PhD in Accountancytypically takes 3 - 6 years to complete, depending on the university, research topic, and whether you enroll as a full-time or part-time student. The course offers a thorough study of accounting, consulting, and financial analysis. Applicants with a Master's degree in Accountancy or a related course with 50% marks can pursue a PhD in Accountancy.
The admission to this course is either merit-based or entrance exam-based, depending on the college. PhD Accountancy Course fees range between 10,000 to 30,000 in private colleges, while most IIMs across India offer fully funded PhD opportunities along with stipends. A few of the PhD Accountancy colleges in India include SPPU, Pune, and GITAM School of Business, to name a few.
PhD Accountancy graduates have the opportunity to find career opportunities in Research Institutes, Educational Institutes, Banking and Finance, Consulting Firms, etc. The students can be employed as a University Professor/ Lecturer, Research Analyst, Consultant, Financial Analyst, etc. The average starting salary package of a fresher is INR 7 LPA to INR 15 LPA.
- PhD in Accountancy Course Highlights
- What is a PhD in Accountancy?
- Why Choose a PhD in Accountancy?
- PhD in Accountancy Eligibility
- PhD in Accountancy Admission Process
- PhD in Accountancy Colleges in India
- PhD in Accountancy Syllabus
- PhD in Accountancy Job Profiles
- PhD in Accountancy Future Scope
- PhD in Accountancy FAQs
PhD in Accountancy Course Highlights
Given below are the highlights of the PhD Accountancy course:
Feature | Details |
Course Name | PhD in Accountancy |
Duration | 3 - 6 years (Full-time/Part-time) |
Eligibility | Master’s in Accountancy or related field with 50% marks |
Admission Process | Merit-based or Entrance Exam-based (varies by college) |
Colleges in India | SPPU, Pune; GITAM School of Business, etc. |
Career Opportunities | Research Institutes, Educational Institutes, Banking & Finance, Consulting Firms |
Job Roles | University Professor, Lecturer, Research Analyst, Consultant, Financial Analyst |
Average Salary | INR 7 LPA – INR 15 LPA (Freshers) |
What is a PhD in Accountancy?
PhD Accountancy is a doctoral programme that offers a systematic study of accounting, consulting and financial analysis. The course deals with research-oriented methods of Accountancy, delving into its theoretical foundations, practical applications, and its relevance in contemporary and intellectual contexts.
It has been planned to suit individuals seeking to contribute to the academic and practical field of Accounting and Finance for careers in academia, consulting, and financial analysis.
Why Choose a PhD in Accountancy?
Given below are the benefits of choosing a PhD in Accountancy:
- Leads to the development of analytical and problem-solving skills, with deep critical thinking.
- Job opportunities in Research Institutes, Educational Institutes, Banks, Consulting Firms, etc.
- Freshers are provided with INR 7 - 15 LPA, with immense scope for growth in various sectors.
- High demand in top consulting firms like the Big Four.
- Graduates can also set up their accounting consultancies, fintech startups, or advisory firms.
PhD in Accountancy Eligibility
To fulfil the PhD Accountancy eligibility, the students must have completed Master's in Accountancy or a related field from a recognized university. Entrance exams are conducted by most institutes during PhD admissions. The institutes and their requirements determine the students' selection criteria.
PhD in Accountancy Admission Process
The PhD Accountancy admission process is procedural as per the respective colleges’ selection criteria. For example, the admission process is as given below for the GITAM School of Business:
- Step 1: To start with, the candidates need to visit the official website of the college and then head to the admissions page.
- Step 2: Next, the candidates need to fill in the required details in the Application Form.
- Step 3: Now, the candidate needs to upload the scanned copy of the required documents.
- Step 4: Once received by the college, the college will release the merit list of the candidates.
- Step 5: The selected candidates will be called for document verification to complete the admission process.
