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Research Topics & Ideas: Finance

120+ Finance Research Topic Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

If you’re just starting out exploring potential research topics for your finance-related dissertation, thesis or research project, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll help kickstart your research topic ideation process by providing a hearty list of finance-centric research topics and ideas.

PS – This is just the start…

We know it’s exciting to run through a list of research topics, but please keep in mind that this list is just a starting point . To develop a suitable education-related research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan of action to fill that gap.

If this sounds foreign to you, check out our free research topic webinar that explores how to find and refine a high-quality research topic, from scratch. Alternatively, if you’d like hands-on help, consider our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Overview: Finance Research Topics

  • Corporate finance topics
  • Investment banking topics
  • Private equity & VC
  • Asset management
  • Hedge funds
  • Financial planning & advisory
  • Quantitative finance
  • Treasury management
  • Financial technology (FinTech)
  • Commercial banking
  • International finance

Research topic idea mega list

Corporate Finance

These research topic ideas explore a breadth of issues ranging from the examination of capital structure to the exploration of financial strategies in mergers and acquisitions.

  • Evaluating the impact of capital structure on firm performance across different industries
  • Assessing the effectiveness of financial management practices in emerging markets
  • A comparative analysis of the cost of capital and financial structure in multinational corporations across different regulatory environments
  • Examining how integrating sustainability and CSR initiatives affect a corporation’s financial performance and brand reputation
  • Analysing how rigorous financial analysis informs strategic decisions and contributes to corporate growth
  • Examining the relationship between corporate governance structures and financial performance
  • A comparative analysis of financing strategies among mergers and acquisitions
  • Evaluating the importance of financial transparency and its impact on investor relations and trust
  • Investigating the role of financial flexibility in strategic investment decisions during economic downturns
  • Investigating how different dividend policies affect shareholder value and the firm’s financial performance

Investment Banking

The list below presents a series of research topics exploring the multifaceted dimensions of investment banking, with a particular focus on its evolution following the 2008 financial crisis.

  • Analysing the evolution and impact of regulatory frameworks in investment banking post-2008 financial crisis
  • Investigating the challenges and opportunities associated with cross-border M&As facilitated by investment banks.
  • Evaluating the role of investment banks in facilitating mergers and acquisitions in emerging markets
  • Analysing the transformation brought about by digital technologies in the delivery of investment banking services and its effects on efficiency and client satisfaction.
  • Evaluating the role of investment banks in promoting sustainable finance and the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria in investment decisions.
  • Assessing the impact of technology on the efficiency and effectiveness of investment banking services
  • Examining the effectiveness of investment banks in pricing and marketing IPOs, and the subsequent performance of these IPOs in the stock market.
  • A comparative analysis of different risk management strategies employed by investment banks
  • Examining the relationship between investment banking fees and corporate performance
  • A comparative analysis of competitive strategies employed by leading investment banks and their impact on market share and profitability

Private Equity & Venture Capital (VC)

These research topic ideas are centred on venture capital and private equity investments, with a focus on their impact on technological startups, emerging technologies, and broader economic ecosystems.

  • Investigating the determinants of successful venture capital investments in tech startups
  • Analysing the trends and outcomes of venture capital funding in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, or clean energy
  • Assessing the performance and return on investment of different exit strategies employed by venture capital firms
  • Assessing the impact of private equity investments on the financial performance of SMEs
  • Analysing the role of venture capital in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship
  • Evaluating the exit strategies of private equity firms: A comparative analysis
  • Exploring the ethical considerations in private equity and venture capital financing
  • Investigating how private equity ownership influences operational efficiency and overall business performance
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of corporate governance structures in companies backed by private equity investments
  • Examining how the regulatory environment in different regions affects the operations, investments and performance of private equity and venture capital firms

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Asset Management

This list includes a range of research topic ideas focused on asset management, probing into the effectiveness of various strategies, the integration of technology, and the alignment with ethical principles among other key dimensions.

  • Analysing the effectiveness of different asset allocation strategies in diverse economic environments
  • Analysing the methodologies and effectiveness of performance attribution in asset management firms
  • Assessing the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria on fund performance
  • Examining the role of robo-advisors in modern asset management
  • Evaluating how advancements in technology are reshaping portfolio management strategies within asset management firms
  • Evaluating the performance persistence of mutual funds and hedge funds
  • Investigating the long-term performance of portfolios managed with ethical or socially responsible investing principles
  • Investigating the behavioural biases in individual and institutional investment decisions
  • Examining the asset allocation strategies employed by pension funds and their impact on long-term fund performance
  • Assessing the operational efficiency of asset management firms and its correlation with fund performance

Hedge Funds

Here we explore research topics related to hedge fund operations and strategies, including their implications on corporate governance, financial market stability, and regulatory compliance among other critical facets.

