write a dissertation, which typically takes the form of three publishable papers, to the satisfaction of their Dissertation Committee. The dissertation defense is oral and open to the public.

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Prepare to produce impactful research as an accounting scholar on your path to a tenure-track position at a leading university. Throughout the five-year program, you’ll explore emerging issues in accounting using insights from allied disciplines including, economics, statistics, finance, and political science. You’ll work closely with accounting faculty, globally recognized as some of the top minds in the field. They will serve as your mentors and colleagues while in the program and throughout your career. 

The PhD program integrates emerging issues in accounting with insights from allied disciplines, such as economics, statistics, finance, organizational behavior, and political science. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of current accounting theory, practice, and research. 

You are expected to have completed courses in introductory finance, advanced-level financial accounting, and intermediate managerial accounting in addition to the school’s required background and analytical tools courses. You are also required to complete the following minimum course requirements: 

Econometrics/statistics (3 courses) 

Economics (2 courses) 

Finance (2 courses) 

PhD seminars in accounting 

Electives (normally fulfilled in economics, finance, statistics, or operations management) 

The program requires two projects: a research proposal (at a minimum) completed in the first year, and a small-scale study completed in the second year.

After completing coursework and the first research project, you may take the preliminary written exam. Advance to candidacy after passing the exam and completing a second research project. 

The remainder of the program is devoted to the dissertation.

Ross accounting faculty include some of the world's foremost business thinkers and innovative practitioners who focus on issues of importance to the accounting and business communities. Recent research topics include the impact of accounting information on capital markets, and the behavior of decision-makers within firms. 

Learn more about the faculty and research contributions of the accounting area at Michigan Ross.

Wei Shao, 2023 China Europe International Business School

John Aland, 2021
 Fairfield University

Jerry Mathis, 2021
 Washington University

Madeline Thompson, 2021
 University of Notre Dame

Andrea Down, 2020
 University of Toronto

Ruby Lee, 2019 
University of Florida

Reginald Edwards, 2018 
Industry

Ryan McDonough, 2017
 Rutgers University

Nayana Reiter, 2017 University of Toronto

Christina Synn, 2016 
 University of North Carolina

Jason Chen, 2015 University of Illinois, Chicago

Randy Hucks, 2015 Eastern Michigan University

Jed Neilson, 2015
 Penn State

Jordan Schoenfeld, 2015
 University of Utah

Current PhD students, the next generation of scholars preparing to solve the complex issues facing the accounting field.

Madeline Adler    [email protected]

McKenna Bailey   [email protected]

Heather Graham    [email protected]

Vanessa Cardon [email protected]

Jonas Lee    [email protected]

Kendall Lynch   [email protected]

Angela Pae    [email protected]

Sofia Martinez Dominguez [email protected]

Wren Redfield    [email protected]

Douglas (DJ) Stockbridge    [email protected]

Collin Whitmore    [email protected]

Jon Woo    [email protected]

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Students in the Accounting research group are expected to push beyond the boundaries of traditional accounting and incorporate a thorough knowledge of economics and finance in their work on contemporary issues in financial reporting, disclosure, and contracts using financial information.

In addition to seminars in accounting and finance, students acquire the economics depth required of MIT Sloan's Finance PhD students. The accounting doctoral courses give students the opportunity to tap into recent faculty research and expertise on a wide range of topics that are of particular interest to accounting academics, practitioners, and standard-setters.

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Example Thesis Topics

• The 8 Best Online Doctorates in Accounting Degree Programs

Accounting is an incredibly stable, lucrative profession. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the 2017 median pay for accountants and auditors was $69,350, or over $33 an hour. They also predicted a 10% growth in accounting/auditing jobs between 2016-26, which is faster than average. In a rapidly evolving economy, advanced economic and accounting skills and knowledge are more valuable than ever. A Master’s degree doesn’t cover quite as much as it once did, and getting a Ph.D. in accounting is a way to incontrovertibly prove your mastery of the subject and open up job opportunities you’d never access without the degree. By earning you Ph.D. in accounting online, you’ll be able to save time and money while often being able to keep your current schedule, or making sure the degree program works around it. DBA’s in Advanced Accounting will give you the ability to use data to ensure an organization’s financial health. In business, students will be prepared to work in roles like chief accountant, senior audit director, and vice president of accounting. You could also apply all you’ve learned working for government agencies, non-profits, or teaching undergraduate or graduate students about accounting, building the next generation of top accountants from the bottom up. We ranked the following Accounting Ph.D.’s based on flexibility, affordability, special features, academic excellence, and more.

1) George Fox University

GFU is a Christian, private university known for its liberal arts and sciences, and professional studies. It’s based out of Newberg, Oregon, and was founded in 1885. It has been commended by Forbes, U.S. News & World Report and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance for its value, academic excellence and quality in its region. GFU offers over 4,100 students (14:1 student-to-faculty ratio) a wide selection of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It also participates in the Richter Scholars program, which sponsors 15-25 students each year to conduct original research.

GFU offers an online Doctor of Business Administration degree. Most of it can be completed online, but it does require an on-campus residency twice each year. Students can choose between accounting, management or marketing concentrations. It takes 4 years to complete (3 years of coursework and 1 of dissertation work), and 56 credit hours. The curriculum includes a business core, research/dissertation, and a teaching practicum or consulting practicum. The accounting concentration courses are Seminar in Accounting, Advanced Applications of Ethical Reasoning and Compliance in Accounting, and Advanced Topics in Accounting. The entire program costs $50,400 in tuition (which is subject to change). Students will be immersed in a number of business disciplines, while having the option to really delve into accounting. What makes GFU unique is its integration of Christian values into the business world.

• Per credit hour rate: $900-3rd

2) Liberty University

Liberty is a private, non-profit Christian doctoral research university. It was founded in 1971 by Jerry Falwell. Liberty now serves over 120,000 students worldwide. More than 95,000 of those students attend Liberty online. Liberty believes in both the intellectual and spiritual development of its students. Liberty believes understanding biblical truth is a means of achieving success. According to LU, it’s the nation’s largest nonprofit online university, and has been offering distance learning since 1985. Its online programs have over 245 different degrees, and the school has extremely competitive tuition rates.

Liberty offers a 100% online Doctorate of Business Administration (D.B.A.) in Accounting degree. Liberty also separates itself from other comparable programs with its Christian perspective mitigating its instruction in the cutthroat business world. The program features “in-depth analysis of tax and auditing techniques and accounting theory.” It requires 60 total credit hours, a maximum of 15 can be transferred in. There are eight-week courses, eight different start times per year, and no set login times. Students will be prepared to work as leaders in the corporate world, or in many other terminal accounting positions.

• Per credit hour rate: 2nd-$565

3) Walden University

Walden is a for profit private school headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was founded in 1970. Walden is part of a network of 80 universities owned or managed by Laureate Education Inc, most of which are based outside of America. Walden serves over 52,500 students and has an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Walden University has been regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, a regional accreditation agency, since 1990. A Senate committee that compared Walden to other comparable universities commended the competitiveness of its pricing.

