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Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Accounting (PhD)

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Research and collaboration are at the heart of the UBC Business Administration in Accounting PhD program. Here, you will be equipped with the in-depth knowledge, communication skills, and immersive research capabilities you’ll need to be at the forefront of your discipline.

Right from the outset of the program, you will receive individualized attention, guidance, and mentorship from our faculty. Not only will they enrich your knowledge and build your skillset, our faculty will be your support network as you as you integrate yourself into a vibrant academic community.

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

What makes the program unique?

The research faculty in Accounting publish in the top journals in the field, and engage in empirical research in financial accounting, auditing and taxation. Our program draws effectively on strong research faculty in other fields, including finance, economics, policy analysis, and management science. Of particular importance are the variety of research workshops held each week which expose students to current research by leading researchers from UBC and other universities in accounting and the related fields.

The program attracts some of the world’s sharpest, most curious minds who, over the course of the program, sharpen their skills and deepen their knowledge. Upon graduating, you will:

• Have in-depth knowledge of the process of scientific discovery and the Philosophy of Science (epistemology), which you will be able to apply to your research discipline.
• Be a skilled communicator with the ability to share your knowledge and expertise effectively with a variety of audiences. You will be able to present your findings at a research seminar or a conference, to teach a complete course effectively, and be able to publish in the academic genre of your discipline.
• Have the appropriate analytical research foundation for your chosen area of specialization, and you will be able to apply your analytical knowledge and skills to research problems in that area.
• Have an in-depth understanding of leading research within your chosen area of specialization, and you will be able to enrich and advance that body of knowledge through deep analysis and synthesis of research problems and findings.

Program Structure

Students are required to take a cross-divisional course in research methods, a course in teaching methods, and the following four courses in the accounting division.:

• COMM 651 Analysis of Accounting Information in Markets. An examination of theoretical research into the role of public accounting information in capital markets and its relation to market prices, and the impact and disclosure of private investor and private management information.
• COMM 657 Empirical Methods in Accounting Research. An introduction to empirical accounting research, emphasizing the use of theoretical arguments in developing testable hypotheses, econometric methodologies used to address accounting research problems and data issues that arise in testing hypotheses.
• COMM 658 Research Workshop in Accounting. Discussion of accounting research presented by faculty and PhD students from UBC and other universities.
• COMM 659 Advanced Topics in Empirical Accounting Research. A selection of special topics in accounting research.  The exact topics covered depend on the research expertise of the faculty members teaching the course in any given year.

You select your remaining coursework from other divisions and departments such as Finance, Economics and Mathematics, with the guidance of the PhD advisor.

You begin active research in the first year of your program by completing a summer research project. Most students write their comprehensive examination after their second year of course-work and spend the remainder of the program working on their dissertation research.

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, 1) check eligibility, minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 100

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 7.0

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE or a comparable test is required. Please check the program website.

Prior degree, course and other requirements

Course requirements.

Most students have had prior studies in accounting, but some have entered into the program with backgrounds primarily in finance, economics, or mathematics and then developed their understanding of accounting by taking appropriate undergraduate or Masters' courses in accounting. 

2) Meet Deadlines

September 2025 intake, application open date, canadian applicants, international applicants, deadline explanations.

Deadline to submit online application. No changes can be made to the application after submission.

Deadline to upload scans of official transcripts through the applicant portal in support of a submitted application. Information for accessing the applicant portal will be provided after submitting an online application for admission.

Deadline for the referees identified in the application for admission to submit references. See Letters of Reference for more information.

3) Prepare Application

Transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

• Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Accounting (PhD)

Citizenship verification.

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial Support

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Program Funding Packages

We provide a financial package that includes tuition plus $30,000 per year for the first five years of the PhD Program.

Average Funding

• 3 students received Research Assistantships. Average RA funding based on 3 students was $15,718.
• 1 student received Academic Assistantships valued at $2,400.
• 3 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 3 students was $19,606.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Outcomes

102 students graduated between 2005 and 2013. Of these, career information was obtained for 100 alumni (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016):

Sample Employers in Higher Education

Sample employers outside higher education, sample job titles outside higher education, phd career outcome survey, career options.

UBC's PhD program in Accounting has a reputation for producing strong researchers. Recent graduates from the program have been placed in schools including Boston College, Purdue University, University of Hong Kong, University of Toronto, University of Alberta, Brock University and Queen's University.