  • Assessing the impact of hedge fund activism on corporate governance and financial performance
  • Analysing the effectiveness and implications of market-neutral strategies employed by hedge funds
  • Investigating how different fee structures impact the performance and investor attraction to hedge funds
  • Evaluating the contribution of hedge funds to financial market liquidity and the implications for market stability
  • Analysing the risk-return profile of hedge fund strategies during financial crises
  • Evaluating the influence of regulatory changes on hedge fund operations and performance
  • Examining the level of transparency and disclosure practices in the hedge fund industry and its impact on investor trust and regulatory compliance
  • Assessing the contribution of hedge funds to systemic risk in financial markets, and the effectiveness of regulatory measures in mitigating such risks
  • Examining the role of hedge funds in financial market stability
  • Investigating the determinants of hedge fund success: A comparative analysis

Financial Planning and Advisory

This list explores various research topic ideas related to financial planning, focusing on the effects of financial literacy, the adoption of digital tools, taxation policies, and the role of financial advisors.

  • Evaluating the impact of financial literacy on individual financial planning effectiveness
  • Analysing how different taxation policies influence financial planning strategies among individuals and businesses
  • Evaluating the effectiveness and user adoption of digital tools in modern financial planning practices
  • Investigating the adequacy of long-term financial planning strategies in ensuring retirement security
  • Assessing the role of financial education in shaping financial planning behaviour among different demographic groups
  • Examining the impact of psychological biases on financial planning and decision-making, and strategies to mitigate these biases
  • Assessing the behavioural factors influencing financial planning decisions
  • Examining the role of financial advisors in managing retirement savings
  • A comparative analysis of traditional versus robo-advisory in financial planning
  • Investigating the ethics of financial advisory practices

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The following list delves into research topics within the insurance sector, touching on the technological transformations, regulatory shifts, and evolving consumer behaviours among other pivotal aspects.

  • Analysing the impact of technology adoption on insurance pricing and risk management
  • Analysing the influence of Insurtech innovations on the competitive dynamics and consumer choices in insurance markets
  • Investigating the factors affecting consumer behaviour in insurance product selection and the role of digital channels in influencing decisions
  • Assessing the effect of regulatory changes on insurance product offerings
  • Examining the determinants of insurance penetration in emerging markets
  • Evaluating the operational efficiency of claims management processes in insurance companies and its impact on customer satisfaction
  • Examining the evolution and effectiveness of risk assessment models used in insurance underwriting and their impact on pricing and coverage
  • Evaluating the role of insurance in financial stability and economic development
  • Investigating the impact of climate change on insurance models and products
  • Exploring the challenges and opportunities in underwriting cyber insurance in the face of evolving cyber threats and regulations

Quantitative Finance

These topic ideas span the development of asset pricing models, evaluation of machine learning algorithms, and the exploration of ethical implications among other pivotal areas.

  • Developing and testing new quantitative models for asset pricing
  • Analysing the effectiveness and limitations of machine learning algorithms in predicting financial market movements
  • Assessing the effectiveness of various risk management techniques in quantitative finance
  • Evaluating the advancements in portfolio optimisation techniques and their impact on risk-adjusted returns
  • Evaluating the impact of high-frequency trading on market efficiency and stability
  • Investigating the influence of algorithmic trading strategies on market efficiency and liquidity
  • Examining the risk parity approach in asset allocation and its effectiveness in different market conditions
  • Examining the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence in quantitative financial analysis
  • Investigating the ethical implications of quantitative financial innovations
  • Assessing the profitability and market impact of statistical arbitrage strategies considering different market microstructures

Treasury Management

The following topic ideas explore treasury management, focusing on modernisation through technological advancements, the impact on firm liquidity, and the intertwined relationship with corporate governance among other crucial areas.

  • Analysing the impact of treasury management practices on firm liquidity and profitability
  • Analysing the role of automation in enhancing operational efficiency and strategic decision-making in treasury management
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of various cash management strategies in multinational corporations
  • Investigating the potential of blockchain technology in streamlining treasury operations and enhancing transparency
  • Examining the role of treasury management in mitigating financial risks
  • Evaluating the accuracy and effectiveness of various cash flow forecasting techniques employed in treasury management
  • Assessing the impact of technological advancements on treasury management operations
  • Examining the effectiveness of different foreign exchange risk management strategies employed by treasury managers in multinational corporations
  • Assessing the impact of regulatory compliance requirements on the operational and strategic aspects of treasury management
  • Investigating the relationship between treasury management and corporate governance

Financial Technology (FinTech)

The following research topic ideas explore the transformative potential of blockchain, the rise of open banking, and the burgeoning landscape of peer-to-peer lending among other focal areas.

