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PhD Accounting and Finance

• Ask a question
• Get a prospectus

Entry requirements

Fees and funding.

• What's next?

Our four-year PhD Accounting and Finance (with research and communication skills) course has been designed to support students who do not have English as a first language.

We recognise and understand the importance of continuing professional development for students and have designed this course for students who do not have English as a first language and may have been studying in a different country, or out of a traditional academic environment for some time.

This is a tailor-made course that seeks to combine skills and enhanced subject specific research proposals to give you the best underpinning for your doctoral studies. A core aim of the course is for students to refine English language for scholarly communication, enhance academic skills for postgraduate study, hone higher-level research skills, and master how to study and manage academic work in the UK.

The course is comprised of the following elements:

This four-year PhD does not include a Masters degree in its first year, like other existing Integrated PhDs offered at Essex. On this course you will enrol for a PhD Accounting and Finance (with research and communication skills) for a PhD final award, with only a PG Dip or PG Certificate available as exit awards after the first year. You will take a number of core and compulsory modules in your first year, and the next three years will be conducting your individual research project.

This course is available to start in either October or January.

• We’re in the top 200 globally for accounting and finance in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.
• We have strong links with professional accounting bodies, such as ACCA, ICAEW and CIMA.
• Our doctoral students join us from more than 40 different nationalities.

UK entry requirements

International & eu entry requirements.

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please select your country page where you'll find this information.

English language requirements

Course structure.

Most of our taught courses combine compulsory and optional modules, giving you freedom to pursue your own interests. All of the modules listed below provide an example of what is on offer from the current academic year. Our Programme Specification provides further details of the course structure for the current academic year.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change.

The research element of your degree doesn't have a taught structure, giving you the chance to investigate your chosen topic in real depth and reach a profound understanding. In communicating that understanding, through a thesis or other means, you have a rare opportunity to generate knowledge. A research degree allows you to develop new high-level skills, enhance your professional development and build new networks. It can open doors to many careers.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Research skills are critical to a postgraduate research degree, regardless of the topic you are exploring. This module will reinforce the research methods and skills developed through your previous study and will address philosophical issues underlying management and business research and explain how to select research strategies and designs. It will offer a comprehensive view of methods of data collection and analysis to support the quality and value of research outcomes.

View Essex Business School - Research on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: CORE

This module provides training in English language skills for successful postgraduate study in the context of the UK generally and at the University of Essex in particular. The module focuses on developing English language proficiency through carefully graded input and scaffolded task completion, all within contexts of most relevance to those pursuing postgraduate research studies at the University of Essex.

View English Language and Communication Skills for Postgraduate Studies on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

This module is designed for international students who do not have English as their first language and who are planning to pursue a PhD at the University of Essex. It builds upon the English language skills being concurrently developed in the English Language and Communication Skills module and prior research knowledge all students on the module will have already acquired at Level 7.

View Academic Skills for Postgraduate Research on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Explore a range of theoretical, philosophical and methodological approaches to the conduct of doctoral research with a focus on the literature phase of a research project. You scrutinise the process of writing an academic literature review, develop a literature-based research plan for your dissertation, integrating subject-specific learning with insights on research methodology and epistemology.

View Research Evaluation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: CORE

This module introduces students to the form and function of an effective PhD research proposal. The module will help students to understand the expectations of the research proposal for their own subjects/supervisors and will help them to work on how to produce a quality proposal. The module will help students to develop their skills and confidence in their own research topic as well as their ability to write and talk about their proposal to a range of different audiences. The module will provide students with an overview of the relevant academic theory and ideas about the writing process as well as practical and hands-on experience of writing their own proposals.

View Research Proposal on our Module Directory

Home/UK fee

£4,786 per year

International fee

£18,750 per year

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

• tour our campus and accommodation
• find out answers to your questions about our courses, graduate employability, student support and more
• talk to our Fees and Funding team about scholarship opportunities
• meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing [email protected] and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

2024 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

• Saturday 15 June 2024 - June Open Day
• Saturday 21 September 2024 - September Open Day
• Saturday 26 October 2024 - October Open Day

You can apply for this postgraduate course online . Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We encourage you to make a preliminary enquiry directly to a potential supervisor or the Graduate Administrator within your chosen Department or School. We encourage the consideration of a brief research proposal prior to the submission of a full application.

