PhD Accountancy: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees

Roumik Roy

Updated on - Jan 4, 2023

PhD Accountancy stands for Doctor of Philosophy in Accountancy. It is a 3-year-long doctorate program in Accountancy. PhD Accountancy allows candidates to gain a comprehensive understanding of all elements of the field, both theoretical and practical. Conducting the research, and bringing together the disciplines of accounting and other subjects of commerce.

About PhD Accountancy

PhD in Accountancy offers in-depth knowledge of Accounting, Finance, Trades, and other aspects of the profession. Conducting the research combines the disciplines of accounting and other commercial areas. Students must have a thorough understanding of the subject because the PhD course can be difficult without it.

According to Wikipedia, "Accounting, also known as Accountancy, is the measurement, processing, and communication of Financial and Non-Financial information about economic entities such as businesses and corporations. " 

Table of Contents

• PhD Accountancy Eligibility Criteria
• PhD Accountancy Admission Process
• Who Should Do a PhD Accountancy?
• Types of PhD Accountancy
• Popular PhD Accountancy Entrance Exams
• Study PhD Accountancy in India
• Study PhD Accountancy Abroad
• PhD Accountancy Fees Structure
• PhD Accountancy Syllabus and Subjects
• Why Choose PhD Accountancy?
• PhD Accountancy Course Comparison
• Preparation Tips for PhD Accountancy
• Salary of a PhD Accountancy Graduate
• Career Options after PhD Accountancy
• Skills to Excel

Eligibility Criteria for PhD Accountancy

Students who wish to enrol in the PhD Accountancy programme must pass in their post-graduation (M.Com or M.Phil) from a recognized college or university with a minimum of 55% overall. Students must pass the common entrance examinations in addition to meeting the standard PhD Accountancy eligibility requirements. This course has no age limit.

How To Get Admission for PhD Accountancy?

Admission to the PhD Accountancy programme is either merit-based or entirely based on the candidate's qualifying exam score. A candidate's performance on a National, State or College-level entrance exam determines their admittance to the course. Some colleges conduct their own entrance exams for the admission process. Aspirants must also meet the minimal PhD Accountancy eligibility requirements, which include post-graduation and an entrance exam score. 

Though the PhD Accountancy admission process varies from college to college, below are the steps that one should generally go through to get admission.

How to Apply?

In consideration of the COVID scenario, the majority of institutions are moving their admissions processes entirely online. Students must therefore go to the official websites of the colleges to which they are applying and begin the application process by submitting information. Students can also go to the college of their preference for offline enrollment and fill out an application form with all required documents.

Selection Process

In merit-based selection, candidates are chosen based on their academic performance during their post-graduation. For entrance-based selection, students need to take the entrance test. Once the candidates are qualified, they become eligible for any further stage of admission. Further stages of admission vary from college to college. Generally, the college will require a final round of group discussion or a personal interview once the application has been approved before admission is confirmed.

Who Should Pursue a PhD in Accountancy?

PhD in Accountancy is for students who want to become proficient in Accountancy and other commerce subjects. It gives students an advantage over other Commerce graduates by updating their skills and gaining in-depth knowledge, which leads to improved job opportunities.

When To Do PhD Accountancy?

If a student wants to pursue a career in Accountancy, he or she should begin at the post-graduate level. They must pass M.Com/M.Phil from a recognized college or university.

Types of PhD Accountancy

Aspirants can pursue the course in the full-time or part-time mode. Below are the types of PhD Accountancy courses in detail:

Full-Time

The full-time PhD Accountancy duration is 3 years, where students will have to attend classes in person, write a thesis, and do research in labs. The advantage of a full-time course is that students can gain a lot more exposure, experience and knowledge through direct interaction with their peers and faculty.

Part-Time

The part-time PhD Accountancy course is designed for students who cannot attend regular classes. The duration of the course is 5-6 years. The advantage of the part-time course is that students can pursue this course while simultaneously being engaged in employment, research, etc.

Distance Education

The distance PhD in Accountancy programme lasts 5-6 years. For those who wish to pursue a PhD degree in Accountancy after post-graduation but don't have the time to attend normal classes, distance learning is the ideal option.