  • Evaluating the impact of blockchain technology on financial services
  • Investigating the implications of open banking on consumer data privacy and financial services competition
  • Assessing the role of FinTech in financial inclusion in emerging markets
  • Analysing the role of peer-to-peer lending platforms in promoting financial inclusion and their impact on traditional banking systems
  • Examining the cybersecurity challenges faced by FinTech firms and the regulatory measures to ensure data protection and financial stability
  • Examining the regulatory challenges and opportunities in the FinTech ecosystem
  • Assessing the impact of artificial intelligence on the delivery of financial services, customer experience, and operational efficiency within FinTech firms
  • Analysing the adoption and impact of cryptocurrencies on traditional financial systems
  • Investigating the determinants of success for FinTech startups

Research topic evaluator

Commercial Banking

These topic ideas span commercial banking, encompassing digital transformation, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the evolving regulatory and competitive landscape among other key themes.

  • Assessing the impact of digital transformation on commercial banking services and competitiveness
  • Analysing the impact of digital transformation on customer experience and operational efficiency in commercial banking
  • Evaluating the role of commercial banks in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
  • Investigating the effectiveness of credit risk management practices and their impact on bank profitability and financial stability
  • Examining the relationship between commercial banking practices and financial stability
  • Evaluating the implications of open banking frameworks on the competitive landscape and service innovation in commercial banking
  • Assessing how regulatory changes affect lending practices and risk appetite of commercial banks
  • Examining how commercial banks are adapting their strategies in response to competition from FinTech firms and changing consumer preferences
  • Analysing the impact of regulatory compliance on commercial banking operations
  • Investigating the determinants of customer satisfaction and loyalty in commercial banking

International Finance

The folowing research topic ideas are centred around international finance and global economic dynamics, delving into aspects like exchange rate fluctuations, international financial regulations, and the role of international financial institutions among other pivotal areas.

  • Analysing the determinants of exchange rate fluctuations and their impact on international trade
  • Analysing the influence of global trade agreements on international financial flows and foreign direct investments
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of international portfolio diversification strategies in mitigating risks and enhancing returns
  • Evaluating the role of international financial institutions in global financial stability
  • Investigating the role and implications of offshore financial centres on international financial stability and regulatory harmonisation
  • Examining the impact of global financial crises on emerging market economies
  • Examining the challenges and regulatory frameworks associated with cross-border banking operations
  • Assessing the effectiveness of international financial regulations
  • Investigating the challenges and opportunities of cross-border mergers and acquisitions

Choosing A Research Topic

These finance-related research topic ideas are starting points to guide your thinking. They are intentionally very broad and open-ended. By engaging with the currently literature in your field of interest, you’ll be able to narrow down your focus to a specific research gap .

When choosing a topic , you’ll need to take into account its originality, relevance, feasibility, and the resources you have at your disposal. Make sure to align your interest and expertise in the subject with your university program’s specific requirements. Always consult your academic advisor to ensure that your chosen topic not only meets the academic criteria but also provides a valuable contribution to the field. 

If you need a helping hand, feel free to check out our private coaching service here.

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The field of finance covers the economics of claims on resources. Financial economists study the valuation of these claims, the markets in which they are traded, and their use by individuals, corporations, and the society at large.

At Stanford GSB, finance faculty and doctoral students study a wide spectrum of financial topics, including the pricing and valuation of assets, the behavior of financial markets, and the structure and financial decision-making of firms and financial intermediaries.

Investigation of issues arising in these areas is pursued both through the development of theoretical models and through the empirical testing of those models. The PhD Program is designed to give students a good understanding of the methods used in theoretical modeling and empirical testing.

Preparation and Qualifications

All students are required to have, or to obtain during their first year, mathematical skills at the level of one year of calculus and one course each in linear algebra and matrix theory, theory of probability, and statistical inference.

Students are expected to have familiarity with programming and data analysis using tools and software such as MATLAB, Stata, R, Python, or Julia, or to correct any deficiencies before enrolling at Stanford.

The PhD program in finance involves a great deal of very hard work, and there is keen competition for admission. For both these reasons, the faculty is selective in offering admission. Prospective applicants must have an aptitude for quantitative work and be at ease in handling formal models. A strong background in economics and college-level mathematics is desirable.

It is particularly important to realize that a PhD in finance is not a higher-level MBA, but an advanced, academically oriented degree in financial economics, with a reflective and analytical, rather than operational, viewpoint.

Faculty in Finance

Anat r. admati, juliane begenau, jonathan b. berk, greg buchak, antonio coppola, peter m. demarzo, darrell duffie, steven grenadier, benjamin hébert, arvind krishnamurthy, hanno lustig, matteo maggiori, paul pfleiderer, joshua d. rauh, claudia robles-garcia, ilya a. strebulaev, vikrant vig, jeffrey zwiebel, emeriti faculty, robert l. joss, george g.c. parker, myron s. scholes, william f. sharpe, kenneth j. singleton, james c. van horne, recent publications in finance, expectations and the neutrality of interest rates, real effects of supplying safe private money, how credit cycles across a financial crisis, recent insights by stanford business, your summer 2024 podcast playlist, why the “venture mindset” is not just for tech investors, how to: reject pitches like a venture capitalist.

