accounting phd harvard

• Business Administration
• Introduction

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Questions about these requirements? See the contact info at the bottom of the page. 

Program of Study

The PhD degree in Business Administration is a jointly offered program between the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and Harvard Business School. The program consists of five fields: Accounting and Management, Marketing (Quantitative and Consumer Behavior), Strategy, and Technology and Operations Management.

Each candidate’s program of study will be developed in consultation with the Faculty Chair of the program and the Doctoral Programs Office at HBS. The normal program is outlined below.

Regular guidance through contact with faculty advisors is an essential component of doctoral education. Students should maintain close contact with their official advisor(s) throughout their enrollment in the program. Students are encouraged to develop informal advising relationships with several faculty members in addition to their official advisor. 

First-year advisors provide assistance during the initial stages of the program, but do not necessarily advise the student throughout their studies. Students are matched with initial advisors based on their research interests. As students familiarize themselves with program faculty during coursework, research work, seminars/workshops, and other activities, they may change their official advisor(s) as their academic and research interests develop. During the early years of study, students should become acquainted with many program faculty members, to identify advisors who share their research interests.

Coursework consists of a minimum of 13 doctoral-level semester courses and 2 MBA semester courses. Each semester students will consult with their faculty advisors to receive approval of their course selections. Areas of study may require specific courses in each of the four categories listed below:

• Discipline Courses (2 courses)
• Research Methods Courses (4 courses)
• Field Courses (5 courses)
• Breadth Courses (2 courses)
• MBA Courses (2 courses)

Research Seminar and Presentation

Students are required to present in a research seminar on a yearly basis (starting in the 2nd year). Students must also attend a weekly research seminar, ordinarily the unit (department) seminar in their area of study.

Field Exam and Paper

Students are required to pass a field exam in their area of study and submit a publishable quality research paper by the end of their second year. Both the exam and paper are evaluated by a committee of 3 or more faculty members.

Teaching 

Students are required to complete a teaching engagement of one full academic term that includes in front-of-class teaching experience and teaching preparation time. 

Dissertation Proposal 

By the end of their third year, all students are required to obtain approval of their dissertation proposal by a 3 member committee. In addition, students must have a confirmed Dissertation Chair.

Dissertation

Students are required to write a dissertation, which typically takes the form of three publishable papers, to the satisfaction of their Dissertation Committee. The dissertation defense is oral.

The defense must demonstrate effective analysis and evaluation of relevant data contributing significantly to the understanding and resolution of management problems. A level of professional scholarly competence should be evident during the collection, analysis and reporting of data, and in the presentation of findings.

The construction of the dissertation should be clear, concise and orderly. It is necessary to include sufficient evidence to support the reasoning and conclusions. The length of the thesis will vary, depending on the nature of the research topic and the evidence required.

Since the principal purpose of the dissertation is to demonstrate a candidate's ability to make good use of the research methods appropriate to their problem, and to develop and handle evidence satisfactorily, the thesis should contain a statement (a) of the research procedures employed and (b) concerning the nature, reliability and suitability of the evidence gathered.

See additional information for  Current Students (login required).

Contact Info 

Business Administration Website

Harvard Business School Doctoral Programs Office [email protected] 617-495-6101

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Financial Accounting

Key concepts, who will benefit, college students and recent graduates, those considering an mba, mid-career professionals.

What You Earn

Certificate of Completion

Boost your resume with a Certificate of Completion from HBS Online

Earn by: completing this course

Certificate of Specialization

Prove your mastery of finance and accounting

Earn by: completing any three courses within this subject area to earn a Certificate of Specialization

The Accounting Equation

• Accounting Equation Components
• Basic Transactions and the Equation
• Accounting Principles and Rules
• Formal Definitions of Accounting Terms

Featured Exercise

Recording transactions.

• Journal Entries and T-Accounts
• Advanced Journal Entries
• The Trial Balance

Featured Exercises

Financial statements.

• The Balance Sheet
• The Income Statement

Adjusting Journal Entries

• Accruals and Deferrals
• Long-Lived Assets
• Credit Risk Management
• Deferred Taxes

The Statement of Cash Flows

• Operating: Direct Method
• Operating: Indirect Method
• Investing and Financing

Analyzing Financial Statements

• Profitability
• Other Ratios
• Impact of Policy Differences

Accounting for the Future

• Pro Forma and Free Cash Flows
• Lease Accounting

A Manager's Guide to Finance & Accounting

Our difference, about the professor.

