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PhD - Accounting as a subject

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded by the University for research carried out under the supervision of at least two staff members. A PhD can also be presented as a PhD with Publication or a PhD with a Creative Practice Component.

Studying accounting is your pathway to working with clients to help them make their businesses more profitable and successful, and reduce their exposure to financial risk. With accounting you'll gain the skills you need to become a trusted business adviser and make strategic financial decisions for organisations.


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Key information

Years: 3
Start Dates: The first day of any month from February to November
Estimated Fees* (Domestic): $6,800 - $7,221 per year
Estimated Fees* (International): $6,800 - $7,220 per year
Area of Study:
New Zealand resident International PhD students pay the domestic fee.

*Tuition fees shown above are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.

Career opportunities

  • Auditor
  • Business consultant
  • Chief financial officer
  • Company accountant
  • Financial accountant/controller
  • Management accountant
  • Tax accountant

Degree Planner

Aleena Sutton Studying accounting provides you with many different options. It enables you to work in various branches of accounting and a wide range of industries. It’s also beneficial if you want to start up your own company or work in other areas of business.

Read stories from other Accounting students


Prescriptions for the PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.


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At Waikato, you'll get hands-on experience with specialised accounting software such as MYOB and Xero.

You'll analyse real-life case studies of accounting situations, and learn about the business environment and how managerial decisions are made.

You'll also learn about contracts and trusts, evaluate the impact of taxes, and gain skills in auditing, investment, financing and asset management. You could also undertake an industry internship in an accounting workplace.

If you're new to Hamilton, there'll be plenty of opportunities for you to make new friends with similar interests. You could get involved with Beta Alpha Psi, a student accounting club that runs regular workshops and employer visits.


If you'd like to become a professional accountant one day, first you will need to meet the academic requirements of university study by completing a a recognised Professional Accounting pathway of 16 specific accounting and business papers at Waikato - rather than just a normal major in Accounting (8-9 papers).

With the Bachelor of Business and the Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours, you still have the option of taking a Minor subject (4 papers) alongside your accounting major, if you wish.

However, it won't be possible to take a 2nd Major (8 papers) in another subject unless you are willing to complete an additional 4-5 extra papers.

Once you have graduated with your accounting degree, you can then apply to join and become a provisional member of one of the following four organisations. Please note that you will need to complete further study with that organisation and take professional exams.

  • Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
  • CPA Australia
  • Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

For the Professional Accounting pathway, you will need to pass the following 16 papers, in addition to any other compulsory field papers required to complete your BBus degree:

  • ACCTN101 Accounting for Management
  • ACCTN102 Introductory Financial Accounting
  • ECONS101 Economics for Business and Management
  • FINAN101 Introduction to Finance
  • ACCTN202 Intermediate Financial Accounting
  • ACCTN203 Management Accounting: Accounting for Organisational Control
  • ACCTN204 Accounting Information Systems
  • BUSAN205 Data Analytics with Business Applications
  • MNMGT304 Commercial Transactions
  • ACCTN301 Capstone in Accounting
  • ACCTN302 Financial Accounting
  • ACCTN303 Management Accounting
  • ACCT304 Commercial Transactions
  • ACCTN305 Auditing
  • ACCTN306 Taxation
  • ACCTN308 Performance Reporting

Contacts

Management Student Centre (MSC)

Location: MSB.1.50, Waikato Management School, Hillcrest Road, University of Waikato, Hamilton
Phone: +64 838 4303
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.management.ac.nz/msc
Opening hours: 8.30am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday