PhD in Accounting: Eligibility, Admission Process & Top Universities 

While pursuing your subject on the undergraduate and postgraduate level, have you ever thought about pushing the academic boundaries in your chosen field of specialization and getting yourself enrolled in a PhD program? So, if you are from an accounting and finance background and look forward to making your name in the field of research or striving to become an academician, then, a PhD in Accounting would be a perfect course for you. Through this blog, we’ll help you understand the scope of PhD courses.

PhD in Accounting: Course Overview

Course type	Doctorate Degree
Course Duration	3 years
Course Examination Type	Semester System
Course Eligibility	Post-Graduation with relevant subjects (M.Com or M.Phil.) requiring a minimum of 55% marks along with Qualifying the National and State level Exams such as NET/ SET/ PET, etc.
Course Admission process	Either Merit-based or Entrance test.
Course Fee	INR 15,000-1,50,000
Course Average Salary	INR 7-14 LPA

What is PhD in Accounting?

A PhD in Accounting is the highest academic degree in the field of accounting and finance. It’s research-heavy and made for people who want to become professors, researchers, or high-level experts in corporate finance, auditing, or policy. Unlike regular accounting courses, this one focuses more on theory, models, and deep analysis than on just numbers or ledgers.

It usually takes 4–6 years to complete and includes coursework, research, and a dissertation. If you’re into solving real financial problems or want to teach at top business schools, this is your path.

Why Study PhD in Accounting?

There are many good reasons to pursue a PhD in accounting. Good research on accounting, finance, and commerce is required in India. The following benefits influence the student’s decision to enrol in this course:

• It opens up a wide range of employment opportunities in the educational, financial, share market, and commercial sectors.
• Updating their knowledge and skills and opening up better career opportunities gives the student an advantage over other Commerce graduates.
• Students become proficient in accounting and other business subjects, discover connections between them and use them in practical settings.
• With the world going online and good research being more important than ever in the wake of the pandemic, candidates with strong PhD theses will be in high demand. They can also write a book about their research or publish it in a prestigious magazine, and they might even be awarded grants to continue their research.

Eligibility Criteria 

To enter into the rigorous curriculum of a PhD in Accounting, you will be required to fulfil certain eligibility requirements as per the university that you are seeking admission to. Some of these generalised eligibility conditions are:

Criteria	India	Abroad
Qualification	Master’s or 4-year UG with 75%+	Master’s or strong 4-year bachelor’s
Min Marks/CGPA	55% (50% for reserved)	3.0/4.0 GPA or equivalent
Entrance Exam	UGC NET / University Test	GRE / GMAT (varies)
English Test	Rarely required	IELTS/TOEFL needed (IELTS 6.5+ / TOEFL 90+)
Research Proposal	Often needed	Mandatory
Experience	Not compulsory	Preferred

Must Read: Teaching Courses in Australia: Top Universities, Degrees, Programs, Certificates

Admission Process

Let’s take a look at the admission process of PhD in accounting for both India and abroad.

In India

1. Check Eligibility
   You need a Master’s degree (or 4-year UG degree) in Accounting or related field with at least 55% marks.
   
2. Clear Entrance Exam
   Most universities accept scores from UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, or their own PhD entrance tests.
   
3. Apply to Universities
   Fill out online application forms, upload your documents, and submit a short research proposal (topic idea).
   
4. Interview Round
   If shortlisted, you’ll be called for a personal interview or research discussion with the faculty.
   
5. Final Admission
   Based on your entrance score, research proposal, and interview, the university offers admission.
   

Abroad 

1. Find the Right University
   Look for programs that match your research interests and check their specific requirements.
   
2. Meet Academic Criteria
   Most require a strong academic background (high GPA) and a Master’s or equivalent degree.
   
3. Submit Test Scores
   You may need to take the GRE or GMAT. English language tests like IELTS or TOEFL are mandatory.
   
4. Prepare Application Package
   Include your Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letters of Recommendation, CV, Transcripts, and a detailed research proposal.
   
5. Attend Interviews (if any)
   Some universities conduct online interviews to assess your research fit and communication skills.
   

Get Your Offer & Visa
If selected, you’ll receive an offer letter. Accept it, then apply for your student visa.

Must Read: Teaching Jobs in the UK for Indian Teachers: Salary, Visa Requirements

Syllabus

Semester I	Semester II
Fundamentals of Accountancy, Accountancy in Global Trade and Finance.	Advanced Financial Accountancy, Advanced Cost Accountancy.
Semester III	Semester IV
Advanced Auditing, Direct and Indirect Taxes.	Research Methodology
Semester V	Semester VI
Dissertation/ Thesis	Seminar and Project

Top Universities to Pursue a PhD in Accounting

A doctoral course requires intensive research and hard work to delve deeper into the subject of interest in order to find out the desired results. So, it is beneficial if one gets enrolled in one of the top universities around the world where there are the world’s best facilities in terms of research material, labs, and faculty. So, a few of the popular universities renowned for PhD in Accounting are: 

Abroad

• The University of Melbourne
• Australian National University 
• The University of Manchester
• The University of Queensland 
• University of Bristol 
• University of New South Wales 
• University of Glasgow 
• Lancaster University 
• University of Sussex 
• University of Birmingham 

India

College Name		Average Fees(INR)
Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology – [RGIPT] , Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh		10,000 INR
IGNOU		55,000 INR
NMIMS University, School of Business Management – [SBM], Mumbai, Maharashtra		40,000 INR
BML Munjal University, School of Management, Gurgaon, Haryana		60,000 INR
Gautam Buddha University, Uttar Pradesh		40,000 INR
Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University (HNGU), Gujarat		1,00,000 INR
BPHE Society’s Ahmednagar College, Gujarat		60,000 INR
Times Business School (TBS), Ahmedabad		1,20,000 INR
Bengaluru School of Management Studies (BSMS), Bengaluru		1,50,000 INR
Vinayaka Missions University (VMU), Tamil Nadu		1,40,000 INR

Must Read: Top 10 Teaching Jobs In Finland: 2025-2026 Guide 

Jobs and Salary

With a plethora of opportunities after a PhD in Accounting, you can look for jobs in both the government as well as the private sector in the domain of Accountancy. Some of the most sought-after profiles with a PhD in Accountancy, along with their average salaries are given below:

Job Profile	Average Annual Salary(INR)
Investment Banker	9-11 LPA
Research Associate	Depends on the project
Money Manager	12-16 LPA
Operations Manager	7-9 LPA
Business Analyst	8.5-11 LPA
Risk Analyst	5-7 LPA
Associate Professor	7.2-12 LPA
Corporate Analyst	8.5-11 LPA

FAQs

Related Reads

Complete List of Subjects in Commerce Stream	Best Career Courses After 12th Commerce Students
BSE Courses: Everything that You Need To Know	Study Civil Engineering in Canada: Courses, Fees, Universities, Scope
Top 5+ Accounting Courses After Graduation: Benefits, Top Universities & Jobs	Top Courses After B.Sc in 2025

Hopefully, we would have provided you with ample information on PhD in Accounting. With a doctoral degree, you would be able to earn your way to top-notch firms around the world and give your career a boost. So, if you need help in identifying which universities to aim for, then, get in touch with our experts at Leverage Edu.