Walden offers a Doctor of Business Administration. It comes in 16 specializations including accounting. It also comes in two options, “…traditional doctoral study or the consulting capstone option, which gives students a unique and innovative opportunity to apply their newfound skills and knowledge to solve real-world challenges as a consultant for an actual client.” The accounting specialization can be taken online, and requires 60 semester credits (up to 30 can be transferred in). Students will also have to do two 4-day residencies as part of this program. The program prioritizes guidance through its student advocates (specially-trained doctoral faculty members), decision-making, leadership skills, and both theory and applied research.

• Per credit hour rate: 4th-$980

4) Capella University

Capella is a private, online university in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was founded in 1993. The school offers 142 graduate and undergraduate specializations, 25 certificate programs and over 1600 online courses. Capella has over 37,000 students (22:1 student-to-faculty ratio) that come from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries. The school’s faculty is made up of almost 1,500 professors, 86 percent of which have doctoral degrees. In 2000 Capella began offering Bachelor degree programs, and in 2006 it became a publicly traded company. Capella University’s business programs have been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs since 2014. It offers admission to any student who passes a Capella-approved exam.

Capella’s School of Business and Technology offers an online PhD program with a concentration in Accounting. In order to graduate students are required to complete 1 core courses, 4 specialization courses in advanced accounting, one doctoral research project, and two residencies. This program offers students many different ways to save on tuition, including scholarships, lenient transfer credits, and a 10% military discount. The program builds research, writing and critical thinking skills, uses practical exercises to help students understand theoretical concepts, and builds knowledge through the study of ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks that shape accounting theory and practice. Students looking for a streamlined path to a PhD in Accounting online should definitely check out this program.

• Per credit hour rate: $965

5) Northcentral University

Northcentral is a virtual, for-profit university founded in 1996. It’s a Doctoral Research University headquartered in San Diego, California. It is currently owned by Rockbridge Growth Equity, LLC and Falcon Investments, LLC. Northcentral offers undergraduate, graduate, specialist, and doctoral degrees in Business and Technology Management, Education, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Psychology. The school’s mottos is “One-to-One Education By Experience.” Currently Northcentral serves Over 10,900 students, and lives by its motto with a spectacular 1:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Northcentral offers an online Doctor of Business Administration. The program prioritizes research as a tool to build strategies that solve organizational issues. The program offers 52 start dates each year, so students can start taking a course they need any week in a year. This program comes in 18 specializations, including advanced accounting. It requires 54 credit hours, and is comprised of 18 courses. The program can be completed in just 39 months.

• Per credit hour rate: 7th-$1053

6) University of Wisconsin Whitewater

UW-Whitewater is a public college and part of the University of Wisconsin system, based out of Whitewater, Wisconsin. It was founded in 1868. It offers 47 undergraduate majors and 13 graduate programs, with over 1,000 courses. Whitewater serves over 12,600 students currently, while maintaining a 21:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The school is also known for its Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP), which gives students paid opportunities to assist faculty and staff with important research. Students attend Whitewater from all over the world (currently around 40 states and 30 foreign countries).

UW-Whitewater offers an online AACSB Accredited Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) program. The program builds expertise in a specific business area, such as accounting. Through coursework and interactive exercises, students will build organizational knowledge and effectiveness from the tutelage of leading professionals int heir respective fields. This program culminates in a dissertation that contributes to business practice. Students will also need to complete a dissertation that contributes to business practice. The program requires 60 credits and uses a cohort model in which classes are one weekend each month for two years, followed by a year on the dissertation. The online platform for this program also facilitates discussions with faculty, submitting assignments, and engaging in other learning activities.

• Per credit hour rate: 8th-$1400

7) Argosy University

Argosy University is a system of for-profit colleges owned by Dream Center Education Holdings (DCEH), LLC as of 2017, after purchasing the enterprise from the Education Management Corporation (EDMC). It traces its roots to the late 1970’s, through three schools: the American School of Professional Psychology, the Medical Institute of Minnesota, and the University of Sarasota. It began its current incarnation in 2001. An estimated 60,000 students attended the school as of last year. It’s known for its programming in psychology, business, education, and more.

Argosy offers an online Doctoral Degree in Business Administration. You’ll build skills “conducting action research and comprehending theoretical and applied literature,” using them in a specialization of your choice. Students can choose between Marketing, Management, International Business, Information Systems, Customized Professional concentration, and of course, Accounting. The program requires, “60 credit hours distributed as follows: research requirements, 15 credit hours; core course requirements, 18 credit hours; concentration requirements, 12 credit hours; elective requirements, 3 credit hours; and doctoral research requirements, 12 credit hours.” Sample accounting courses include Financial Reporting Theory, Accounting Control Systems, Accounting in a Global Financial Community, and Contemporary Accounting Theory.

• Per credit hour rate: 5th-$995

8) Florida Atlantic University

FAU is a public university based in Boca Raton, Florida, along with five ancillary campuses in the state. It was founded in 1961, and is part of the State University system of Florida. Over 30,500 students attend FAU, which has a 24:1 student-to-faculty ratio. It offers over 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through ten colleges in arts and humanities, the sciences, medicine, nursing, accounting, business, education, public administration, social work, architecture, engineering, and computer science. The Carnegie Foundation has recognized FAU for its high research activity. In 2014, USNR ranked FAU the 27th most diverse university in the country.

FAU offers a PH.D. program specifically in accounting. It strongly emphasizes research, and building skills needed to excel as a classroom teacher. Students are encouraged to teach while in this program. Sample courses include Advanced Econometrics, Advanced Accounting Theory, and a number of seminars. The program builds towards a qualifying research project, which flows into advanced research in accounting hours of study, then the preparation and execution of a dissertation. To earn this degree you’ll need 80 credit hours beyond a baccalaureate degree.

• Per credit hour rate: 6th-$1024

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Accounting Resources

• Youth Program
• Wharton Online

Wharton’s doctoral program in Accounting takes a multidisciplinary approach (including economics, operations management, and statistics) to meet the needs of today’s complex markets, integrating finance and economics with broader perspectives on organizational issues and the corporate regulatory environment.

The Accounting PhD program trains students to do rigorous research in accounting, a specialized area of financial economics. The program is highly analytical and quantitative. We look for strong undergraduate preparation in microeconomics and mathematics, while some prior accounting or finance training at the undergraduate or graduate level is an advantage. Institutional understanding of how accounting information is used by capital market participants and/or within firms is useful and best obtained through relevant work experience, but is not required of applicants.

Close working relationships with faculty members provide an excellent learning experience while at Wharton and can continue throughout the student’s career. Our program provides students with opportunities to interact with faculty and get started on relevant research early in the program. Required research elements include the accounting workshop colloquium, the first-year research assistantship, and the first and second year summer research papers.

For more information on courses and sample plan of study, please visit the University Graduate Catalog .

Get the Details.

Visit the Accounting Department website for details on program requirements and courses. Read faculty and student research and bios to see what you can do with an Accounting PhD.

Accounting PhD Program

Phd accounting program.

The Accounting Ph.D. program includes research focused on several accounting disciplines, including Financial, Managerial, and Auditing and Corporate Governance Accounting.

