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Our doctoral program in the accounting field offers broadly based, interdisciplinary training that develops the student’s skills in conducting both analytical and empirical research.

Emphasis is placed on developing a conceptual framework and set of skills for addressing questions broadly related to accounting information. While issues of financial reporting, managerial accounting, corporate governance and taxation are the ultimate concern, special emphasis is given to applying basic knowledge of economics, decision theory, and statistical inference to accounting issues.

Spectrum of Interests and Research Methods

Faculty research represents a broad spectrum of interests and research methods:

• Empirical and analytical research on the relation between accounting information and capital market behavior examines the characteristics of accounting amounts, the effect of accounting disclosures on the capital market, the role of analysts as information intermediaries, and the effects of management discretion. Issues examined also include the impact of financial information on stock and option prices, earnings response coefficients, market microstructure, earnings management, voluntary disclosures, and the effect of changes in accounting standards and disclosure requirements.
• Problems of information asymmetries among management, investors, and others are currently under study. This research investigates, analytically and empirically, the structure of incentive systems and monitoring systems under conditions of information asymmetry. Research on moral hazard, adverse selection, risk sharing, and signaling is incorporated into this work.
• Other ongoing projects include research on the economic effects of auditing and regulation of accounting information, and analysis of tax-induced incentive problems in organizations.
• Additional topics of faculty interest include analytical and empirical research on productivity measurement, accounting for quality, activity-based costing for operations and marketing, and strategic costing and pricing.

Preparation and Qualifications

It is desirable for students to have a solid understanding of applied microeconomic theory, econometrics and mathematics (linear algebra, real analysis, optimization, probability theory) prior to the start of the program. Adequate computer programming skills (e.g. Matlab, SAS, STAT, Python) are necessary in coursework. A traditional accounting background such as CPA is not required.

Faculty in Accounting

Christopher s. armstrong, jung ho choi, george foster, brandon gipper, ron kasznik, john d. kepler, jinhwan kim, rebecca lester, iván marinovic, maureen mcnichols, joseph d. piotroski, kevin smith, emeriti faculty, mary e. barth, william h. beaver, david f. larcker, charles m. c. lee, stefan j. reichelstein, recent publications in accounting, diversity washing, buy now pay (pain) later, elpr: a new measure of capital adequacy for commercial banks, recent insights by stanford business, big investors say they use esg to reduce risk (but mostly focus on the e and g), more time to trade isn’t a good thing for many retail investors, nine stories to get you through tax season.

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Top Accounting Degrees

The #1 Internet Guide to the Best Accounting Degree Programs

5 Great Careers with a PhD in Accounting

Careers with a ph.d. in accounting.

• Financial Analyst
• Accounting Professor
• Accountant Manager

While accountants may find entry-level positions in the field of accounting, individuals typically find more lucrative careers with a Ph.D. in Accounting. Depending on if an individual has a degree or is starting from scratch, he or she can earn the doctorate degree in accounting in three to seven years. They can choose accountant or CPA careers or pursue scholarly research and leadership roles with the Ph.D. Here are five great careers with a Ph.D. in Accounting.

1. Financial Analyst

Financial analysts work for individuals and businesses help them make investment decisions. They spend a great deal of their day studying and analyzing investments such as bonds, stocks and money markets. They evaluate current and past financial data, prepare written reports, study business and economic trends, and analyze a company’s financial statement to determine its worth. After utilizing all the information they’ve obtained, they meet with the company’s officials and management and advise them on what they feel are good investments for the company. Also called investment analysts or securities analysts, these professionals work in mutual funds, banks, insurance companies and similar businesses.

2. Accounting Professor

Accounting professors teach students about the field of accounting. They also provide academic counseling and tutoring; design and develop curriculums; collaborate with colleagues on research activities, and mentor students. Accounting professors are in high demand because of the serious shortage of Ph.D. graduates in accounting. They’re qualified to teach at both the graduate and undergraduate level. This shortage also puts them in a position where they can expect high wages. Salary.com states that accounting professors earned a median annual wage of $119,880 as of April 2018.

