Accounting Ph.D.
All doctoral programs require a valid GMAT/GRE for admissions review.
The objective of the Ph.D. program in Accounting is to prepare doctoral candidates to assume positions in leading graduate schools of business. The program places heavy emphasis on the development of research skills and research quality. In addition, professional skills and the ability to work effectively on faculty guided research teams are required.
Faculty Research Interests and Highlights
Accounting faculty work closely with doctoral students and mentor them to become excellent researchers and educators. The faculty are actively involved in research across a broad array of topics that include: corporate governance; executive compensation; audit market structures and auditor switching; earnings quality; corporate transparency / disclosure quality; financial reporting credibility; earnings management; agency conflicts; time-series properties of earnings; analyst forecasts; mispricing / market anomalies; accounting conservatism; firm valuation; earnings and cash flow prediction; information technology; restatements; IFRS; control systems; corporate reputation; audit quality; litigation and fraud; audit fees; and going concern assessments.
Our faculty have published in a variety of leading accounting journals including: The Accounting Review; Journal of Accounting and Economics; Journal of Accounting Research; Contemporary Accounting Research; Review of Accounting Studies; Auditing; Journal of Accounting and Public Policy; Journal of Accounting, Auditing, and Finance; Journal of American Taxation Association; Journal of Business, Finance, and Accounting; and Journal of Information Systems.
High Rankings for Walton College
University of Arkansas ranked 2nd worldwide in archival accounting information systems research and 7th worldwide in archival audit research. When all topic areas in accounting are considered, the University of Arkansas ranked 15th worldwide for archival research.
Rankings provided by BYU Accounting.
Accounting Ph.D.
Accounting Faculty
View faculty and research interests
Duration of Program: 4 years
Program Start Date: Fall
Application Deadline:
December 1
Curriculum Overview
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Admissions Information
View Info and Requirements / F.A.Q.
Required Test: GMAT
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Accounting Ph.D. Curriculum
The doctoral program in Accounting is a full-time, integrated program of coursework, colloquia, research, and teaching activities. Coursework includes the following elements: seminars covering current substantive areas in accounting research; "tool" courses covering statistics, econometrics, and other research tools; and courses in a supporting area.
The major seminars introduce students to the current academic literature. The courses in the supporting area allow the students to either focus on a particular discipline such as finance, management, psychology, or on a specific theme such as sustainability, international issues, or logistics.
During the first two summers, students write research papers that may be coauthored with an experienced accounting faculty member who serves both as co-author and mentor. Normal matriculation is four years.
Program Outline
Admissions Requirements for the Ph.D. Programs
Applicants who wish to apply for the doctoral program with an emphasis in Accounting must submit their applications to the Graduate School of Business by December 1st
Frequently Asked Questions
The Accounting Department typically has twelve Ph.D. students, at differing stages of their program, at all times.
The Accounting department will accept applicants after December 1, but candidates will be considered only on a space-available basis. Please note that applications received after January 15 will not eligible to be considered for DDF funding. We encourage you to apply as early as possible to ensure you are considered for all available funding.
Yes, although the requirement may be waived in certain cases where a student demonstrates exceptional credentials. These circumstances are rare.
No, the Accounting program requires the GMAT.
Students admitted to Walton College Ph.D. programs may receive graduate assistantship funding, please visit our Ph.D. Assistantships page to see specific forms of funding.
