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I need help planning what I am going to do over the next two years to maximize my chances of getting into a good Accounting PhD program. To start, here is my current profile: GMAT: Have not taken yet but my mock scores average 720 with a high quant score. I plan to take the test when my application draws nearer. Undergrad degree: BS Accounting. I graduated with honors from the top university in my country in Southeast Asia (but not Singapore or HK) and in the top 10% of my batch. Grad degree: MS in Public Policy and Management from a good US School (think Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, Texas A&M). I pursued this masters because of a scholarship. My quality point average was 4.0/4.0 and I graduated with high honors. Relevant subjects taken: During undergrad, I took Intro to Microecon (A), Intro to Macroecon (A), Calculus 1 and 2 (A+), Foundations of abstract math (A-), International Trade and Dev’t Policy (A), and Intro to Stat (A+) I also took heaps of accounting and finance subjects for my bachelor’s degree. During my masters, I took Applied Microecon (A), Applied Macroecon (A+), and Statistical Reasoning (A+). I also took a subject on Data Analytics and Database Management (don't know if these are relevant) I am currently planning to enroll in Calc 3 and Linear Algebra which I will likely finish by the time I apply. Work experience: 5 months with a Big4 office in my country in the Transaction Advisory Group, 1 year of full-time work with a small firm that provides accounting services to SMEs. I also have close to 2 years work experience of part-time work with the small firm. Teaching Experience: After working in industry, I got a job as a full-time instructor in the top university in my country. I have 4 years of teaching experience and have taught heaps of accounting and finance subjects. I've also had several small projects consulting for small businesses. Research experience: I am expecting a sole-authored journal article to be published in my college’s local journal (a low-tier journal) some time next year. I am also expecting a book chapter I’ve co-authored to be published soon. LORs: No popular LORs but all from academics Research interests: Earnings management, disclosures Other: I am a CPA in my country and I have also passed the level 1 exam of the CFA. I also know Python and STATA (used them for my research). Based on my personal evaluation, here are the weaknesses of my current profile: I have little work experience with a large company. I can still improve my quant and econ background. My masters isn’t a MAcc like those of most accounting PhD students (I don't have the resources to pursue one) I can improve my GMAT (working on this) No rockstar LORs Little research experience Currently, I’m still employed as faculty member by the university and I have the benefit of taking Econ Stats and Econometrics if I wanted to. However, I will have to take those subjects on the side and it will take me a year to finish both. I also have the option of looking for a job now to address the first weakness I identified. My main question is this: should I stay in my current workplace and take the econ subjects or should I leave and get another job to improve my work experience? What would maximize my chances of landing a top accounting PhD? Also, given my current profile, how likely am I to get into the top 20 to 40 schools? Thanks in advance to anyone who can give their insights!

Hi all! Current stats: Undergraduate student graduating Fall 2019 Overall GPA: 3.55 Accounting GPA: 3.9 GMAT: Not taken, but currently registered in May after Spring Finals Additionally: Currently enrolled in Calculus I and projected to finish with either a B+ or A- (depending on how the final goes) Enrolling in Calculus II in the Spring and Linear Algebra in the summer Will be working as a research assistant in the accounting department next semester through the time I graduate at my current university. Will be able to secure LORs from Accounting Department Head, and two other accounting professors. Goal/hope is to go straight to the PhD after completing my undergrad. Any suggestions on how to beef up my resume and which schools I should be targeting? Will have time to take any additional math courses in the Spring and Summer prior to a program potentially starting. Back up plan is to apply to a few masters programs that I've already researched and made contact with.

Hello, I was wondering if I can get my profile evaluated by a current accounting phd and to get some advice on what schools I should be aiming for. 1. Undergrad: B.S. Chemistry-Business, Magna cum Laude 3.8 GPA Recipient of the Excellence in Chemistry-Business Award – highest GPA in major 1. Grad: M.B.A. with concentrations in accounting & finance G.P.A. 4.0 Recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Student Award – Economics/Finance Department 3. Test scores: 700+ GMAT 4. Research experience: 3 academic presentations; One of which was given at the International Academic Business Conference Co-author to all three research papers/presentations along with PhD faculty 5. Work experience 1 year Graduate Teaching Assistant 2 years staff accountant/assistant to the controller 6. Research interests: Accounting education, inefficiencies of SMEs, convergence of GAAP & IFRS 7. Other: - Great LoRs - Math courses: Calculus I & Statistics I -- definitely lacking in this department—hopefully GMAT score and chemistry background can negate this - Licensed CMA What tier of schools should I focus on? Will I be able to get into mid-tier schools? Is my profile competitive? Thank you so much! Any advice would be appreciated.

Education: Rank about 100 Master Degree in Accounting(GPA 3.57) Underdegree is Business English Passed CPA exam Working Experience: 1)Current work in financial company as staff accountant for five months and will work until jan of next year(AR, AP, budget, payroll, 401k, coordination with oustside auditor, daily& monthly finncial report, etc) 2) worked in Fortune 500 company as administrative assistant(and work in Euorpe for a short period but i think it will not help since it is not accounting-related) Recommendation letters(first is strong from Director of a good acccouting program, another is fair from Director of a good accounting program, third is not decided) GMAT(680 taken four years ago, want to take exam next to push up to 700+) Please help me evaluate my background and advise which level of accounting Phd Program i could try. Thanks so much for your generous help:)