3. Consultant

Accounting consultants have a variety of duties depending on the company. Their main job is advising the company on the best financial portfolios and the most effective ways to be profitable. This may be investing in fraud protection, sending data away for analysis or decreasing things that are not using money wisely. Accounting consultants are much like financial analysts in that they also study the financial trends and advise the company on what are or are not good investments. They also advise the company on other matters, such as payroll, investments, stock portfolios and taxes.

4. Researcher

An accounting researcher is a scholar who analyzes and researches accounting-related issues and publishes studies and reports on his or her findings. The researcher also does a lot of public speaking or commentaries about accounting methods and trends. Accounting researchers usually work at colleges and universities teaching students about business and accounting. They also spend a lot of their time studying and publishing work in accounting research journals. Researchers may study accounting information systems, taxes, auditing ethics or financial reporting to name a few. They typically spend more time researching than actually teaching.

5. Accountant Manager

An accountant manager is an individual who’ in charge of an accounting firm or financial department in an organization. Large companies typically have many employees working in the accounting and financial departments. Each employee is doing his or her own job, whether it’s creating financial reports, monitoring profits or doing expense reports. The accountant manager ensures that employees are doing their jobs and that the company is making as much of a profit as possible. Accountant managers work in the private business sector as well as for nonprofit organizations.

Related Resource: Top 35 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Finance 2018

According to a 2017 report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , accountants and auditors should see a job growth of ten percent from2016-2016. Because of the knowledge and experience obtained through academic programs and work, great careers are possible for those with a Ph.D. in Accounting.

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A Ph.D. for me? Really?

If you are a CPA with recent practical experience and a love for the profession, the academic accounting community is ready to embrace your talents.

Still don’t know what you want to be when you grow up? Based on the number of emails and phone calls I receive, you are not alone. Sure, you landed your first accounting job (or maybe your second or third), and your career opportunities look limitless, but the little voice in the back of your mind is telling you that there is something more out there. You may even be contemplating returning to school to pursue a career as an accounting faculty member. That idea isn’t crazy—in fact, it’s an excellent career move.

There’s a serious shortage of accounting faculty right now. Faculty retirements are on the uptick (the average age of a tenured accounting faculty member in the United States is 60), enrollment in accounting programs is increasing, and demand for accounting graduates is at an all-time high. Initiatives such as the Accounting Doctoral Scholars Program have been created to address the shortage, but the problem persists.

The reality is that if you are a CPA with recent practical experience and a love for the profession, the academic accounting community is eager to embrace your talents. These qualifications are the beginnings of a solid application to a doctoral program. With a few more additions (e.g., a strong GMAT score, meaningful recommendations, etc.), you could be golden. Now may be as good a time as ever to take a step back, rethink your future, and seize this opportunity.

Here are some things to consider in assessing whether to go back to school to earn a doctorate:

• A Ph.D. is a research degree. If teaching is the only side of the faculty equation that interests you, you may want to pursue a different avenue to the classroom. For instance, many universities seek lecturers and adjunct faculty to meet classroom demand. Seek an opportunity to meet with college and university accounting program administrators to investigate potential teaching opportunities.
• What disciplinary area of accounting interests you? Tax? Audit? Managerial accounting? Accounting information systems? Financial accounting? Since different programs have different areas of expertise, making this decision early will help you determine which programs to apply to.
• Doctoral programs usually take four to five years to complete. Can you commit this time?
• You won’t necessarily have to live on ramen noodles again. Many universities offer fellowships and assistantships to help offset the costs of a doctoral education.

Now is a great time to consider pursuing a Ph.D. in accounting. A career in academia may be right around the corner for you. Before you commit, take the time to explore this option to ensure it is the right path for you.

Still unsure? The toe almost in the water? Why not explore? Attend Steve Matzke’s session on all things Ph.D., including how to apply and what kinds of salaries accounting professors receive, on Aug. 7 at the  AICPA E.D.G.E. Conference  in San Antonio.

Steve Matzke  is the director–Faculty & University Initiatives at the AICPA. The Edge e-newsletter, is dedicated to providing tips and tools of interest to young professionals, including articles on building career resiliency, networking for success, and de-prioritizing the immediate to focus on the important. Watch for it in your inbox.  Subscribe now .