V.G. Narayanan Financial Accounting

Dates & eligibility.

No current course offerings for this selection.

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the course.

Learn about bringing this course to your organization .

Learner Stories

Financial Accounting FAQs

How does the financial accounting certificate program relate to the credential of readiness program.

In addition to being a standalone certificate program, Financial Accounting is also one component course of the Credential of Readiness (CORe) program , which also includes Economics for Managers and Business Analytics . Designed for those interested in learning business fundamentals more broadly, CORe program participants progress through the three courses in tandem, and the program concludes with a final exam.

What are the learning requirements in order to successfully complete Financial Accounting, and how are grades assigned?

Participants are expected to fully complete all coursework in a thoughtful and timely manner. This will mean meeting each week’s course module deadlines and fully answering questions posed therein, including satisfactory performance on the quizzes at the end of each module (earning an average score of 50% or greater). This helps ensure your cohort proceeds through the course at a similar pace and can take full advantage of social learning opportunities. A module is composed of a series of teaching elements (such as faculty videos, simulations, reflections, or quizzes) designed to impart the learnings of the course. In addition to module and assignment completion, we expect participation in the social learning elements of the course by offering feedback on others’ reflections and contributing to conversations on the platform. Participants who fail to complete the course requirements will not receive a certificate and will not be eligible to retake the course.

More detailed information on individual course requirements will be communicated at the start of the course. No grades are assigned for Financial Accounting. Participants will either be evaluated as complete or not complete.

Are there grants for Financial Accounting? How do I qualify?

Financial Accounting participants may be eligible for financial aid based on demonstrated financial need. To receive financial aid, you will be asked to provide supporting documentation. Please refer to our Payment & Financial Aid page .

What materials will I have access to after completing Financial Accounting?

You will have access to the materials in every prior module as you progress through the program. Access to course materials and the course platform ends 60 days after the final deadline in the program. At the end of each course module, you will be able to download a PDF summary of the module’s key takeaways. At the end of the program, you will receive a PDF compilation of all of the module summary documents.

How should I list my certificate on my resume?

Harvard Business School Online Certificate in Financial Accounting [Cohort Start Month and Year]

List your certificate on your LinkedIn profile under "Education" with the language from the Credential Verification page:

School: Harvard Business School Online Dates Attended: [The year you participated in the program] Degree: Other; Certificate in Financial Accounting Field of Study: Leave blank Grade: Complete Activities and Societies: Leave blank

For the program description on LinkedIn, please use the following:

Financial Accounting is an 8-week, 60-hour online certificate program from Harvard Business School. This course teaches the fundamentals of financial accounting from the ground up. Participants learn how to prepare and interpret financial statements—the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement—and calculate and interpret critical ratios. The course concludes with an introduction to forecasting and valuation. Financial Accounting was developed by leading Harvard Business School faculty and is delivered in an active learning environment based on the HBS signature case-based learning method.

Can I take CORe if I've taken Financial Accounting?

By enrolling in the Financial Accounting certificate program, participants will be ineligible to enroll in the CORe program. By enrolling in the CORe program, participants will be ineligible to enroll in Financial Accounting.

Related Programs

Credential of Readiness (CORe)

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The Accounting Rookie Job Market: A Practitioner’s Guide

Author abstract.

This paper offers guidance and shares collective wisdom for accounting Ph.D. students who will be entering the academic job market. It is divided into two sections. The first offers subjective advice on the dissertation process—from choosing a topic to surviving the inevitable self-doubt—from my personal experience and the experiences of other former job candidates. The second section focuses mainly on factual components of the job market, providing details that will be useful to candidates before they begin the search. It concludes with subjective advice on how to make the job hunt more enjoyable. Both sections are organized chronologically and attempt to be comprehensive, beginning with choosing a dissertation topic and adviser, and concluding with the decision to accept an offer.

Paper Information

• Full Working Paper Text
• Working Paper Publication Date: July 2017
• HBS Working Paper Number: HBS Working Paper, No. 18-008
• Faculty Unit(s): Accounting and Management
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• Social Sciences

This three-course program from Harvard Business School (HBS) Online will teach you the fundamental skills to confidently contribute to business decisions and decision-making.

Financial Accounting

Discover what’s behind the numbers in financial statements and unlock critical insights into business performance and potential to drive strategic decision making in this course from Harvard Business School (HBS) Online.

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Our doctoral program in the accounting field offers broadly based, interdisciplinary training that develops the student’s skills in conducting both analytical and empirical research.