• APPLY TODAY
• ADMISSIONS EVENTS

Financial Accounting

- Accounting standard setting - Financial regulation - International accounting - Company valuation and financial statement analysis - Earnings management - Stock markets and market efficiency - Earnings forecasting and financial analyst behavior

Managerial Accounting

- Performance evaluation and compensation - Budgeting and other control issues in organizations - Balanced scorecard - Strategic management accounting

Auditing and Corporate Governance

- Auditor independence - Auditor behavior and decision making - Corporate governance issues

Tax Accounting

- Tax planning - Tax clientele - Tax policy and its effects on businesses

Requirements

Sample Course Schedule

• Fall: GSBA 604, ACCT 611, ACCT 615, ACCT 602, ACCT 641, ACCT 642
• Spring: ACCT 611, ACCT 621, ACCT 630 + courses in other departments such as FBE, etc.

Research Development Beginning in the first semester, students will apprentice with a faculty mentor to learn research fundamentals. Typically students are assigned to a new mentor each semester in the first year. During the summer of their first year, students write a first-year paper. The summer paper will be similar to that of a research proposal.

- Fall: ACCT 611, ACCT 621 + Electives

- Spring: ACCT 611 + Electives

- Summer: BUCO 637

Research Development

Students continue apprentice a faculty mentor to learn research fundamentals and participate in research projects. Typically students are assigned to a new mentor each semester in the first and second year. During the summer of their second year, students complete a directed readings course with their potential advisor.

Screening Examination

In the second year, students complete a screening examination which may take the form of a written or oral exam, written assignments, and/or summer research project. The results of the examination help the faculty determine students’ developmental needs and fitness to continue in the program.

Qualifying Examination

Following the screening exam, with the recommendation of their faculty mentor, students take a comprehensive examination on the core knowledge of their discipline. The examination includes both written and oral components. Upon passing the examination, an individual becomes a Ph.D. candidate and begins work on the Ph.D. dissertation.

• Independent Dissertation Preparation (2)
• Accounting Research Seminar: ACCT 611 (2)
• Electives (Optional)

Research Development At this stage in the program, the relationships Ph.D. candidates have developed through the research apprenticeships often lead to collaborative research projects. Ph.D. candidates continue to apprentice faculty with increasing responsibility. They also begin work on their dissertations.

Teaching Development Ph.D. candidates begin developing teaching skills by serving as a teaching assistant for one or two classes and engaging in teaching skills workshops.

Research Development Research is the primary activity in the fourth year and beyond. Faculty view Ph.D. candidates as “junior colleagues” and partner to write and present papers.

Teaching Development Ph.D. candidates co-teach one course with a faculty member.

Dissertation Defense & Submission The dissertation is the culminating work of a student’s independent research. In the fifth year of the program, students complete, defend and submit the dissertation. This is the last step to earn the Ph.D.

Research Community

Accounting faculty members have published extensively in leading accounting journals such as:

• The Accounting Review
• Journal of Accounting Research
• Journal of Accounting and Economics
• Contemporary Accounting Research
• Review of Accounting Studies

The University of Texas-Dallas Top 100 Business School Research Rankings for research productivity over the past decade ranks the Accounting faculty as fifth worldwide.

Recognized Research Authorities

The Accounting faculty have served as editors, associate editors and editorial review board members of premier journals in accounting, including:

• Accounting, Organization and Society
• Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory
• Journal of Management Accounting Research

Faculty Honors

• Wildman Award
• Notable Contributions to Accounting Literature
• Notable Contributions to Auditing and Managerial Accounting Literatures
• Outstanding Educator Award in Auditing

In addition to required coursework and independent research, students are actively encouraged to participate in research projects with faculty—preferably as a co-author; attend and participate in the ARFs (accounting research workshops); present papers at, serve as discussants and otherwise attend national conferences; and take additional coursework either for credit or audit to further enhance their knowledge base.

PhD STUDENTS

Jessie jaewon cheong.

• PhD Candidate in Accounting

Isabel (Jaeryung) Cho

• PhD Student in Accounting

Jonathan A. Craske

I am a fourth year Accounting PhD Candidate at the University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business. My research interests include information dynamics; governance, monitoring, and oversight mechanisms; regulation; information intermediaries; contracting dynamics; and fraud and financial misconduct.

Job Market Candidates

The Marshall School of Business contributes to the broad field of academic research as our students go on to be thought-leaders in business schools around the world. These Ph.D. candidates are taking the next step in their academic careers. Learn more about each candidate by clicking on their name.

To be announced

Suzanne Burzillo

Katherine simeon bruere.

Katherine Simeon Bruere is a Ph.D. candidate in the Leventhal School of Accounting. She is interested in voluntary disclosure,standard setting, audit quality, audit opinions, goodwill accounting, mergerand acquisitions, corporate governance, financial reporting,  and capital marketsresearch. Prior to starting the Ph.D. program, Katherine worked at Ernst & Young as an auditor in Dallas’ Financial Services division, as well as an accountant at Merit Energy. Katherine earned a BA and an MA in Accounting at Baylor University (2014) and is a licensed CPA in the state of Texas.

AJ Chen is a PhD candidate in Accounting at the USC Marshall School of Business. Prior to joining the Ph.D. Program, he worked as an associate in the investment banking industry, as well as analyst in commodities trading. He also had experience as tax associate at PwC Boston. He is intrigued by how technological innovation affect the real economy, particularly their impact on firms, workers, and consumers.

Accounting students have won numerous prestigious awards over the past several years. These honors include:

• Deloitte Touche Fellowship
• KPMG Doctoral Fellowship
• AICPA Doctoral Fellowship

Learn more about all Marshall PhD Students in the Marshall Directory. For a list of Accounting students in the program please follow thislink.

APPLYING TO THE PhD PROGRAM

Dates + deadlines.

December 15, 2024: Application Deadline - Accounting, Data Sciences & Operations, and Management & Organization* 

January 15, 2025: Application Deadline - Finance & Business Economics and Marketing 

The link to the PhD Program application is available on the Admissions page and the next opportunity to apply is for Fall 2025 admission. Late applications may or may not be considered at the discretion of the admissions committee. 

Admissions decisions are made from mid-February to mid-April. You will be notified by email when a decision has been made.

ADMISSIONS CONTACT

Ph.D. Program USC Marshall School of Business 3670 Trousdale Parkway, BRI 306 Los Angeles, California 90089-0809 EMAIL

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PhD/ MPhil/ MSc Accounting (Research)

• Visit an Open Day
• Request a prospectus
• Course details
• Entry Requirements
• Teaching and assessment
• Employability

The PhD Accounting comprises a short taught component followed by a longer research phase. Taught modules allow you to broaden, as well as deepen, your knowledge of research methods as well as conducting your own research and developing transferable professional skills.

The PhD programme in Accounting will facilitate the creation and interpretation of new knowledge by the research student, demonstrated through the thesis. The programme comprises a short taught component followed by a longer research phase. Taught modules allow the students to broaden, as well as deepen, their knowledge of research methods at the same time as undertaking their own research and developing a set of transferable professional skills. The taught component is designed to ensure that doctoral researchers understand the breath of techniques used in modern social science research.

