Online PhD Accounting

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Amanda Hetler
Written By - Amanda Hetler

Check MarkEdited By Julian Palacio

Check MarkReview & Contribution By David Smith

An online doctoral program in accounting is a higher degree and an advanced program in the field of accounting. The prerequisite for an Online PhD Accounting program would be a master’s degree in a relevant field. People taking up this degree would be getting into policy in their chosen field of work or getting into research and academics. In this article we discuss online doctoral programs in accounting, the job opportunities it brings, the challenges it poses, and the roles that students would be paying post a doctorate in accounting. We also discuss the cost of the degree, the salaries they can expect post a Ph.D. in accounting; the specializations one can pick for a Ph.D. in accounting, the time required to complete the degree etc. Here we would also discuss the licensing and affiliations required to practice the craft of accounting and the certifications and memberships required to thrive in this industry. A typical role post a doctorate in accounting would be the role of an accounting professor as per salary.com earning in the range of around $127,475 per year.

Accounting

National University

PROGRAM: Doctor of Business Administration – Advanced Accounting

National University, headquartered in San Diego, California, was founded in 1971 to provide educational opportunities for adult learners and working professionals. It offers over 190 degree programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, with flexible online and on-campus courses. Serving around 40,000 students and over 240,000 alumni, the university is recognized for its support of U.S. military members. Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), National University is committed to accessible and transformative higher education.

Best Online PhD Accounting Programs

Best Online PhD Accounting Programs

There are quite a few online Ph.D. to choose from off late. And in the pandemic time, this has become the chosen way of containing studies or furthering your accounting career. Online Ph.D. in accounting courses have become the chosen way to pursue further studies in these times of the pandemic. Hence, we looked at a lot of criteria and came up with our best online accounting courses as below:*

Univ Address Tuition Grad Rate
Creighton University 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68178 $16,686 82%

Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page

Find Online PhD Accounting Programs Near Me

If you are looking at the best online Ph.D. in accounting programs near you, you are in luck, below is a list of Ph.D. in accounting programs near your location:

What to expect from the Online Ph.D. Accounting Program?

The Ph.D. in Accounting program at many universities across North America comprises two primary components: coursework and dissertation. Accounting Ph.D. students typically study about 12 or 13 courses over two years. Suggestions are provided for courses to do in the first and part of my second terms. As my interests unfold, students can choose the remaining courses that they think would help them in the dissertation stage of the program. A typical combination would be, four courses in the School of Accountancy, two in the Faculty of Mathematics, three in the Department of Management Sciences, and four in the Department of Economics. Also, it would be ideal to try and develop a thesis dissertation topic during the completion of coursework. Also, it would be advisable to pick up courses that students might have studied during their previous training (bachelors and postgraduate work in Accounting) that make it easier for students to keep up the pace with your Ph.D. program.

Areas of Specialization for Online PhD Accounting

Depending on the major or specialization that a student took up during their master’s program in accounting, students would choose their Ph.D. specialization. Below we discuss a few specializations that universities offer their Ph.D. programs in.

Specialization Description InstitutionsCareers This Concentration Prepares For
Accounting and Financial ManagementAccounting plays an integral role in the stability and development of global economies and financial markets. Through proper oversight and management, accounting can help prevent repeats of the devastating financial crises seen in recent decades.Capella universityAccounting and Financial Management Consultants
Computational FinancePh.D. in Computational Finance in the following fields: agent-based modeling of financial markets; computational risk management; high-frequency finance; and the use of computational intelligence methods for investment decision making.City University of SeattleFinancial Analysts
Doctor of Business AdministrationEvery industry needs accountants who can work with integrity to manage a company’s financial flow and track changes. The Doctor of Business Administration program will take you to the highest level of accounting knowledge and training so that you can be a leader in the corporate world.Liberty UniversityProfessor
Accounting & Management Information SystemsThe Accounting & Management Information Systems Ph.D. program is one of the top accounting Ph.D. programs in the country. The program’s goal is to help prepare students for a successful and productive career as a faculty member at a leading research-oriented university. The program consists of two tracks: Accounting and MIS.Ohio State UniversityInformation System Analyst
Accounting & ManagementThe doctoral program in Accounting and Management, which falls under the Ph.D. in Business Administration, focuses on understanding the role of information and measurement systems for allocating resources among firms in the economy and between departments or divisions of individual firms; rewarding and monitoring the performance of managers; formulating, executing and evaluating strategy by firm managers; understanding the profitability of suppliers, products, customers, distribution channels, and business units; and managing franchise risk.Harvard Business SchoolManagement Accountant
Management AccountingThis degree focuses on the financial aspects of how to run the accounting department at a business. The study is focused both on the economic principles and leadership and management skills necessary for success in this environment. Special focuses can be placed on global economics, investment and risk, cash flow valuation, performance management, and treasury risk management. Upon graduation, students are prepared to make a difference in the future economics of the corporate world.Creighton UniversityManagement Consultant

Why should I do an Online PhD Accounting?