We aim to respond to applications within four weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘ how to apply ' information.

Visit Colchester Campus

Set within 200 acres of  award-winning  parkland - Wivenhoe Park  and located two miles from the  historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Virtual tours

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications . The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Related courses

• Colchester Campus

Want to quiz us about your course? Got a question that just needs answering? Get in touch with us on live chat!

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• Undergraduate - [email protected]
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Entry requirements

We will consider all applicants with 2:2 or above, or equivalent international qualifications. For some courses, there may be additional requirements which can be found on our website.

Months of entry

January, April, October

Course content

This PhD programme gives you the opportunity to develop new insight into accounting and accountability processes with a view to influencing policy and practice. It is open to those who have previous experience in academic research in accounting.

You can follow a traditional thesis approach, where you write a dissertation reflecting on contemporary problems facing the world of accounting, or you may decide to produce a 'three paper' thesis. This consists of a number of research articles, framed by an introduction and conclusion. Your supervisors support you to submit these papers to conferences and for publication in international journals, so you can begin to build you international research portfolio well before graduation.

You study at Essex Business School (EBS), world-renowned for research on governance, the impact of auditing and the effect of accounting practices in a globalised world. As one of the few centres of Excellence for Critical Accounting Practices, we explore alternative aspects of accounting through a social science lens. We champion issues such as responsible management, sustainability and global development, business ethics and social responsibility, producing cutting-edge research that aims to make organisations better places to do business.

Essex Business School is the largest department at the University of Essex and is ranked in the UK’s top 25 for research excellence and intensity (REF, 2014). We are home to cutting-edge researchers, such as Emeritus Professor Prem Sikka , who is regularly cited in the national and international media for his work calling businesses who avoid tax to account. We help you to develop new transferable skills, enhance your professional development and build a network of invaluable contacts from across academia and the private, public and third sectors.

Our accounting research centres, Essex Accounting Centre and BAFA Accounting and Finance in Emerging Economies , organise seminars throughout the year. These give you access to the latest academic thinking and the opportunity to network with colleagues and visiting scholars from across the world. You also have the opportunity to present your work at our PhD conference each year.

You may decide to study on a full or part-time basis and we also offer an Mphil and a Masters by dissertation in this subject. If you would like to undertake a doctoral degree in accounting, but do not have a Masters degree, you might want to consider our integrated option .

You may also be eligible for a PhD scholarship.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

• Campus-based learning is available for this qualification

Course contact details

Unable to find any suggestions for your query...

The Essex website uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are consenting to their use. Please visit our cookie policy to find out which cookies we use and why. View cookie policy.

PhD Accounting and Finance

• Ask a question
• Get a prospectus

Entry requirements

Fees and funding.

• What's next?

Our four-year PhD Accounting and Finance (with research and communication skills) course has been designed to support students who do not have English as a first language.

We recognise and understand the importance of continuing professional development for students and have designed this course for students who do not have English as a first language and may have been studying in a different country, or out of a traditional academic environment for some time.

This is a tailor-made course that seeks to combine skills and enhanced subject specific research proposals to give you the best underpinning for your doctoral studies. A core aim of the course is for students to refine English language for scholarly communication, enhance academic skills for postgraduate study, hone higher-level research skills, and master how to study and manage academic work in the UK.

The course is comprised of the following elements:

This four-year PhD does not include a Masters degree in its first year, like other existing Integrated PhDs offered at Essex. On this course you will enrol for a PhD Accounting and Finance (with research and communication skills) for a PhD final award, with only a PG Dip or PG Certificate available as exit awards after the first year. You will take a number of core and compulsory modules in your first year, and the next three years will be conducting your individual research project.

This course is available to start in either October or January.

• We’re in the top 200 globally for accounting and finance in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.
• We have strong links with professional accounting bodies, such as ACCA, ICAEW and CIMA.
• Our doctoral students join us from more than 40 different nationalities.

UK entry requirements

International & eu entry requirements.

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please select your country page where you'll find this information.

English language requirements

Course structure.

Most of our taught courses combine compulsory and optional modules, giving you freedom to pursue your own interests. All of the modules listed below provide an example of what is on offer from the current academic year. Our Programme Specification provides further details of the course structure for the current academic year.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change.