Doctoral researchers will be capable of analysing a range of data using a range of qualitative and quantitative techniques. They will be able to explain theories underlying different approaches to social science research. Doctoral researchers are expected to participate to the fullest possible extent in the life of the Department of Accounting and the Business School. This means attending seminars organised by the Department of Accounting and more widely in the Business School thereby helping expose doctoral researchers to new ideas emanating from outside their own area of specialisation. It also requires actively participating in PhD workshops and conferences organised by the Department of Accounting, the Business School and Graduate School as well as institutions outside the University of Birmingham.

Ultimately all doctoral researchers will have the ability to characterise and solve business and accounting problems using advanced research tools. They should be able to derive policy implications from their research and communicate these to policy makers, practitioners and other academics in a manner which is comprehensible. They will also be able to peer review others’ research and offer constructive criticism and to extend the frontiers of the discipline through their own innovative research.

Doctoral researchers may choose to become academics, work in Government, businesses, supranational organisations or in the research arms of major financial institutions. They are expected to achieve a substantial understanding of contemporaneous accounting and business issues enabling them to take a lead in ongoing debates within society. They will be aware of and understand the function of related institutions at both a national and international level.

Fees 2024 - 2025

• Code 015B - £4,778 (UK) Full Time
• Code 017B - £2,389 (UK) PartTime
• Code 015B - £23,520 (International) Full Time
• Code 018B -  £4,778 (UK) Full Time
• Code 018B - £23,520 (International) Full Time

MSc (Research):

• Code 043B - £4,778 (UK) Full Time
• Code 043B - £23,520 (International) Full Time

Learn more about fees and funding

Scholarships and Studentships for International students

International students  can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home Government.

For further information contact the School directly or visit our helpdesk .

How To Apply

• How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page . Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Our Standard Requirements

The Business School's entry requirement is a good honours degree (first or upper second class honours) awarded by a recognised University in an appropriate subject, and a merit in a relevant Master’s degree. We usually ask students for an average of 65 in the taught component of their Masters. All international students also need to show that they have adequate knowledge of written and spoken English.

Learn more about our entry requirements.

Writing your research proposal

Along with your academic record, your references and your curriculum vitae your research proposal plays a critical role in the evaluation of your application.

Your research proposal should illustrate your ability to plan an independent research study and the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of Birmingham Business School.You need to demonstrate that you understand the field that you plan to research, identify an interesting and original research question, and develop a tentative plan of study. It is highly desirable that your research proposal is written to the guidelines specified below.

Guidelines for the Research Proposal

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the how to apply pages.

International Requirements

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 14/20 from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Argentinian university, with a promedio of at least 7.5, may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent

Applicants who hold a Masters degree will be considered for admission to PhD study.

Holders of a good four-year Diplomstudium/Magister or a Masters degree from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5 will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a good 5-year Specialist Diploma or 4-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan, with a minimum GPA of 4/5 or 80% will be considered for entry to postgraduate taught programmes at the University of Birmingham.

For postgraduate research programmes applicants should have a good 5-year Specialist Diploma (completed after 1991), with a minimum grade point average of 4/5 or 80%, from a recognised higher education institution or a Masters or “Magistr Diplomu” or “Kandidat Nauk” from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0-3.3/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold a Masters degree from the University of Botswana with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (70%/B/'very good') will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Please note 4-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a Diploma of Higher Education. 5-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a British Bachelor (Ordinary) degree.

Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

A Licenciatura or Bacharelado degree from a recognised Brazilian university:

• A grade of 7.5/10 for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement
• A grade of 6.5/10for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement

Holders of a good Bachelors degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good post-2001 Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a minimum average of 14 out of 20 (or 70%) on a 4-year Licence, Bachelor degree or Diplôme d'Etudes Superieures de Commerce (DESC) or Diplôme d'Ingénieur or a Maîtrise will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Holders of a bachelor degree with honours from a recognised Canadian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A GPA of 3.0/4, 7.0/9 or 75% is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1.

Holders of the Licenciado or equivalent Professional Title from a recognised Chilean university will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD study will preferably hold a Magister degree or equivalent.

Students with a bachelor’s degree (4 years minimum) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. However please note that we will only consider students who meet the entry guidance below. 

Please note: for the subject areas below we use the Shanghai Ranking 2023 (full table) , Shanghai Ranking 2024 (full table) and Shanghai Ranking of Chinese Art Universities 2024

需要具备学士学位（4年制）的申请人可申请研究生课程。请根据所申请的课程查看相应的入学要求。 请注意，中国院校名单参考 软科中国大学排名2023（总榜） ，  软科中国大学排名2024（总榜） ，以及 软科中国艺术类高校名单2024 。  

Business School (excluding MBA)   and School of Computer Science programmes 商学院 （ MBA除外） 及计算机学院硕士 课程入学要求

* Applicants from Group 4 institutions are only considered for the following 7 programmes

来自第四类院校的申请人仅限于申请以下7个课程：

• MSc Financial Management
• MSc Investments
• MSc Financial Technology
• MSc Economics
• MSc Financial Economics
• MSc Money, Banking and Finance
• MSc Computer Science

All other programmes (including MBA)   所有其他 硕士课程（包括 MBA）入学要求

Please contact the China Recruitment Team for any questions on the above entry requirements.

如果您对录取要求有疑问，请联系伯明翰大学中国办公室   [email protected]  

Holders of the Licenciado/Professional Title from a recognised Colombian university will be considered for our Postgraduate Diploma and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent.

Holders of a good bachelor degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Bacclaureus (Bachelors) from a recognised Croatian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 4.0 out of 5.0, vrlo dobar ‘very good’, or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelors degree(from the University of the West Indies or the University of Technology) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A Class II Upper Division degree is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1. For further details on particular institutions please refer to the list below.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Masters degree or Mphil from the University of the West Indies.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, or a GPA of 3 out of 4, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalár from a recognised Czech Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, velmi dobre ‘very good’ (post-2004) or 2, velmi dobre ‘good’ (pre-2004), or a good post-2002 Magistr (Masters), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 7-10 out of 12 (or 8 out of 13) or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters/ Magisterkonfereus/Magister Artium degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Ecuadorian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 70% or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Magister/Masterado or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Licenciado with excellent grades can be considered.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalaurusekraad from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 4/5 or B, or a good one- or two-year Magistrikraad from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with very good grades (grade B, 3.5/4 GPA or 85%) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

Holders of a good Kandidaatti / Kandidat (old system), a professional title such as Ekonomi, Diplomi-insinööri, Arkkitehti, Lisensiaatti (in Medicine, Dentistry and Vetinary Medicine), or a Maisteri / Magister (new system), Lisensiaatti / Licenciat, Oikeustieteen Kandidaatti / Juris Kandidat (new system) or Proviisori / Provisor from a recognised Finnish Higher Education institution, with a minimum overall grade of 2/3 or 4/5, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters/Maîtrise with a minimum overall grade of 13 out of 20, or a Magistère / Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures Specialisées / Mastère Specialis, from a recognised French university or Grande École to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Magister Artium, a Diplom or an Erstes Staatsexamen from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5, or a good two-year Lizentiat / Aufbaustudium / Zweites Staatsexamen or a Masters degree from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good four-year Ptychio (Bachelor degree) with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, from a recognised Greek university (AEI), and will usually be required to have completed a good Metaptychiako Diploma Eidikefsis (Masters degree) from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

4-year Licenciado is deemed equivalent to a UK bachelors degree. A score of 75 or higher from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) can be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 60 is comparable to a UK 2.2.  Private universities have a higher pass mark, so 80 or higher should be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 70 is comparable to a UK 2.2

The Hong Kong Bachelor degree is considered comparable to British Bachelor degree standard. Students with bachelor degrees awarded by universities in Hong Kong may be considered for entry to one of our postgraduate degree programmes.