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• What Can You Do With an Accounting Degree?

by Andrew Buckley

May 31, 2024

University Services Accounting

Careers in accounting involve more than numbers and spreadsheets. If you work in this field, you already know that what you can do with an accounting degree includes making an impactful difference in the lives of others . In the jobs you can get with an accounting degree, you might be responsible for anything from helping a small business maintain a healthy bottom line to assisting a nonprofit in allocating funds to maximize its impact. And if you’re just getting started in accounting or considering the field as part of a career switch, you’ll soon learn that it has much more to offer than many people realize.

As part of the wider finance industry, accounting has a reputation for offering job security and above-average salaries. For each year between 2022 and 2032, the business and finance field is projected to usher in about 911,400 job openings 1 , and 126,500 of those will go to accountants and auditors. 2 The median salary for accountants ($79,880/year) also outpaces the national average, and accounting professionals tend to widen this gap with additional years of experience – the top 10% of accountants earn $137,280 or more per year. 2

Becoming a public accountant is a solid career choice that works well for many people. However, it’s important to remember that there are plenty of other jobs you can get with an accounting degree – especially if you pursue a master’s . For example, many employers value the level of expertise that comes with a master’s degree when making difficult decisions regarding promotions to management roles.

If you’re interested in advancing to management occupations ( median salary: $116,880 3 ), a master’s in accounting might be a worthwhile investment. At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, you can earn an online Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) whether or not you have an accounting background. You’ll build expertise in finance and business principles and have the option to stack multiple graduate certificates to gain specialized knowledge for the career you want.

For a better understanding of what you can do with an accounting degree, explore the careers below.

Careers in Accounting

Financial manager.

One of the top-earning jobs you can get with an accounting degree is as a financial manager. Professionals who work as financial managers may also be called controllers, finance officers, or treasurers. Their job is to maintain the overall financial health of a business or organization by closely monitoring financial reports and making strategic investment decisions. Financial managers pay attention to market trends and have a solid grasp of effective leadership and management practices. Required skills for this position include:

• Critical thinking
• Data analysis
• Decision-making
• Effective communication
• Employee management
• Market analysis
• Strategic planning

Salary and Career Outlook

Financial managers earn a median salary of $156,100 per year , according to the latest data provided by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS). This occupation is also projected to grow faster than average between 2022 and 2032 at a rate of 16% – about 69,600 job openings per year . 4 Professionals working in this occupation are known to be employed in a range of environments, with those in professional, scientific, and technical services earning the highest salaries.

Required Education

Financial managers need at least a bachelor’s degree, but in many cases, a master’s degree is preferred. Professionals in this role tend to have several years of experience in finance, and many have previously worked as accountants or financial analysts. While not always required, many financial managers also have one or more of the following certifications:

• Certified Public Accountant
• Certified Government Financial Manager
• Chartered Financial Analyst Certification

Find out how the online MSA program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota can help you prepare for the Certified Public Accountant Exam.

Accounting Director

Accounting directors lead a team of accountants in accurately monitoring the financial transactions related to an organization’s functioning . Responsibilities for those in this occupation include supervising employees, ensuring adherence to financial regulations, auditing financial data, and more. To do their job well, a professional in this role must possess expertise in:

• Accounting software
• Cash flow management
• Financial reporting
• Oral communication
• People management
• Process improvement
• Project management
• Written communication

Accounting director is another high-paying career in accounting, with Payscale reporting a median income of $113,478 per year. Further, the top 10% of experienced professionals in this occupation earn $168,000 or more annually. As of 2024, salaries for accounting directors tend to be most significantly boosted by skills in mergers and acquisitions, auditing, process improvement, and project management. 5

Earning a master’s in accounting is generally recommended for professionals who hope to become an accounting director. This level of education will prepare you with the technical and leadership skills you need to succeed in this role. Passing the CPA exam and maintaining your license is also required for this occupation.

Are You Ready to Move Forward in Your Accounting Career?