Emphasis is placed on developing a conceptual framework and set of skills for addressing questions broadly related to accounting information. While issues of financial reporting, managerial accounting, corporate governance and taxation are the ultimate concern, special emphasis is given to applying basic knowledge of economics, decision theory, and statistical inference to accounting issues.

Spectrum of Interests and Research Methods

Faculty research represents a broad spectrum of interests and research methods:

• Empirical and analytical research on the relation between accounting information and capital market behavior examines the characteristics of accounting amounts, the effect of accounting disclosures on the capital market, the role of analysts as information intermediaries, and the effects of management discretion. Issues examined also include the impact of financial information on stock and option prices, earnings response coefficients, market microstructure, earnings management, voluntary disclosures, and the effect of changes in accounting standards and disclosure requirements.
• Problems of information asymmetries among management, investors, and others are currently under study. This research investigates, analytically and empirically, the structure of incentive systems and monitoring systems under conditions of information asymmetry. Research on moral hazard, adverse selection, risk sharing, and signaling is incorporated into this work.
• Other ongoing projects include research on the economic effects of auditing and regulation of accounting information, and analysis of tax-induced incentive problems in organizations.
• Additional topics of faculty interest include analytical and empirical research on productivity measurement, accounting for quality, activity-based costing for operations and marketing, and strategic costing and pricing.

Preparation and Qualifications

It is desirable for students to have a solid understanding of applied microeconomic theory, econometrics and mathematics (linear algebra, real analysis, optimization, probability theory) prior to the start of the program. Adequate computer programming skills (e.g. Matlab, SAS, STAT, Python) are necessary in coursework. A traditional accounting background such as CPA is not required.

Faculty in Accounting

Christopher s. armstrong, jung ho choi, george foster, brandon gipper, ron kasznik, john d. kepler, jinhwan kim, rebecca lester, iván marinovic, maureen mcnichols, joseph d. piotroski, kevin smith, emeriti faculty, mary e. barth, william h. beaver, david f. larcker, charles m. c. lee, stefan j. reichelstein, recent publications in accounting, diversity washing, buy now pay (pain) later, elpr: a new measure of capital adequacy for commercial banks, recent insights by stanford business, big investors say they use esg to reduce risk (but mostly focus on the e and g), more time to trade isn’t a good thing for many retail investors, nine stories to get you through tax season.

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• Doctoral Programs

The PhD specialization in Accounting prepares students to become accounting scholars engaged in research and teaching at the highest levels in the general areas of financial information and contracting within and across organizations. 

Yale SOM’s specialization in accounting is designed to develop strong theoretical and empirical skills. There is a heavy emphasis on original research to form a base for sustained scholarship. Co-authored research, with both faculty and fellow PhD students, is encouraged and supported.

Yale’s accounting program is small (matriculating one to two students each year), and involves informal and spontaneous frequent interactions with faculty. The program maintains a 1:1 faculty-to-student ratio. Students interact with emerging research in a host of ways, from conferences held on campus to weekly seminars where faculty and fellow PhD students present and discuss their work.

Candidates tend to pursue a broad range of research interests, helped by courses in accounting as well as in various areas of management, Department of Economics, Yale Law School, and other parts of the University. They develop fruitful relationships with other Ph.d. students, especially from the Finance PhD program.

Examples of research submitted as dissertations by students in the program:

• Intended Benefits and Unintended Consequences of Improved Performance Disclosure
• Asymmetric Inefficiency in Market Response to Non-earnings 8-K Information
• Real Earnings Management in Nonprofit Organizations
• How Does More Frequent Reporting Reduce Information Asymmetry?
• Real Earnings Management in the Financial Industry
• Accruals and price crashes
• Customer-base concentration: Implications for firm performance and capital markets
• The Treatment of Special Items in Determining CEO Cash Compensation
• Strategic Decentralization, Bargaining, and Transfer Pricing in Supply Chain Efficiency
• Keynesian Beauty Contest, Accounting Disclosure, and Market Efficiency
• Labor Unions and Management’s Incentive to Signal Declining Profitability
• Investor Expectations, Earnings Management, and Asset Prices
• Limiting Outside Directors' Liability through Charter Provisions: An Empirical Analysis
• Nickels Not Pennies: Explanations and Implications of Granularity in Analysts’ EPS Forecasts
• Auditor’s Pre-Negotiation Information, Accuracy of Financial Reports and Consulting Services
• Taxes, Debt, and Firm Value: New Evidence

Examples of research co-authored with faculty and other students:

Publications.

