Preparing students to conduct academic research in their chosen area of specialization.
For motivated individuals with a high degree of intellectual curiosity, an academic career in accounting can be very challenging and rewarding. The PhD program prepares students for such a career by providing the training necessary to develop expertise in a specialty area of accounting research.
Choose a specialization
Specialization is essential for a student to be able to conduct academic research. Our students choose an area of specialization by selecting a core discipline (e.g., economics, psychology), a subject area (accounting information systems, auditing, financial accounting, management accounting, and taxation), and a methods specialty (analytical, archival, experimental, field). The School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) has a large faculty with diverse expertise and research interests, which offers our students many potential supervisors and areas of specialization to choose from.
Become an expert
Our students take accounting seminar courses, core discipline courses, and methods courses to develop expertise in their chosen area of specialization. In addition to coursework, students build research skills by completing a research paper and research internships under the supervision of faculty members from SAF. The comprehensive exams mark the end of coursework and the start of thesis work. After selecting a thesis topic, students prepare a thesis proposal with guidance from their supervisor and present the proposal to the faculty. When the thesis is completed, students defend the thesis before an examining committee.
Keep an open mind
While students are required to specialize, the PhD program recognizes that a breadth of knowledge of accounting research is also important for an academic career. For that reason, students are expected to be familiar with accounting research outside of their chosen area of specialization. To achieve this breadth, students take three accounting seminar courses that focus on the important research questions asked and methods used in accounting research. Students are also expected to participate in SAF’s research seminar series.
Student Stories
As part of his doctoral research, Jonathan Yuan focuses on financial accounting, particularly the economic consequences of new accounting standards.
In his blog post, Jonathan recalls why he decided to pursue doctoral studies at the School of Accounting and Finance.
Overall, I am extremely happy with my decision to enter academia and join the University of Waterloo as a PhD student. I am deeply interested in the work that I am doing every day and I find it extremely motivating to pursue a career that satisfies my thirst for knowledge and career ambitions!
Learn more about our current PhD students and our alumni at the School of Accounting and Finance.
For further information about the PhD in Accounting program please contact, Jenny Rothwell, Administrative Coordinator, PhD program.