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Wharton’s PhD program in Finance provides students with a solid foundation in the theoretical and empirical tools of modern finance, drawing heavily on the discipline of economics.

The department prepares students for careers in research and teaching at the world’s leading academic institutions, focusing on Asset Pricing and Portfolio Management, Corporate Finance, International Finance, Financial Institutions and Macroeconomics.

Wharton’s Finance faculty, widely recognized as the finest in the world, has been at the forefront of several areas of research. For example, members of the faculty have led modern innovations in theories of portfolio choice and savings behavior, which have significantly impacted the asset pricing techniques used by researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. Another example is the contribution by faculty members to the analysis of financial institutions and markets, which is fundamental to our understanding of the trade-offs between economic systems and their implications for financial fragility and crises.

Faculty research, both empirical and theoretical, includes such areas as:

  • Structure of financial markets
  • Formation and behavior of financial asset prices
  • Banking and monetary systems
  • Corporate control and capital structure
  • Saving and capital formation
  • International financial markets

Candidates with undergraduate training in economics, mathematics, engineering, statistics, and other quantitative disciplines have an ideal background for doctoral studies in this field.

Effective 2023, The Wharton Finance PhD Program is now STEM certified.

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Heather Tookes

Financial economics encompasses a broad area of topics and issues, including corporate investments and financing policy, security valuation, portfolio management, the behavior of prices in speculative markets, financial institutions, and intermediation.

The PhD specialization in finance is designed to give the student a strong background for study and research in both theoretical and empirical work in finance and related areas. Emphasis is placed on understanding the important concepts and models. Students normally take several graduate courses in the Department of Economics, particularly in microeconomics and macroeconomic theory, the economics of uncertainty, and econometrics.

Will Goetzmann

The program offers two courses specifically in financial theory and its applications. In addition, the faculty and doctoral students attend a seminar that features speakers from around the country. However, the specialization is built primarily around individual study and research under the guidance of the faculty.

Examples of potential areas of research for the financial economics dissertation:

  • Principal-agent relationships
  • Financial intermediation
  • Efficiency of markets
  • Portfolio selection

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Research topics for finance 2023

Research topics for finance 2023.

Finance is the study of money management. The economy runs the world, and financial decisions are made on a daily basis. Currency, loans, bonds, shares, and stocks are all banked, invested, and insured. From small start-ups to large multinational corporations (MNCs), everyone needs finance expertise for insurance and tax reporting. Emerging technologies are constantly changing the way people interact with money, and financial institutions gain from block chain, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud banking, and robotic process automation (RPA).

Are you prepared to be on the cutting edge of knowledge? With the help of our innovative platform, Latest research Topics, stay informed and involved. We keep you abreast of developments in today's quick-paced world by bringing you the most recent Ph.D. Topics examples on a variety of domains

As finance & economics is the most in-demand subject, choosing a topic for in-depth research might be difficult. PhD Assistance may assist you in selecting a topic in finance from a broad array of application industries and study latest technology that financial sector use.

  • A topic modelling approach to machine learning in finance
  • Dynamic topic networks to evaluate systemic risk in financial markets
  • Power dynamics in infrastructure public-private partnerships financing
  • A systematic review of Fintech developments and ramifications in Islamic Finance
  • A study on Risk evaluation of blockchain-powered supply chain financing research
  • Impact of privatization on of banks efficiency and profitability: Role of privatisation.
  • Stock prices, and cash supply cycle.
  • Creating self-employment and financial independence: Contrasting micro-finance banks, micro-finance institutions and their rural support campaigns.
  • CAPM validation in guessing stock values in Bombay stock exchange.
  • Using the evidence from the sugar industry and related industries to know stock returns and other basic variables.
  • Sales price, debt equity, book, and organization size—which of these are an apt barometer of stock exchange returns.
  • Mutual funds, their attributes, their performance in the UK.
  • What are the optimal debt and equity ratio in various funds?
  • Stock returns on capital market investments.
  • Relation between return on investment and price-earning ratio.
  • A study on price-earnings ratio to guess future growth patterns.
  • How dividend pay-out ratio is impacted by the factor’s effect?
  • Price-earnings ratio and growth—what’s the relation?
  • Studying the relation between dividends and company’s earning in wheat processing industry in the UK.
  • Mutual fund’s performance indicators and size of funds.
  • Automobile sector in the UK and how the capital structure is determined.
  • What factors contribute to a decision on mutual fund investment?
  • Forecasting stock price through a model of dividend discount. A study on building industry.
  • How macroeconomic variables impact stock sector of UK.
  • Mutual fund performance assessment.
  • Studying the stock returns by comparing sales price, debt-equity, and book market value.
  • Investment spending in the building industry and cash flow. What is the relationship?
  • Studying price-earnings ratio in calculating growth
  • Impact of free cash flow in a firm’s investment.
  • Long-haul performance of IPO’s in the UK. An empirical analysis
  • Investment policy and financial leverage.
  • Future developments in financial reinforcement learning Techniques
  • Structure of the board of directors and the composition’s impact on an organization’s performance.
  • How taxation affects an organization’s dividend payout ratio?
  • Islamic (Ijara contract) financing and its client satisfaction percentage.
  • How mergers and acquisitions affect the firm’s performance in the building sector?
  • Causes of changes in price to earnings ratio.
  • Share price fluctuations and reasons for fluctuations.
  • Stock price, economic variables such as interest rate, inflation, and GDP.
  • How profitability is impacted by capital structure.
  • How a banks’ profitability is affected by interest rate changes.
  • The rate of inflation and stock market returns. Is there a connection?
  • Stock price volatility versus Dividend policy.
  • Pharma sector and what determines the capital structure.
  • Stock’s returns and how it is affected by leverage?
  • Factors that forecast mutual fund’s performance in the UK.
  • Results of various traits that lead to acquisitions and mergers in the UK.
  • Factors impacting leverage in concrete sector industry in the UK.
  • How the bank’s profitability is affected by liquidity?
  • Free cash flows and investment in the textile sector in the UK. Is there a connection?
  • How working capital impacts a firm’s revenue and profits? Study of UK concrete sector.
  • Is there a connection between capital structure and corporate strategy?
  • Judging the profitability factors of Islamic banking in UAE.
  • Does turnover affect inflation?
  • Is the investment decision affected by dividend?
  • Study of assets and liabilities in balance sheets of various firms.
  • The fiscal policy’s impact on the economy of India.
  • Bond market capitalization in Australia. What are the factors?
  • CPI and bond price. Is there a connection?
  • A literature review on Future Applications of financial instruments 2023

In conclusion, know the statistical techniques and data collection methods before deciding upon a topic.

Also, to get assistance on dissertation topics in education, interior design thesis topics, physiotherapy research topics, dissertation topics in microbiology, IIM dissertation topics, sociology dissertation topics, political science dissertation topics, dissertation topics in pediatrics, and also for Research topics in English literature for Phd, avail our Ph.D topic selection support service today !

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PhD | Finance

phd financial management topics

The Ph.D. in Finance

Stern’s Ph.D. program in finance trains scholars to conduct research at the leading edge of financial economics. The faculty represents one of the largest finance research groups in the world that has been ranked consistently as the leading publisher of academic research in top finance journals. Comprised of more than 40 researchers, including a Nobel-prize-winning economist, our faculty are active in all areas of finance—asset pricing, corporate finance, derivatives, market microstructure, and behavioral finance—with both theoretical and empirical focus, and with emerging specialization in the areas of financial intermediation, crises, and macro-finance. As a result of this unusual breadth, students have access to expertise in almost any topic that they might wish to explore.

Explore Finance

Discover our other fields of study.

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  • Youth Program
  • Wharton Online

Wharton’s PhD program in Finance provides students with a solid foundation in the theoretical and empirical tools of modern finance, drawing heavily on the discipline of economics.

The department prepares students for careers in research and teaching at the world’s leading academic institutions, focusing on Asset Pricing and Portfolio Management, Corporate Finance, International Finance, Financial Institutions and Macroeconomics.

Wharton’s Finance faculty, widely recognized as the finest in the world, has been at the forefront of several areas of research. For example, members of the faculty have led modern innovations in theories of portfolio choice and savings behavior, which have significantly impacted the asset pricing techniques used by researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. Another example is the contribution by faculty members to the analysis of financial institutions and markets, which is fundamental to our understanding of the trade-offs between economic systems and their implications for financial fragility and crises.

Faculty research, both empirical and theoretical, includes such areas as:

  • Structure of financial markets
  • Formation and behavior of financial asset prices
  • Banking and monetary systems
  • Corporate control and capital structure
  • Saving and capital formation
  • International financial markets

For information on courses and sample plan of study, please visit the University Graduate Catalog .

Get the Details.

Visit the Finance website for details on program requirements and courses. Read faculty and student research and bios to see what you can do with a Finance PhD.

Luke Taylor

Finance Doctoral Coordinator Prof. Luke Taylor John B. Neff Associate Professor in Finance, Professor of Finance Co-Director, Rodney L. White Center for Financial Research Email: [email protected] Phone: (215) 898-4802

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The Columbia Advantage

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Finance Doctoral students are trained in major areas in finance and economics, including, asset pricing, corporate finance, continuous-time models in finance, information economics, international finance, market micro-structure, and banking. The program prepares students for careers in scholarly research, and graduates take jobs primarily in academic or research institutions, while some students opt to work in industry. Details about the coursework and research students conduct on their way to earning their doctorate can be found on the  Academics page.  

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The Finance Division at Columbia Business school has a track record of training scholars who go on to become academics at Universities, including many of the world’s most prestigious institutions. Our placement success is due in part to the close working relationship that students develop with the faculty in the division. The School intentionally keeps the PhD program small making it easier for students to find faculty collaborators and thrive. See our  Placement page  for more information.

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Student Life

The Columbia Business School doctoral community consists of 125 students across six programs. The program attracts exceptional students from all over the world who are looking to develop research skills under the tutelage of faculty experts. Students come to the School for the exceptional training but also because they value the diversity, creativity, entrepreneurship and social tolerance that NYC offers. See here  for more about student life. 

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Which program is right for you?

MIT Sloan Campus life

Through intellectual rigor and experiential learning, this full-time, two-year MBA program develops leaders who make a difference in the world.

A rigorous, hands-on program that prepares adaptive problem solvers for premier finance careers.

A 12-month program focused on applying the tools of modern data science, optimization and machine learning to solve real-world business problems.

Earn your MBA and SM in engineering with this transformative two-year program.

Combine an international MBA with a deep dive into management science. A special opportunity for partner and affiliate schools only.

A doctoral program that produces outstanding scholars who are leading in their fields of research.

Bring a business perspective to your technical and quantitative expertise with a bachelor’s degree in management, business analytics, or finance.

A joint program for mid-career professionals that integrates engineering and systems thinking. Earn your master’s degree in engineering and management.

An interdisciplinary program that combines engineering, management, and design, leading to a master’s degree in engineering and management.

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A full-time MBA program for mid-career leaders eager to dedicate one year of discovery for a lifetime of impact.

This 20-month MBA program equips experienced executives to enhance their impact on their organizations and the world.

Non-degree programs for senior executives and high-potential managers.

A non-degree, customizable program for mid-career professionals.

PhD Program

Program overview.

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Rigorous, discipline-based research is the hallmark of the MIT Sloan PhD Program. The program is committed to educating scholars who will lead in their fields of research—those with outstanding intellectual skills who will carry forward productive research on the complex organizational, financial, and technological issues that characterize an increasingly competitive and challenging business world.

Start here.

Learn more about the program, how to apply, and find answers to common questions.

Admissions Events

Check out our event schedule, and learn when you can chat with us in person or online.

Start Your Application

Visit this section to find important admissions deadlines, along with a link to our application.

Click here for answers to many of the most frequently asked questions.

PhD studies at MIT Sloan are intense and individual in nature, demanding a great deal of time, initiative, and discipline from every candidate. But the rewards of such rigor are tremendous:  MIT Sloan PhD graduates go on to teach and conduct research at the world's most prestigious universities.

PhD Program curriculum at MIT Sloan is organized under the following three academic areas: Behavior & Policy Sciences; Economics, Finance & Accounting; and Management Science. Our nine research groups correspond with one of the academic areas, as noted below.

MIT Sloan PhD Research Groups

Behavioral & policy sciences.

Economic Sociology

Institute for Work & Employment Research

Organization Studies

Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Strategic Management

Economics, Finance & Accounting

Accounting  

Management Science

Information Technology

System Dynamics  

Those interested in a PhD in Operations Research should visit the Operations Research Center .  

PhD Students_Work and Organization Studies

PhD Program Structure

Additional information including coursework and thesis requirements.

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MIT Sloan Predoctoral Opportunities

MIT Sloan is eager to provide a diverse group of talented students with early-career exposure to research techniques as well as support in considering research career paths.

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Rising Scholars Conference

The fourth annual Rising Scholars Conference on October 25 and 26 gathers diverse PhD students from across the country to present their research.

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The goal of the MIT Sloan PhD Program's admissions process is to select a small number of people who are most likely to successfully complete our rigorous and demanding program and then thrive in academic research careers. The admission selection process is highly competitive; we aim for a class size of nineteen students, admitted from a pool of hundreds of applicants.

What We Seek

  • Outstanding intellectual ability
  • Excellent academic records
  • Previous work in disciplines related to the intended area of concentration
  • Strong commitment to a career in research

MIT Sloan PhD Program Admissions Requirements Common Questions

Dates and Deadlines

Admissions for 2024 is closed. The next opportunity to apply will be for 2025 admission. The 2025 application will open in September 2024. 

More information on program requirements and application components

Students in good academic standing in our program receive a funding package that includes tuition, medical insurance, and a fellowship stipend and/or TA/RA salary. We also provide a new laptop computer and a conference travel/research budget.

Funding Information

Throughout the year, we organize events that give you a chance to learn more about the program and determine if a PhD in Management is right for you.

PhD Program Events

July phd program overview.

During this webinar, you will hear from the PhD Program team and have the chance to ask questions about the application and admissions process.

August PhD Program Overview

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Complete PhD Admissions Event Calendar

Unlike formulaic approaches to training scholars, the PhD Program at MIT Sloan allows students to choose their own adventure and develop a unique scholarly identity. This can be daunting, but students are given a wide range of support along the way - most notably having access to world class faculty and coursework both at MIT and in the broader academic community around Boston.

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Students Outside of E62

Profiles of our current students

MIT Sloan produces top-notch PhDs in management. Immersed in MIT Sloan's distinctive culture, upcoming graduates are poised to innovate in management research and education.

Academic Job Market

Doctoral candidates on the current academic market

Academic Placements

Graduates of the MIT Sloan PhD Program are researching and teaching at top schools around the world.

view recent placements 

MIT Sloan Experience

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The PhD Program is integral to the research of MIT Sloan's world-class faculty. With a reputation as risk-takers who are unafraid to embrace the unconventional, they are engaged in exciting disciplinary and interdisciplinary research that often includes PhD students as key team members.

Research centers across MIT Sloan and MIT provide a rich setting for collaboration and exploration. In addition to exposure to the faculty, PhD students also learn from one another in a creative, supportive research community.

Throughout MIT Sloan's history, our professors have devised theories and fields of study that have had a profound impact on management theory and practice.

From Douglas McGregor's Theory X/Theory Y distinction to Nobel-recognized breakthroughs in finance by Franco Modigliani and in option pricing by Robert Merton and Myron Scholes, MIT Sloan's faculty have been unmatched innovators.

This legacy of innovative thinking and dedication to research impacts every faculty member and filters down to the students who work beside them.

Faculty Links

  • Accounting Faculty
  • Economic Sociology Faculty
  • Finance Faculty
  • Information Technology Faculty
  • Institute for Work and Employment Research (IWER) Faculty
  • Marketing Faculty
  • Organization Studies Faculty
  • System Dynamics Faculty
  • Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management (TIES) Faculty

Student Research

“MIT Sloan PhD training is a transformative experience. The heart of the process is the student’s transition from being a consumer of knowledge to being a producer of knowledge. This involves learning to ask precise, tractable questions and addressing them with creativity and rigor. Hard work is required, but the reward is the incomparable exhilaration one feels from having solved a puzzle that had bedeviled the sharpest minds in the world!” -Ezra Zuckerman Sivan Alvin J. Siteman (1948) Professor of Entrepreneurship

Sample Dissertation Abstracts - These sample Dissertation Abstracts provide examples of the work that our students have chosen to study while in the MIT Sloan PhD Program.

We believe that our doctoral program is the heart of MIT Sloan's research community and that it develops some of the best management researchers in the world. At our annual Doctoral Research Forum, we celebrate the great research that our doctoral students do, and the research community that supports that development process.

The videos of their presentations below showcase the work of our students and will give you insight into the topics they choose to research in the program.

Attention To Retention: The Informativeness of Insiders’ Decision to Retain Shares

2024 PhD Doctoral Research Forum Winner - Gabriel Voelcker

Watch more MIT Sloan PhD Program  Doctoral Forum Videos

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Public Finance and Financial Management - PhD

This field is concerned with the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of policies and procedures surrounding the use of resources and raising of revenues by public and non-profit entities. The primary emphasis is on nonprofit and healthcare organizations, and state and local governmental bodies, although some attention is given to the federal government and international settings as well.

Microeconomics is the most important disciplinary background for the field. Principles of efficient resource allocation as well as equity in outcome are used to analyze both the internal operations of organizations and their external environment. In other words, the study of: (1) financial management (internal to the organization), and (2) public finance (external to the organization) are combined. Common methodologies used to study finance issues are multivariate statistical analysis, techniques of managerial accounting, and finance and case studies. Students in the public finance and financial management field must complete the modules in microeconomic analysis and in applied statistics and econometrics.

Research in the areas of public finance and financial management often requires depth of knowledge in a specific area, such as education finance, financial management of nonprofit organizations, or tax policy. Such depth of knowledge involves both a foundation gained from coursework, as well as significant study of literature beyond the material covered in coursework.

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Everything you need to know about studying a PhD in Financial Management

Part of business & management, what is financial management.

By pursuing a degree in Financial Management, you will learn to plan, organise, direct, and control of financial activities within a company or other type of institution. It's all about making strategic decisions to maximise an organisation's economic value and ensure its financial stability.

Financial Management Specialisations

  • There are several specialisations within Financial Management. The most common are:
  • Corporate Finance,
  • Investment Management,
  • Risk Management.

These specialisations are typically pursued in both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, allowing students to focus on specific aspects of financial decision-making.

What will you learn during a Financial Management programme?

Financial Management is a good degree choice for those interested in the financial aspects of business. You'll learn about financial planning, investment strategies, risk assessment, and more. The skills you can get from Financial Management courses are diverse, including:

  • understanding of financial principles and strategies,
  • analytical and decision-making skills,
  • risk assessment abilities,
  • knowledge of investment strategies,
  • budgeting and forecasting skills.

Some of the popular courses you'll most likely take during a Financial Management degree are:

  • Accounting: Focuses on principles and practices of recording, analysing, and reporting financial transactions.
  • Managerial Finance: Covers topics such as financial planning, budgeting, capital budgeting, and investment decision-making within organisations.
  • Corporate Finance: Explores financial management in the context of corporations, including topics like capital structure, and dividend policy.
  • Financial Analysis: Teaches techniques for evaluating financial statements, analysing financial ratios, and assessing the financial health of companies.
  • Risk Management and Insurance: Examines strategies for identifying, measuring, and managing financial risks.
  • Financial Econometrics: Introduces statistical and econometric methods applied to financial data for forecasting, risk modelling, and asset pricing.

