Accounting PhD Opportunities
This postgraduate research programme offers PhD or MPhil supervision in the area of accounting.
At a glance
- Choose from a range of research domains available in accounting
- Participate in regular research seminars
- Work with faculty from Henley Centre for Accounting Research and Practice
- Programme features personal development modules and workshops
Overview
Our PhD in Accounting, offered within the Finance & Accounting department at Henley Business School (University of Reading), provides the expertise, skills, and confidence to excel in pioneering accounting research. Offering an in-depth research programme that explores both theoretical and applied aspects of accounting, the programme equips you for impactful careers in academia or industry.
Key research domains include (but are not limited to):
- Accounting for sustainability and climate change
- Auditing and accountability
- Financial management and corporate governance
- International financial reporting and accounting regulation
- Discourse and communication in accounting
- Disclosures and taxation
Researchers have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including key databases, such as WRDS, LSEG, Bloomberg, and DataStream, providing a practical edge to your research endeavours.
Programme Structure
The programme is structured to provide a robust foundation in research methodologies relevant to accounting. In the first year, PhD candidates undertake modules in research methods and other relevant areas. These modules are designed to equip researchers with the necessary skills to conduct high-quality research in their chosen area of research. The PhD journey includes a confirmation of registration in the second year, where PhD candidates present and defend their research. The subsequent time is dedicated to completion of the research and writing of the thesis; culminating in a viva examination. Throughout the programme, PhD candidates benefit from personal development modules and workshops aimed at enhancing their research capabilities and professional skills. Dedicated supervisors provide expert guidance to help you achieve academic and professional success.
A distinctive feature of the programme is the opportunity for researchers to engage with faculty from the Henley Centre for Accounting Research and Practice. PhD researchers will participate in regular research seminars, fostering a dynamic research environment and facilitating exposure to contemporary issues in accounting.
Overall, the PhD in Accounting at Henley Business School is designed to help you develop critical thinking, intellectual capacity, and creativity, preparing you for successful careers in academia, industry, or governmental roles worldwide.
PhD programme
The application deadline for 2026/27 entry was 13 February 2026. Applications for the 2026/27 cycle are now closed.
You should have obtained an equivalent of a merit or above in a Masters degree in a related science, social science or engineering field. Relevant research and/or industry experiences may be considered for those with exceptional strengths.
It is also advisable to contact the member of staff with whom you are interested in carrying out your research, to discuss your proposal before you apply.
English requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English are expected to have obtained IELTS 7.0 (with no element below 6.0), TOEFL internet-based test with overall score of 100 and no less than 20 in Listening, Writing and Reading and 21 in Speaking or have passed a TEEP (University of Reading) test with the score of 7.0 (with no element less than 6.0).
For all other equivalent score requirements in our accepted English Language tests, please visit the admissions website.
The application process normally consists of three main steps:
Before applying formally, you may want to contact a potential supervisor who is working in your area. They could be interested in your topic. Please avoid contacting multiple faculty members simultaneously. We do talk to each other and this is not seen as a professional practice. You can contact a faculty member before your formal application, if you wish to.
2. Shortlisting based on the documents you uploaded in your application
3. Formal interview to assess your suitability to pursue a PhD at Henley Business School
The deadline to be considered for a scholarship varies between departments.
The key requirements for a successful application are:
- Top grades in your Masters degree (minimum requirement is Merit or equivalent, but we prefer Distinction)
- Top grade in your Masters Dissertation (or equivalent research-based piece of work) because this may show your research attitude and skills
- A well-developed research proposal. Guidance on writing the research proposal can be found here
A reasonable intended timeline reflecting issues you may encounter in the study as presented above. For example, if you have to collect primary data. The time spent on data collection will be much longer than if you intend to use secondary data sources.
PhD Fees
For fees, please visit the Doctoral and Researcher website.
Overseas applicants should refer to the non-laboratory based fees listed in the tables (International Band 1 for non UK/Home students).
Scholarships
Further PhD funding
- Nationals from India and developing countries: The Felix Scholarship competition is open to candidates applying for either taught Masters or Postgraduate Research Degrees who are either Indian nationals, or from developing countries, and who fulfil the required criteria. For more information and how to apply please follow the link
- Regional PhD Bursaries: They are available for PhD applicants normally living within 25 miles of the University. The scheme is not open to students who have already started their study at the University of Reading. For further information, please go to Doctoral and Researcher College website
- Former UoR Graduate: If you have already studied at the University of Reading you will get up to £1,500 off programme fees through the alumni fee discount
- Other: For information on further opportunities, please see the find funding section on our University website.
Current scholarships
How can Henley Careers work with you?
We have an award-winning careers team here to support you through your time at Henley and four years after graduating.
Henley Careers and Professional Development run numerous events throughout the autumn and spring terms to help you gain industry experience. These events are aimed to enhance your professional development and network with employers. We also offer one-to-one career coaching appointments where you can talk to a Careers Consultant about your professional development. This may include planning your ideal career journey or building confidence in a particular area. It could also involve practicing for interviews or having your CV checked.
For more information please see our Careers page.
Continuing Your Career
A PhD in the area of Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting can open doors to a successful career in academia and other organisations. This includes large multinationals, leading consulting firms, and governmental and non-governmental organisations worldwide.
PhD Research interests
We offer expertise from many subject fields and conduct interdisciplinary research in theoretical and application domains. We maintain a close-knit community of researchers working together as a team to carry out research in one or more of the research themes.
Henley Centre for Accounting Research & Practice (HARP)
At the Henley Centre for Accounting and Research (HARP), these are just some of the themes we have been involved in:
| Sustainability Accounting and Reporting | Particular interests lie in the manner in which accounting and accountability practices can help to encourage decision-makers and awareness and appreciation of the importance of social and environmental sustainability in strategic and operational decision-making. The study focuses on the role of text and visual management in the reporting process by employing semiotic analysis. |
| Auditing and Accountability | The recent global financial crisis has provided both academics and practitioners an interesting opportunity to study the role and value of auditing and auditing profession. Questions are frequently being asked about auditor independence and judgement, audit quality, auditing model and auditing expectations. Limited qualitative auditing research has been conducted across disciplinary to provide insight into the practice of audit in relation to the international regulatory structures, financialization and organisational change in an international context. |
| International financial reporting, social and institutional context of accounting regulation, rhetorical and argumentative functions of financial disclosure | Research in this area considers convergence and compliance issues relevant to implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) worldwide with the specific focus on the political and institutional aspects of accounting change and accounting regulation. It also attempts to explore the linguistic, rhetorical and argumentative functions of the narrative and numerical aspects of financial disclosures. |
If you want to study for a PhD in Accounting and Financial Management, it is also advisable to contact the member of staff with whom you are interested in carrying out your research, to discuss your proposal before you apply.
Contact us
Finance and Accounting admissions
If you have any questions about admissions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Email: admissions@icmacentre.ac.ukTelephone: +441183786497