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Accounting (PhD). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

ENROLMENT DATA

• Research Supervisors

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Cavusoglu, Hasan (IT investment, information security, value of information technology, online product differentiation, information system security, Economics & sustainability, Management Information Systems)
• Cenfetelli, Ronald Timothy (Human computer interaction, E-Business, IT-mediated customer service, Negative aspects of technology, Structural equation modeling, Survey research techniques, Multi-level modeling)
• Chamberlain, Sandra (Accounting and the economics of, Valuation of publicly traded firms using accounting information, Accounting and contracting, Earnings quality, Accounting for Financial Institutions)
• D Adduzio, Jenna (Voluntary and mandatory disclosures; Regulatory and standard setting issues; Disclosure materiality)
• Lee, Gene (Economics and business administration; Management information systems; Applied Machine Learning; Business Analytics; Computer Science and Statistics; Cybersecurity; Information Systems; Mobile Ecosystem; Social Media Analysis; Text Mining)
• Lo, Kin (financial reports; financial disclosures; financial statements; accounting; stock options; executive compensation; auditing; stock valuation; securities regulation; tax planning; tax policy, Empirical research in financial accounting and reporting, Investigating the motives and effects of voluntary disclosures, The effects of alternative regulated reporting regimes, Refinement of accounting research methodology, Examining the role of accounting in equity valuation)
• Lundholm, Russell (Financial statement analysis )
• Nan, Ning (Economics and business administration; Management information systems; blockchain governance; complex adaptive systems; digital business; evolvable information systems; Information Systems; Management; online community)
• Swanson, David (Finance; Economics of Regulation; Political Economics; SEC; Securities Litigation)
• Vijayaraghavan, Rajesh (Accounting and risk management in financial institutions, Disclosure, Corporate governance and performance measurement, Corporate Finance, Applications of machine learning)
• Yan, Han (Accounting; Financial economics; Banking; Climate Finance; Voluntary Disclosure; Earnings Quality; Reduced Form and Structural Estimation)
• Yeung, Ira (Voluntary Disclosure; Information Quality; Financial Institutions)
• Zhang, Jenny Li (Accounting; Economics and business administration; Management information systems; Finance and Accounting; Financial reporting, corporate disclosure, restatements, pension)
• Zheng, Xin (SEC Enforcement, Securities Litigation, Auditing, Fraud, Regulation, Financial Reporting)

Doctoral Citations

Sample Thesis Submissions

• Climate-linked pay and supply chain management

Related Programs

Same academic unit.

• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Finance (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Management Information Systems (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Management Science (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Marketing and Behavioural Science (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Organizational Behaviour (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Strategy and Business Economics (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Transportation and Logistics (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Urban Land Economics (PhD)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Business Analytics (MBAN)
• Master of Management (MM)
• Master of Science in Business Administration in Finance (MSCB)
• Master of Science in Business Administration in Management Information Systems (MSCB)
• Master of Science in Business Administration in Transportation and Logistics (MSCB)
• Professional Master of Business Administration (PMBA)

Further Information

Specialization.

Within accounting faculty engage in empirical research in financial accounting, auditing, and taxation.

UBC Calendar

Program website, faculty overview, academic unit, program identifier, classification, social media channels, supervisor search.

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .

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Programs & Courses › Specializations

Schulich’s PhD Program in Accounting is all about groundbreaking research. It offers you the opportunity to work with leading researchers on issues that concern the business community, the accounting profession and broader society. Through a combination of mentoring, coursework, seminars and a wide variety of research and teaching opportunities, you will learn the craft of academic accounting research.

To be successful, you will have to go far beyond the basic program requirements. You will be expected to participate in research with faculty members, to develop your own research ideas into conference presentations and academic articles, and to submit those articles to leading journals for publication.

Specialization Details by Category

Study options.

Student admission is restricted to full-time study exclusively for the first four years. It is not recommended to be working outside of the PhD program during your studies. Students must be able to participate in the PhD program in Toronto.

Choose a study option to view its details and requirements

Available delivery options

• Full-time 48 to 72 months

Location(s)

• Keele Campus Toronto

The requirements to successfully complete the program are outlined below in “Curriculum Overview.”