• Management of reported and forecast EPS, investor responses, and research implications (Management Science
• Placebo Tests of Conditional Conservatism (The Accounting Review)
• Orphans Deserve Attention: Financial Reporting in the Missing Months When Corporations Change Fiscal Year (The Accounting Review)
• Why do EPS forecast error and dispersion not vary with scale? Implications for analyst and managerial behavior (Journal of Accounting Research)
• More Evidence of Bias in the Differential Timeliness Measure of Conditional Conservatism (The Accounting Review)
• The Effect of Litigation Risk on Management Earnings Forecasts (Contemporary Accounting Research)
• Friction in Related Party Trade when a Rival is also a Customer (Management Science)
• The Joint Determination of Audit Fees, Non-audit Fees and Abnormal Accruals (Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting)

Working Papers

• Rethinking Determinants of Trading Volume at Earnings Announcements
• Auditor Change Disclosures as Signals of Earnings Management and Risk
• Individual Investor Overextrapolation
• The Value and Information Effects of Initial Loan Contract Strictness
• The Information Quality Effect of Accruals-Based Benchmark Beating: Evidence from the CDS Market
• On the Contemporaneous Reporting of Income Increasing and Income Decreasing Special Items: Initial Evidence
• Conditional conservatism: the case of goodwill impairments under SFAS 142
• The power of firm fundamentals in explaining stock returns

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PhD Program

Wharton’s Ph.D. program in Accounting trains students to be successful academic researchers. To this end, the program is designed to provide students with opportunities to learn to develop their own research ideas and to learn to implement appropriate research methods. Students learn these skills through rigorous coursework, as well as mentoring relationships and often research projects with faculty members that provide “on-the-job” training. When a student completes the program, he or she will have a dissertation and other publishable research in progress that can credibly communicate to the academic community the student’s skills and potential for future success as a researcher.

For examples of joint work between students and faculty, Click here . For student placements since 1999, Click here .

About the Program Find out more about the Accounting admission requirements.

Course Information View the Accounting course requirements.

Course Schedule View the Accounting course schedules.

Current Students View a list of our current Accounting PhD students.

Sample Plan of Study

PhD Accounting Program Coordinator Luzi Hail Stephen J. Heyman Professor, Professor of Accounting 1319 Steinberg Hall-Dietrich Hall Philadelphia, PA 19104-6365 Phone: (215) 898-8205 E-mail: [email protected]

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Francisco arellano honored with fas dean’s distinction award.

• June 3, 2024

Francisco Arellano, MCB’s Events Coordinator, loves the graduation season. After the students put in all the hard work and sacrifice, commencement is a time for them to celebrate and look forward to the future. The end of the semester is also a good time for Francisco to look back on what it was like for him as a student and reflect on how he was able to support the students while they were at Harvard.

It’s that empathy and contagious excitement that earned him a FAS Dean’s Distinction Award , which recognizes staff for their outstanding contributions to their departments.

“Francisco is nominated for Dean’s Distinction for exceeding regular responsibilities and expectations in the face of unexpected challenges while continuing to demonstrate ingenuity and creativity in his role,“ MCB representatives noted in their collaborative nomination letter.

“Francisco’s role is critically important for fostering community and collaboration. He applies his boundless creativity, kindness, humor, and energy to everything he does.”

Arellano was born in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico , the land of the Mexican Band Music. He and his family moved to Sonora State when he was 10. At 16 years old, Arellano already knew that he wanted to do something in marketing and planning events. While studying at the Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora (ITSON) in Mexico for his degree in accounting, he also held down several jobs. His first was at KPMG, an accounting firm, but he quickly realized that this was not a good fit for him to flourish and express himself. Next, he started his ‘events’ career path at ITSON by managing first, one, and ultimately, several cafes and bookstores across four campuses.

After finishing his undergraduate degree, he stayed at the same institution to work on his master’s degree in business administration, which he received in 2002. In 2004, with his degrees in hand, he moved to the US because he knew he would have many more opportunities.

Arellano’s career began when he landed his first job with Caterstaff of Boston in 2004. That experience provided him with the opportunity to go to MIT—well, the Faculty Club at MIT― where he also met his longtime partner, Joe. Ultimately, MIT recruited him as a catering manager. In that position, he supported huge MIT events and directed those that were hosted by MIT’s president.