Students with Masters degrees may be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Alapfokozat / Alapképzés or Egyetemi Oklevel from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 3.5, or a good Mesterfokozat (Masters degree) or Egyetemi Doktor (university doctorate), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a 60% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the 4 year Sarjana (S1) from a recognised Indonesian institution will be considered for postgraduate study. Entry requirements vary with a minimum requirement of a GPA of 2.8.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution, with 100 out of 110 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold the Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Students with a Bachelor degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for entry to a postgraduate Masters degree provided they achieve a sufficiently high overall score in their first (Bachelor) degree. A GPA of 3.0/4.0 or a B average from a good Japanese university is usually considered equivalent to a UK 2:1.

Students with a Masters degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for PhD study. A high overall grade will be necessary to be considered.

Students who have completed their Specialist Diploma Мамаң дипломы/Диплом специалиста) or "Magistr" (Магистр дипломы/Диплом магистра) degree (completed after 1991) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate Masters degrees and, occasionally, directly for PhD degrees.  Holders of a Bachelor "Bakalavr" degree (Бакалавр дипломы/Диплом бакалавра) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of  2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, may also be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/50

Holders of a good Postgraduate Diploma (professional programme) from a recognised university or institution of Higher Education, with a minimum overall grade of 7.5 out of 10, or a post-2000 Magistrs, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 16/20 or 80% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Libya will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of a Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved score of 70% for 2:1 equivalency or 65% for 2:2 equivalency. Alternatively students will require a minimum of 3.0/4.0 or BB to be considered.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magistras from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, or a good post-2001 Magistras, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, or a Diplôme d'Études Supérieures Spécialisées (comparable to a UK PGDip) or Masters degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (70-74% or A or Marginal Distinction from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 60-69% or B or Bare Distinction/Credit is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Malaysian institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum of 3.0) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from the University of Malta with a minimum grade of 2:1 (Hons), and/or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (Honours) from a recognised institution (including the University of Mauritius) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2:1).

Students who hold the Licenciado/Professional Titulo from a recognised Mexican university with a promedio of at least 8 will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Students who have completed a Maestria from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree, licence or Maîtrise and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students with a good four year honours degree from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. PhD applications will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Doctoraal from a recognised Dutch university with a minimum overall grade of 7 out of 10, and/or a good Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (minimum 4 years and/or level 400) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of B/Very Good or 1.6-2.5 for a 2.1 equivalency, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters, Mastergrad, Magister. Artium, Sivilingeniør, Candidatus realium or Candidatus philologiae degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0/4 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in the Palestinian Territories will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3/4 or 80% for 2:1 equivalency or a GPA of 2.5/4 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.    

Holders of the Título de Licenciado /Título de (4-6 years) or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Paraguayan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 4/5 or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  The Título Intermedio is a 2-3 year degree and is equivalent to a HNC, it is not suitable for postgraduate entry but holders of this award could be considered for second year undergraduate entry or pre-Masters.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría / Magister or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Título/Grado de Licenciado/a with excellent grades can be considered.

Holders of the Bachiller, Licenciado, or Título Profesional with at least 13/20 may be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría or equivalent qualification.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4 out of 5, dobry ‘good’, and/or a good Swiadectwo Ukonczenia Studiów Podyplomowych (Certificate of Postgraduate Study) or post-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4.5/4+ out of 5, dobry plus 'better than good', will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Licenciado from a recognised university, or a Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados (DESE) from a recognised Polytechnic Institution, with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, and/or a good Mestrado / Mestre (Masters) from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Romanian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree/Diploma de Master/Diploma de Studii Academice Postuniversitare (Postgraduate Diploma - Academic Studies) or Diploma de Studii Postuniversitare de Specializare (Postgraduate Diploma - Specialised Studies) to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma) or Диплом Магистра (Magistr) degree from recognised universities in Russia (minimum GPA of 4.0) will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes/PhD study.

Students who hold a 4-year Bachelor degree with at least 16/20 or 70% will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies,Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. A score of 14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2

Students who hold a Bachelor (Honours) degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (or a score of 60-69% or B+) from a well ranked institution will be considered for most our Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees with a 2:1 requirement.

Students holding a good Bachelors Honours degree will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good three-year Bakalár or pre-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, Vel’mi dobrý ‘very good’, and/or a good Inžinier or a post-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Diploma o pridobljeni univerzitetni izobrazbi (Bachelors degree), Diplomant (Professionally oriented first degree), Univerzitetni diplomant (Academically oriented first degree) or Visoko Obrazovanja (until 1999) from a recognised Slovenian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8.0 out of 10, and/or a good Diploma specializacija (Postgraduate Diploma) or Magister (Masters) will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor Honours degree (also known as Baccalaureus Honores / Baccalaureus Cum Honoribus) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (70%) or a distinction (75%).

Holders of a Masters degree will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelor degree from a recognised South Korean institution (usually with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/4.5) will be considered for Masters programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 7 out of 10 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or a CGPA 3.30/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Kandidatexamen (Bachelors degree) or Yrkesexamen (Professional Bachelors degree) from a recognised Swedish Higher Education institution with the majority of subjects with a grade of VG (Val godkänd), and/or a good Magisterexamen (Masters degree), International Masters degree or Licentiatexamen (comparable to a UK Mphil), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good "PostGraduate Certificate" or "PostGraduate Diploma" or a Masters degree from a recognised Swiss higher education institution (with a minimum GPA of 5/6 or 8/10 or 2/5 (gut-bien-bene/good) for a 2.1 equivalence) may be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0, 3.5/5 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bachelor degree (from 75% to 85% depending upon the university in Taiwan) from a recognised institution will be considered for postgraduate Masters study. Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for entry to our postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree or Mphil from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a Bachelors degree from the following universities may be considered for entry to postgraduate programmes:

• Ateneo de Manila University - Quezon City
• De La Salle University - Manila
• University of Santo Tomas
• University of the Philippines - Diliman

Students from all other institutions with a Bachelors and a Masters degree or relevant work experience may be considered for postgraduate programmes.

Grading Schemes

1-5 where 1 is the highest 2.1 = 1.75 2.2 = 2.25 

Out of 4.0 where 4 is the highest 2.1 = 3.0 2.2 = 2.5

Letter grades and percentages 2.1 = B / 3.00 / 83% 2.2 = C+ / 2.5 / 77%

Holders of a postdoctoral qualification from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.  Students may be considered for PhD study if they have a Masters from one of the above listed universities.