The minimal requirements of the PhD Program in Accounting include: the successful completion of two years of course work, a comprehensive examination, a research proposal, and a dissertation documenting independent and original research. If you don’t have the academic background of our usual PhD students, you may be required to take additional courses. Your dissertation will take between one and three years to complete, depending on your eventual topic and research methods.

As noted above, complete training in research requires you to exceed these minimal requirements. In particular, you must engage actively in research during your program. Throughout the program you will also be expected to participate in seminars, workshops, and conferences at the local, national, and international levels. It will be your responsibility to push as far as your skills and aptitude can take you. Frequent interaction with faculty members and fellow students is necessary in order that you develop intellectually and professionally.

Coursework:

Your coursework plan will be developed in consultation with the Accounting Area’s PhD Program Coordinator. The courses are typically one semester long (3.0 credits), and fall into six categories:

Required DCAD Courses:

You will be required to take the following DCAD core courses:

This course focuses on the use of univariate and multivariate statistics as applied to social and behavioural research within the fields of organizational, management, and consumer studies. It covers descriptive statistics, mean difference testing, analysis of variance and covariance, linear and logistic regression, and a priori sample size calculations, as well as power and effect size calculations.

• DCAD 7100 3.00 LOGICS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH This examines the major philosophical debates in the social sciences and explores the rationale of different approaches to social research. Students learn how to select and develop appropriate research strategies and how to critically examine the use of various research strategies.
• DCAD 7250 3.00 RESEARCH DESIGN This course introduces students to research design, strengthens their reasoning and theoretical development skills, helps them effectively apply a range of empirical methodologies to their own research and critically review empirical studies done by others. Topics include types of variables, relationships, sampling and measurement, survey and field research designs, experimental designs, and alternative designs, and research design biases and artifacts.
• DCAD 7400 3.00 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS This course provides students with detailed exposure to the qualitative research methodologies that have begun to exert a major influence on management research over the last 10 years.

These DCAD courses are designed to ensure that all PhD students at Schulich acquire a basic competence in research methods, including quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, and the philosophy and methods used in the social sciences.

Accounting Core and Elective Courses

You will also be required to take four of the following doctoral accounting courses:

• ACTG 7010 3.00 OVERVIEW OF ACCOUNTING RESEARCH This course offers Ph.D. students an introduction to the core knowledge about various research paradigms in accounting research.
• ACTG 7020 3.00 EMPIRICAL METHODS IN ACCOUNTING RESEARCH No course description found.
• ACTG 7030 3.00 JUDGEMENT & DECISION RESEARCH IN ACCOUNTING An in-depth study of research methods useful for investigating how and how well judgments and decisions are made in accounting, auditing and financial reporting contexts.
• ACTG 7040 3.00 ADVANCED TOPICS IN ACCOUNTING RESEARCH No course description found.

Explores advanced topics in financial accounting research. It provides an overview of selected topics in financial accounting and related areas, and enhances students' applied skills in analyzing financial accounting data. The course covers classic papers, methodology papers, and papers that represent some of the most recent developments in the field.

• ACTG 7950 3.00 SPECIAL TOPICS IN ACCOUNTING RESEARCH No course description found.

Two Elective Courses

These two courses are selected with the assistance of the Accounting PhD program director and will be from disciplines that are foundational to Accounting such as Economics, Finance and Organizational studies.

Additional course requirements for students with limited relevant backgrounds

Students who have no master’s degree are normally required to take two additional graduate level courses to improve their methodological training; these courses could be, for example, in statistics, econometrics, and psychometrics.

A typical student entering the PhD program with a Masters degree will take at least 10 courses (or 30 credit hours) comprised of four DCAD courses, four accounting core courses, two foundational courses, plus possible electives. At the rate of three courses per semester, a typical student will complete his/her coursework in four semesters (Fall / Winter / Fall / Winter).

A typical student entering the PhD program without a Masters degree will take at least 12 courses (or 36 credit hours) comprised of the above courses plus the two required quantitative methods courses. At the rate of three courses per semester, such a student will complete his/her coursework in four semesters (Fall / Winter / Fall / Winter).

Comprehensive Examination:

Students undergo a comprehensive examination after successfully completing all coursework. This examination is designed to demonstrate knowledge of the accounting field, the chosen foundation field, and research methodologies. The comprehensive examination is set and administered by Accounting Area faculty members. It is normally administered within 24 months of entry into the PhD program. A second and final attempt at this examination is allowed (within six months of the first examination) if the student is unsuccessful in the first attempt.