In 2013, Arellano finally had the opportunity to move down the river to the better school, aka Harvard, where he worked for Crimson Catering.  Six years later, he started his position as Supervisor of Custodial and Events at Harvard’s Law School.

Then COVID-19 happened. The University closed overnight, and everyone had to leave campus within 24 hours. What about the international students who got stranded on campus because their countries closed their borders?! Uncertainty, fear, panic—a full range of emotions broke out because students were forced to stay separated from their loved ones during uncertain times.

“It was so sad to watch the students and not be able to do anything for them,” Francisco recalls.

Francisco is not someone who would just sit around and watch. It was difficult, if not impossible, to convince any of his 50+ staff members to come to work because Harvard paid all employees even if they stayed home. Over 100 law students were stranded, and they needed to be fed and receive their medications while they were forced to stay indoors. At that time, there were no vaccines, no KN95 masks, or other protective gear.  Arellano was part of a six-person team that created the lifeline for those students. He and his five colleagues worked 12+ hours seven days a week to provide three daily meals plus essential supplies and medication to those stranded students.

“That experience taught me humility and made me realize what is important in life,” he says.  “Nothing is perfect, but you can find something good in any situation. I have a simple formula: Surround yourself with people who you love, treat them how you want to be treated, find something positive in any situation, appreciate what you have, and be happy. That’s it.

We all have problems, and nothing is perfect, but we don’t have to bring that to work. I find enjoyment in knowing that I try to do something good for someone, every single day.”

He adds, “The type of support the six of us provided during the beginning of the pandemic was scary but I HAD to do it because those people were in need. To me, these efforts felt heroic because, in a way, we were first responders.”

Those efforts made Arellano realize that he needed to be part of a less centralized and smaller group… That is how he ended up at MCB.

“MCB welcomed me with open arms, and for this, I am deeply grateful,” he says. “I could not ask for better co-workers. They are simply great. They have supported and guided me in transitioning from the law school to the life sciences. Yes, those are very different worlds. I have found my home base. I am part of a team. We work hard, but we all help, support and appreciate each other.”

That appreciation goes both ways because after only two years in the department, his colleagues decided to nominate him for this award and the letters of support kept pouring in. Students, postdocs, staff, and faculty were eager to share what a wonderful addition Arellano is and how he has supported them.

Some of the accolades include:

“He approaches every task with the utmost care, professionalism, and positivity.”

“Francisco has an uncanny ability to customize each event perfectly for the diverse preferences of MCB’s faculty, staff, students, and guests. He understands that community-building requires flexibility and attentiveness to varied interests and perspectives.”

“Francisco’s warm, responsive approach has earned him widespread admiration and respect across the department and beyond. He is always ready to help and flawlessly performs his tasks.”

“Through his exemplary leadership as Events Coordinator, Francisco has strengthened the vitality and cohesion of MCB’s community.”

Yet his favorite event is MCB’s annual Research Retreat. This year’s overnight retreat will be held at the beginning of the fall semester on Cape Cod. All MCB researchers are invited to attend. It is a challenging event because it has many moving parts but the scientists really enjoy leaving their labs and offices behind, and they use the opportunity to exchange research updates, by attending talks, poster sessions, or having informal conversations while sitting on the beach, or around the firepit. Arellano believes that it is just as important to get to know each other outside the lab by spending the evening playing board games, going to the dance party, or simply going for a walk along the beach. Since there are so many moving parts to this event, planning for it is already in full swing. “I would not be able to do this alone,” he says, and the planning committee has been meeting since last year’s retreat.

It should be no surprise that when Arellano is not working, he helps a friend who owns an event/catering business. However, they put on events for industry and people with deep pockets. With that company and a larger budget, Arellano is able to REALLY express himself. Think gold-plated dinnerware or a ceiling covered with roses.

Arellano also loves to spend time with Joe and Max (their 13-year old Havanese), Portuguese family, and friends. When Joe and Arellano travel overseas, typically to warmer climates and close to beaches, Max prefers to stay behind because he likes to stick to his routines.

Traveling to other countries allows Arellano to immerse himself in other cultures, meet new people and their customs, and taste new foods. It is also a great opportunity to collect new ideas for upcoming events. He says these excursions should be considered ‘business trips!’

According to his nomination letter, “Francisco is the type of person who not only makes Harvard work but who also makes you WANT to go to work at Harvard.”

Arellano will be celebrated along with the other FAS Dean’s Distinction honorees, this Wednesday,  on June 5 from 2 to 4 pm at Dunster House .