Holders of a Lisans Diplomasi with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a Yuksek Diplomasi from a recognised university will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (2.1) or GPA of 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree / Диплом бакалавра (Dyplom Bakalavra), Диплом спеціаліста (Specialist Diploma) or a Dyplom Magistra from a recognised Ukrainian higher education institution with a minimum GPA of 4.0/5.0, 3.5/4, 8/12 or 80% or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

The University will consider students who hold an Honours degree from a recognised institution in the USA with a GPA of:

• 2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement 
• 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement 

Please note that some subjects which are studied at postgraduate level in the USA, eg. Medicine and Law, are traditionally studied at undergraduate level in the UK.

Holders of the Magistr Diplomi (Master's degree) or Diplomi (Specialist Diploma), awarded by prestigious universities, who have attained high grades in their studies will be considered for postgraduate study.  Holders of the Fanlari Nomzodi (Candidate of Science), where appropriate, will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of the Licenciatura/Título or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Venezuelan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Scales of 1-5, 1-10 and 1-20 are used, an overall score of 70% or equivalent can be considered equivalent to a UK 2.1.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Maestria or equivalent qualification

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Vietnamese institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum GPA of 7.0 and above) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.  Holders of a Masters degree (thac si) will be considered for entry to PhD programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0 or a mark of 2.0/2.5 (A) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a good Bachelor Honours degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

International Students

English requirements are IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band or equivalent.

Social and Environmental Accounting

Accountability & sustainability, social accounting, carbon accounting, biodiversity accounting, ecological accounting (internal & external) for corporations, co-operatives and the ‘third’ sector. Contact: Professor Ataur Belal, Professor Elena Giovannoni, Professor Tom Cuckston, Dr Melina Manochin, Dr Elisavet Mantzari, Dr Alex Lin

Sustainability Reporting and Sustainability-related Financial Disclosure Contact: Professor Nick Rowbottom

Sustainability Assurance Contact: Dr Alex Lin

Financial Accounting and Reporting

The role, work undertaken and information used by investment analysts and fund managers Contact: Professor Shahed Imam, Dr Melina Manochin, Dr Elisavet Mantzari, Dr Omiros Georgiou

Accounting Standard-Setting & Standardisation Contact: Professor Nick Rowbottom, Dr Omiros Georgiou, Dr Elisavet Mantzari

Digital Corporate Reporting (XBRL/iXBRL) Contact: Professor Nick Rowbottom  

Narrative Reporting, Management Commentary Contact: Professor Nick Rowbottom  

Corporate communication (in relation to corporate crises, climate change and carbon emissions). Textual analysis of reporting disclosures (analysts’ reports, credit rating agency reports, annual reports, including CEO tone and climate risk disclosure) Contact: Professor Shahed Imam, Dr Annika Beelitz

Management Accounting & Management Control

Design/implementation of management accounting  / performance management and measurement systems in different contexts Contact: Professor Elena Giovannoni

Public sector, Not for Profit, NGO Accounting & Accountability

Accounting, accountability and control in the public and not for profit sectors Contact: Professor Ataur Belal, Dr Florian Gebreiter, Dr Ann-Christine Frandsen,  Dr Melina Manochin

Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Accounting

Accounting and calculative practices, Accounting as a valuing practice in contemporary/historical settings. Accounting and strategy. Accounting embodiments. Accounting in relation to time and space. Contact: Professor Tom Cuckston, Professor Elena Giovannoni, Dr Ann-Christine Frandsen

Doctoral researchers in Accounting are registered for a full time 3-year PhD or a part-time 6-year PhD. In the first year of the programme (first two years for those registered part-time) students are required to take and successfully complete 60 credits of core Research Methods modules.

Those researchers using more qualitative methodologies will take modules from the MA Social Research programme. They are also recommended to take Advanced Training Modules from the MA Social Research Programme as appropriate to their research and training needs. Depending on their needs and accredited prior learning and subject to supervisory approval doctoral researchers can substitute 20 credits of the introductory MA Social research modules for Advanced Training Modules.

Those researchers employing quantitative methodologies are required to take Econometrics with Financial Applications module from the Department of Economics (30 credit module). They also need to take at least one of the existing MSc Investments and MSc International Accounting and Finance courses and one other module to successfully complete 60 credits of study. The MSc module and one other appropriate M or D level module should be chosen in agreement with the doctorial researcher’s supervisor, as appropriate for the their research topic.  Modules available include: Financial Modelling and Forecasting Techniques (20 credits), Empirical Topics in Accounting and Finance (20 credits) and Quantitative Methods in Finance (10 credits). Doctoral researchers are also recommended to take Advanced Training Modules from the MA Social Research Programme or other modules (e.g. Qualitative Methods) as appropriate to their research and training needs.

By the end of their first year all doctoral students in Accounting will have completed an 8,000 word research proposal that they will present and be evaluated on at the first annual review. This forms the basis for supervised research over the remaining two years of the programme and the production of an 80,000 word thesis.

Career prospects

Recent PhD graduates from Birmingham Business School are working in central banks, Government departments, a variety of financial institutions, accountancy firms, supranational organisations and multinational corporations. Many of our PhD graduates also go on to forge successful academic careers in other top Universities.

Doctoral Research career assistance

The University of Birmingham has invested heavily in careers and employability support. The Careers Team have been praised for enhanced developments within their team and for adopting a model of integrated employability and internship support; something that has been rolled out and implemented across all Schools and Colleges at the University.

Doctoral researchers at Birmingham Business School benefit from its own well qualified dedicated Careers Team to support students with employment opportunities, work placements, internships and how to succeed at interview. In addition, a range of career management, personal development and employer events are run each year by the Careers in Business Team to help you make the most of the opportunities available.

The University also has dedicated careers advisors for international students  who run workshops and networking opportunities with potential employers. These are especially popular with international postgraduate researchers.

• Online chat events

PhD in Accounting

This program will not accept incoming students for the fall 2024 semester.

The goal of the PhD program in accounting is to graduate students with the knowledge and skills that serve as the foundation of a successful academic career. Our curriculum provides a comprehensive understanding of the accounting literature and develops the expertise necessary to engage in high quality research that is meaningful to academics and professional accountants alike. Through close interaction with faculty mentors, students develop research design, modeling and writing skills that are critical to success in the field.

We value students with an interest in research and teaching, professional experience and certifications, and strong analytical and problem solving abilities. Our program capitalizes on our students' professional accounting experience as the basis for developing high quality research that is timely, relevant and informative.

The accounting faculty has many established academics with a strong interest in partnering with PhD students. Our faculty members have published their research in the premier journals in accounting such as The Accounting Review and Contemporary Accounting Research , and high quality journals such as Accounting Horizons , Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory , Journal of Business Finance and Accounting , Journal of Information Systems , Journal of Business Ethics , and Current Issues in Auditing . Several faculty focus their research in the area of international accounting, publishing in journals such as The European Accounting Review , The International Journal of Accounting , The Journal of International Accounting , Auditing and Taxation , and The Journal of International Accounting Research .