The program regards the comprehensive examination as a pivotal point for deciding whether students should be allowed to proceed with their studies or be

Dissertation Proposal and Oral Defence:

Candidates must prepare a written proposal to conduct original dissertation research carried out under the supervision of a supervisory committee, and must defend this to the satisfaction of the thesis supervisor and members of the supervisory committee.

Dissertation Proposal and Oral Examination:

Candidates must prepare a dissertation based on original research carried out under the supervision of a supervisory committee and submit the results in appropriate dissertation form. After the formal submission of the dissertation, an oral examination is held. It is expected that all or part of the dissertation will be published following professional or scientific review.

Our faculty members do research that matters. We have substantial experience in a broad range of research paradigms and methodologies. We publish in pinnacle accounting journals on a variety of topics, including topics broadly related to the public policy and public interest consequences of accounting practice. Recent publications have examined topics such as corruption, ethics, executive compensation, international standard setting, and pensions to name but a few. A significant number of accounting area faculty members participate in the Schulich Public Interest Accounting Group, which is part of the Centre of Excellence in Responsible Business.

Selected faculty members

Professor of Accounting

Associate Professor of Accounting

Professor of Accounting; Associate Dean, Students; Ron Binns Chair in Financial Reporting, Banking and Governance

FCA, FCPA (Ontario); Professor of Accounting; Area Coordinator, Accounting

Career Opportunities

The demand for PhD graduates in accounting is very strong in Canada, the U.S., and across the globe. The Schulich PhD Program in Accounting will prepare you for a career in research and teaching at top business schools around the world. The program will give you a strong academic foundation in accounting, as well as an understanding of the relationship between accounting and other fields of management.

Placement of Recent Graduates

Student Research

Scholarly development is an integral part of student life at Schulich School of Business. Working on research topics with award-winning faculty, you will present your findings at industry conferences and publish them in key publications. Highlighted below are some recent accomplishments of PhD students in the Accounting area.

Selected Publications

Changqiu Yu (Forthcoming), “Valuation Uncertainty and Analysts’ Use of DCF Models,” Review of Accounting Studies (with Shengzhong H. and H. Tan, X. Wang)

Lei Zhang (Forthcoming), “Climate Change Social Norms and  Corporate Cash Holdings,” Journal of Business Ethics (with K. Kanagaretnam and J. Gao)

Christine Gilbert (2023), “Resistance, hegemony, and critical accounting interventions: Lessons from debates over government debt,” Critical Perspectives on Accounting

Katherine Ruff (2023), “Impact valuations in social finance: emic and polyvocal stakeholder accounts,” Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal , 36(1), pp.295-322 (with Graham, C. and Nappert, P.)

Pier-Luc Nappert (2023), “Impact valuations in social finance: emic and polyvocal stakeholder accounts,” Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal , 36(1), pp.295-322 (with Graham, C. and Ruff, K.)

Pier-Luc Nappert (2023), “The assetization of baseball players: Instrumentalizing promise with signing bonuses and human capital contracts,” Accounting, Organizations and Society , 105, p.101402 (with Plante, M.)

Pier-Luc Nappert (2023),  “The dissipation of corporate accountability: Deaths of the elderly in for-profit care homes during the coronavirus pandemic,” Critical Perspectives on Accounting , p.102595 (with Graham, C., Himick, D.)

Pier-Luc Nappert (2023), “The professional responsibility of accountants as re-defined by the inclusion of the NOCLAR standard in the Code of Ethics,” Research Handbook on Accounting and Ethics (pp. 19-34). Edward Elgar Publishing (with Fiolleau, K. and Thorne, L.)

Ziyao San (2023), “Executive extraversion and voluntary disclosure: evidence from management earnings forecasts,” Asia-Pacific Journal of Accounting & Economics ,30:1,56-71 (with Liao, C., A. Tsang and Y. Miao Yu)

Akhila Chawla (2022), “The oil price crisis and contagion effects on the Canadian economy,” Applied Economics , 54(13), pp.1527-1543 (with Gajurel, D.)

Akhila Chawla (2022), “International Information Spillovers and Asymmetric Volatility in South Asian Stock Markets,” Journal of Risk and Financial Management , 15(10), p.471 (with Gajurel, D.)