Develop advanced expertise in both finance and business with an online MSA from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Personal Financial Advisor

The occupation of personal financial advisor can be one of the most rewarding careers in accounting. Financial advisors use their expertise to assist individuals in planning for significant life events , such as marriage, children, home buying, and retirement. By breaking down complex financial and investment information, these professionals empower clients to make decisions to increase wealth and impact families for generations. It’s essential for personal advisors to possess the following skills:

• Investment evaluation
• Goal setting
• Portfolio assessment
• Retirement planning
• Risk management

The BLS reports a median salary of $99,580 per year for personal financial advisors, and the top 10% of experienced professionals in this occupation earn $239,200 or more. Due to the growing population of people 65 and older, this occupation is also expanding at a faster-than-average pace to meet an increased need for retirement and investment planning. Demand for personal financial advisors is expected to grow 13% between 2022 and 2032 , resulting in about 25,600 openings per year. 6

Common degrees for personal financial advisors include business, accounting, and mathematics. A master’s in accounting can help you both get started and advance in this career by delivering the financial expertise and business acumen that lead to success. You may also need one or more of the following licenses and registrations based on the specific position you pursue:

• State regulator registration (varies by state)
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration
• North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) license
• Certified Financial Planner designation

Budget Analyst

Organizations rely on budget analysts to plan and monitor their finances . To keep a business financially healthy, people in this occupation collaborate with other team members and departments to create the budget, plan for future expenses, review proposals, analyze plans, and manage spending. Budget analysts must be well-versed in the following areas:

• Budget development
• Budget monitoring
• Cost-benefit analysis
• Financial planning
• Regulatory compliance
• Spending analysis

The budget analyst occupation is a typical career in accounting, with these professionals working across a range of industries. Budget analysts earn a median annual salary of $84,940, with the top 10% of earners making $131,630 or more per year. 7 Professionals in this occupation work in a variety of environments, but the five highest paying employers of budget analysts include 7 :

• Professional, scientific, and technical services
• Federal government
• Local government
• State government
• Education services

A degree in accounting, economics, or statistics is typically required for a career in budget analysis, and many employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree. Earning a master’s in accounting can help you move to a career as a budget analyst or move up the ladder if you already work in this or a similar occupation.

Explore the Human Side of Accounting

At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, earning an accounting master’s degree means more than becoming an expert in the latest economic trends. As a student in the online Master of Science in Accounting program, you’ll gain the soft skills and business acumen needed to become a trusted and ethical leader. This program is also ideal for career switchers, as it prepares graduates with the financial expertise they need to enter the top master’s in accounting jobs.

No matter where you are on your journey, you can take the next step toward your ideal accounting career today. Learn more about the online master’s in accounting from Saint Mary’s.

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Business and Financial Occupations.” April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/home.htm .
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Accountants and Auditors.” April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm .
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Management Occupations.” April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/home.htm .
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Financial Managers.” April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm .
• Payscale. “Average Accounting Director Salary.” Retrieved May 23, 2024 from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Accounting_Director/Salary .
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Personal Financial Advisors.” April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/personal-financial-advisors.htm .
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Budget Analysts.” April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/budget-analysts.htm .

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Frequently asked questions

What is a bachelor’s degree in business.

A bachelor's degree in business is an undergraduate program that involves studying marketing, finance, accounting, management, economics, and entrepreneurship, among other subjects. It’s a well-rounded degree that emphasizes skills such as critical thinking, communication, innovation, and leadership, all of which can lead to versatile careers across many industries. Learn more about whether a business degree is worth it .

What is an MBA?

A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate program in business and management that emphasizes leadership and managerial skills. In an MBA program, you'll learn fundamentals such as finance, marketing, and organizational behavior, while building skills in communication, leadership, and strategic thinking, among other areas. Learn more about why getting an MBA can be a worthwhile endeavor.

How do I choose the best online business degree for my goals?

On Coursera, you’ll find online business degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate level. To figure out which one might be best for you, it helps to first understand why you want to earn a degree and what you hope to get out of your education.

Beyond your larger goals, consider what you’ll learn and how you’ll learn it, as those factors can be important when it comes to determining the best program for you. Take time to review the various business degree options on Coursera, paying particular attention to the “Academics” and “Student experience” sections for more information.

Will I earn a degree from an accredited university?

Yes, all online degree programs available on Coursera are directly conferred by accredited institutions. Accreditation is important because it shows that an institution meets rigorous academic standards, eases your ability to transfer credits, and helps employers validate the quality of education on your resume or application.

What is the experience of earning an online business degree through Coursera like?

Earning your business degree from a leading university on Coursera means experiencing greater flexibility than in-person degree programs, so you can learn at your pace around your other responsibilities.

