Ph.D. Accounting

The accounting department is nationally recognized for excellence.  The Ph.D. in Business Administration – Accounting program is designed to produce scholars capable of publishing in the top journals from the moment they graduate. Our doctoral program combines rigorous, thought-provoking coursework with independent and guided research opportunities.

Academics

Admissions

Research

How To Apply

Areas of Expertise

Department

Academic Overview

Our curriculum is designed to allow our students to graduate in five years with a competitive research portfolio. During the coursework phase of our program, students will take courses in economic theory, econometrics, and statistics. In addition, our students will take research seminars that cover a wide range of topics in accounting research.

Degree Details

Duration: 5 years

Class Type: In-Person

Location: College Station

How To Apply

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Admissions

Below is a list of application requirements and information for prerequisites for each applicant.

  • Completed online application in BusinessCAS
  • Completed essay questions
  • Transcript
  • Resume
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • GMAT/GRE scores
  • TOEFL or IELTS (International candidates)

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Research

We offer a number of resources to aid students in their work such as funding to present at conferences and a workshop program that brings leading scholars to campus.

Faculty Experts 

Students 

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Applications Are Open

Early Applicant Deadline: December 15
Final Deadline: February 1

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Areas of Expertise

Financial Accounting

Financial accounting research investigates how investors, analysts, creditors, and other capital market participants use accounting information. Financial accounting research also investigates how factors such as managerial incentives and accounting standards influence manager’s financial reporting decisions as well as the usefulness of accounting information.

Faculty Experts 

Auditing

Audit research uses economics- and psychology-based methods to examine factors that influence audit quality. In doing so, audit researchers consider how client and auditor behaviors, capital market forces, and regulators influence audit quality.

Faculty Experts 

Taxation

Tax research examines numerous areas of tax policy. Specific questions include how taxes influence corporate decisions such as investment and capital structure. Other questions examine factors that influence corporate tax avoidance and topics on the financial reporting of income taxes such as how capital market participants use tax-related information in the financial statements.

Faculty Experts 

Managerial

Managerial research uses economics-based methods to examine optimal executive compensation and governance and their influence on firm performance. Other topics include factors that influence a firm’s cost structure and use of information to manage operating efficiency and encourage innovation.

Faculty Experts 

Based on archival research productivity of recent PhD student graduates in their first six years after graduation, per the 2023 BYU rankings.

Ph.D. Accounting

#2

All Archival Topics

#4

Audit Research

#6

Financial Research

#2

Tax Research

Department

The James Benjamin Department of Accounting

Accounting is the universal language of business and is essential for decision making. Accountants use financial expertise, data analysis, and problem-solving skills to help clients make better decisions.

The James Benjamin Department of Accounting’s mission is to create an environment that prepares students for any path they choose in a constantly evolving business environment. Our faculty includes award-winning instructors and accomplished scholars and our programs are regularly ranked in the top 10 in national rankings.

James Benjamin Department of Accounting 

Ph.D. In Accounting

Through coursework and seminars in the Ph.D. programs at Mays Business School, students are given the resources and opportunities to fully develop their research ideas! Lisa Tiplady, Ph.D. student in the James Benjamin Department of Accounting, shares her experience in the program, where she had the opportunity to practice presenting her research and receive one-on-one feedback from Mays faculty!

Go to the Ph.D. Series