Accounting as a profession has been thriving for years. And due to the expanding role of information and technology, financial data has seen revolutions beyond imagination. Hence, the more need for accounting professionals to regulate and help the industry follow compliance regulations to keep all accounting data in good shape. With these in mind, the role of accounts has been increasing and has been more rewarding as well. Hence, we can see the reasons for pursuing higher studies in accounts and the well-paying returns for the same. The reasons for pursuing an online degree could be two-fold, one would be to advance a student’s career in the field of accounting and bring in opportunities in research and academics. The other incentive would be to get into the higher echelons in the field of the accounting profession. A higher salary, a chair in the decision and policy-making bodies, and of course the quest for knowledge all will be satisfied by a Ph.D. in accounting. So, it would not be false to say that a Ph.D. in accounting is worth it.

How to get into the Online PhD Accounting program?

Below would be the online Ph.D. in accounting prerequisites:

Bachelor’s Degree: The first step to becoming an occupational therapist is to attend a four-year bachelor’s degree program at a college or university. Earning a bachelor’s degree qualifies you to apply to master’s degree programs for occupational therapy. Good degree options for prospective pediatric occupational therapists include psychology, education or special education, biology, kinesiology, exercise physiology, or pre-occupational therapy.

Internship: As one completes a bachelor’s degree program, students should look for internships that allow them to work with accountancy professionals, bookkeepers, tax examiners, management Analysts, etc. They can also look for financial managers opportunities that allow them to interact with clients directly and help them address their financial goals.

GRE and GPA: As one of the occupational therapies master’s degree requirements, some universities might require a certain GRE score and a GPA of above 3 to take up a master’s in OT. 

Earn A Master’s Degree: Upon the completion of a bachelor’s degree program, students need to apply to a two-year master’s degree program in accountancy. During a master’s degree program, you take courses relating to accountancy, forensic accounting, etc. Students also complete professional experience by working with licensed accounts in a real workplace setting.

Letters of recommendationTwo letters of reference—one for academic reference from prior education experience, and a second from a reference who can attest to the quality of the applicant’s professional work as an accountant.

Personal statement: Write a personal statement, which is typically in the form of an essay. You may be required to submit multiple essays to fully express the intent and purpose of your application. Below are some common topics that should be mentioned in a statement.

  • Your main academic and personal interests
  • Experiences in school or work that have helped to prepare you for this course of study
  • Why do you wish to pursue a Doctorate in Accountancy
  • Why do you wish to study at the chosen accountancy program?
  • Your career plans and goals after you earn your Ph.D. in accounting.

Resume/CV: Upload a copy of your most recent resume or curriculum vitae as part of your application.

How long is an Online PhD Accounting?

Like any other Ph.D. program, to complete a Ph.D. in accounting would take anything between three to five years and around 60 credit hours. Most of the Ph.D. programs are flexible and students can complete their Ph.D. requirements faster, but the credit hour requirements are mandatory and remain the same. But working professionals who might be able to put in hours only on the weekends could pace it in such a way and complete the Ph.D. in the maximum time allowed by the university. Hence, as you can see students can pace their Ph.D. programs as it suits them, but they must complete the 60 credit hours required for the course and the other biddings that the universities might have.

AACSB Accreditation for Online PhD Accounting

Founded in 1988, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) is a global business education accrediting body and the first organization to offer accreditation to all levels of collegiate business education degree programs from associate to doctoral.

ACBSP ignites a standard of excellence with an accreditation process based on the Baldrige Education Criteria for Performance Excellence. By evaluating aspects of leadership, strategic planning, relationships with stakeholders, quality of academic programs, faculty credentials, and educational support, ACBSP assesses whether business programs offer a rigorous educational experience and commitment to continuous quality improvement.

Below are a few Ph.D. programs accredited by the AACSB:a

Accelerated Online PhD Accounting Programs

A Ph.D. program in accounting generally takes anything between three to five years to complete. It also has a requirement of sixty credit hours for completion of the Ph.D. program. But only the credit hour required on completion of courses is the mandatory requirement. If a student gets credits for his previous courses and that adds up towards the 60 credit hour requirements then a student can complete his Ph.D. quicker than the regular course timeline, also, if students can take up more courses at the same time and fulfill the credit hours requirements at a faster pace than they can also complete their PhDs at a much faster pace. Some universities give this relaxation to students which enables them to complete their Ph.D. at a faster pace, these courses are called accelerated Ph.D. programs.