The research element of your degree doesn't have a taught structure, giving you the chance to investigate your chosen topic in real depth and reach a profound understanding. In communicating that understanding, through a thesis or other means, you have a rare opportunity to generate knowledge. A research degree allows you to develop new high-level skills, enhance your professional development and build new networks. It can open doors to many careers.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Research skills are critical to a postgraduate research degree, regardless of the topic you are exploring. This module will reinforce the research methods and skills developed through your previous study and will address philosophical issues underlying management and business research and explain how to select research strategies and designs. It will offer a comprehensive view of methods of data collection and analysis to support the quality and value of research outcomes.

View Essex Business School - Research on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: CORE

This module provides training in English language skills for successful postgraduate study in the context of the UK generally and at the University of Essex in particular. The module focuses on developing English language proficiency through carefully graded input and scaffolded task completion, all within contexts of most relevance to those pursuing postgraduate research studies at the University of Essex.

View English Language and Communication Skills for Postgraduate Studies on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

This module is designed for international students who do not have English as their first language and who are planning to pursue a PhD at the University of Essex. It builds upon the English language skills being concurrently developed in the English Language and Communication Skills module and prior research knowledge all students on the module will have already acquired at Level 7.

View Academic Skills for Postgraduate Research on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Explore a range of theoretical, philosophical and methodological approaches to the conduct of doctoral research with a focus on the literature phase of a research project. You scrutinise the process of writing an academic literature review, develop a literature-based research plan for your dissertation, integrating subject-specific learning with insights on research methodology and epistemology.

View Research Evaluation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: CORE

This module introduces students to the form and function of an effective PhD research proposal. The module will help students to understand the expectations of the research proposal for their own subjects/supervisors and will help them to work on how to produce a quality proposal. The module will help students to develop their skills and confidence in their own research topic as well as their ability to write and talk about their proposal to a range of different audiences. The module will provide students with an overview of the relevant academic theory and ideas about the writing process as well as practical and hands-on experience of writing their own proposals.

View Research Proposal on our Module Directory

Home/UK fee

£4,786 per year

International fee

£18,750 per year

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

• tour our campus and accommodation
• find out answers to your questions about our courses, graduate employability, student support and more
• talk to our Fees and Funding team about scholarship opportunities
• meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing [email protected] and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

2024 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

• Saturday 15 June 2024 - June Open Day
• Saturday 21 September 2024 - September Open Day
• Saturday 26 October 2024 - October Open Day

You can apply for this postgraduate course online . Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We encourage you to make a preliminary enquiry directly to a potential supervisor or the Graduate Administrator within your chosen Department or School. We encourage the consideration of a brief research proposal prior to the submission of a full application.

We aim to respond to applications within four weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘ how to apply ' information.

Visit Colchester Campus

Set within 200 acres of  award-winning  parkland - Wivenhoe Park  and located two miles from the  historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Virtual tours

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications . The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Related courses

• Colchester Campus

Want to quiz us about your course? Got a question that just needs answering? Get in touch with us on live chat!

• Course Finder
• Undergraduate study
• Postgraduate study
• Short courses and CPD
• International students
• Study online
• Apprenticeships
• Summer Schools
• Essex living
• Essex Sport
• Southend Campus
• Loughton Campus
• Student facilities
• Student services
• Research excellence
• Research showcase
• Media requests
• Research Excellence Framework (REF)
• Research institutes and centres
• Departments
• How to pay your fees
• General - [email protected]
• Undergraduate - [email protected]
• Postgraduate - [email protected]
• +44 (0) 1206 873333
• University of Essex
• Wivenhoe Park
• Colchester CO4 3SQ

• Accessibility
• Our privacy statements
• Our transparency return
• Modern slavery and human trafficking

Study Abroad

Scholarships

University of essex, colchester | uk, phd accounting.

Course Duration

PhD Accounting is one of the best courses to choose from that offers in-depth learning in Commerce. PhD Accounting from University of Essex offers exceptional education, high-end practical learning and career opportunities for international students. After receiving their PhD Accounting from the University of Essex, students will be able to pursue research work as well as work as a professional in the field.

Completing a master’s degree increases your chances of employment and helps you earn more. University of Essex offers exceptional education, high-end practical learning and career opportunities for international students. After receiving their PhD Accounting from the University of Essex, students will be able to pursue research work as well as work as a professional in the field.

