The PhD Program in Business with a concentration in Accounting at Florida Atlantic University develops scholars who contribute to the advancement of accounting research and education. Graduates are prepared for faculty positions at research-oriented and teaching-focused institutions, as well as research and analytical roles in industry and government.
The full-time program requires a minimum of four years of study and combines rigorous coursework, faculty collaboration, independent research, and dissertation completion. Students complete at least four doctoral seminars in accounting and a supporting field of study, such as finance, economics, or psychology, providing a strong foundation for interdisciplinary research and academic success.
Faculty Expertise
Accounting Faculty
Faculty members of FAU’s School of Accounting have high academic qualifications and maintain close links with the accounting profession. All tenure-track accounting faculty are Ph.D.s and members of the FAU Graduate Faculty. Many are CPAs, CMAs, and hold other professional accreditations. Members of the faculty have served in positions of leadership in the American Accounting Association and have served as editor or on the editorial boards of the leading academic journals in accounting. Faculty members have also been involved with the Public Company Auditing Oversight Board, American Institute of Certified Public Accounting, and Florida Society of Certified Public Accountings.
FAU accounting faculty members are successful researchers, across a variety of interests in accounting scholarship. The diversity of their research interests and expertise is evident by reviewing a list of their publications in academic and professional accounting journals. Their primary research interests (by methodlogy) are classified as follows:
| Primary Research Area | Archival | Behavioral/ Experimental |
Professional/ Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Accounting and Reporting | Jian Cao (Kent) Kim Dunn (Georgia State) Rosemond Desir (U Mass) David Fang (Toronto) Mark Kohlbeck (Texas) Joe Rakestraw (Virginia Tech) Maya Thevenot (Penn State) |
||
| Auditing | Julia Higgs (South Carolina) Mark Kohlbeck (Texas) Kim Dunn (Georgia State) Scott Seavey (Missouri) |
Julia Higgs (South Carolina) Scott Seavey (Missouri) James Wainberg (U Mass) George Young (UT-Arlington) |
|
| Tax | Ken Orbach (Texas A&M) | ||
| Managerial Accounting | Rosemond Desir (U Mass) | ||
| Accounting Information Systems | Bill Hopwood (Florida) | Rob Pinsker (South Florida) |
FAQs
Requirements and Guidelines
Ph.D. Program in Accounting