How to Pay for Online PhD Accounting Programs?

When you are entering into a Ph.D. program in accounting, students can first check if they can work as teaching assistants as most of them would have completed their masters. This is a good way to foot the tuition fee for the Ph.D. program. Since higher education is quite expensive the best way to pay for your tuition is to get a scholarship. The other way to pay for your Ph.D. would be to qualify for traditional student loans and financial aid. For further reference, students can refer to this link here for scholarships.

It might happen that someone does not qualify for a scholarship, for such candidates if they are working professionals, they can check with their employers to reimburse the tuition fee. The other way of funding your associate in accountancy is to apply for a student loan. Students can also check if they are eligible for federal student aid. Here is a link to the application for FAFSA Application. 

Free Courses for Online PhD Accounting

What is Financial Accounting?

Students are introduced to the field of financial accounting through defining the foundational activities, tools, and users of financial accounting. Students learn to use the accounting equation and are introduced to the four major financial statements. Additional topics include ethical considerations, recording business transactions, and the application of credit/debit rules

Completing the Accounting Cycle

Students prepare statements relevant to year-end accounting processes synthesizing what they have learned in the previous two courses. Specific topics include adjusting entries, closing entries (with a focus on the adjustment to retained earnings), the preparation of an income statement, retained earnings statement, and a balance sheet, and the procedure for recording the four closing entries. Students will also learn how to prepare the post-closing trial balance.

Introduction to Accounting Data Analytics and Visualization

Accounting has always been about analytical thinking. From the earliest days of the profession, professors emphasize the importance of math and order for analyzing business transactions. The skillset that accountants have needed to perform math and to keep order has evolved from pencil and paper to typewriters and calculators, then to spreadsheets and accounting software. A new skill set that is becoming more important for nearly every aspect of the business is that of big data analytics: analyzing large amounts of data to find actionable insights. This course is designed to help accounting students develop an analytical mindset and prepare them to use data analytic programming languages like Python and R.

Accounting for Business Decision Making: Measurement and Operational Decisions

Accounting information is the lifeblood of the organization as it facilitates and influences operational and strategic decisions intended to achieve organizational goals. Organizations benefit from three decision-oriented roles of accounting: measurement, control, and communication. This course introduces accounting’s measurement role inside of an organization and how accountants communicate information that helps managers and employees make operational decisions. Students will learn how cost information is created and organized to help managers and employees conduct profitability analyses, develop, and choose products, make pricing decisions, and make common business decisions.

FAQs about Online PhD Accounting Programs

What do you need for a Ph.D. in accounting?

Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree, and some schools also require a master’s degree or experience in the field. Applications usually require GMAT or GRE scores and proof of an academic background in subjects such as mathematics, statistics, and economics.

Are accounting Ph.D. programs competitive?

Can I do a Ph.D. in taxation?

How much is accounting Ph.D.?

How do you become an accounting professor?

Do you have to have a Ph.D. to be an accounting professor?

How long does it take to get a Ph.D.?

What do accounting professors do?

How much money does an accounting professor make?

Can you teach accounting with a CPA?

Career Opportunities and Salaries after Online PhD Accounting

Post a Ph.D. in accounting students would get to the higher echelons of the accounting profession. They are also looking at They would be looking into the roles that would make policies and executive decisions. Below we discuss a few roles and their responsibilities:

