Research Skills to Advance Accounting Knowledge

Professor conducting a PhD in Accounting course at Olin School of Business

Get Your PhD in Accounting

The PhD in Accounting program focuses on a broad base of knowledge and research skills so you can enjoy a robust career as a university educator and researcher.

In this program, you study issues in two areas: the role of financial information in facilitating the operations of capital markets and assistance for managers planning and controlling the way institutions operate.

Accounting Faculty and Research

Olin’s accounting faculty members conduct world-class research focused on analysis and preparation of financial statements, auditing and managerial accounting.

Some faculty members focus on disclosure issues related to the role of financial information in capital markets, both domestic and international. Others examine the effects of legal institutions on the credibility of information produced and used in such markets and the resulting effects on economic performance.

Here are just some of the important journals in which our Accounting faculty have been published:

  • Journal of Accounting Research
  • The Accounting Review
  • Journal of Accounting and Economics
  • Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory
  • Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance
  • Contemporary Accounting Research

Read about collaboritve research by Accounting faculty and PhD students.

WashU Olin Business School’s accounting program focuses on infusing students with a broad knowledge base and the necessary research skills to enjoy a robust career as a university educator and researcher. Play video

PhD Accounting

WashU Olin’s accounting program focuses on infusing students with a broad knowledge base to enjoy a robust career as a educator and researcher.

Collaborative Research

The Wells Fargo Advisors Center for Accounting Research is dedicated to the dissemination of cutting-edge research in finance and accounting.

Learn more about WFA-CFAR

PhD in Accounting Curriculum

  • Prework

    Prior to the first year—mandatory attendance at math camp (offered through the Economics department)

  • First Year

    Recommended Course Sequence

    First Semester

    MEC 610 Microeconomics I (3 credits)
     Econometrics course*
     Olin PhD Accounting courses
     

    Second Semester

    • MEC 611 Microeconomics II (3 credits)
    • L11 Quantitative Methods II (3 credits)
    • Econometrics course*
    • Olin PhD Accounting courses

    *Students may choose one Econometrics course from the following options. All courses are not offered every semester, and are subject to change.
    • L11 5161 Applied Econometrics
    • B52 620 Empirical Methods in Finance
    • B53 620 Empirical Methods in Business

    Research

    • Attend Accounting seminars.
    • Begin research collaborations.
    • First-year summer paper

    Milestones

    • First-year summer paper
    • Complete annual progress report
    In August after the first year, students must attend an RA/TA orientation offered by the Teaching and Learning Center.
  • Second Year

    Courses
    • Accounting courses
    • Elective courses (Finance courses, independent study courses, directed readings)
       
    Research
    • Attend Accounting seminars.
    • Second-Year Paper
    Milestones
    • Second-Year paper
    • Pass the qualifying exam
    • Complete annual progress report

  • Third Year

    Courses

    • Improvisation Course
      B53 660 Seminar in Presentation Skills (fall semester, required)

    Research

    • Attend accounting seminars
    • Paper presentations (brown bag seminars and conferences)
    • Dissertation research

    Milestones

    • Complete annual progress report

  • Fourth Year

    Research

    • Attend Accounting seminars
    • Paper presentations (brown bag seminars and conferences)
    • Dissertation research
    Milestones
    • Dissertation Proposal—Students must be able to assemble a Research Advisory Committee for the proposal of their dissertation and must submit a Title, Scope and Procedure Form as the committee’s approval of the proposed dissertation by September 30 after the fourth year.
    • In the summer, students must meet with the faculty coordinator to discuss progress and complete a progress report to be submitted to the PhD Office by August 1.

  • Fifth Year

    Research

    • Attend Accounting seminars
    • Paper presentations (job market paper presentations with faculty and at conferences)
    • Dissertation research

    Milestones

    • Intent to Graduate (complete form online)
    • Job market and placement
    • Oral defense of dissertation
    • Submission of Examination Approval form, which signifies committee’s approval
    • Upload of final, approved Dissertation to Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
    • Submission of documented teaching requirements to PhD office

     

  • Course Descriptions

    Download Accounting PhD course descriptions

Meet the Accounting Faculty

Richard Frankel

Richard Frankel

Full Professor

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Zachary Kaplan

Zachary Kaplan

Assistant Professor

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Faculty Directory

Contact Us

Doctoral Programs

Campus Box 1133-124-05
One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130-4899

Office Hours:
Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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