Christine Gilbert (2022), “The COVID-19 crisis and massive public debts: What should we expect?” Critical Perspectives on Accounting

Christine Gilbert (2022), “The audit of public debt: Auditing as a device for political resistance in a neoliberal era,” Critical Perspectives on Accounting (Vol 85, 102263)

Gajindranath Maharaj (2022), “Sanders Foods: Planning for Success—An Instructional Case,” Accounting Perspectives (with  Spraakman, and Nguyen, E.H.)

June Woo Park (2022), “Firstborn CEOs and credit ratings,” The British Accounting Review (Vol 54 Issue 4)

Lei Zhang (2022), “Relationship between Climate Risk and Physical and Organizational Capital,” Management International Review Volume 62, 245–283 (with Kanagaretnam, K. and G.J. Lobo)

Akhila Chawla (2021), “Social audit, accountability and accounting–an Indian perspective,) Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies , 11(1), pp.10-26

Christine Gilbert (2021), “Debt,  accounting, and the transformation of individuals into financially responsible neoliberal subjects,” Critical Perspectives on Accounting (Vol 77 102186)

Ziyao San (2021), “Board reforms around the world: The effect on corporate social responsibility,” Corporate Governance: An International Review Volume 29, 496-523 (with Liao, C., A. Tsang and Y. Miao Yu)

Claire (Qiuju)Deng   (2020), “Do locally based independent directors reduce corporate misconduct? Evidence from Chinese listed firms,” Journal of International Accounting Research , 19(3), pp.61-90 (with Kanagaretnam, K. and Zhou, Z.)

Katherine Ruff (2020), “Counter accounts of profit: outrage to action through “just” calculation,” Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal , 33(4), pp.699-726 (with Himick, D.)

Preetika Joshi (2020), “Does Private Country‐by‐Country Reporting Deter Tax Avoidance and Income Shifting? Evidence from BEPS Action Item 13,” Journal of Accounting Research , 58: 333-381. doi:10.1111/1475-679X.12304

Preetika Joshi (2020), “Does Public Country-by-Country Reporting Deter Tax Avoidance and Income Shifting?” Contemporary Accounting Research , 37 (4), 2357-2397 (with Vuong Persson, A. and Outslay, E.)

Gregory Saxton (2019), “Do CSR messages resonate? Examining public reactions to firms’ CSR efforts on social media,” Journal of Business Ethics ,†δ 155, 359-377. (2021 Impact Factor: 6.331) (with D., Gomez, L., Ngoh,* Z., Lin,* Y, & Dietrich,* S.)

Recent Dissertation Topics

2023: Errol Osecki – The Influence of Affect Regulation on Professional Skepticism

2023: John Kurpierz – Citizen Use and Comprehension of Government Accounting Information: Applications of Design Science Research Methodology

2023: Xiaoran (Jason) Jia – Three Essays on the Economic Impact of FinTech Lending

2022: Lei Zhang – Three Essays on the Influence of Climate Change on Corporate Behaviors

2021: Changqiu Yu – Analysts’ Risk Discussions and the Use of Valuation Models: A Content Analysis of Sell-Side Equity Analyst Reports

2021: Pier-Luc Nappert – Accounting and Performance Metrics in the Sport Business

2021: Ziyao San – Voluntary Disclosure and Corporate Innovation: Evidence from Management Earnings Forecasts

2021: Claire (Qiuju) Deng – A Post-ANT Study of the Translation of a Performance Management System

2020: Preetika Joshi – Global Tax Transparency and Tax Behaviour: Empirical Evidence for the Effects of Country-By-Country Reporting on Tax Avoidance and Income Shifting

2020: Christine Gilbert – Debt, Neoliberalism, and Accounting

2020: Gajindranath Maharaj – Accounting and Money Laundering

2019: June Woo Park – The Incremental Information Content of Analysts’ Research Reports and Firms’ Annual Reports: Evidence from Textual Analysis

2017: Katherine Ruff – Materializing Performance: The Interactions that Enact Inclusions, Exclusions and Arrangements in Charity Social Performance Reports

2017: Akhila Chawla – Accounting and Accountability in the Field of Social Services – A Multi-level Investigation

2016: Gregory Saxton – CSR, Big Data, and Accounting: Firms’ Use of Social Media for CSR-Focused Reporting, Accountability, and Reputation Gain

Current PhD students in the Accounting Area:

as of Fall 2023

• Tahmina Ahmed
• Nicolas Epelbaum
• Mohammad Maruf Hasan
• Sameera Hassan
• Paulo Homero Junior
• Patricia Jackson Farrell
• Makini McGuire-Brown
• Leigh Ellen Walsh
• Golazin Zarghami Parast
• Haoyu Zhang
• Shujie Zhang

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Addressing issues related to the use of accounting information and the effect of regulations and changes.