Francisco Arellano

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Harvard University Graduate School of Design

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PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY:

The Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) educates design, research, and scholarship leaders to make a resilient, just, and beautiful world. The GSD offers degree programs across a range of design disciplines—architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design, design engineering, and real estate—as well as advanced research programs that cut across these disciplines and a robust public program of lectures, exhibitions, and publications. The immense variety of people, programs, and ideas at the School sustains a vibrant and rich environment for learning, inquiry, and collaboration, unlike any other design school.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Graduate School of Design (GSD) is seeking an experienced and ambitious financial professional, ready to provide financial leadership to the GSD community. The Controller is responsible for the strategic direction of accounting, payroll and control activities within the Finance Office at the GSD. They will assist in the four general areas of internal controls, operational management, compliance, and by participating in strategic planning discussions as a member of the senior leadership team in the Finance Office. The successful candidate has a strong understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, has a passion for innovation and continuous improvement, and is a strong manager of people. With a keen eye for efficiency, the Controller will be an effective communicator, creating and advocating for streamlined financial processes while maintaining effective controls.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works with finance colleagues across the School and University to ensure high levels of customer service by providing professional, timely, and accurate financial services.
• Manages and develops a staff of three responsible for accounts payable, payroll, chart of accounts, capital project tracking, general accounting, quarterly closing and reporting.
• Develops, implements and monitors accounting control processes and procedures that ensure compliance with University and GSD.
• Ensures accurate and timely financial reporting and adherence to GAAP, including quarterly and annual close reporting. Adheres to University interim reporting requirements and approves year end and quarterly flux analysis.
• Advises GSD leadership on all aspects of financial matters including regulatory and compliance issues.
• Manages administration of GSD payroll and accounts payable, accounts receivable, expense report and other reimbursement processing. Establishes protocols to ensure Departments and Units process financial transactions in a timely and accurate manner.
• Leverages reporting and process to routinely audit financial condition and provides information to internal and external auditors.
• Revises and updates internal reports to be more useful and efficient as necessary. Serves as a resource within the GSD in the extraction of data and in the development of useful management reports.
• Administers the GSD chart of accounts.
• Represents the GSD at the University level in development of new financial systems and reporting capabilities and designs and manages their local implementation.
• Protects assets by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing internal controls.
• Maintains equipment inventories and fixed asset subsidiary ledgers.
• Guides and trains faculty and staff across the GSD with regard to financial policies and procedures
• Works closely with the GSD Financial Planning and Analysis team to share information about revenue sources and spending including funding from tuition, endowments, gifts, sponsored research, publications, and Executive Education.
• Supports financial systems evolution and implementation, collaborating with colleagues at other Schools and in Central Administration.

Typical Core Duties :

• Responsible for effective staff management for a group or team of employees, including hiring and orientation, training and development, workflow and performance management, and the promotion of an inclusive and innovative work environment
• Guide financial decisions by monitoring and enforcing policies and procedures
• Prepare and provide leadership, auditors and regulators with monthly, quarterly and annual reporting as required
• Oversee financial budgeting process and prepare and maintain budget to actual reporting throughout the year
• Prepare budgets by establishing schedules, collecting, analyzing and consolidating financial data
• Serve as a key resource for systems, policies, and procedures; may provide training to clients and staff
• Ensure data integrity and mitigate risk
• Ensure financial compliance with University policies and procedures, audit and accounting disclosure requirements, and applicable legal rules and regulation

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: -Bachelor’s degree required -Minimum of 8 years of financial administration experience working in a complex organization -Supervisory experience

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: -CPA and/or MBA highly desirable but not required -Direct experience in University accounting and reporting preferred -Direct experience with Oracle and PeopleSoft systems preferred -Understanding of GAAP reporting and regulatory requirements with knowledge of how these relate to a higher education environment preferred -Strong quantitative and financial reporting skills, and expertise in data extraction, analysis, and report presentation -Ability to effectively communicate at all levels and with multiple constituents and to deliver difficult messages with tact and diplomacy -Organized, flexible and able to manage multiple, challenging projects simultaneously in a fast-paced work setting -Customer service orientation, with emphasis on collaboration and creative problem solving while balancing the need for internal control

Certificates and Licenses : -CPA Preferred

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• What Can You Do With an Accounting Degree?

by Andrew Buckley

May 31, 2024

University Services Accounting

Careers in accounting involve more than numbers and spreadsheets. If you work in this field, you already know that what you can do with an accounting degree includes making an impactful difference in the lives of others . In the jobs you can get with an accounting degree, you might be responsible for anything from helping a small business maintain a healthy bottom line to assisting a nonprofit in allocating funds to maximize its impact. And if you’re just getting started in accounting or considering the field as part of a career switch, you’ll soon learn that it has much more to offer than many people realize.