Apart from that, colleges such as SPPU Pune and IIM Udaipur conduct entrance tests for PhD admissions. Below is the list of entrance tests:
Exam Name | Conducting Body | Application Deadline | Exam Date(s) |
UGC NET | National Testing Agency (NTA) | 16 April- 13 May 2025 | 21 June- 30 June 2025 |
CSIR NET | National Testing Agency (NTA) | June 2025 (Tentative) | July 2025 (Tentative) |
GATE – XH | Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee | Oct 2025 (Tentative) | Feb 2026 (Tentative) |
ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF | National Testing Agency (NTA) | 6 May- 5 June 2025 | 3 July 2025 |
SPPU PhD Entrance Exam | Savitribai Phule Pune University | June 2025 (Tentative) | December 2025 (Tentative) |
PhD in Accountancy Colleges in India
Given below is a list of PhD Accountancy colleges along with their location and course fees:
NIRF Ranking 2024 | College Name | Location | Annual Fees (INR) |
16 | IIM Udaipur | Udaipur, Rajasthan | Fully funded with a stipend |
19 | SPPU | Pune, Maharashtra | 6,000 |
- | GITAM School of Business | Bengaluru, Karnataka | 30,000 |
2 (Management) | IIM Bangalore | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Fully funded with a stipend |
- | Seacom Skills University | Birbhum, West Bengal | 30,000 |
- | Vikram University | Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh | 10,000 |
- | L M Thapar School of Management | Mohali, Punjab | 25,000 |
1 (Management) | IIM Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | Fully funded with a stipend |
PhD in Accountancy Syllabus
The PhD Accountancy is a 3-year postgraduate course which focuses on providing an in-depth knowledge of Accountancy and its research, along with practical applications, preparing students for a career in Accounting and Finance. Given below is the syllabus of the course at IIM Udaipur for a 3-year program, but it might vary based on research areas:
Semester | Subjects |
Semester 1 | Microeconomics, Financial Accounting, Quantitative Methods, Organisational Behaviour, Research Methodology |
Semester 2 | Macroeconomics, Corporate Finance, Financial Markets and Institutions, Advanced Statistics, Business Ethics |
Semester 3 | Advanced Financial Reporting, Management Accounting and Control Systems, Corporate Governance, Econometrics, Elective 1 |
Semester 4 | Risk Management, Investment Analysis, Behavioral Finance, Financial Modeling, Elective 2 |
Semester 5 | Comprehensive Exam, Research Proposal Development, Literature Review, Advanced Research Methods |
Semester 6 | Thesis Writing, Research Paper Publication, Conference Presentation, Dissertation Submission |
PhD in Accountancy Job Profiles
Given below is an overview of career opportunities and starting salary ranges for professionals post the completion of a PhD in Accountancy:
Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
Associate Professor | Educates university students and conducts research in accounting. | 7,20,000 – 12,00,000 |
Risk Analyst | Assesses and identifies financial risks to help organisations mitigate potential losses. | 8,00,000 – 13,00,000 |
Business Analyst | Analyses business processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness. | 8,50,000 – 11,00,000 |
Investment Banker | Provides financial advisory services and facilitates capital-raising activities. | 9,00,000 – 11,00,000 |
Corporate Analyst | Evaluates a company's financial data to guide strategic decisions. | 8,50,000 – 11,00,000 |
Financial Controller | Oversees financial reporting and accounting operations within an organisation. | 12,00,000 – 15,00,000 |
PhD in Accountancy Future Scope
Upon the completion of a PhD in Accountancy, students can follow the following career paths:
- One can pursue a DSc in Accountancy for further in-depth knowledge in this field.
- Certification courses such as Public Policy or Philosophical Counselling can also be done for upskilling.
- Some colleges offer post-doctoral research in Accountancy and related fields that can help with specialisation.
PhD in Accountancy FAQs
Is work experience a prerequisite for a PhD Accountancy application?
Work experience is not a prerequisite for admission, but may be an additional advantage. Exposure to industry in accounting or finance could be helpful to some applicants, particularly in selecting areas of research or academic employment.
What are the major research areas that a candidate can choose upon enrolling in the PhD Accountancy course?
A PhD in Accountancy provides specialization in fields like corporate governance, financial reporting, tax policy, and management accounting. Selecting a specialization according to industry needs of the time can boost research impact and employment opportunities.
Are there any government organizations that provide funds for research in PhD Accountancy?
Yes, there are scholarships offered by some universities, the government, like UGC and ICSSR, and private organizations for PhD students. Scholarships are generally awarded based on study performance, requirement of finance, or research work.
What type of publication requirements do the candidates need to fulfill during the PhD Accountancy course?
Respected universities expect PhD students to publish one or more refereed journal papers before they submit their final dissertation. Composing quality research increases academic prestige and job prospects in academia and consultancy.
