Best Online Doctorate in Accounting Programs

A doctorate in accounting is the terminal degree in the field. The training moves beyond financial record management and challenges students to use accounting principles to gain economic intuition and greater organizational insight. Graduates with these advanced degrees can start or advance careers in accounting, management, and academia.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 16% growth in financial management occupations between 2022-2032. The BLS also projects 8% growth for postsecondary teachers over that same period. The median annual salary for these teachers was $84,380 in May 2023.

While the degree leads to promising careers, it can be quite daunting academically and financially. To help prospective students with their graduate school choice, we examine what a doctorate in accounting looks like and what it has to offer. We also explore the best online accounting degrees at this level from the top online schools.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

An online doctorate in accounting is unique to each student. Programs typically include coursework, extensive research, and a dissertation requirement. Schools may suggest certain courses for students to take in the early parts of the program, but they generally allow learners to choose the courses they feel will best support their research.

Depending on the program, a doctorate in accounting may feature 60-120 credits and take 4-7 years to complete. Their dissertation research may take them in many directions, including courses in mathematics, economics, and management science. Doctoral students usually need to complete teaching requirements while in school as well.

Prospective students preparing for graduate school should consider their ideal degree type and structure. While the Ph.D. in accounting is the most straightforward path, students can also access accounting specializations within a research-based business Ph.D. or a more generalized doctor of business administration (DBA).

While traditional concentrations are not as common in these programs, doctoral degree-seekers can usually develop their specializations through their research. They may pursue the fields of finance, management, or one of the many accounting branches. Interdisciplinary approaches might also be available in behavioral and social sciences and information systems.

This course explores advanced topics in analyzing microeconomics and consumer behaviors. Students look at the relationship between consumer preference, choice, and demand. They may also examine game theory and theories of social choice.

In this course, students tackle the most advanced concepts in financial accounting. Some of the topics may include handling the reporting for mergers, nonprofit organizations, corporate investments, and foreign operations.

Students in this course learn to use data to test out financial and economic theories. Study topics may include advanced data analysis, financial and behavior forecasting, and regression analysis.

This course provides students with an understanding of advanced financial statement analysis methods and tools. They explore the changing standards for financial statements while learning to analyze statements for corporations and investment purposes.

In this course, students learn various methods for designing and testing research questions. They also pick up skills and tools for modern empirical analysis of their research and design.

While doctorate-holders typically pursue careers in academia, they have many more professional options. With the most advanced training available in the accounting field, graduates with a doctorate in accounting have access to many accounting and management careers.

The BLS projects the addition of more than 118,800 postsecondary teacher roles between 2022-2032, including more than 6,900 business teachers. They also project the addition of over 69,600 financial managers and nearly 126,500 accounting professionals during that time.

Professionals in these fields earn relatively high wages. As per the BLS, postsecondary business teachers made median annual wages of $84,380 in May 2023, financial managers made $156,100, and accounting professionals made $79,880.

Check out what a doctorate in accounting can do for you. Learn more about accounting careers.

Postsecondary teachers educate college and university students in their specific discipline. They create curriculums, assess student progress, conduct their own research, and publish academic work. Postsecondary teachers may also run large research projects and attend conferences in their fields.

Median Annual Salary:$84,380

Financial managers oversee the financial activities, reports, and investments for organizations. They may handle the staffing, budgeting, and financial responsibilities for the organization or focus on a specific area of finance, such as insurance or credit. These professionals help make decisions based on the organization’s financial needs and goals.

Median Annual Salary:$156,100

Accountants handle the financial records for organizations, including financial statements and taxes. Accountants provide organizations with financial insight into their operations, risks, opportunities, and best practices. These professionals may perform accounting for government, individual, or organizational management purposes.

Median Annual Salary:$79,880

In general, top executives establish policies and best practices for organizations and their departments. Financial executives handle the financial aspects of the business, laying out budgets, financial goals, and investment guidelines. These professionals typically communicate their department’s activities with other managers and stakeholders.

Median Annual Salary:$103,840

Financial analysts review an organization’s financial activities and make suggestions and improvements to help them operate more efficiently. They may assess the investment activities, budgets, and operations to find inefficiencies and look for new processes to introduce. They may specialize in investment programs, risk assessment, debt, or portfolio management.

Median Annual Salary:$99,890

After completing a doctorate in accounting, graduates do not always pursue continuing education. However, they do have options, such as postgraduate certificates in specialized accounting fields, which could help them expand their expertise.

Graduates working as professional accountants may also pursue the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential. To qualify for this, candidates need to complete the examinations and experience requirements set out by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.