
PHD in Accounting Finance at INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT RANCHI


Ranchi, Jharkhand
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About the Specialization
What is Accounting & Finance at INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT RANCHI Ranchi?
This Accounting & Finance PhD program at IIM Ranchi focuses on developing rigorous researchers and thought leaders capable of making significant contributions to academic literature and industry practice in India. It delves into advanced theories and empirical methods relevant to financial markets, corporate finance, accounting standards, and financial reporting, addressing contemporary challenges specific to the Indian economic landscape.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for aspiring academics, researchers, and policy analysts holding a strong master''''s degree in management, economics, or related fields, who possess a keen interest in theoretical and empirical investigations in accounting and finance. It also attracts young faculty members from business schools seeking to enhance their research capabilities and gain a doctoral qualification.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to secure faculty positions at top business schools and universities in India, including IIMs and IITs, or pursue research roles in financial institutions and think tanks. Potential career paths include Assistant Professor, Research Associate, and Financial Analyst (R&D). Initial salaries typically range from INR 15-30 LPA in academia, with significant growth trajectories based on research output and teaching performance.

Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Research Fundamentals- (undefined)
Dedicate extensive time to understanding core concepts in research methodology, econometrics, and advanced statistics. Form study groups with peers to discuss complex theories and problem-solving techniques. Actively participate in all coursework seminars to build a strong theoretical foundation for your research journey.
Tools & Resources
Greene''''s Econometric Analysis, Wooldridge''''s Econometrics, Academic journals like Accounting Review, Journal of Finance
Career Connection
A strong foundation in research methods is crucial for conceptualizing robust research questions and selecting appropriate methodologies, directly impacting the quality and publishability of your future thesis and papers.
Engage Actively with Faculty- (undefined)
Proactively seek guidance from faculty members, especially your potential supervisors, to discuss emerging research areas and refine your initial research interests. Attend faculty presentations and departmental research colloquia to understand ongoing projects and identify areas for collaboration or intellectual contribution.
Tools & Resources
Regular one-on-one meetings, Departmental seminar series, Faculty office hours
Career Connection
Building strong relationships with faculty provides mentorship, helps in navigating academic networks, and can lead to co-authorship opportunities, which are vital for early career academic success and placements.
Develop Academic Writing Skills- (undefined)
Focus on improving academic writing from day one. Practice summarizing complex ideas concisely and structuring arguments logically. Pay close attention to citation styles and ethical writing practices, leveraging university writing centers or workshops if available.
Tools & Resources
Purdue OWL, Grammarly Premium, EndNote/Mendeley for referencing
Career Connection
High-quality academic writing is non-negotiable for publishing in peer-reviewed journals and successfully completing your thesis, directly influencing your academic reputation and employability.
Intermediate Stage
Identify and Refine Research Niche- (undefined)
By the end of coursework, actively engage in literature reviews to identify a specific, unexplored niche within Accounting & Finance. Attend national and international conferences (even virtually) to understand current debates and gather feedback on preliminary research ideas. Start formulating a detailed research proposal.
Tools & Resources
JSTOR, Scopus, Web of Science, SSRN, Google Scholar alerts
Career Connection
A well-defined and novel research niche helps in crafting a compelling thesis and developing a unique research identity, making you a more attractive candidate for faculty positions specializing in that area.
Participate in Research Workshops and Data Training- (undefined)
Enroll in specialized workshops on advanced econometric software (e.g., Stata, R, Python) and financial databases (e.g., Prowess, CMIE, Bloomberg). Gain hands-on experience in data extraction, cleaning, and analysis relevant to your research proposal.
Tools & Resources
Stata/R/Python tutorials, Bloomberg terminal access, Prowess database training
Career Connection
Proficiency in statistical software and major financial databases is a critical skill for empirical research in accounting and finance, directly enhancing your ability to conduct high-impact studies and securing research-intensive roles.
Present Research at Seminars and Conferences- (undefined)
Present your developing research ideas and preliminary findings at departmental seminars, inter-IIM colloquia, and national conferences. Actively seek constructive criticism and incorporate feedback to strengthen your research design and argumentation.
Tools & Resources
IIM Ranchi internal seminars, Indian Finance Association (IFA) conferences, Accounting & Finance Association of India (AFAI) meetings
Career Connection
Presenting your work enhances your communication skills, provides valuable feedback for improving your research, and builds your academic network, increasing your visibility within the scholarly community.
Advanced Stage
Focus on Thesis Completion and Publication- (undefined)
Dedicate concerted effort to writing and refining your doctoral thesis, ensuring its academic rigor and originality. Simultaneously, aim to convert your best thesis chapters into publishable journal articles. Target reputable ''''A'''' or ''''A*'''' ranked journals in Accounting & Finance.
Tools & Resources
Journal of Finance, The Accounting Review, Journal of Financial Economics, SSRN pre-print server
Career Connection
Timely completion of a high-quality thesis and successful publication in top-tier journals are the primary determinants for securing faculty positions at premier institutions and advancing your academic career.
Prepare for Academic Job Market- (undefined)
Develop a strong academic CV and teaching statement. Practice job talks and chalk talks extensively, rehearsing your research presentation and teaching philosophy. Network with recruiters and faculty from institutions where you aspire to work.
