PhD ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE

LSBU Business School offers full-time, part-time, and distance-learning research degree programme's. During this PhD course, students work with research supervisors to develop research projects to shape theory, policy and practice in the fields of accounting and finance studies. Under the direction of two research supervisors, students conduct empirical or theoretical research that will lead to new knowledge in a chosen field and are required to write a series of journal articles or thesis of 80,000 words.

Previous PhD research topics have included:

- Corporate governance disclosures
- Stock market development and inequality
- Behavioural factors that impact financial stock returns
- Computational analysis and experimentation
- The main determinants of audit fees in the UK FTSE 250

Industry Public and 3rd Sector Collaborations

Our academics have made an impact and collaborate with a range of private, public and 3rd sector organisations as expert advisors, in contract research and consulting. Such collaborations include the European Commission's Asylum Support Office (EASO), the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science in Australia, the Swiss Olympics - Federal Ministry of the Interior in Switzerland, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) in the UK, the British Council in the UK, the society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research (SIETAR, UK) and Erasmus+, the European Commission's Programme.

Engaging with business and society

The school is also committed to ‘civic engagement’ with a mission to share practical research outcomes to improve the society around us and this is reflected in many of the impact case studies which are being generated. Our local business community is essential to the success of London, and we are keen to engage in research which supports that community through systematic capture of the structure, economic impact or business lifecycle.

We therefore would like our research to be academically strong and capable of generating impact locally, nationally or internationally. We are happy to consider a broad range of research proposals within the business domain so long as they can be seen to offer the potential for rigour, originality, reach and impact.

A PhD, by definition, is an original contribution to knowledge. A research degree is different from a taught course. Research students are expected to self-direct their learning with support from a supervisory team.

Entry Level Requirements

Careers

Employability Service

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• Free employability workshop and events for student all year round, more details can be found on our event section.
• Online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• LSBU Careers Hub offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and support, guidance on future careers, as well as loads of career resources, connecting you with employers, exciting events, 1-1 support and relevant workshops.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Research skills development

All research students are required to participate in a Key Skills Development programme aimed at developing transferable skills in addition to those employed in carrying out research. Training in research methods is available through frequent research seminars.

When necessary the research student can follow, in part, relevant Masters courses available within the School and in particular units on research methodology. In some cases, research students are encouraged to follow other courses available within the University or externally aimed at improving their general expertise in their chosen areas.

In addition, they may be encouraged to follow language courses aimed at improving their oral and written skills - both essential in their future careers.

Transferable skills

A research degree will equip you with many transferable skills. The self-discipline, the demand for clear analytical thinking, and the ability to turn criticism of others work into something constructive of your own, all constitute a unique training for almost any kind of career. The excitement and satisfaction of finding new facts, a new idea, or a new way of looking at something can be highly rewarding.

Attending conferences

Research students are often sponsored to attend national and international conferences and to meet leading scientists in their fields and to present their research findings. The progress of all research students is formally monitored by the University's Research Degree Committee.

Links with external funding bodies for research have been developed and particular attention has been given to increasing the quantum of external funding for research activity. External funding has been obtained from sources that include the European Union, UK Research Councils, major charitable research foundations and the U.K. Government’s Department of Trade and Industry. Particular attention has been given towards the development of postgraduate research degrees and increasing the levels of external funding for research activity. 

In further recognition of the School’s entrepreneurial culture and leading-edge practice it has been awarded the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IoEE) Centre of Excellence status.  This is the IoEE’s flagship organisational accreditation for organisations that promote and deliver enterprise skills development.

Memberships

LSBU Business School is an esteemed member institution of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), an international membership and quality assurance body of world-leading and high-potential Business Schools who share a commitment for responsible management practices and lifelong learning, and are looking to provide positive impact on their students, communities, and the economy as a whole. BGA is the sister brand to the Association of MBAs (AMBA), the world's impartial authority on postgraduate management education.

As a BGA member institution, students of LSBU Business School are able to access BGA's individual membership, which offers a range of tools and resources designed to support the professional and personal development of business students and graduates, free of charge. This includes CV building services, a job search function, skill assessments, thought-leadership, partner discounts and much more.