A career as an accounting professor is for individuals with a deep understanding of finance and a desire to cultivate future professionals. The profession centers on educating, mentoring, and conducting research that advances the field. This role allows experts to move beyond daily practice to focus on shaping the principles that will define the future of accounting.
The Required Educational Path
The primary route to becoming an accounting professor at a research university involves earning a doctoral degree. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Accounting is the most common credential for tenure-track positions. These rigorous programs last four to six years and are focused on developing research skills. The initial two years are dedicated to coursework in subjects like microeconomic theory, econometrics, and advanced accounting theory, while the remainder is spent writing and defending a dissertation.
A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is another doctoral option that can lead to a professorship. A DBA places greater emphasis on applied research, connecting theory to contemporary business problems. Many DBA programs are designed for working professionals and may offer flexible or online formats, allowing candidates to leverage their industry experience.
For teaching at community colleges, smaller universities, or in non-tenure track roles like lecturer, a master’s degree is the required qualification. A Master of Accountancy (MAcc), Master of Science in Accounting (MSA), or an MBA with an accounting concentration can open doors to these positions. All graduate-level programs first require a bachelor’s degree, usually in accounting or a related business discipline.
Gaining Relevant Professional Experience
Beyond academic credentials, direct professional accounting experience is highly valued in academia. This background provides practical context and real-world examples that enrich classroom instruction and inform applied research. Experience in public accounting, corporate finance, or specialized work like forensic accounting gives a professor credibility.
The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license is the profession’s most recognized credential. For aspiring professors, holding a CPA is often a preferred or required qualification. It demonstrates a high-level mastery of accounting principles and signals a commitment to the profession that universities and students recognize.
Other professional credentials can also bolster a candidate’s profile. The Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is relevant for teaching managerial or cost accounting. Similarly, the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is advantageous for individuals focusing on auditing or systems courses, as these certifications showcase specialized knowledge.
Skills for Success in Academia
Success as an accounting professor requires skills beyond technical knowledge, starting with teaching and communication abilities. A professor must distill complex topics into understandable concepts for students. This involves clear public speaking, creating an engaging classroom environment, and designing a logical course curriculum.
For professors on a tenure track, strong analytical and quantitative skills are needed. Academic research involves formulating hypotheses, designing studies, gathering data, and using statistical software to analyze the results. This empirical work forms the basis for scholarly articles and is necessary for career progression at research-oriented universities.
The academic environment is collaborative, making interpersonal skills important. Professors work with colleagues on committees, co-author research, and mentor students. Building a professional network through conferences and other scholarly activities is also a component of a successful career.
Core Responsibilities of an Accounting Professor
The work of an accounting professor involves three main areas: teaching, research, and service. Teaching is the most visible part of the job and includes preparing lectures, creating assignments, grading work, and holding office hours. Professors also serve as academic advisors, guiding students on course selection and career planning.
Research is a central focus for faculty at many universities, especially for those on the tenure track. This involves conducting original studies and writing scholarly articles for publication in peer-reviewed academic journals. The pressure to publish is significant, as research output is a primary measure of contribution and a factor in tenure decisions.
Service encompasses a professor’s contributions to their university and the academic community. This includes serving on faculty committees for curriculum or admissions within their department. It also involves reviewing manuscripts for academic journals, participating in professional organizations, and lending expertise to the community.
Navigating the Academic Job Market
Securing a position as an accounting professor differs from a corporate job search. A central component is the academic Curriculum Vitae (CV), which provides a comprehensive overview of a candidate’s academic history, publications, research projects, conference presentations, and teaching experience.
A key part of the interview process is the “job talk.” Candidates are invited to campus to present one of their research papers to the department’s faculty and doctoral students. This presentation allows the hiring committee to assess the quality of the candidate’s research, their communication skills, and their ability to field questions.
The interview process is extensive, involving meetings with various groups over one or two days. Candidates meet with the department head, the dean of the business school, and multiple groups of faculty members. These interviews gauge the candidate’s fit with the department’s culture, their research and teaching interests, and their potential as a colleague.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
The demand for accounting professors remains steady, driven by a shortage of qualified, Ph.D.-holding candidates and faculty retirements. This supply-and-demand imbalance creates favorable job prospects, particularly for graduates of strong doctoral programs. Universities consistently need to fill positions to teach the next generation of accountants.
Salaries for accounting professors are competitive and vary based on the institution, rank, and field of expertise. Data from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) consistently shows high average salaries, with assistant professors earning well over six figures for a nine-month contract. Compensation can be considerably higher at top-tier research universities or for those with specialized knowledge in high-demand areas like tax or audit.
Academic ranks directly influence earning potential, with salaries increasing as a professor moves from Assistant to Associate and then to Full Professor. Professors can also supplement their base nine-month salary through summer teaching, research grants, or executive education programs.