The interactive curriculum, research opportunities and exceptional teaching faculty at University of Essex provide students with a great learning experience. PhD Accounting helps students become creative and independent researchers. Overall, an PhD Accounting from the University of Essex is an excellent choice for students who want to build a promising career. The employment rate of graduates from University of Essex is high, and all its courses are structured to empower students for current and future industry requirements.

Know more about University of Essex

Why Study PhD Accounting at University of Essex

• Learn from world-renowned faculty
• Work in high-end labs for research work
• Career services programs to help find job opportunities
• Internships, volunteering, workshops and other opportunities to enhance your skills and experience
• Strong network of alumni all over the world

Course Fees

PhD Accounting at University of Essex is affordable for international students. Your tuition fee can be significantly lowered with the help of scholarships and other financial aid.Colchester, where University of Essex is located, offers a high quality of life, and it is easy to find inexpensive housing

Entry Requirements

Academic skills, as well as other achievements, are taken into consideration during the admissions process. An essential factor for admission is English language proficiency. Since PhD Accounting is taught in English, you must be fluent in the language and meet their English language test requirements.

Below are the minimum requirements for PhD Accounting at University of Essex:

English Language Requirements

Eligibility

Apart from English language proficiency, one must meet the following requirements for admission. Students must also submit the following documents during the application process. Any missing or invalid documents can lead to the rejection of your application.

• Must have completed their 10+2 from a recognised school
• Should hold a 3-4 year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• Must maintain a good GPA in both high school and bachelor’s degree
• Must attain qualifying GRE/GMAT scores (if required)

Required Document Lists

• Certificate of completion of 10+2 standard from a recognised board
• Academic transcripts from school and undergraduate degree
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• Writing Sample (if required)
• IELTS/TOEFL scorecards
• CV or Resume
• Proof of funding
• Student visa

How To Apply?

Application procedures and eligibility criteria vary from course to course. Note the application deadlines and apply well in advance to increase your chances of selection. Keep all the documents handy and check all information to ensure a smooth application process.

Students must follow these steps to apply to University of Essex

• Visit the official University of Essex website and go to the ‘Application’ section
• Create your login ID and fill out the details on the application form
• Submit the required documents and re-check all the information before submission
• Lastly, pay the application fees

Through scholarships, students can complete their education at a reduced cost. Scholarships are awarded based on factors such as merit and need or both. Here are some of the scholarships available for PhD Accounting at University of Essex for international students.

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The scope of an PhD Accounting is vast and ever-expanding. You can work as a professional or pursue research after completing a PhD Accounting

Who can apply for PhD Accounting?

Those with a bachelor’s degree in relevant subjects from an accredited college or university with an excellent academic record can apply for an at University of Essex

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Data Alerts

•   Search

Accounting Educators Put Renewed Spotlight on CPA Pipeline

A number of New Jersey’s top accounting professors came together at an NJCPA Accounting Educators Workshop on May 3 at EisnerAmper’s Iselin office to discuss what’s needed to entice more students to enter the accounting profession.

Aiysha (AJ) Johnson, MA, IOM, CEO and executive director of the NJCPA, presented along with Dr. Sean Stein Smith, CPA, CFE, CGMA, CMA, DBA, assistant professor at the City University of New York — Lehman College and a member of the NJCPA Board of Trustees, and Tara Baldwin, CPA, manager at WilkinGuttenplan and the 2023/24 NJCPA Student Programs and Scholarship Committee chairperson. Don Meyer, CAE, chief marketing officer at the NJCPA, hosted a panel on Withum’s work-for-credit program with Seton Hall University and another panel on pipeline advocacy.

“Our focus is to raise awareness of the accounting profession. We are a community. As we think about the needs of new entrants into the profession, our role is to be a connector, increasing access to networking, resources and services,” said Johnson, adding that it’s important to understand how diversity, equity and inclusion helps to expand opportunities for students, CPA candidates and newer accounting professionals.  

Building the Pipeline

The work-for-credit program established by Withum and Seton Hall University helps to alleviate the challenge to fulfill the 150-credit hour requirement for CPA licensure along with passing the CPA Exam. The one-year CPA Pathway Apprenticeship program provides an opportunity for Seton Hall graduates to gain first-hand public accounting work experience and receive the 30 credit hours. Students typically must complete 120 credit hours of undergraduate studies to graduate. 