As part of the wider finance industry, accounting has a reputation for offering job security and above-average salaries. For each year between 2022 and 2032, the business and finance field is projected to usher in about 911,400 job openings 1 , and 126,500 of those will go to accountants and auditors. 2 The median salary for accountants ($79,880/year) also outpaces the national average, and accounting professionals tend to widen this gap with additional years of experience – the top 10% of accountants earn $137,280 or more per year. 2

Becoming a public accountant is a solid career choice that works well for many people. However, it’s important to remember that there are plenty of other jobs you can get with an accounting degree – especially if you pursue a master’s . For example, many employers value the level of expertise that comes with a master’s degree when making difficult decisions regarding promotions to management roles.

If you’re interested in advancing to management occupations ( median salary: $116,880 3 ), a master’s in accounting might be a worthwhile investment. At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, you can earn an online Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) whether or not you have an accounting background. You’ll build expertise in finance and business principles and have the option to stack multiple graduate certificates to gain specialized knowledge for the career you want.

For a better understanding of what you can do with an accounting degree, explore the careers below.

Careers in Accounting

Financial manager.

One of the top-earning jobs you can get with an accounting degree is as a financial manager. Professionals who work as financial managers may also be called controllers, finance officers, or treasurers. Their job is to maintain the overall financial health of a business or organization by closely monitoring financial reports and making strategic investment decisions. Financial managers pay attention to market trends and have a solid grasp of effective leadership and management practices. Required skills for this position include:

• Critical thinking
• Data analysis
• Decision-making
• Effective communication
• Employee management
• Market analysis
• Strategic planning

Salary and Career Outlook

Financial managers earn a median salary of $156,100 per year , according to the latest data provided by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS). This occupation is also projected to grow faster than average between 2022 and 2032 at a rate of 16% – about 69,600 job openings per year . 4 Professionals working in this occupation are known to be employed in a range of environments, with those in professional, scientific, and technical services earning the highest salaries.

Required Education

Financial managers need at least a bachelor’s degree, but in many cases, a master’s degree is preferred. Professionals in this role tend to have several years of experience in finance, and many have previously worked as accountants or financial analysts. While not always required, many financial managers also have one or more of the following certifications:

• Certified Public Accountant
• Certified Government Financial Manager
• Chartered Financial Analyst Certification

Find out how the online MSA program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota can help you prepare for the Certified Public Accountant Exam.

Accounting Director

Accounting directors lead a team of accountants in accurately monitoring the financial transactions related to an organization’s functioning . Responsibilities for those in this occupation include supervising employees, ensuring adherence to financial regulations, auditing financial data, and more. To do their job well, a professional in this role must possess expertise in:

• Accounting software
• Cash flow management
• Financial reporting
• Oral communication
• People management
• Process improvement
• Project management
• Written communication

Accounting director is another high-paying career in accounting, with Payscale reporting a median income of $113,478 per year. Further, the top 10% of experienced professionals in this occupation earn $168,000 or more annually. As of 2024, salaries for accounting directors tend to be most significantly boosted by skills in mergers and acquisitions, auditing, process improvement, and project management. 5

Earning a master’s in accounting is generally recommended for professionals who hope to become an accounting director. This level of education will prepare you with the technical and leadership skills you need to succeed in this role. Passing the CPA exam and maintaining your license is also required for this occupation.

Are You Ready to Move Forward in Your Accounting Career?

Develop advanced expertise in both finance and business with an online MSA from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Personal Financial Advisor

The occupation of personal financial advisor can be one of the most rewarding careers in accounting. Financial advisors use their expertise to assist individuals in planning for significant life events , such as marriage, children, home buying, and retirement. By breaking down complex financial and investment information, these professionals empower clients to make decisions to increase wealth and impact families for generations. It’s essential for personal advisors to possess the following skills:

• Investment evaluation
• Goal setting
• Portfolio assessment
• Retirement planning
• Risk management

The BLS reports a median salary of $99,580 per year for personal financial advisors, and the top 10% of experienced professionals in this occupation earn $239,200 or more. Due to the growing population of people 65 and older, this occupation is also expanding at a faster-than-average pace to meet an increased need for retirement and investment planning. Demand for personal financial advisors is expected to grow 13% between 2022 and 2032 , resulting in about 25,600 openings per year. 6