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Accounting

How to apply

If you are interested in pursuing a PhD with the School of Accounting, Auditing & Taxation (UNSW Business), you will need to receive an Invitation to Apply from the School.

To receive an Invitation to Apply, you should: 1) self-assess your eligibility, and 2) then submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) . Details of what to include in your EOI can be found here .

About the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Accounting

UNSW Business School’s Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Accounting (Program code 1521) will prepare you to become a globally focused and socially engaged research leader. You’ll be joining a cohort of high-achieving research students in tackling modern-day challenges at the forefront of Accounting, working alongside leaders in the field (ranked 20 th in the world, QS Subject Rankings 2022 for Accounting and Finance ). This is your opportunity to become integrated into the UNSW Business School’s community of scholars.

You’ll first undertake rigorous coursework covering research methods and key research topics in auditing, financial accounting, and management accounting. As part of your Doctoral Program, you’ll also be involved in research projects from an early stage. This training will equip you with the skills required to identify, analyse, and solve problems in the field.

You’ll then pursue full-time research under the supervision of high-profile UNSW academics, culminating in a doctoral thesis. There will also be exciting opportunities to develop your teaching portfolio. 

Your PhD thesis will showcase your research skills and enable you to make an original contribution to the field of Accounting. While your PhD degree is geared toward preparing you for a career in academia, other career paths (e.g., consulting, government, industry, non-profit) are also enabled.

PhD program structure

Year one: master of pre-doctoral business studies (mpdbs).

Your first year of study is designed to provide a rigorous foundation to conduct independent research. You’ll learn a range of methodologies and build your communication and presentation skills. You will also work as a research assistant on research projects and start working on your own research as your skills develop. The first year will also help you to identify your potential doctoral thesis supervisors.

The MPDBS (Year One) is a fully funded program, which includes a tuition waiver and stipend for all accepted applicants. Upon completion, you’ll be awarded a Master of Pre-Doctoral Business Studies (MPDBS) degree.

The vast majority of students have historically then moved on to Year Two of our Doctoral Program with a scholarship covering tuition and a stipend. 

Year Two: Specialised Coursework & Identification of Thesis Topic

During the second year, you’ll continue to undertake advanced coursework in the Accounting stream. You’ll choose up to eight additional research courses in consultation with your supervisors and the postgraduate research coordinator, with an opportunity to take at least one course outside of your specialised discipline.

Your second year is also when you’ll identify your specific thesis topic with your supervisors. You’ll engage in literature review and research design and present your research proposal to the School at the end of the year for confirmation of the candidature.

Years Three – Four: Original Research & Your Doctoral Thesis

The final two years of the program are focused on conducting full-time research and completing your doctoral thesis. This is your opportunity to address some of the biggest challenges in Accounting and make a significant contribution to knowledge in the field. Your research will offer new critical thinking and withstand critical analysis from expert researchers in the area.

The UNSW Business School ranks 15th worldwide for Accounting and Finance.

An increasing number of PhD graduates find employment in business, government, and the non-profit sector. Nineteen of the largest ASX companies have PhD graduates on their senior executive teams.

Your PhD thesis will set you on the path to a career in a premier research institution, anywhere in the world. Throughout your research degree, you’ll also have many opportunities to develop your teaching portfolio.

Beyond academia, there is also significant demand in the private and public sectors for people with deep knowledge and sound research and analytical skills*.

Whether you’re looking to pursue a career in academia, or take your research skills out to industry, a PhD in Accounting from UNSW will get you there.

* Source:  2019 Advancing Australia’s Knowledge Economy Report

Degree type

Postgraduate Research

4 years full-time, 5-8 years part-time

Commencing terms

Term 1 – February

Program code

Delivery mode, domestic / international.

International

Useful links

Student research

Scholarships

Student life

Find a research supervisor

Accreditation

• Postgraduate Research

Accounting and Finance PhD

• Part time available: yes

Studying in:

• Management School
• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Our Accounting and Finance PhD aims to develop world-class researchers, specialised in building theory and producing valuable insight into current issues in accounting and finance.

Why study with us?

of our School's research classified as 'world leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*) in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021)

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of our research environment classified 'world leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*) in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021)

The University of Liverpool Management School’s (ULMS) Accounting and Finance PhD programme covers a wide range of areas for investigation, with special emphasis on the role accounting and finance play on organisational success, risk management and dealing with uncertainties.

The training offered is tailored, with specific modules aimed at facilitating the development of your individual research project:

• Corporate Finance and Accounting
• Theory Asset Pricing Theory
• Empirical Corporate Finance
• Accounting Empirical Asset Pricing.

To ensure you receive the most relevant support during the thesis development stage, you will work with a primary supervisor, who is a leading expert in their field.

Additionally, you will be supported by a secondary supervisor, who is typically promising early career researcher, specialising in your specific area of study.

Research themes

The University of Liverpool Management School   is a UK triple accredited ( AACSB , AMBA , and EQUIS ) leading and internationally recognised research institution, with outstanding REF 2021 results against 108 ranked Business and Management Schools across the country:

• 12th for submissions judged as World Leading (4*) or Internationally Excellent (3*)
• 16th for research outputs classified as World Leading (4*)
• 9th place for Research Power (17 places higher than in 2014)
• 100% of research supported by a World Leading (4*) or Internationally Excellent (3*) environment.

The School’s Accounting and Finance group is one of largest in the UK, with members regularly publishing in a range of top scholarly journals, including the Review of Financial Studies, Journal of Financial Economics, Journal of Accounting and Economics, Management Science, etc.

The School also has five research centres and one cluster , specialised in contemporary issues in business and society, and aimed at bringing together expertise across the School and University.

As a PhD student you are welcome to join any of these centres, as they present excellent opportunities to access internal and external research networks around cutting-edge themes.

Research interests

We welcome research proposals including, but not limited to:

• Asset pricing and investment
• Corporate finance and accounting
• International financial markets and the macroeconomy
• Financial technology (Fintech).

Please, make sure your application adheres to the following structure (maximum 3,000 words):

• Title of the proposal
• Introduction and expected contribution and its significance
• Literature review
• Proposed research questions
• Proposed methodology (fit with research/experience/need for training)
• Gantt chart
• References.

As a PhD student at the Management School you will enjoy access to a ‘Hot Desk’ working environment.

In addition to printing/photocopying/scanning facilities, the Management School has two dedicated computer suites located on the ground floor:

• The  McKenzie Trading Room offers 40 PCs with Bloomberg access. Each PC has a dual monitor and a Bloomberg keyboard
• The Grove Wing Computer Room has 28 PCs running on the standard University of Liverpool Network, with DataStream available on several computers.

You will gain access to globally recognised databases for business research, including:

• China Stock Market and Accounting (CSMAR)
• Refinitiv Eikon
• TickHistory
• Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) .

Research groups

Research by subject groups

We have six groups which form homes for both research and teaching, providing the management and infrastructure to ensure vitality and sustainability of our research environment.