Theresa Richardson, chief talent officer at Withum and a panelist at the event, explained that the initiative works well since it “was structured as a residency program” and the students get to experience different niche areas of the firm. Six students are currently taking advantage of the program, which is paid for by Withum.

Danielle DiMeglio, MBA, instructor of Accounting and Taxation and director of Graduate Accounting Programs at Seton Hall University, noted they are aware of students’ needs to complete these credits versus those looking for a specific master’s degree. “We had to figure out how to do this in a mindful way that makes sense for our students. We developed a process for this to be a recurring thing. We consulted with our nursing program,” she said.

Other work-for-credit programs are underway in New Jersey, such as Saint Peter’s University/PwC program, where participants also receive the 30 credits required to be licensed as a CPA. PwC covered the cost of tuition and paid the participants as full-time employees. In 2021, PwC joined forces with Northeastern University for a similar program.

Pipeline Advocacy

In a discussion focusing on the link between advocacy and increasing the number of students heading into the accounting profession, panelist Althea Ford, vice president of government affairs at the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), explained that it is necessary to incorporate awareness of the profession into everyday conversations to eliminate stereotypes about accounting and rebrand how it’s being described.

NJBIA Chief Government Affairs Officer Christopher Emigholz, a panelist at the event, added that if it can be made clear to legislators that accounting should be treated as a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subject, more students will be able to consider the accounting profession. The NJCPA is actively supporting and advocating for initiatives that recognize accounting as a STEM subject and that allow STEM K-12 grant funding to be used for accounting awareness and education.

Emigholz explained that when employment shortfall discussions have typically come up in industry discussions, they never used to be about accounting. “Every business needs an accountant,” he noted, saying there really is an “awareness issue about the CPA pipeline for accountants.”

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Three GOP challengers debate on Trump, Ukraine, flooding in bid to oppose Mikie Sherrill

Three Republicans hoping to unseat Rep. Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District offered a sharp conservative contrast to the three-term Democrat during an online debate Tuesday presented by the Morristown Area League of Women Voters.

The trio will vie for the GOP nomination for the North Jersey district in the June 4 primary.

Two hail from Belleville in Essex County: Dr. Raafat Barsoom , a physician and Christian immigrant from Egypt, and "Jersey Joe" Belnome , a self-described "property maintenance inspector and former bricklayer," who already has collected endorsements from the three county GOP committees — Morris, Passaic and Essex — in the district.

The field is completed by John Sauers , a 27-year-old native of Rockaway Township in Morris County with a graduate degree in forensic accounting and experience in financial management.

All three pushed their conservative credentials, including a strong desire to lower taxes, cut government spending and improve border security . They also vowed to encourage energy independence by increasing domestic oil production , which has already reached record levels in recent years.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

Here's a look at the candidates and the visions they laid out to unseat Sherrill in November:

Joe Belnome

Belnome stood out as the most passionate supporter of former president and presumptive GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump. He also declared himself "the clear favorite" in the field as the debate began.

"My primary challengers have not shown the same level of engagement or visibility, neither raising funds nor capturing media attention," he said. "I sit before you deeply committed to President Trump's vision and policies, aiming to uphold our Constitution, secure our borders and bring back American jobs."

He also secured the Republican nomination for state Senate last year in the 34th Legislative District, before losing to former Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake. Belnome received 24% of the vote in the Democratic-leaning district.

"As the only candidate in this race that our incumbent opponent acknowledges, and actively attacks, [that] makes me literally front-page news," Belnome said.

Dr. Raafat Barsoom

Barsoom offered a compelling life story. A native of Cairo, Barsoom said he was forced to abandon his medical practice in a Muslim neighborhood and legally entered the U.S. in 1998 "with just $200 in my pocket."

He said he worked menial jobs for years to raise money to bring his family to the U.S. and eventually earned his license to practice medicine in the U.S. He is currently an emergency and trauma doctor at CareWell Health Medical Center in East Orange, his campaign website says.

"This is the land of opportunity," Barsoom said during Tuesday's debate. "I lived through oppression. I lived through political corruption. And I see this spreading in our country, so I'm sounding the alarm."

