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The Accounting PhD program prepares students to conduct in-depth research in accounting, a focused branch of financial economics. This quantitatively intensive program emphasizes analytical rigor. Ideal candidates possess solid undergraduate backgrounds in microeconomics and mathematics, with prior coursework in accounting or finance being beneficial. While practical knowledge of how accounting data informs capital markets and corporate decisions is valuable—often gained through professional experience—it's not mandatory for admission. Students develop meaningful faculty collaborations that enhance their Wharton education and often extend throughout their careers. The curriculum fosters early research engagement through faculty interactions, featuring essential components like the accounting workshop series, first-year research assistantships, and summer research projects during the initial two years.
A strong undergraduate preparation in microeconomics and mathematics is an advantage, as is some prior training at the undergraduate or graduate level in accounting, finance, or economics.
The average TOEFL scores for doctoral students who enter in fall: Reading: 30, Listening: 29, Speaking: 26, Writing: 28, Total: 112