PhD Accountancy Specializations/Courses

When it comes to PhD Accountancy courses, there are a variety of specializations to choose from. The following are some of the courses that are available:

• Public Accounting
• Audit Accounting
• Forensic Accounting
• Managerial Accounting
• Accounting Information Systems
• Taxation
• Mergers and Acquisitions

Popular Entrance Exams for PhD Accountancy

PhD Accountancy candidates must pass the entrance exams in order to be admitted to the academic course. The required cut-off marks for the entrance exam are set at the discretion of the institute that administers the test. Those who pass the PhD Accountancy entrance exam will be invited to the final selection procedure. The following are some of the most popular PhD Accountancy entrance exams:

• NET
• DET
• PET
• CUCET

A Quick Glance at the PhD Accountancy Entrance Exams

The eligibility requirements for the above-mentioned entrance exams are entirely dependent on the conducting body and so vary accordingly. The following are some of the general guidelines for entrance exams:

• The exam will be online.
• The exam duration is 3 hours.
• The question paper is set both in English and Hindi.
• Questions will be MCQ based
• The Paper may have negative markings.
• The exam structure contains common topics such as Research Aptitude, Reasoning, Communication, Data Interpretation, etc.

Study PhD Accountancy in India

India is home to some of the best PhD Accountancy colleges for aspirants. Candidates have many options to choose from in terms of the best PhD Accountancy course as per their preferences. Depending on the type of PhD Accountancy programs offered, candidates will have to make the appropriate choice. Below are some of the top colleges in India offering PhD Accountancy courses:

Top 10 PhD Accountancy Colleges in India

Below is the list of the 10 best colleges for PhD in Accountancy in India:

Top PhD Accountancy Colleges in Mumbai

Maharashtra’s capital city is home to some of the best institutions for PhD Accountancy in India. Check the table below for the top PhD Accountancy colleges in Mumbai:

Top PhD Accountancy Colleges in Udaipur

Udaipur also has some of the best institutions for PhD Accountancy in India. Check the table below for the top PhD Accountancy colleges in Udaipur:

Top PhD Accountancy Colleges in Pune

Pune is home to some of the premier institutions for PhD Accountancy in India. Check the table below for the best PhD Accountancy colleges in Pune:

Top PhD Accountancy Colleges in Bangalore

The capital city of Karnataka is renowned around the country for colleges offering top PhD Accountancy programmes. Check the table below for the best PhD Accountancy colleges in Bangalore:

Top PhD Accountancy Colleges in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam has some of the best colleges for PhD Accountancy courses in India. Check the table below for the best PhD Accountancy colleges in Visakhapatnam:

Top PhD Accountancy Colleges in Kolkata

The Capital City of West Bengal has some premier institutions in the country for PhD Accountancy. Check the table below for top colleges for PhD Accountancy in Kolkata:

Top PhD Accountancy Government Colleges

There are several top Government Colleges offering quality PhD Accountancy programmes across the country. Check the table below for the top PhD Accountancy government colleges in India:

Top PhD Accountancy Private Colleges

India has seen significant growth in the number of quality PhD Accountancy private colleges that offer some of the best programmes in the country. Check the table below for the top PhD Accountancy private colleges in India:

Study PhD Accountancy Abroad

Students can opt to study a PhD Accountancy course abroad if they can afford it. The PhD Accountancy course abroad is for a minimum of 3 years, depending on the type of course, college and country.

The benefits of studying a PhD Accountancy programme overseas provide students with access to some of the best resources, facilities, and faculty, as well as global exposure to the subject matter and other cultures. In addition, students must achieve good grades in their post-graduation and have good English language skills.

Below are some of the top PhD Accountancy colleges abroad and the relevant fees structure:

Top PhD Accountancy Colleges Abroad

The table below contains the list of some of the best colleges abroad for PhD Accountancy:

Top PhD Accountancy Colleges in the USA

The USA is home to some of the best universities and colleges offering top-notch PhD Accountancy programmes in the world. The table below contains the list of top colleges for PhD Accountancy in the USA:

Top PhD Accountancy Colleges in the UK

The UK has institutions that date back to the 13th century. This makes the UK one of the best destinations for pursuing a PhD in Accountancy. The table below shows the top colleges for PhD Accountancy in the UK:

Top PhD Accountancy Colleges in Australia

For many students, Australia, also known as the 'Land Down Under,' has emerged as one of the top locations for higher education. The list of top colleges for PhD Accountancy in Australia is as follows:

Top PhD Accountancy Colleges in New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the most sought-after destinations for PhD Accountancy programmes in the world. The table below shows the top universities in New Zealand for PhD Accountancy:

Fee Structure for PhD Accountancy

The PhD Accountancy fee is not fixed and depends on many factors. Some of the factors which affect the PhD Accountancy fees include location, faculty, demand, infrastructure, and the facilities available to the students. The average PhD Accountancy course fee in India is around INR 15,000 - 1.5 LPA.