The PhD specialization in Accounting focuses on training students to conduct academic research in accounting. The key theme covered in our program can be summarized as ‘the use of accounting information by various market participants (i.e., investors, regulators, and other stakeholders) and the effect of regulations on changes in accounting practice and theory’. These include (1) financial reporting and disclosure, (2) managerial incentives and contracting, (3) corporate taxation, and (4) auditing practices.

Since knowledge on statistics, economics, and finance are essential for successful research output, students acquire these relevant skills through formal coursework during the first and second years of the program. The research orientation lends itself to a variety of research methods, which include empirical and theoretical approaches as well as to field studies. Students may adopt specific approaches depending on their research interests. Integration of accounting with related disciplines such as finance, economics, and management is highly encouraged.

Current Area Research Topics

• Financial reporting and disclosure practices
• Financial reporting standards and regulations
• Financial analysts’ reports and forecasts
• Debt contracting and accounting information
• Compensation contracting and managerial incentives
• Corporate taxation strategy
• Accounting issues outside North America
• Accounting for Environment, Sustainability, and Governance
• Management and board of director characteristics
• Auditors and Auditing profession

Typical Course Structure

Fall semester

ACCT 706 Research Design in Accounting MGSC 706 Management Research Statistics Elective

Winter semester

ACCT 705 Seminar in Accounting - Data Analytics in Empirical Capital Market Research FINE 711 Empirical Corporate Finance Elective

Second Year

FINE 707 Corporate Finance Elective Elective

ACCT 705 Seminar in Accounting - Disclosure and Corporate Governance ECON 742 Empirical Microeconomics EDPH 689 Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

ECON 662 Econometrics I ECON 663 Econometrics II POLI 666 Casual Inference for Political Science MPCO 721 ADMI8403 Research Methods in Finance & Accounting MPCO 722 ADMI 861 Research in Auditing MPCO 723 ADMI8602 Emerging Topics in Accounting Research MPCO 724 ADMI860 Management Control & Risk Management MPQM 760 ADM9802 Séminaire sur la divulgation financière et non financière MPHE 740 HEC80600A Machine Learning II: Deep Learning MPHE 742 HEC8074411 Theory Building MPHE 743 HEC80109A Textual Analysis & Psychophysiological Measures

Typical Support Fields

• Behavioral Science
• Decision Theory

Related Content

Prof. Peter (Seung Hwan) Oh

Accounting Area PhD Representative

Department and University Information

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PhD Program

Pursue Excellence, Drive Change, Lead Globally

5 year full-time program

On campus in-person Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Attend Rotman seminars

Applications for Fall 2025 will open on September 1, 2024. Application deadline is January 10, 2025.

Join a close-knit community of scholars at one of the world’s top-ranked centres of management research – at the University of Toronto, in the heart of Canada’s vibrant, culturally diverse financial capital. As part of Rotman’s PhD program, you’ll explore new ideas, develop insights that inspire solutions and help to spark broader conversations among corporate and public leaders.

The PhD in Management is a challenging 5 year program which features course-work, cutting edge research training, and close working relationships with some of the best management academics in the world.  The success of our program is evidenced in the impressive careers of our graduates.

PhD students work closely with faculty in our research-led culture which emphasizes rigor, creativity and innovation. The PhD curriculum is carefully designed to support students as publishing scholars as early as possible in their doctoral studies and we have a terrific track record of placements in leading business schools. Our program is divided into 7 distinct streams of research: Accounting, Economic Analysis and Policy, Finance, Marketing,  Operations Management and Statistics, Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management, and Strategic Management.

We are Rotman

The Rotman School is ranked 16th in the world by the Financial Times for its faculty and research. PhD students at Rotman enjoy an academic culture of collaboration and research excellence. Our doctoral program is delivered in seven streams that reflect the organization of the school as a whole: 

• Economic Analysis and Policy
• Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management
• Operations Management and Statistics 
• Strategic Management

PhD students at Rotman study in small classes and form close working relationships with faculty. Take a moment to get to know our program requirements. If you are a strong candidate with an appetite for academic excellence, we encourage you to contact us to learn more about the Rotman PhD.

The Rotman PhD is for ambitious scholars who plan to teach and research at some of the world's top business schools. If you are looking to study with leading faculty, publish in noted academic journals, and build a global network of like-minded scholars, the Rotman PhD program is for you. Our goal is to prepare our PhD students for exceptional careers in the field of management, and all aspects of the doctoral program are developed with your professional goals in mind. Find out how the Rotman School at the University of Toronto has been the launching pad for many stellar academic careers.

Rotman PhDs on the Market

Research at Rotman

Careers: After the Rotman PhD

Rotman PhD Courses

2024-2025 phd course schedule.

Please view the Course Schedule above for the list of current courses.  

Student Life

Are you a promising scholar driven to achieve success in your studies? At Rotman we believe that your success is fueled by support that extends well beyond scholarship. Your ability to achieve both during the program and after graduation depends on strong networks with faculty and your peers. We aim to give you the tools you need to complete your program while achieving a balanced life outside of the classroom.  Whether you're looking for a new living arrangement, wanting to attend a research event, or wondering how previous students experienced their doctorate, the Rotman Phd progam has the support you need to succeed. Find out what it's like to study at one of the world's top business schools, and live in Toronto, Canada's cultural and financial capital. Finding a Place to Stay Research Seminars at Rotman University of Toronto

Daphne Baldassari, Rotman PhD'23: Dare to Risk

Board games and pizza night, rotman phd: leading the world in research, rotman phd: from support to strength.

The accounting and financial management services stream is designed to prepare students to be excellent accounting researchers and educators. It’s particularly suitable for people who plan to pursue an academic career at a university. Students are exposed to the techniques and issues of various research methods and designs.

Successful applicants typically have a master’s degree in one of these fields:

• Computer science
• Engineering
• Engineering and management
• Mathematics

Required Courses

• B790  – Seminar on Management Theory
• A771  – Seminar in Research Methods and Design in Accounting Research
• A772  – Seminar in Financial Accounting Research
• A773  – Seminar in Managerial Accounting Research
• 721 – Microeconomic theory I
• 761 – Econometrics I
• 765 – Mathematical Models

Quantitative Courses

• Students must take two of the following courses:
• ECON 722 – Microeconomic Theory II
• ECON 762 – Econometrics II
• STATS 780 – Data Science
• STATS 790 – Statistical Learning
• O712 – Data Analytics using Python

Elective Courses

• A717  (MBA) – Seminar in Accounting Theory
• A727  (MBA) – Financial Fraud and Market Surveillance
• A745  (MBA) – Assurance
• A750  (MBA) – Financial Statement Analysis
• F773  – Empirical Methods in Finance
• F774  – Seminar in Finance

Students may also take any other courses which are approved by their supervisors and the area chair.

An overall maximum of 12 courses can be taken for credit.

Other Areas of Study

• Health Policy and Management
• Human Resources and Management
• Information Systems
• Management Science
• Strategic Management

• Tuition fees and Funding

Application deadline

An application can be submitted even if the graduate studies (MSc or MBA) are still in progress. Candidates receiving an offer will be admitted conditionally upon providing their completed graduate degree and transcript before the beginning of their PhD, at the end of August.

Check our  academic calendar for more information.

Eligibility criteria

• Hold a Master of Science (MSc), a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a graduate degree in a related field or a degree deemed equivalent by the program administration, with an average deemed excellent by the School.
• TAGE MAGE (a minimum score is required: 283; for information purposes, note that the average score of applicants recently admitted to the program is 336)
• GMAT (no minimum overall score required; for information purposes, note that the average score of applicants recently admitted to the program is 690)
• GRE (no minimum overall score required; for information purposes, note that the average score of applicants recently admitted to the program is a 690 on the GMAT)

Language requirements

• Advanced proficiency in French or English.

For example, you must have completed 3 years (90 credits) of university studies entirely in French or English or have passed an accredited language test ( TFI : 850 or TOEFL : a score of at least 100).

Supporting documents

For the supporting documents, see the steps for preparing an application.