OccupationJob DescriptionMedian Annual Salary Job Growth (up to 2030)
CHIEF FINANCE OFFICERTaking it to the top. As a chief finance officer, you may not be the CEO, but you’re far up there. You’re so far up the chain of command that you’re in charge of all the company’s financial actions. That’s a job with a lot of responsibility.
As the CFO, you get to follow the company’s cash flow and spend some time doing financial planning to ensure everyone is staying on budget. You may even get to allocate some funds to an under-budgeted department. But the biggest part of your job is identifying any weaknesses or strengths that the company has when it comes to the green stuff.
$136,0806%
ControllerWorking as a Controller requires extensive experience in the field of accounting. Controllers oversee the financial operations of companies. Creating budgets, managing investment decisions, assessing risk factors, and creating financial reports are all supervised by the controller.
He or she makes sure accounting records are up to speed with the accounting principles fellow professionals go by, and oversees all accounting departments of the company, guaranteeing that bookkeeping tasks are carried out within the required deadlines. Controllers are involved in the selection and training of accounting employees as well.
$96,21716%
Finance DirectorHave you ever been involved in managing the budget for a family trip? Well, you can think of a finance director as a role, except on a larger scale. Instead of a family trip, they are tasked with overseeing the financial operations of a company.
Daily, a finance director is tasked with developing financial plans, preparing financial forecasts, assessing budgets of departments, and developing accounting policies. Besides that, they facilitate tax and audit activities, as well as assist in developing a training program for accounting staff.
$125,80216%
Vice PresidentA vice president of a company keeps watching over all the internal operations. They work to build strong customer relationships while also staying focused on the financial goals at hand.
The average vice president spends a lot of time at work. I mean, we’re talking a lot of time, like upwards of 65-80 hours a week. Since most of the company falls into your hands, you’ll likely spend a lot of that time making sure everything is running as efficiently as it can.
$162,0156%
ProfessorProfessors are key academic staff at colleges and universities. They develop in-depth familiarity with their material over extensive years of specialized education and share their knowledge in lectures they prepare, using appropriate textbooks, and keeping up to date with current trends and developments of the topic.
Apart from teaching, they conduct research as well, probing questions that have not been sufficiently dealt with in their area of expertise. They read articles and attend conferences to keep up with the work of fellow researchers and publish their findings and polemics with current results in academic journals.
$142,74111%
Senior Tax ManagerAs a senior tax manager, you will be responsible for coordinating the activities of the tax department. You’ll schedule and delegate tasks among the employees in the department. You’ll ensure that quality tax services are provided to businesses and individual clients. Additionally, you may extend advisory services to individuals and businesses. Furthermore, you will ensure that the tax records of clients are in adherence to tax laws and regulations. Moreover, you’ll identify factors that may lead to tax risks.$79,29516%

Certifications and Licensing for Online PhD Accounting

Posting a Ph.D. in accounting, it would be a great move to become members of professional accounting and finance bodies and complete their certifications to open a host of opportunities in one’s career. Below we discuss a few certifications that students might want to pursue.

Financial Risk Manager (FRM) Certification

The Financial Risk Manager (FRM) certification is offered by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). The FRM is designed for finance professionals looking for careers as risk analysts, risk officers, or other positions in risk management. The topics covered by the FRM revolve around risk management, such as valuation and risk models, credit risk measurement, and operational risk management.

Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA)

The Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) designation is a globally recognized accounting certification that focuses on topics such as financial managementreporting, taxation, auditing, leadership, and ethics. Unlike the CPA, ACCA is more internationally recognized and applicable as it focuses on IFRS as opposed to U.S. GAAP. However, this means that ACCA is less appropriate in the United States. Additionally, it no longer counts for CPA exam exemptions.

Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation is a great finance certification for anyone who is pursuing a career in investment or wealth management. This certification is focused on financial planning – the high net worth and retail segment of investment management. Though the CFP’s coverage of wealth management is extensive, its focus is narrow, thus making it not applicable to other finance careers.

Additional Resources for Online PhD Accounting Degree

A Ph.D. in accounting is a passport to a high-flying career in the field of accounting. But it’s always a great idea to get certification and hence become members of professional accounting and finance bodies which gives you the right connections to take your accounting career to the next level. Below we discuss a few accounting professional bodies.

OrganizationDescription
American Accounting AssociationThe American Accounting Association is the largest community of accountants in academia. Founded in 1916, we have a rich and reputable history built on leading-edge research and publications. The diversity of our membership creates a fertile environment for collaboration and innovation. Collectively, we shape the future of accounting through teaching, research, and a powerful network, ensuring our position as thought leaders in accounting.
Association of International Certified Professional AccountantsAICPA is the most influential body of professional accountants in the world. Our mission is to drive a dynamic accounting profession ready to meet the demands of a constantly changing, disruptive world. We provide the tools, resources, and intelligence members need to clarify complexity, anticipate risk, and create opportunity. We are their voice, protecting the public interest and powering trust, opportunity, and prosperity worldwide.
Formed by members of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, AICPA & CIMA, builds on a century-long heritage of excellence. In 2012, AICPA & CIMA established the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation to provide members with a new level of resources and recognition.
National Society of AccountantsThe core mission of the NSA is to help tax and accounting professionals become more successful.
Accountants and tax practitioners who have established their businesses can take advantage of member benefits and discounts that positively affect the bottom line of a small practice. NSA also increases the value of membership by remaining in constant contact with members through email newsletters, announcements, publications, social media, and surveys. This open and transparent communication allows Leadership and staff to develop better programs to help members be successful.
Institute of Management AccountantsIMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) is the worldwide association of accountants and financial professionals in the business. Founded in 1919, we are one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. We are committed to empowering our 140,000+ members—and those throughout the rest of the profession—to strengthen on-the-job skills, better manage companies, and accelerate careers. We invite our members to discover the myriad possibilities within the profession and build an actionable future in management accounting.

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