Why Marshall
Leadership
Dean Geoffrey Garrett
Dean's Cabinet
Boards
Real-World Learning
Human Leadership
Tech Fluency
Global Opportunities
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Teaching + Innovation
Experiential Learning Center
Open Expression Statement
Programs
Undergraduate Programs
Admissions
Degrees
BS Business Administration (BUAD)
Business Emphases
BS Accounting (ACCT)
World Bachelor in Business (WBB)
BS Business of Cinematic Arts (BCA)
BS Artificial Intelligence for Business (BUAI)
Undergraduate Minors
Graduate Programs
MBA Programs
Full-Time MBA (FTMBA)
Executive MBA (EMBA)
Part-Time MBA (MBA.PM)
International MBA (IBEAR)
Online MBA (OMBA)
Specialized Masters
MS Business Administration (MSBUSAD)
MS Business Analytics (MSBA)
MS Entrepreneurship + Innovation (MSEI)
MS Finance (MSF)
MS Global Supply Chain Management (MSGSCM)
MS Marketing (MSMKT)
MS Social Entrepreneurship (MSSE)
Master of Business for Veterans (MBV)
Master of Management Studies (MMS)
Accounting Masters
Master of Accounting (MAcc)
Master of Business Taxation (MBT)
Master of Business Taxation for Working Professionals (MBT.WP)
PhD Program
Accounting
Data Sciences + Operations
Finance
Management + Organization
Marketing
Graduate Certificates
GC in Business Analytics
GC in Financial Analysis + Valuation
GC in Management Studies
GC in Marketing
GC in Optimization + Supply Chain Management
GC in Strategy + Management Consulting
GC in Sustainability + Business
GC in Technology Commercialization
GC in Library and Information Management – Online
Executive Education
Departments
Business Communication (BUCO)
Faculty
Data Sciences and Operations (DSO)
Finance + Business Economics (FBE)
Leventhal School of Accounting (ACCT)
Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies (BAEP)
Management and Organization (MOR)
Marketing (MKT)
Institutes + Centers
Randall R. Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute
Peter Arkley Institute for Risk Management
VanEck Digital Assets Initiative
Institute for Outlier Research in Business
Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
Incubate USC
USC Marshall Venture Fund
Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab
Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making
Center for Effective Organizations
Center for Global Innovation
Center for Investment Studies
Initiative on Digital Competition
Trojan Network
Recruiting
Undergraduate
Graduate
Career Services
Giving + Support
Alumni Engagement + Resources
Student Organizations
PhD Accounting Program
The Accounting Ph.D. program includes research focused on several accounting disciplines, including Financial, Managerial, and Auditing and Corporate Governance Accounting.
Financial Accounting
- Accounting standard setting- Financial regulation- International accounting- Company valuation and financial statement analysis- Earnings management- Stock markets and market efficiency- Earnings forecasting and financial analyst behavior
Managerial Accounting
- Performance evaluation and compensation- Budgeting and other control issues in organizations- Balanced scorecard- Strategic management accounting
Auditing and Corporate Governance
- Auditor independence- Auditor behavior and decision making- Corporate governance issues
Tax Accounting
- Tax planning- Tax clientele- Tax policy and its effects on businesses
Requirements
Year 1
Sample Course Schedule
Research Development Beginning in the first semester, students will apprentice with a faculty mentor to learn research fundamentals. Typically students are assigned to a new mentor each semester in the first year. During the summer of their first year, students write a first-year paper. The summer paper will be similar to that of a research proposal.
Year 2
- Fall: ACCT 611, ACCT 621 + Electives
- Spring: ACCT 611 + Electives
- Summer: BUCO 637
Research Development
Students continue apprentice a faculty mentor to learn research fundamentals and participate in research projects. Typically students are assigned to a new mentor each semester in the first and second year. During the summer of their second year, students complete a directed readings course with their potential advisor.
Screening Examination
In the second year, students complete a screening examination which may take the form of a written or oral exam, written assignments, and/or summer research project. The results of the examination help the faculty determine students’ developmental needs and fitness to continue in the program.
Qualifying Examination
Following the screening exam, with the recommendation of their faculty mentor, students take a comprehensive examination on the core knowledge of their discipline. The examination includes both written and oral components. Upon passing the examination, an individual becomes a Ph.D. candidate and begins work on the Ph.D. dissertation.
Year 3
Research DevelopmentAt this stage in the program, the relationships Ph.D. candidates have developed through the research apprenticeships often lead to collaborative research projects. Ph.D. candidates continue to apprentice faculty with increasing responsibility. They also begin work on their dissertations.
Teaching DevelopmentPh.D. candidates begin developing teaching skills by serving as a teaching assistant for one or two classes and engaging in teaching skills workshops.
Year 4
Research DevelopmentResearch is the primary activity in the fourth year and beyond. Faculty view Ph.D. candidates as “junior colleagues” and partner to write and present papers.
Teaching DevelopmentPh.D. candidates co-teach one course with a faculty member.
Dissertation Defense & SubmissionThe dissertation is the culminating work of a student’s independent research. In the fourth or fifth year of the program, students complete, defend and submit the dissertation. This is the last step to earn the Ph.D.
Research
Research Community
Accounting faculty members have published extensively in leading accounting journals such as:
The University of Texas-Dallas Top 100 Business School Research Rankings for research productivity over the past decade ranks the Accounting faculty as fifth worldwide.
Recognized Research Authorities
The Accounting faculty have served as editors, associate editors and editorial review board members of premier journals in accounting, including:
Faculty Honors
STUDENTS
In addition to required coursework and independent research, students are actively encouraged to participate in research projects with faculty—preferably as a co-author; attend and participate in the ARFs (accounting research workshops); present papers at, serve as discussants and otherwise attend national conferences; and take additional coursework either for credit or audit to further enhance their knowledge base.
Job Market Candidates
The Marshall School of Business contributes to the broad field of academic research as our students go on to be thought-leaders in business schools around the world. These Ph.D. candidates are taking the next step in their academic careers. Learn more about each candidate by clicking on their name.
To be announced
Awards
Accounting students have won numerous prestigious awards over the past several years. These honors include:
Learn More
Learn more about all Marshall PhD Students in the Marshall Directory. For a list of Accounting students in the program please follow thislink.
APPLYING TO THE PhD PROGRAM
DATES + DEADLINES
September: Application OpensDecember 15 Application Deadline: Accounting and Management and Organization*January 15 Application Deadline: Data Sciences & Operations, Finance & Business Economics and MarketingFebruary 15 Decision Notifications BeginApril 15 Admit Decision DeadlineThe Fall 2023 application is open!The link to the PhD Program application is available on the Admissions page and the next opportunity to apply is for Fall 2023 admission. Late applications may or may not be considered at the discretion of the admissions committee.Admissions decisions are made from mid-February to mid-April. You will be notified by email when a decision has been made.
REQUEST INFORMATION
For more information about this program please fill out THIS FORM.
ADMISSIONS CONTACT
Ph.D. ProgramUSC Marshall School of Business3670 Trousdale Parkway, BRI 306Los Angeles, California 90089-0809EMAIL