Accounting and Finance

1. Department Context and Research Mission

The Department of Accounting and Finance at HMU represents one of the top academic units in the country with an emphasis on delivering exceptional educational opportunities, research, and professional development in areas such as accounting, auditing, financial reporting, corporate governance, auditing standards, taxation and making decisions about finances. The Department has developed a strong name for itself through its ability to provide students, employers, regulatory bodies and the wider business community in both Greece and internationally with educational and professional programs that are grounded in both theory and practice. Through the PhD program, the Department aims to train academics that will be able to conduct original and high-impact research that enhances the body of knowledge in areas of accounting, auditing, finance and organizational governance.

2. Doctoral Programme Structure and Progression

The PhD in Accounting and Finance at HMU is a research-focused program which is intended to prepare graduates who have the ability to produce new scholarly and professional contributions to the field of accounting and finance. The PhD program is subject to national laws and regulations governing doctoral studies in addition to internal policies and procedures that ensure consistency with both Greek and European frameworks for doctoral education.
Full time PhD study typically takes a minimum of three (3) academic years, while the maximum allowable period of study is six (6) years to enable candidates to complete longer research projects, to accommodate part time enrollment, or to support professional obligations. Part-time enrollment is possible provided the applicant has justification for part-time study and approval from relevant departmental officials.

Admissions & Eligibility

Admission to the doctoral programme is competitive and based on the candidate’s academic record, prior research experience, alignment of research interests with department faculty, and the quality of a submitted research proposal. Prospective candidates typically hold a Master’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field (e.g., business administration with a finance or accounting focus). The inter-institutional Master’s Programme in Accounting and Auditing jointly delivered with the University of Macedonia exemplifies the Department’s commitment to academic depth and research preparation, and serves as an excellent foundation for doctoral study.

Formal applications include submission of academic transcripts, a detailed research proposal, CV, letters of recommendation, and evidence of English language proficiency where applicable.

The culmination of the doctoral programme is the doctoral dissertation, a substantial work of independent research that demonstrates a novel academic contribution to accounting and finance. The dissertation must be presented and defended before a committee of external and internal experts. The defense assesses the candidate’s mastery of the literature, clarity of research rationale, methodological rigor, analytical depth, and the practical or theoretical significance of findings.

3. Academic Domains and Research Focus Areas

Doctoral research at the Department of Accounting and Finance spans multiple, interrelated domains that respond to both academic inquiry and professional needs:

Financial Reporting & International Accounting Standards

Research in this domain centers on the application, interpretation, and impact of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and other financial reporting frameworks. Topics include fair value accounting, disclosure quality, financial statement analysis, and cross-jurisdictional reporting comparability.

Auditing, Assurance & Internal Control Systems

This area includes research on audit quality, professional skepticism, audit market dynamics, internal control effectiveness, risk assessment frameworks, and regulatory influences on auditing practices. Doctoral candidates may explore theoretical underpinnings as well as empirical impacts of audit interventions.

Corporate Governance & Financial Oversight

Investigations focus on governance structures, board effectiveness, shareholder rights, executive compensation, stakeholder engagement, and mechanisms that influence organizational accountability and transparency. Research here examines both normative frameworks and measurable outcomes in governance practice.

Taxation, Public Policy & Fiscal Reporting

This domain addresses corporate and personal taxation, fiscal policy analysis, tax compliance, tax planning strategies, and the interaction between tax regulation and economic behavior. Doctoral work may engage economic modelling, policy evaluation, and comparative taxation studies.

Financial Markets, Risk, and Corporate Finance

Candidates interested in finance may investigate capital markets, asset pricing, risk management techniques, corporate valuation, investment strategies, and financial derivatives. Research often intersects with quantitative modelling and empirical testing in market data settings.

These domains encourage interdisciplinary approaches when appropriate, supporting research that combines accounting logic, economic theory, data analytics, and behavioral insights.

4. Research Integration, Facilities & Engagement

Doctoral candidates engage in rigorous research integration, utilizing advanced methodologies, statistical and econometric tools, and contemporary software platforms for data analysis. The Department supports research through access to academic databases, software for quantitative modelling and textual analysis, and scholarly resources central to high-impact research.

Engagement in research seminars, workshops, and conference activities enhances candidates’ professional development and scholarly visibility. The Department encourages publication in peer-reviewed international journals, participation in academic conferences, and involvement with research networks. Collaboration with external research institutions, professional associations, and industry partners also provides pathways for applied research and impact.

5. Graduate Outcomes and Professional Preparation

The Graduates of the PhD in Accounting and Finance are expected to:

• Conduct independent research that advances theoretical and empirical understanding in accounting and finance.

• Design and execute rigorous research using appropriate qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies.

• Demonstrate mastery of specialized technical skills required to analyze complex financial, governance, and policy issues.

• Communicate research findings effectively to academic, professional, and public audiences.

• Contribute to academic knowledge through publication, peer review, and scholarly engagement.

• Operate ethically and responsibly in research conduct and dissemination, recognizing broader societal implications.

Career Pathways & Impact

Doctoral graduates are well positioned for:

• Academic careers as faculty members, lecturers, and researchers in universities and research institutions.

• Professional research roles in think tanks, consulting firms, financial institutions, and regulatory bodies.

• Governance and policy advisory positions where advanced expertise in accounting, auditing, and finance informs decision-making.

• Leadership in education, corporate strategy, and innovation, especially in settings where analytical rigor and evidence-based insight are critical.

The programme’s emphasis on original research, professional relevance, and methodological depth equips graduates to address complex global challenges in the domains of financial accountability, organizational transparency, and economic resilience.