Overview

Accounting is essential to the functioning of the economy and, indeed, society in general. Accounting is the means by which we monitor our governments, our corporations, and our non-profit organizations. For business firms, accounting not only monitors the managers, but also informs the investors in these firms of the potential payoffs, the risk to those payoffs, and the consequent valuations.

This “financial accounting,” determines the allocation of investment to its most efficient use in the economy and promotes well-functioning capital markets with transparent pricing. “Managerial accounting,” the accounting to managers rather than about managers, promotes decision making and efficiency within the firm.

The Accounting program from the Columbia University prepares students for careers in scholarly research through courses in accounting and related disciplines such as finance and economics, and through close research collaboration with faculty. Graduates take jobs primarily in academic or research institutions.

Research

Beginning in the first year of the program, each candidate has an opportunity to work closely with a member of the faculty on research projects. Students also participate in Columbia’s Burton Conference, in which distinguished accounting scholars from other institutions join Columbia faculty members in a series of informal workshop sessions to review and evaluate current research.

Building on this foundation, doctoral candidates select a subfield as the focus of dissertation research — financial accounting, managerial accounting, or auditing. Financial accounting requires additional course work in financial market theory and econometrics; managerial accounting requires supplementary work in microeconomic analysis, management, management science, or information systems.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Accounting Theory

Economic Analysis

Mathematical Methods

Empirical Research in Accounting

Financial accounting

Managerial accounting

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 84 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2025-09-02 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Accounting View 38 other PhDs in Accounting in United States

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

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Other requirements

General requirements

Application Materials:

Essay

The Accounting Division is interested in your reasons for pursuing doctoral studies. Please describe them in an essay that is less than 1000 words.

Recommendation Letters

Two letters of recommendation are required, however a total of four may be submitted.

Transcripts

A bachelor’s degree or the equivalent (i.e., a four-year course of study in an accredited college or university) is required for admission. A master’s degree is not required, although some applicants have a master’s degree. Superior academic performance is expected.

GMAT or GRE

Applicants may take either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), but scores from one are required.

Application Fee

An application fee of $100 must be submitted with your application. An application is not considered complete until the fee has been paid.

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

53576 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 26788 USD per semester during 84 months.
National

53576 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 26788 USD per semester during 84 months.
In-State

53576 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 26788 USD per semester during 84 months.

Living costs for Manhattan

2638 - 5751 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Accounting.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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