Apply to the Accounting Doctoral Scholars Program

Application Open: March 1, 2023

Application Closes: September 10, 2023

Application Process: The application process requires the completion of our online application. This includes answering an eligibility questionnaire, submitting three letters of recommendation, unofficial transcripts, unofficial GMAT/GRE test scores, and a one-page written essay. The letters of recommendation will be submitted by the authors directly to the ADS Program via email. Unofficial transcripts and GMAT scores are accepted by the ADS Program and will be verified by the ADS Participating Universities. The candidate should start very early in obtaining the letters of reference, transcripts, and GMAT scores report. If the test is more than five years old, the candidate should arrange immediately to retake the GMAT.

To begin the application process, please proceed to the ThisWayToCPA website to register on the site and create your free account. Register on the site as an accounting faculty member or professional by clicking "Sign In/Register" on the top-right corner of the page. Once this step is completed, using the login name and password created, applicants will follow the APPLY HERE link located toward the top of the program's application page. You should save this link. Applicants can save their progress and return by following the same link to edit their application until it closes on September 10th. Please contact us at ADSProgram@aicpa.org if you have any questions or need assistance with the application process. 

Eligibility: To be eligible for this program the candidate must meet the following requirements.

  • CPA required
  • Have a minimum of three years of professional accounting experience, with a portion of that experience being within the last three years at the time of enrollment
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder)
  • Earned an undergraduate or a master's degree in accounting
  • GMAT score of 650 or higher* or equivalent GRE (must be less than 5 years old)
  • Will apply and gain acceptance to an ADS Participating University to pursue a Ph.D. in accounting with a concentration in audit, tax, management accounting, information systems, or financial accounting with a focus on data analytics
  • Intent to teach and research, in audit, tax, management accounting, information systems, or financial analytics, at a U.S. AACSB accredited university upon graduation

 *Or equivalent GRE score. Some participating universities have agreed to accept the GRE in lieu of the GMAT. 

Selection Process: The selection of ADS Scholars is a two-step process. First, applications are evaluated based on academic and professional achievements and potential for successfully earning a doctorate in accounting. Applicants whose profiles are deemed to be competitive for admission to several doctoral accounting programs are invited to an orientation webinar. Following participation in the orientation, applicants are asked to confirm their commitment to applying for doctoral study in accounting at one or more participating universities for admission. The selection committee then selects the ADS Scholars from the remaining pool of candidates. 

Funding: Several candidates selected for 2024 enrollments will be awarded $20,000 in addition to university-backed funding.

Universities that participated in 2024 Enrollments.

Participating Universities Audit Tax Management Accounting Information Systems Financial Analytics  GRE
Arizona State University x x x   x x
Bentley University x         x
Boston University x   x   x x
Cornell University x         x
Drexel University x x x   x x
Emory University x   x   x x
Louisiana State University x          
Michigan State University x x x   x  
Ohio State University x x x   x  
Oklahoma State University x          
Temple University x x x   x x 
Texas A&M University x x     x x 
Texas Tech University x x x     x
University of Alabama x x     x x
University of Arizona x x x   x  
University of Arkansas x x   x    
University of Colorado - Boulder         x x
University of Connecticut x x     x x
University of Florida x x     x x
University of Georgia x x     x  
University of Houston x       x x
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign x x x   x x
University of Illinois, Chicago         x  
University of Kansas x         x
University of Kentucky x       x x
University of Maryland         x x
University of Massachusetts - Amherst x         x
University of Massachusetts - Lowell x   x   x  
University of Mississippi  x x     x  
University of Missouri - Columbia x x     x  
University of Nebraska - Lincoln x x       x
University of North Texas x x   x x x
University of Oklahoma x x     x x
University of Oregon x       x x
University of Scranton x x     x  
University of Tennessee - Knoxville x x   x x x
University of Texas at Austin x x       x
University of Washington         x x
University of Wisconsin - Madison x x x   x x
Virginia Commonwealth University x   x x x x
Virginia Tech x x     x