The 4 Best Online Schools for Doctor in Accounting Degree Programs

A doctoral degree in Accounting is typically earned through a Doctor of Business Administration degree program. In this type of curriculum, students align their goals with one of two pathways:

• Education
• Corporate Leadership

Either way, the knowledge and understanding gained within the coursework give one the opportunity and skill to achieve impressive ambitions upon graduation.

Through any one of these four outstanding online schools, individuals gain a solid grasp of highly complex theories and information, as well as relevant experience within internships and positions of employment that stem from their program. With the title of Doctor of Accounting, there is a huge amount of potential for these graduates.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has listed the job outlook for these professionals at around 3% over the next ten years, which is as fast as average. The typical salary is around $100,090/yr.

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Methodology

The Doctor of Accounting program is designed to prepare students for advanced research and leadership roles in accounting. The program focuses on developing advanced knowledge and skills in accounting theory, research methodology, and practical applications.

This methodology outlines the structure and content of the Doctor of Accounting program, including its objectives, learning outcomes, curriculum, and assessment methods. Arranged in no particular order, the stipulations required for earning a place on this ranking included the following:

• An online or hybrid degree program that provides the same education and resources available to on-campus students; providing advanced knowledge of accounting theory and methodology
• Provides financial assistance support
• A curriculum reflecting the coursework necessary for a Doctorate Degree in the field of Accounting
• Equips students with the skills necessary to conduct independent and original research in the field of accounting
• Excellent notability among journalistic and academic resources
• Professors with terminal degrees who are just as available to online students as on-campus students
• Critically evaluates and analyzes current issues and developments in accounting theory and practice
• Provides academic and career resources that can be accessed at a distance
• Prepares students for leadership roles in academia, government, and the accounting profession

For more information, please visit our Methodology Page.

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Best Online Schools for Doctor in Accounting

Liberty University

Prominent Program Features:

Liberty University is one of the most celebrated and highly popular online schools in America and offers a Doctor of Business Administration in Accounting that equips students with specialized accounting training for success as leaders in the corporate world. Coursework involves in-depth analyses of tax and auditing techniques and accounting theory.

Campus Location: Lynchburg, VA

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs

Acceptance Rate: 99.3%

Retention Rate: 81%

Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, official transcripts from an accredited graduate institution representing an MBA/MSA/MS in Information Systems/MS in Management Information Systems with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and a statement of purpose. TOEFL scores are required from students who use English as a second language.

Sampling of Coursework:

• Qualitative and Case Study Methods for Business Research
• Strategic Allocation of Financial Resources
• Strategic Thinking for Decision-Making

The End Results:
Some careers occupied by Liberty alumni include accounting executive, auditor, budget supervisor, certified management accountant, and certified public accountant. Liberty University and the School of Business dutifully assist students and graduates in all of their academic and professional pursuits.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE PROGRAM

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Walden University

Prominent Program Features:

Walden University is yet another of the most impressive online schools in the country, and the DBA in Accounting enhances knowledge of managerial accounting methods that are essential to any company’s bottom line.

Coursework deeply explores the principles and theories of managerial decision-making, corporate governance, and employee performance evaluation from many perspectives.

Campus Location: Minneapolis, MN

Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs

Acceptance Rate: 97%

Retention Rate: 50%

Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application and official transcripts from an accredited graduate institution representing a master’s degree or higher.

Sampling of Coursework:

• Doctoral Mentoring
• Business Strategy
• Research Methods

The End Results:
Numerous career opportunities await Walden University DBA graduates in areas such as private and nonprofit sectors, education, government, and corporate-level positions in successful businesses and corporations. The program provides real-world, practical knowledge that can be implemented in the workplace with ease and immediacy.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WALDEN UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DBA ACCOUNTING SPECIALIZATION DEGREE PROGRAM

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National University

Prominent Program Features:

National University offers two unique opportunities to earn excellent and extensive degrees in Advanced Accounting, wherein coursework ensures the acquisition of a broad accounting perspective and technical accounting knowledge that explores the relationship between business operations and finance.

Campus Location: Scottsdale, AZ

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges; Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs

Acceptance Rate: 94%

Retention Rate: 50%

Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application and official transcripts from an accredited graduate institution representing a degree in generalized or specialized business.

Program Options:

• Ph.D. of Business Administration in Advanced Accounting
• Doctor of Business Administration in Advanced Accounting

The End Results:
Depending on their preferred curriculum, students will be prepared for careers in education and corporate finance. Throughout their education, students work with instructors who connect them with extremely successful accounting methods and theories, as well as outstanding networking connections.

LEARN MORE ABOUT NATIONAL UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE ADVANCED ACCOUNTING DEGREE PROGRAM

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George Fox University

Prominent Program Features:

George Fox University is an outstanding educational institution that provides a Doctor of Business Administration in Accounting that has a strong focus on ethical, Christ-centered coursework. In this Christian, academic virtual classroom, students are equipped with research and teaching skills that take them to glorious heights in the discipline.

Campus Location: Newberg, OR

Accreditation: Accreditation Council on Business Schools and Programs

Acceptance Rate: 82.5%

Retention Rate: 81%

Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, official transcripts from accredited undergraduate and graduate institutions representing cumulative GPAs of 3.0 or higher in the areas of Accounting/Economics/Finance, and a current résumé representing at least 5 years of professional experience.

Sampling of Coursework:

• Seminar in Accounting
• Advanced Applications of Ethical Reasoning and Compliance in Accounting
• Advanced Topics in Accounting

The End Results:
Graduates have gone on to work as teachers and professors in numerous areas of the discipline and in a variety of education levels. Others have achieved corporate leadership positions such as COO and CTO. An impressive diploma that has been recognized repeatedly for its high caliber, this program takes students to areas of the field that were previously unattainable.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE DBA: ACCOUNTING CONCENTRATION DEGREE PROGRAM

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I earn a Doctorate in Accounting degree?

The significantly demanding Doctorate in Accounting degree program focuses on creating a framework, as well as an advanced set of skills and techniques, to address issues in the field.

As the Ph.D. program involves in-depth Accounting research, students are challenged to develop planning, control, and evaluation techniques and procedures to streamline processes and resolve problems in settings where Accounting is considered a core discipline.

Doctorate holders in Accounting need to commit to regular contact with their adviser and take advantage of all facilities, resources, and support to perform exceptionally and enrich their knowledge in the discipline. All of these can be accomplished in four to seven years. Earning a Ph.D. requires extreme focus and hard work.

It is worth mentioning that more than half of all Accounting faculty in schools are mostly made up of Ph.D. holders, and they are paid better than other faculty jobs. Accounting Ph.D.s who specialize in research also publish their Accounting journals. For Accounting educators, taking the Doctorate route and earning the highest form of academic achievement assures them of recognition in the academic community.

One of the best reasons to earn a doctorate in Accounting is the fact that it is offered online. Online Doctorate in Accounting programs maintain the same rigorous coursework that emphasizes high-quality academic instruction.

What career pathways are available for holders of Ph.D. in Accounting?

The most viable career option for Doctorate in Accounting degree holders is an Accounting professor who is recognized as a full-fledged member of an accounting faculty in the most reputable academic institutions in the United States. Depending on their specific subject matter of expertise, professors can teach:

• Taxation
• Audit
• Managerial Accounting
• Accountability and Regulation
• Social Accountability
• Corporate Governance
• Financial Accounting

Accounting Ph.D. holders may also explore specialized careers in research, consulting, and specialized work in the government sector.

How much do Doctors of Accounting make?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that Accounting professors earn a median yearly pay of around $108,060. In 2022, the highest earners made $206,630 while the lowest salary was $48,100.  These figures vary by state.

Accounting professors and assistant accounting professors who have a Ph.D. are paid anywhere between $100,000 to $135,000 a year depending on their experience, credentials, the academic institution that employs them, and their specialization. The BLS estimates that the need for postsecondary instructors will rise by more than 8% through the year 2032.