Syllabus and Subjects for PhD Accountancy

The PhD Accountancy course uses a choice-based credit scheme, which allows students to pick and choose their electives. The major, elective, lab and project subjects of the PhD Accountancy programme follow a set pattern. The following is a list of the general topics that will be covered during the course:

• Fundamentals of Accountancy
• Research Methodology
• Advanced Financial Accountancy
• Advanced Cost Accountancy
• Direct and Indirect Taxes

Read More: PhD Accountancy Syllabus and Subjects

Why Choose PhD Accountancy?

When students decide to pursue PhD in Accountancy, they should first research PhD Accountancy course details to ensure that they know the course they are enrolling in. Breaking down the question "Why to choose PhD Accountancy?" into three brief questions simplifies the answer:

What is PhD Accountancy All About?

PhD Accountancy is a doctorate programme in Accountancy that focuses on topics of Accountancy like Cost and Financial Accounting. The term "Doctor of Philosophy in Accountancy" refers to a person who has earned a Doctorate in Accounting. It assists applicants in gaining a comprehensive understanding of all areas of the field, whether theoretical or practical. Financial and Cost Accounting, Finance, Global Trade, and other areas of accounting are among the most popular PhD subjects.

What Does a PhD Accountancy Graduate Do?

Jobs after a PhD in Accountancy offer a wide range of opportunities, and applicants can find professional stability in the finance industry. It creates a plethora of work prospects in a variety of industries, including educational institutions, financial institutions, stock markets, and commerce. Here are some of the most common features:

• Associate Professor: Associate Professor is an Academic Post. It includes teaching in Colleges and other Educational Institutions.
• Business Analyst: The Business Analyst develops and modifies the system in order to increase company sales and assess the necessary papers.

Reasons Why PhD Accountancy Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?

After earning a PhD in Accountancy, both fresher and experienced professionals can pursue a variety of career opportunities. It is dependent on an individual's capabilities, academic record, skills, and experience. Some of the reasons are

Demand: Jobs after a PhD in Accountancy offer a wide range of opportunities, and applicants can find professional stability in the finance industry. Students have the option of becoming a Financial Analyst, Researcher, etc. 

Career Growth: PhD in Accountancy graduates have a wide range of job opportunities. The Accountancy profession is the most influential in any company. Candidates can advance in their careers after gaining experience as operations managers.

Read More: PhD Accountancy Jobs & Scope

PhD Accountancy Course Comparison

Both PhD Accountancy and PhD Finance degrees are generally pursued research or academic jobs. The focus of the two streams differs slightly, with eligibility nearly identical. Below is a comparison of the PhD Accountancy course with the PhD Finance course:

PhD Accountancy vs PhD Finance

The table below showcases the differences between PhD Accountancy and PhD Finance:

Read More: PhD Finance

Preparation Tips for PhD Accountancy Students

There are many tips that students must note when deciding to pursue a PhD Accountancy. Some important preparation tips are listed below to ensure that the students crack the course and pass the exams without any hurdles. 

Syllabus: Students must be well-versed with the course syllabus. This is the first and most fundamental step in the preparation process.

Exam Pattern: Understand the examination patterns and the kind of questions that are commonly asked. Students will almost likely be asked multiple-choice questions. 

Important topics: Students should concentrate more on the important areas, as these are where questions are most usually asked. These sections must be focused on while reviewing the chapters.

Practice: Practice questions from past years' question papers and sample papers.

Salary of a PhD Accountancy Graduate

The salary for PhD Accountancy graduates varies depending on the specialization chosen by the candidates. Other factors that can affect PhD Accountancy salary in India include experience, geography, and the industry they are working in. 

Graduates can increase their salary by getting more work experience. The average PhD Accountancy job starting salary for graduates is around INR 7 - 14 LPA [Source: PayScale].

Read More: PhD Accountancy Job Salary

Career Options After PhD Accountancy Graduation

There are plenty of jobs available for PhD Accountancy students in both the public and private sectors. The job roles will differ based on the specialization that one has opted for. PhD Accountancy graduates have abundant job opportunities with good salary packages that include the following job profiles:

• Investment Banker
• Financial and Corporate Analyst
• Associate Professor
• Researcher
• Research and Development Manager
• Market Analyst
• Risk Analyst

Skills That Make You The Best PhD Accountancy Graduate

Because Accountancy programmes are used by every sector in this era, aspirants are enrolled to transform them from raw aspirants to professional Accountancy aspirants. Some of the abilities that PhD Accountancy students should have:

• Strong written and oral communication
• Organization and attention to detail
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Time management
• Systems analysis
• Mathematical and deductive reasoning
• Critical thinking
• Active learning