Tools & Resources
Mock job talks with faculty feedback, IIM Ranchi Placement Cell (for academic roles), Academic career workshops
Career Connection
Strategic preparation for the academic job market is crucial for converting your PhD into a successful faculty position, aligning your research and teaching profile with institutional requirements.
Cultivate a Research Pipeline- (undefined)
Beyond the thesis, begin conceptualizing new research projects and collaborations to build a sustainable research pipeline. Attend grant writing workshops if available, to explore funding opportunities for future work. Think long-term about your research agenda.
Tools & Resources
UGC/ICSSR research grants, Collaborative research groups, Conferences for idea generation
Career Connection
Developing a robust research pipeline ensures continued academic productivity post-PhD, which is essential for promotions, tenure, and establishing yourself as a leading scholar in your field.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- A Master''''s Degree or a 5-year Integrated Master''''s Degree with at least 60% marks; OR a Bachelor''''s Degree with 60% marks AND a Professional Qualification (CA/ICWA/CS) with 50% marks; OR a 4-year / 8-semester Bachelor''''s degree with at least 75% marks. All candidates must have minimum 60% marks in all public examinations from 10th standard onwards. Valid CAT / GRE / GMAT / GATE / JRF (UGC/CSIR) score.
Duration: 5 years
Credits: 57 credits (for coursework phase) Credits
Assessment: Assessment pattern not specified
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHD101 | Research Methodology | Core | 3 | Philosophy of Research, Research Design, Sampling Methods, Data Collection Techniques, Measurement and Scaling, Hypothesis Formulation |
| PHD102 | Probability & Statistics for Research | Core | 3 | Probability Theory, Random Variables and Distributions, Parameter Estimation, Hypothesis Testing, ANOVA and ANCOVA, Non-parametric Tests |
| PHD103 | Advanced Quantitative Techniques | Core | 3 | Multivariate Analysis, Factor Analysis, Cluster Analysis, Discriminant Analysis, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) |
| PHD104 | Introduction to Econometrics | Core | 3 | Classical Linear Regression Model, OLS Assumptions, Heteroscedasticity, Autocorrelation, Multicollinearity, Introduction to Time Series |
| PHD105 | Qualitative Research Methods | Core | 3 | Qualitative Research Paradigms, Case Study Research, Ethnography, Grounded Theory, Content and Discourse Analysis, Interviews and Focus Groups |
| PHD106 | Academic Writing and Publication Ethics | Core | 3 | Structure of a Research Paper, Literature Review, Referencing and Citation Styles, Plagiarism and Academic Integrity, Peer Review Process, Ethical Guidelines for Publication |
| PHD107 | Philosophy of Science & Research Ethics | Core | 3 | Epistemology and Ontology, Positivism and Interpretivism, Post-structuralism and Critical Theory, Research Integrity, Ethical Approval Process, Data Privacy and Confidentiality |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHD201 | Advanced Econometrics | Core | 3 | Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE), Panel Data Models, Limited Dependent Variable Models, Time Series Econometrics, Causality and Endogeneity |
| PHD202 | Research Seminar Series | Core | 3 | Presentation of Research Ideas, Critical Evaluation of Academic Papers, Interdisciplinary Research Dialogues, Feedback and Discussion Sessions, Current Trends in Management Research, Networking with Scholars |
| PHDAF01 | Advanced Financial Accounting | Specialization Core | 3 | International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS), Consolidation of Financial Statements, Accounting for Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Governance and Reporting, Contemporary Accounting Issues |
| PHDAF02 | Advanced Corporate Finance | Specialization Core | 3 | Capital Structure Theories, Dividend Policy Decisions, Mergers, Acquisitions and Restructuring, Corporate Valuation Models, Risk Management in Finance, Behavioral Corporate Finance |
| PHDAF03 | Financial Markets & Institutions | Specialization Core | 3 | Structure of Indian Financial System, Banking and Non-Banking Financial Companies, Capital Market Operations, Money Market Instruments, Financial Regulation (RBI, SEBI), Financial Innovation and Crises |
| PHDAF04 | Empirical Research in Accounting | Specialization Core | 3 | Archival Accounting Research, Market-Based Accounting Research, Event Study Methodology, Textual Analysis in Accounting, Experimental Accounting Research, Data Sources for Accounting Studies |
| PHDAF05 | Empirical Research in Finance | Specialization Core | 3 | Asset Pricing Models (CAPM, Fama-French), Market Efficiency Tests, Time Series Analysis in Finance, Behavioral Finance Research, Corporate Finance Empirical Methods, Quantitative Trading Strategies |
| PHDAF06 | Research Design in Accounting & Finance | Specialization Core | 3 | Identifying Research Gaps, Developing Research Questions, Theoretical Frameworks, Hypothesis Development, Methodological Choices, Review of Related Literature |
| PHDEL01 | Elective Course I | Elective | 3 | |
| PHDEL02 | Elective Course II | Elective | 3 | |
| PHDEL03 | Elective Course III | Elective | 3 | |
| PHDEL04 | Elective Course IV | Elective | 3 |