Common degrees for personal financial advisors include business, accounting, and mathematics. A master’s in accounting can help you both get started and advance in this career by delivering the financial expertise and business acumen that lead to success. You may also need one or more of the following licenses and registrations based on the specific position you pursue:

• State regulator registration (varies by state)
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration
• North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) license
• Certified Financial Planner designation

Budget Analyst

Organizations rely on budget analysts to plan and monitor their finances . To keep a business financially healthy, people in this occupation collaborate with other team members and departments to create the budget, plan for future expenses, review proposals, analyze plans, and manage spending. Budget analysts must be well-versed in the following areas:

• Budget development
• Budget monitoring
• Cost-benefit analysis
• Financial planning
• Regulatory compliance
• Spending analysis

The budget analyst occupation is a typical career in accounting, with these professionals working across a range of industries. Budget analysts earn a median annual salary of $84,940, with the top 10% of earners making $131,630 or more per year. 7 Professionals in this occupation work in a variety of environments, but the five highest paying employers of budget analysts include 7 :

• Professional, scientific, and technical services
• Federal government
• Local government
• State government
• Education services

A degree in accounting, economics, or statistics is typically required for a career in budget analysis, and many employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree. Earning a master’s in accounting can help you move to a career as a budget analyst or move up the ladder if you already work in this or a similar occupation.

Explore the Human Side of Accounting

At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, earning an accounting master’s degree means more than becoming an expert in the latest economic trends. As a student in the online Master of Science in Accounting program, you’ll gain the soft skills and business acumen needed to become a trusted and ethical leader. This program is also ideal for career switchers, as it prepares graduates with the financial expertise they need to enter the top master’s in accounting jobs.

No matter where you are on your journey, you can take the next step toward your ideal accounting career today. Learn more about the online master’s in accounting from Saint Mary’s.

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Business and Financial Occupations.” April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/home.htm .
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Accountants and Auditors.” April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm .
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Management Occupations.” April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/home.htm .
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Financial Managers.” April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm .
• Payscale. “Average Accounting Director Salary.” Retrieved May 23, 2024 from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Accounting_Director/Salary .
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Personal Financial Advisors.” April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/personal-financial-advisors.htm .
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Budget Analysts.” April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/budget-analysts.htm .

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Ahead of the Pack

The Boston College Carroll School of Management’s part-time MBA program is holding strong as the highest-ranked program of its kind in New England, according to the latest survey by U.S. News & World Report .

The program landed at no. 23 in the United States, five steps above its showing last year. That places it ahead of regional counterparts, including Boston University (33rd), the University of Massachusetts Amherst (45th), and Northeastern (50th).

The school’s full-time MBA took the 46th spot in the nation, making it fifth in New England, behind Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, and MIT. The new rankings for the Carroll School programs, together known as “the BC MBA,” appeared in the “U.S. News Best Graduate Programs” survey released on April 9 for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year.

The survey also looked at the earnings of new graduates, finding that the Carroll School’s full-time MBA class of 2023 netted an average total compensation of $151,115 annually. Approximately 90 percent of that class accepted job offers within three months of graduation.

Meanwhile, in the specialty rankings for MBA studies, the Carroll School’s graduate accounting program placed 8th (two notches above last year’s ranking), while finance advanced to no. 10. Business analytics and marketing ranked 19th and 21st, respectively. “We have a strong commitment to personalized student engagement,” said Marilyn Eckelman, Carroll School dean of graduate programs, offering one reason for the strong showings. “Carroll School faculty and staff exemplify this dedication through their genuine care for each student’s academic and professional success.”

Eckelman also cited the BC MBA’s data-analytics sequence, part of its core curriculum, which “consistently makes our graduates stand out” in the job market. That and Boston College’s extensive alumni network form what she called a “winning combination” for the graduating classes. “Our goal is to ensure that every graduate student who comes to the Carroll School sees a strong return on their investment.”

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Reporting By Alison Frankel

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Alison Frankel has covered high-stakes commercial litigation as a columnist for Reuters since 2011. A Dartmouth college graduate, she has worked as a journalist in New York covering the legal industry and the law for more than three decades. Before joining Reuters, she was a writer and editor at The American Lawyer. Frankel is the author of Double Eagle: The Epic Story of the World’s Most Valuable Coin.

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