Certain programs at HEC Montréal have a limited number of places available. For these programs, the School cannot guarantee that all eligible applicants will be admitted.

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PhD in Business Administration

Pursue a phd in business administration.

Driven by academic rigour, the UBC PhD program in Business Administration at UBC Sauder’s Robert H. Lee Graduate School is defined by innovation. Our graduates are high-achieving, well-rounded scholars whose impeccable research skills have led them to ambitious intellectual pursuits.

Get started with the UBC PhD in Business Administration

Specializations

Admission & finance

Meet our alumni.

UBC Sauder's rigorous PhD program attracts impactful researchers that drive change in the global marketplace. It prepares our students for ambitious roles, but also provides the framework for their academic success in and out of the classroom.

Kirk Kristofferson

Kirk Kristofferson has been producing impactful consumer behaviour research since his days as as PhD student at UBC Saud...

Charles Martineau

When Charles Martineau decided to pursue his PhD in Finance, what he discovered was a place that coupled creative academ...

Leah Sheppard

Leah Sheppard credits her ability to write meaningful research, and keep her own students ahead of the curve, to her tim...

When you study your PhD in Business Administration at UBC Sauder, you'll find yourself in the midst of innovation. The resources available to students and the UBC community are plentiful, and UBC Sauder is fertile ground for collaboration and advancement.

Have a question?

Our team is happy to help., get in touch.

+1 604.822.8366 [email protected]

Visit the contact us page for more information

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42 Universities in Canada offering Postgraduate Accounting degrees and courses

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Are you looking for Postgraduate courses in Accounting? Here you can find course providers offering full-time, part-time, online or distance learning options.

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Toronto Metropolitan University

THE World Ranking: 601

York University

THE World Ranking: 351

Sheridan College (Ontario)

University of Guelph

THE World Ranking: 401

Simon Fraser University

THE World Ranking: 251

University of Lethbridge

THE World Ranking: 1201

Thompson Rivers University

Nipissing University

North Island College

Trent University

Seneca Polytechnic

Fanshawe College

• Corporation Tax Accounting
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Haskayne PhD

A flexible, innovative and student-oriented approach

PhD students have the opportunity to make a significant and lasting contribution to the field of management. We provide a collaborative, supportive and intellectually stimulating research environment for the discovery and dissemination of knowledge applicable to the business community.

The Haskayne funding package is one of the most generous among Canadian business schools.

Additionally, scholarships, opportunities for publication and co-authoring articles in leading academic journals, and S upport to attend conferences in years two, three and four of the program is possible. Support is subject to approval prior to attending, and is contingent upon the student presenting at the conference.

We encourage early and continual involvement in research and give students the flexibility to explore topics of personal interest. Haskayne provides excellent supervisors who will work closely with you both in the classroom and on research projects, and provide essential resources and training in quantitative and qualitative methods and research design. A Haskayne PhD enhances communication skills, creativity, critical inquiry and confidence, in partnership with diverse professional networks and mentors.

Generous Funding

Flexible program.

The Haskayne PhD program is a full-time, research-intensive and highly flexible program that allows students to tailor courses to their needs and interests.

Outstanding Supervisors

All of our professorial faculty members are active researchers. Most are available to supervise students and work jointly with them on research projects.

Calgary - one of the world’s most livable cities

With the lowest cost of living among Canada's major cities, Calgary offers significant affordability. Nestled near the stunning Canadian Rockies, Calgary provides breathtaking mountain landscapes and numerous outdoor activities.

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Interested in learning more?

If you are interested in learning more about the Haskayne PhD program, application requirements and deadlines, please contact us.

Wondering if the Haskayne PhD is right for you?

Complete and submit this form for a quick assessment.

Best PhD Degrees in Accounting at Universities in Canada

There are 6 study programs available at 6 schools and universities in the world , according to Erudera.

Erudera aims to have the largest and most updated database of study programs available in the world , and new study programs are being added weekly. You can use the filters to narrow down your search or sort your results based on popularity and top rankings to find more specific study programs. Once you filter your results, you can save your chosen programs to a personal list so you can do more research or contact the universities later.

Here are the best Canada universities for Accounting :

York University

University of Waterloo

Laval University

Queen's University

University of Alberta

University of British Columbia

Business Administration In Accounting

Administration Sciences Accounting

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