Check the prerequisite list of the specific program you’re interested in applying to. If you are unsure, contact the university department directly with your questions. This can help you see if the classes you took at one school will transfer to another university. Common perquisites include linear algebra, multivariate calculus, and an understanding of integration and differentiation. An MBA-level statistics course is a good class to take as well.
Earning a master’s will also make your university application much stronger. In addition to earning a master’s, some programs prefer applicants to have worked or conducted research in the accounting field prior to applying. For instance, a job as a CPA or independent auditor could strengthen your understanding of the field.
The GRE is a general proficiency test covering verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. [4] X Trustworthy Source Educational Testing Service Educational and testing assessment organization responsible for administering various standardized exams, such as the GRE and the TOEFL Go to source The test lasts about four hours, including short breaks allowed between the test sections. There are a variety of test prep materials available for free at https://www. ets. org/gre/revised_general/prepare/. You can take either a paper-based or computer-based test, and sign up for either online at https://www. ets. org/gre/revised_general/register/centers_dates/. The GMAT is a general proficiency test covering analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative problem solving, and verbal comprehension. The exam lasts 3. 5 hours. [5] X Research source There are a variety of test prep materials available online at http://www. mba. com/us/the-gmat-exam/prepare-for-the-gmat-exam. aspx. You could also check out your local library or bookstore for GMAT handbooks and sample tests. To sign up to take the GMAT, visit https://accounts. gmac. com/Account/Register.
Decide what type of research you want to do – archival, experimental or behavioral, or analytical – and commit to it in your personal statement before applying to a school. [7] X Research source To get a better idea of what type of research is available, read some current academic literature and meet with the professors at the school(s) you’re thinking of applying to. Later, you can incorporate a modified version of your personal statement along with your university application. Add information about why or how the particular PhD program you’ve applied to will help you meet the goals you expressed in your personal statement. Follow the doctoral program’s guidelines for word length and content.
Whatever school you choose, ensure its program offers the necessary coursework and will provide you with the experience you want to help you meet your future goals. You should also look at requirements for obtaining a PhD at the various schools. Do they expect students to graduate in three years? Two years? What classes and skills does the program emphasize?
Explain why you need the letter, and why you’re asking for the particular professor’s advice. For instance, you might explain to a favored professor that he or she inspired you to continue developing your understanding of accounting, and you’re now following up on their advice by pursuing a PhD.
Additionally, stay late once in a while. Stick around to talk to students you’re teaching, or put in some extra time on your dissertation. Show up on at least one day during the weekends, too. Vary the time you go to campus on weekends so that you see many different professors (and many different professors see you).
Presentation experience looks great on a resume. Even if you can’t present at a conference, you should attend as many as you can to keep up with current research and meet your fellow accounting colleagues.
Most PhD programs require two years of coursework, though some require three years. [18] X Research source
To prepare for the comps, write a brief (one page) summary of each academic article you read during your seminars and classes. Summarize the main argument or question the author is tackling, as well as his or her findings and conclusion.
You may have suggested the topic you want to work on in your initial application to the university. Don’t feel obligated to stick to that exact topic, since other issues or problems in accounting might spark your interest as you progress in your program. However, ensure that whatever topic you select is one that you’ll be able to receive guidance on from your academic advisor. Current trends in accounting encourage PhD students to pursue positivist (non-theoretical) research on subjects relating to the influence of accounting practices on global markets. [19] X Research source
You might begin by drafting an outline of your dissertation on the topic of tax evasion. Perhaps you’ll break the dissertation down into various subtopics or chapters, each focused on a particular issue or question related to tax evasion such as the ethics of tax evasion, the law regarding tax evasion, and the future directions accountants that investigate tax evasion could pursue. Decide when you want each chapter completed and give yourself a certain number of hours each week to work on the dissertation. If you’re conducting research at a far-away archive, ask the archive or its parent institution if they offer funding for visiting scholars. Alternately, contact the head of your own school’s accounting department about getting travel funds.
Use academic literature databases like Corporate Information (http://www. corporateinformation. com/), EconLit (https://www. aeaweb. org/econlit/), and Research Papers in Economics (http://repec. org/) to look for useful academic resources. Examine raw data relevant to your topic. There are man sources of raw data that you can use to develop your dissertation, including stock prices, financial statements, and mathematical proofs. [22] X Research source Think about the sources that would be most useful to you and ask your academic advisor for advice as to where you might look for more information. If you’re interested in experimental research, you will need to arrange controlled experiments with people to probe questions related to accounting. For instance, perhaps you want to find out how much people know about different types of investments. You could conduct oral interviews or administer surveys asking specific questions about the differences between IRAs, Roth IRAs, stocks, and mutual funds.
Ensure you obtain permission before recording potential interview subjects.
The front portion of the dissertation should be used to ground your research process by demonstrating how your research relates to the other academic publications in the field. For instance, if you write about managerial accounting, you should read as much as possible in the academic literature about managerial accounting, including past PhD theses. Use prior studies to give meaning to your own work by demonstrating that your dissertation is exploring new territory. [26] X Research source You should end the introduction with a specific statement outlining your argument, and a summary of each chapter or section of your dissertation. The body of the dissertation lays out your main findings. Each chapter should look at a specific topic relating to the larger issue you’re examining. For instance, if you write about managerial accounting, you might use each chapter to examine accounting practices in several different large firms within a single industry. The chapters would offer in-depth information comparing and contrasting the different accounting practices with each other. Conclude your dissertation with a final section summarizing your findings overall and suggesting new directions or solutions to the topic you’ve examined. Include raw data – stock prices, interview transcripts or surveys, and other documents – in an appendix. During your writing process, submit chapters or portions of the dissertation to your academic advisor for review. Use his or her feedback to shape your dissertation. After completing the dissertation, you must present your dissertation before a departmental committee. The committee will ask you probing questions about your research process and findings. Talk to your academic advisor about how you can best prepare for the questions you might be confronted with.
