The best doctorate degrees in accounting

Listed among top 10 best value U.S. mid-west educational institutions, the Ph.D. program in Business Administration at the University of Illinois aims to educate tomorrow’s scholars to have successful careers at leading research institutions or universities.

Financial support

For 4 years, all Ph.D. students are granted a tuition waiver plus a significant stipend in exchange for their work as teaching assistants or graduate research experts. The students should constantly prove that they are progressing towards earning their degree.

Admission information

• Have a minimum GPA 3.00/4.00 in the final 60 semester hours of undergraduate studies
• Have successfully passed Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) tests during the previous 5 years
• Have passed an English competency test (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE-Academic) with excellent scores
• Provide 3 letters of recommendation
• Write a 500-word personal statement on research interests
• Submit a 40-page sample related to their area of study

Graduation information

Semester hours: minimum 96 (baccalaureate) and 64 (MBA).

Students should finalize 2 statistics, mathematics, or computing courses, 4 MBA core courses, and 6 in-depth, advanced courses. Students must also work as teaching or research assistants and write a dissertation.

Wharton’s doctoral accounting program prepares students to become outstanding academic researchers. Besides implementing their research methods, students will benefit from constant mentoring by the university’s most prestigious faculty members.

Financial support
As an admitted Wharton doctoral student, you will receive a fellowship that offers a stipend and covers tuition costs and mandatory health insurance.

Admission information

• Submit 3 letters of recommendation
• Scan and upload samples of previous academic work
• Complete an essay online
• Provide scores from previous 5 years for GRE or GMAT tests
• Pay an $80 non-refundable application fee

Graduation information

Students should pass the required courses with B-grades or better and finalize their doctoral thesis.

Graduates of the University of Michigan are usually invited to get faculty positions at leading universities such as Harvard, MIT, or Stanford. This Ph.D. program promotes research focused on recent macro trends in accounting, with insights from related disciplines like statistics, finance, economics, and political science.

Financial support

All students accepted in the Ross Ph.D. program receive substantial financial support for 5 years. This includes stipends, family healthcare coverage, as well as travel funding, and sponsorship for technology purchases.

Admission information

• Complete an online application
• Upload their resume with a focus on relevant accounting experience
• Write a 3-to-5 page statement of purpose
• Provide a 500-word personal statement focused on life experiences and background
• Register 3 letters of recommendation
• Upload scanned copies of official transcripts
• Pay a $75 application fee for US citizens and permanent residents or $90 for international applicants.

Graduation information

During the first 2 years, students must pass all mandatory courses in econometrics, finance, accounting, mathematics and compile all needed research papers. The remainder of the program involves collaborative research plus the completion of the dissertation.

The accounting doctoral program at the Kelley School of Business at this university is designed to grow scholars through comprehensive courses in accounting research and archival experimental methods.

Financial support
Kelley doctoral students have a financial package that includes tuition, an expenses stipend, plus full health insurance.

Admission information

• Submit an online application
• Provide letters of recommendation, transcripts, and GMAT or GRE scores
• Pass a TOEFL test if English is not their native tongue

Graduation information
To graduate, students have to complete their dissertation and teach as research assistants.

Olin Business School’s Ph.D. accounting program aims to give students a comprehensive base of knowledge doubled by the needed research skills to start a solid academic career as university researchers or educators.

Financial support All enrolled Ph.D. students who are making adequate progress towards earning their degree receive financial support for 5 years. This includes full tuition remission plus an annual stipend of $37,000 for living expenses.

Admission information

• Upload copies of transcripts from all educational institutions attended
• Provide GRE and GMAT score reports
• Send IELTS or TOEFL score reports
• Upload the CV and 3 letters of recommendation
• Write a statement of purpose
• Pay online the application fee

Graduation information

• Complete more than 36 credit hours and pass all the needed examinations
• Show constant academic progress
• Fulfill teaching requirements
• Write and submit their dissertation

W.P. Carey School of Business provides one of the most prestigious accountancy Ph.D. programs in the country, providing students with hands-on exposure to real-world business strategies.

Financial support
Ph.D. students will get financial assistance for 4 years. In addition to their research activities, doctoral students should teach at least 1 course during the program.

Admission information

• Submit an online application
• Write and upload a personal statement and an employee summary
• Submit official transcripts from all previous schools attended
• Provide GMAT or GRE scores
• Submit at least 3 letters of recommendation
• International applicants should prove their language proficiency and fill in an online financial guarantee form

Graduation information
Aside from the final dissertation, students must:

• Complete 84 credit hours of coursework
• Finalize research papers during the summer, after the first 2 doctoral years.

One of the most renowned business Ph.D. programs worldwide, the Marshall Ph.D. program is student-centered and guarantees that most graduates are promoted to academic positions at top American business schools.

Financial support
The USC Marshall School of Business offers a complete financial support package to Ph.D. students for 5 years. After the third year, students become eligible for additional research fellowships.

Admission information

• Personal information and resume
• Academic history data – GRE or GMAT scores, copies of transcripts, IELTS or TOEFL scores
• Program materials – 3 letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, research experience documents

Graduation information

Students will learn a distinct set of research methods tailored to their dissertation, with in-depth knowledge needed to conduct rigorous research.

Located in California, Stanford’s Doctoral program in accounting focuses on developing analytical and empirical research skills in accounting while providing interdisciplinary studies.

Financial support

For 5 years, all doctoral students receive a financial fellowship that includes tuition, healthcare coverage, a living stipend, plus the opportunity to hold a course or research assistantships. For 2020-21, the stipend is $45,850.

Admission information

• Fill in an online application, upload a CV, education information, and other relevant personal data
• Submit GRE (preferred) or GMAT test scores
• Write a brief essay/statement of purpose
• Select and submit 3 letters of recommendation

Graduation information
To graduate, doctoral students must pass all 19 required courses, register for practicum in teaching and research, complete summer research papers and presentations, pass field exams, and write an original doctoral dissertation.

Ph.D. students  at the Chicago Booth School of Business have the freedom to cultivate their research interests and become part of a collaborative research community recognized for the groundbreaking impact on the academic accounting literature.

Financial support All admitted Ph.D. students at Chicago Booth benefit from financial assistance, including a tuition grant, health insurance, a stipend, and access to travel and research funding.

Admission information

• Hold a 4-year bachelor’s degree issued by an accredited educational institution
• Submit TOEFL/IELTS scores (valid for international applicants)
• Upload transcripts from all educational institutions attended after high school, 2 letters of recommendation, essays, and a recent resume.
• Pay the $80 application fee

Graduation information

To graduate, you should pass all the mandatory courses, take part in conferences and research workshops, co-author papers, and finalize your thesis.

MIT’s Management Sloan School Ph.D. program ecourages students to go beyond the boundaries of the accounting field and acquire a comprehensive knowledge of economics while pursuing their research work on contemporary financial issues.

Financial support

Students in good standing receive a full funding package for 5 years. This covers full tuition, health insurance, and a $40,800 stipend. The funding includes a fellowship and a teaching or research assistantship.

Admission information

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or an equivalent diploma
• Submit GRE or GMAT test scores
• Have a minimum of 7 (IELTS) or 577 (TOEFL paper test) – international applicants only
• Upload copies of transcripts for each attended college or university
• Provide 3 letters of recommendation, preferably in an academic format
• Submit resume and a statement of purpose
• Pay the $95 application fee

Graduation information

To graduate, Ph.D. students must fulfill methodology, research, and coursework requirements, pass all general examinations, and finalize their dissertation.