PhD in Accounting (PhD)

Tuition is Full-time students receive either the standard Bentley PhD Fellowship or the Rauch Doctoral Fellowship..

This programme is designed for recent graduates and professionals with a strong academic background in accounting or a related field. Students engage in advanced research in accounting, focusing on audit quality, managerial control systems, and accounting information systems. The curriculum emphasizes both quantitative and qualitative research methods through structured coursework and guided independent projects. Students work closely with faculty advisors on original research that contributes to scholarly knowledge in accounting.

Focus areas include Audit Quality, Managerial Control Systems, Accounting Information Systems, Investor Decision-Making, Corporate Governance, Accounting Education Research.

The programme requires 42 credits, including core courses in financial accounting, auditing, and decision-making, methodological training in quantitative and qualitative research, and a 9-credit dissertation course taken each semester until completion. Students complete a research project under faculty supervision and advance to dissertation work after passing comprehensive exams.

Graduates pursue academic careers as faculty members in accounting departments at universities and colleges.

Applicants must hold a relevant master's degree with a strong academic record. The programme is currently not accepting applications. Required documents include transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.

The programme totals about 42 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, typically completed in 4 to 5 years. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 48% of applicants.

Bentley University, founded in 1917 and located in Waltham, Massachusetts, is a specialist institution that blends business education with technology and the liberal arts. Serving just over 5,000 students, including a substantial international cohort, Bentley is recognized for integrating data analytics, information systems and ethical leadership into a business curriculum. The university emphasizes applied learning, cross-disciplinary study and preparation for global careers in finance, consulting, technology and management.

Student experience at Bentley centers on experiential projects, internships and strong employer engagement. The campus offers career services, industry partnerships and a robust alumni network that supports internship placement and professional development. Class sizes encourage faculty access and team-based coursework, while student organizations and competitions give practical experience in entrepreneurship, finance and digital innovation.

For international students aiming for a career in business or tech-enabled industries, Bentley provides an education focused on practical skills, analytics and real-world problem solving. The university’s employer connections, emphasis on internships and centralized career support help graduates transition into competitive roles worldwide. Bentley is well suited to students who want a business-focused degree enriched by technology, interdisciplinary learning and direct pathways to industry experience.