Doctorate of Finance And Accounting

PROGRAM DETAIL

Degree Granted: D.F.A.

Qualification Framework: Level 9
Program Duration: 3 Academic Years
Program Level: Postgraduate (Doctoral)
Program Entry: Regular / RPEL
Program Credits: 60 SCU / 60 SCH / 120 ECTS
Mode of Study: Distance Learning
Mode of Learning: Self-Paced with Structured Doctoral Learning Phases
Mode of Assessment: Coursework, Applied Assignments, Doctoral Project / Dissertation / Publication
Language: English
Location: Asynchronous
Total Tuition Fee: $32,000
Scholarships: Up to 90%
Start Date: Anytime
Student Support: 24/7

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Doctorate of Finance and Accounting (DFA) at Enigma Business School is a practice-oriented doctoral program designed for senior finance leaders, accounting professionals, financial strategists, auditors, and consultants who seek to advance financial governance, strategic financial management, and applied financial research at the highest professional level.

The program integrates advanced finance theory, accounting standards, financial analytics, risk management, corporate governance, and applied research, enabling candidates to address complex financial challenges with rigor and strategic insight. Unlike traditional academic PhD programs, the DFA emphasizes practice-relevant inquiry, executive-level decision-making, and organizational impact.

Delivered through a flexible distance learning and self-paced model, the DFA allows experienced professionals to pursue doctoral-level education while maintaining active leadership responsibilities.

 

Program Objectives

The DFA program aims to:

  • Develop doctoral-level expertise in finance and accounting practice
  • Strengthen strategic financial decision-making and governance capability
  • Enhance competence in financial analysis, risk, and performance measurement
  • Enable candidates to conduct rigorous applied financial and accounting research
  • Prepare graduates for senior executive, advisory, and thought leadership roles

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the DFA program, graduates will be able to:

  • Critically analyze complex financial and accounting challenges
  • Integrate advanced finance and accounting theories with professional practice
  • Design and evaluate strategic financial and governance systems
  • Apply analytics and research methods to financial decision-making
  • Produce original applied research that contributes to finance and accounting practice

 

Candidate Profile

The DFA program is designed for:

  • Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and finance directors
  • Senior accountants and auditors
  • Finance and accounting consultants
  • Investment and risk management professionals
  • Executives responsible for financial governance and control

Why Choose This Program?

  • Practice-oriented doctoral degree in finance and accounting
  • Flexible self-paced structure for senior professionals
  • Multiple doctoral completion pathways
  • Strong emphasis on financial governance and applied research
  • Supervision by experienced academics and practitioner-scholars
  • Internationally accredited doctoral program
  • ISO-certified institution
  • AI-supported academic learning environment
  • Global recognition and degree verification

Program Structure

The DFA program requires completion of 60 credits, typically over 3 years, structured into progressive Doctoral Learning Phases.

  • Core Doctoral Courses: 42 credits (advanced finance and accounting foundation)
  • Doctoral Completion Pathway: 18 credits

Doctoral Learning Phase Framework

  • Phase 1: Advanced Foundations of Finance and Accounting
  • Phase 2: Strategic Financial Management, Governance, and Analytics
  • Phase 3: Applied Financial Research and Organizational Impact
  • Phase 4: Doctoral Completion Pathway

Curriculum and Syllabus

Core Doctoral Courses (42 Credits)

Course

Credits

Advanced Finance Theory and Contemporary Financial Practice

4

Advanced Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards

4

Strategic Financial Management and Value Creation

4

Philosophy and Ethics of Finance and Accounting

3

Advanced Research Methods in Finance and Accounting

4

Financial Analytics and Evidence-Based Decision Making

4

Risk Management, Compliance, and Financial Governance

4

Corporate Finance, Investment, and Capital Markets

4

Advanced Management Accounting and Performance Control

3

Doctoral Seminar in Finance and Accounting

4

Total Core Credits

42

Doctoral Completion Pathway (18 Credits)

Candidates select one of the following pathways:

Option 1: Doctoral Dissertation

  • Dissertation Proposal and Defense – 6 credits
  • Applied Finance and Accounting Research and Dissertation Writing – 12 credits

Option 2: Doctoral Project (Practice-Based)

  • Doctoral Project Proposal – 6 credits
  • Strategic Financial Intervention and Organizational Evaluation – 12 credits

Option 3: Publication-Based Doctorate

  • Research Design and Publication Strategy – 6 credits
  • Peer-Reviewed or Professional Finance & Accounting Publication Portfolio – 12 credits

Specialization Areas

DFA candidates may focus their research on areas such as:

  • Corporate Governance And Ethical Leadership
  • Financial Markets And Risk Analytics
  • Accounting Standards And Reporting Research
  • FinTech And Financial Innovation
  • Accounting Information Security
  • Behavioral Finance And Decision Sciences
  • Audit And Investigation
  • Financial Forensics
  • International Finance & Accounting
  • Digital Financial Transformation

Specializations will allow candidates to deepen scientific competence in a selected applied fields.

Learning Methodology

  • Self-paced doctoral study
  • Advanced seminars and guided independent research
  • One-on-one academic supervision and mentoring
  • Applied financial cases and organizational diagnostics
  • AI-supported research, analytics, and academic writing tools

Entry Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent qualification
  • Significant professional experience in finance or accounting roles
  • Demonstrated capacity for doctoral-level study
  • English proficiency suitable for advanced academic research
  • Eligibility for RPEL and equivalency assessment may apply

Admissions Process

  • Online doctoral application submission
  • Academic and professional portfolio review
  • Doctoral readiness and research interest assessment
  • Approval by the Academic Council
  • Enrollment confirmation and doctoral onboarding

Admissions operate under a Rolling Admission System.

Assessment and Evaluation Method

Assessment is based on:

  • Doctoral coursework and applied assignments
  • Research proposals and milestone evaluations
  • Final dissertation, project, or publication portfolio
  • Oral defense or formal evaluation panel

All assessments adhere to doctoral-level academic rigor and financial ethics standards.

Completion Requirements

To be awarded the DFA degree, candidates must:

  • Complete all required coursework and credits
  • Successfully complete one approved doctoral pathway
  • Demonstrate original contribution to finance and accounting practice
  • Comply with academic integrity and professional ethics policies

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the DFA program are prepared for senior-level roles such as:

  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
  • Finance Director
  • Vice President
  • Senior Accounting Partner
  • Investment and Risk Management Advisor
  • Financial Governance and Compliance Advisor
  • University Professor
  • Faculty Member
  • Board-Level Audit and Finance Advisor
  • Financial Policy Analyst
  • Management & Strategy Consultant

International Accreditation and Global Recognition

The Doctorate of Finance and Accounting at Enigma Business School is internationally accredited by SEAAC (South East Asian Accreditation Council), ICDLA (International Commission for Distance Learning Accreditation), EDLC (European Distance Learning Commission), GABDE (Global Accreditation Board for Distance Education), and IAHRM (International Association of Human Resources Management). All of these institutions are highly respected accreditation bodies in ASEAN, EU and the USA.

Program Notes

The Doctorate of Finance and Accounting at Enigma Business School represents a rigorous, applied, and strategically oriented doctoral program that empowers senior finance and accounting professionals to generate original knowledge, strengthen financial governance, and influence organizational performance in complex global environments.

Program Director,

Doctorate of Finance And Accounting (DFA)

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