Once enrolled in your program, you may find a range of learning options, including live video lectures that encourage you to collaborate and self-paced courses that give you greater independence. Moreover, throughout your learning journey, you'll have access to a dedicated support team, course facilitators, and a network of peers to help you achieve your academic goals. Learn more about the benefits of learning online .

Is an online business degree worth it?

Yes, both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in business can be worth it—depending on your goals and your resources. Business degrees can lead to higher salaries , diverse career opportunities , advanced knowledge and skill sets, and exciting networking opportunities, among other benefits. Learn more about whether a business degree is worth it and whether an online MBA is worth it .

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Financial Specialist III

• Madison, Wisconsin
• COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING/FISCAL AFFAIRS
• Partially Remote
• Staff-Full Time
• Opening at: Apr 2 2024 at 10:30 CDT
• Closing at: Jun 18 2024 at 23:55 CDT

Job Summary:

The College of Engineering (CoE) consists of eight academic departments and 40+ research centers, which along with the Dean's Office, has over 2800 employees (faculty academic staff, university staff, employees in training, graduate, and undergraduate employees) and an annual operating budget of $241M. On an annual basis, the CoE receives funding from multiple sources including General Purchase Revenue (GPR), UW Foundation Gifts, Federal Grants, and Industrial Grants. As a result, the CoE has complex financial and accounting needs that require oversight and coordination. Under the direction and supervision of the Associate Dean for Finance & Administration, this position serves as an essential team member for the College of Engineering (COE) Business Services and Finance Team in the dean's office. This position will help provide campus guidance for business services policies and procedures for travel reimbursement, procurement, administrative processing support and other accounting functions for COE departments, centers, and support units. This position will primarily review, approve, and advise on a variety of complex financial transactions. In addition, they will reconcile transactions, maintain financial records, and provide administrative processing support and outstanding customer service to academic departments and support units. The incumbent will assist in ensuring sound internal controls, financial process improvements and troubleshoot complex financial challenges. This position is entrusted with overseeing complex financial transactions, monitoring fund balances, and ensuring compliance with campus and UW Foundation policies, state law, and related rules and regulations.

Responsibilities:

• 10% Monitors financial transactions and fund balances and generates and reconciles complex reports and statements in accordance with established rules and regulations
• 20% Reviews and approves complex transactions and assigns funding codes in accordance with established rules, regulations, and policies
• 5% Reallocates expenses to appropriate funding strings
• 20% Drafts communications and reports and maintains organization of varied records to provide administrative support within a specified work unit
• 20% Answers complex fiscal questions and provides information based on set materials and standards to various audiences
• 10% Reviews transaction processing internal controls and recommends policies and procedures
• 10% Serve as a unit liaison to leadership providing financial advice, recommendations, and financial status updates
• 5% May train staff on financial processes and best practices

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Qualifications:

Required: - 1 year of experience in financial field (e.g. bookkeeping, accounts payables/receivables, accounting, purchasing, auditing) - Outstanding collaboration, relationship building, and customer service skills. - Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, accuracy, and judgement. - Ability to work independently on multiple tasks with overlapping deadlines. - Excellent computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel. Preferred: - 2 or more years of financial experience (e.g. bookkeeping, accounts payables/receivables, accounting, purchasing, auditing) - Higher ed experience - Experience with purchasing, travel, records management, and financial policies. - Experience with online or cloud-based ERP financial systems (PeopleSoft, Workday)

Full Time: 100% This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Minimum $40,000 ANNUAL (12 months) Depending on Qualifications Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Benefits information can be found at ( https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/ )

Additional Information:

A successful candidate for this position will enjoy providing business support services to a large, fast paced, and diverse college. They will also have a strong commitment to providing exceptional customer service and building collaborative working relationships with colleagues and other campus partners.

How to Apply:

Applicants will be asked to upload a resume and cover letter outlining relevant qualifications and experience as it pertains to the required and preferred qualifications outlined in this job posting.

Adam Whitehorse [email protected] 608-890-4668 Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Financial Specialist III(FN008)

Department(s):

A19-COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING/OPERATIONS/BUS SERVICES

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number:

The university of wisconsin-madison is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer..

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