His work with the United Nations Development Program helped earn him a visa to legally enter the United States in 1998, when he was 30 years old , he said. His Egyptian medical degree was not recognized in the U.S., so he was forced to work low-paying jobs to earn enough for his wife, Eva, and their then - 7-year-old daughter to join him.

John F. Sauers

Sauers, a Rockaway Township resident, said he is "the only candidate from the district and the only one who cares about the community." Belleville, where the other two candidates live, is one of 14 Essex County towns in the 11th District, which is dominated by 29 Morris County towns. The 11th also covers four Passaic County municipalities.

Touting his financial education, Sauers said he is the candidate most qualified to "balance the budget, lower taxes and make sure that we can secure our country in a heartbeat."

He stressed the need to "close" the U.S. border and wants to "work with mayors across the country and the state to begin the deportation process of the illegal immigrants that are here currently and work with my expertise in accounting, taxes and foreign policy to begin the lowering of taxes and cut the bloated spending across the board."

He said he favors deep cuts in foreign spending and keeping that money stateside to balance the budget and promote domestic interests.

"My opponent won the county lines through mob rule," Sauers added, referring to Belnome's three county endorsements. Those endorsements, however, carry less weight this year after state and federal court rulings scrapped the county committees' ability to automatically group their preferred candidates at the top of the ballot.

Sherrill dominated in 2022

Sherrill, whom pundits have discussed as a possible candidate for governor in 2025, was first elected in 2018. She won her third term in 2022, defeating former Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor Paul DeGroot with 59% of the vote.

Based on that performance, whoever wins the GOP primary would appear to enter the general election as an underdog. On Tuesday, the contenders fielded about a dozen questions on issues ranging from economics to immigration, flooding, the federal cap on deducting state and local taxes and the ongoing military conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Where they stand on Israel, Ukraine

All three offered strong support for Israel, although Sauers said we should be selling arms to Israel and Ukraine, not giving them away. Barsoom and Belnome added that they saw little hope that Ukraine can withstand the ongoing invasion from Russia.

How to tame flooding problems

On hyperlocal issues, Belnome appeared surprised by a question on flooding , despite repeated issues in the district along the Passaic River, which flows through all three counties, and its many tributaries.

"It's not something that a lot of people have complained about on the campaign trail, but I know it's an issue," Belnome said. The strategy, he said, should be to "make sure there is responsible development in the areas where flooding is happening and make sure there is funding available for research."

Sauer said he would engage with and fund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to address local issues. While Sherrill has touted a Corps of Engineers study and flood-control funding in recent years, Sauer said the Democrat has not done the job sufficiently.

"You won't need to hope and pray and cross your fingers that 'will we get the budget this year?'" Sauers said. "We can solve that tomorrow, and I'm shocked that no politician is currently doing that right now."

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Lifting the SALT cap on tax deductions

The candidates also opposed the SALT tax cap , a $10,000 limit on deductions approved as part of Trump's tax reform package during his presidency. Barsoom said the cap was illegal because New Jersey residents already pay taxes on the income they use to pay their federal income tax, including the full amount on property taxes above the $10,000 cap.

"That's double taxation," he said.

Election fraud, abortion

All three broke with Trump, at least to a degree, on election fraud. They each expressed concerns about election security, identifying mail-in balloting as a major vulnerability, but none would stand with Trump's unsubstantiated assertions that the 2020 election was stolen.

They also broke ranks with the more conservative members of their party who have called for a national abortion ban. The New Jersey candidates each said it's an issue for individual states to decide.

Who's in the 11th District?

After redistricting in 2023, which added Democratic towns in the district while removing Republican-leaning municipalities in Sussex County, the 11th District is now made up of:

• Morris  — Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Chatham, Chatham Township, Denville, Dover, East Hanover, Florham Park, Hanover, Harding, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Madison, Mendham Township (partial), Montville, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Morristown, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany, Pequannock, Randolph, Riverdale, Rockaway, Rockaway Township, Victory Gardens.
• Essex  — Belleville, Bloomfield, Cedar Grove, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Maplewood, Millburn, Montclair (partial), North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, South Orange, West Caldwell.
• Passaic  — Little Falls, Totowa, Wayne (partial), Woodland Park.

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community,  please subscribe or activate your digital account today .

Email:  wwesthoven@ dailyrecord.com 

Twitter:  @wwesthoven