• Accounting and Finance
• Operations and Supply Chain Management
• Strategy, International Business and Entrepreneurship
• Work, Organisation and Management

Research centres and clusters

Research centres develop the School's contribution to established themes with a strong focus on applying ideas through funding and impact-related work.

Research clusters are grass-roots driven and interdisciplinary, focussing on the development of new theoretical and empirical work, typically at the early stages of the knowledge production/impact cycle.

• The Brett Centre for Entrepreneurship
• Centre for Supply Chain Research
• Centre for Sports Business
• Centre for Sustainable Business
• Centre for Organisational and Employee Wellbeing
• Liverpool Advanced Methods for Big Data Analytics (LAMBDA) Research Cluster

Study options and fees

The fees below reflect one year of study during the 2024/25 academic year

The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.

* Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter.

^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.

Entry requirements

Applications are welcomed and will be considered in our highly competitive programme from well qualified graduates who would typically hold a UK first degree or equivalent in the first or 2:1 class, in a relevant subject.

English language requirements

How to apply

Research degree applications can be made online.  You'll also need to ensure that you have funding to cover all fees.

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• CAREER COLUMN
• 24 September 2024

Seven work–life balance tips from a part-time PhD student

• Simone Willis 0

Simone Willis is a systematic reviewer at Cardiff University, UK.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

As a part-time PhD student, blocking out time both work and study helped Simone Willis to keep a good work–life balance. Credit: Paul Goode Photography, Simone Willis

When I enrolled for a part-time PhD in 2016, it was for flexibility and financial reasons. I was working as a music tutor across Cardiff and South Gloucestershire, UK , teaching violin, flute and fife. These experiences, coupled with an undergraduate degree in music, led me to apply for a PhD exploring workplace stress and well-being in classical musicians and people studying at US conservatoires.

In the second year of my PhD, I accepted a part-time job at Cardiff University as a systematic reviewer, alongside my studies. Given the topic of my thesis, I wanted to to maintain a healthy work–life balance. Since graduation, I’ve stayed in that role, assessing medical devices and conducting evidence-synthesis projects in health and social care. I’ve also co-authored 13 papers examining mental health and well-being across a variety of sectors and settings. Using my experiences as inspiration, here are seven tips that helped me to balance my work, study and well-being during my PhD.

1. Treat your PhD like a job

I set boundaries for splitting my 9-to-5 week between work and study. This meant a 50/50 split of my working hours. Before I started my job as a reviewer, I spent 20 hours a week teaching music and 20 hours on my PhD.

Aside from a few late nights and weekends, I treated my PhD exactly like a part-time job. I blocked out time in my diary for both work and study, which helped me to plan and keep focused. Sticking to these boundaries allowed me to decompress and make time for friends, family and hobbies. I’d leave the office to attend a dance class and then catch up with my husband over dinner. Studying part-time meant that the PhD was not an all-consuming process and provided perspective — life outside the PhD continued.

2. Leave tasks incomplete

When switching between work and study, I often needed to pick up a train of thought from a few days before. A technique that worked well was writing a list of any uncompleted tasks at the end of my day, either scribbled on a sticky note on top of my keyboard, or as a comment on a document. These helped me to pick up ideas again later without needing to mentally retrace my steps. For example, if I was in the middle of writing a paragraph in the discussion section of my thesis, I’d leave a note to say, “Describing x finding, relate to y theory”, before heading off.

At first, leaving paragraphs with half-finished sentences or suggestions on where to take my writing felt counter-intuitive, but making these notes allowed me to write without losing momentum and gave me time for reflection.

3. Be realistic about what you can achieve in the time available

Early on, I was overambitious when planning my studies, which led to frustration. For example, I planned to complete background reading and write my literature review in the first three months. In fact, this took much longer and was something I returned to in the final stages of putting together my thesis.

Over time, I developed a better sense of how long tasks would take, especially writing, and learnt to plan accordingly. I found a system that allowed me to write fluidly. First, I mapped out an overarching structure for my thesis, using headings and bullet points in a document. Second, I identified references and noted where they would go in the structure. Only then did I turn to writing each section in detail. In the final stages of writing my thesis, I was able to accurately map out monthly, weekly and daily writing tasks.

4. Be selective when saying ‘yes’

I also learnt to value my time and consider what opportunities to take on. It is tempting to say ‘yes’ to every opportunity that comes along, but I developed skills in being selective and saying ‘no’ when needed.

I made my decisions by reflecting on the following: have I already done something similar? Is this opportunity something I want to do or something someone else wants me to do? Do I realistically have the time? Is this a one-time-only opportunity or will there be similar chances in the future? What are the potential benefits and harms of saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’?

In my second year, I chaired the doctoral-researcher committee, which organized events and represented PhD students on academic committees. I remember being asked whether I would be on the committee for another year, and my instinct was to say ‘yes’. But after a moment of reflection on those key questions, I realized that it was better to focus on my research. I ensured that the committee was in a good position and had recruited new members before I left.

5. Connect with peers

Sharing the journey with other PhD students was invaluable for receiving advice, celebrating the highs of publication and sharing the challenges and setbacks of data collection gone awry.

I was initially registered on an master’s leading to a PhD, so had to formally transfer onto a PhD programme in my second year. I needed to submit a written report as well as pass an interview. I remember speaking to Helen, one of my peers, about the process and she advised me on how to structure my application and we discussed the questions asked in her interview. This helped me to prepare for the interview and understand the strengths and weaknesses of my work.

I also worked in a shared office alongside 15 other PhD students. This space allowed me to connect with students at different points in their studies and be part of a community of doctoral researchers. More widely, talking to friends in other professions helped to keep the PhD in perspective and understand that there are many ways to be successful.

6. Communicate regularly with supervisors

Early on in my PhD, my director of studies suggested that I send an agenda ahead of meetings with my supervisors. This gave each meeting purpose and clarity in the topics to discuss. This was especially helpful in the write-up phase, when I needed to discuss different chapters and consider the thread throughout my thesis. To keep momentum, before each meeting ended, I scheduled the next meeting.

After each meeting, I sent a brief summary over e-mail, which allowed me to revisit important decisions later in the project. It was important to discuss issues before they escalated into bigger problems — my supervisors were a source of support and encouragement throughout my PhD.

7. Write as you go

When I first started, I had no concept of what 80,000–100,000 words looked like — only that it sounded like a lot. I was advised early on to write throughout the PhD process and not leave everything to the end. This appealed to me because I like having a plan and was concerned that I’d forget why I had made particular decisions if I left the writing until the end. Initially, however, I felt like I was getting nowhere, constantly redrafting and not knowing what direction to take with each individual chapter. Because my music degree was performance-based, I hadn’t had much practice writing in an academic style and it took me a while to develop my academic voice.

One thing that really helped was writing the manuscript for the first study from my thesis . This helped me to improve the structure of my work and to communicate an argument. Writing also helped me to clarify my understanding of the research area.

Although inspired by my experiences and those I interviewed working in music, I hope that these tips are transferrable to graduate students in a variety of disciplines.

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-02693-y

This is an article from the Nature Careers Community, a place for Nature readers to share their professional experiences and advice. Guest posts are encouraged .

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