These skills are not only applicable to finance but also to a wide range of careers, making Financial Management a versatile and valuable degree.

Skills required for a degree in Financial Management

To excel in Financial Management, you'll need a strong interest in finance and a knack for numbers. Good analytical skills and decision-making abilities are also crucial. Financial Management degree requirements often include a background in basic accounting or finance, along with a willingness to delve into complex financial concepts.

What can you do with a Financial Management degree?

The jobs you can get with a Financial Management degree are varied and rewarding. With a Bachelor's degree, you could work as a financial analyst, budget analyst, or investment advisor. A Master's degree opens up opportunities for roles like financial manager, risk manager, or chief financial officer. Here are some popular jobs:

  • Financial Manager,
  • Risk Manager,
  • Chief Financial Officer,
  • Financial Analyst,
  • Investment Advisor.

A career after the most common specialisation in Financial Management, such as Corporate Finance or Investment Management, can be incredibly rewarding. You'll have the chance to influence financial strategies, ensure financial stability, and contribute to an organisation's success, making a Financial Management degree worth it for many.

View all PhDs in Financial Management . Keep in mind you can also study an online PhDs in Financial Management .

Interesting programmes for you

Specialisations within the field of business & management.

  • Project Management
  • Business Administration
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Management Studies
  • Public Administration
  • Human Resource Management
  • Supply Chain Management & Logistics
  • Agribusiness
  • Business Intelligence
  • Corporate Communication
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Executive MBA
  • Forensic Accounting
  • Innovation Management
  • International Business
  • Master in Business Administration (MBA)
  • Master in Management (MIM)
  • Retail Management
  • Risk Management
  • Strategic Management
  • Engineering Management
  • Transport Management
  • Digital Media
  • Digital Marketing
  • Actuarial Science
  • Construction Management
  • Management of Creative Industries
  • IT Management
  • Operations and Quality Management
  • Marketing Management
  • Financial Technology
  • Fashion Management
  • Financial Management
  • Advertising

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PhD Joint Program in Financial Economics

The financial economics phd program leverages the strengths of two renowned programs: the phd program in finance and the university of chicago’s kenneth c. griffin department of economics..

Core economics training is critical for students doing research in financial economics, and advances in financial economics have important implications for other areas of economics.

As a student in our Joint Program in Financial Economics , you’ll work with thought leaders in both economics and finance and follow your research interests wherever they lead. Leveraging courses and resources in the Finance dissertation area at Chicago Booth and the university’s Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics , you’ll build a foundation for research at the intersection of finance and economics.

Our Distinguished Finance and Economics Faculty

As a student in the joint program, you’ll work with professors and classmates in both the Department of Economics and the Stevens Doctoral Program in Finance at Chicago Booth. Faculty bring research expertise in a wide range of fields and serve as mentors to PhD students.

Finance Faculty

Francesca Bastianello

Francesca Bastianello

Assistant Professor of Finance and Liew Family Junior Faculty Fellow, Fama Faculty Fellow

Emanuele Colonnelli

Emanuele Colonnelli

Associate Professor of Finance and MV Advisors Faculty Fellow

George Constantinides

George M. Constantinides

Leo Melamed Professor of Finance

Douglas Diamond Headshot

Douglas W. Diamond

Merton H. Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance

Eugene F. Fama

Eugene F. Fama

Robert R. McCormick Distinguished Service Professor of Finance

Niels Gormsen

Niels Gormsen

Neubauer Family Associate Professor of Finance and Fama Faculty Fellow

Lars Peter Hansen

Lars Hansen

David Rockefeller Distinguished Service Professor The University of Chicago Departments of Economics, Statistics and the Booth School of Business

John C. Heaton

John C. Heaton

Joseph L. Gidwitz Professor of Finance

Steven Neil Kaplan

Steven Neil Kaplan

Neubauer Family Distinguished Service Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance and Kessenich E.P. Faculty Director at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Anil Kashyap

Anil Kashyap

Stevens Distinguished Service Professor of Economics and Finance

Ralph S. J. Koijen

Ralph S.J. Koijen

AQR Capital Management Distinguished Service Professor of Finance and Fama Faculty Fellow

Yueran Ma

Associate Professor of Finance and Fama Faculty Fellow

Stefan Nagel

Stefan Nagel

Fama Family Distinguished Service Professor of Finance

Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson

Assistant Professor of Finance and Cohen and Keenoy Faculty Scholar

Pascal Noel

Pascal Noel

Neubauer Family Associate Professor of Finance and Kathryn and Grant Swick Faculty Scholar

Lubos Pastor

Lubos Pastor

Charles P. McQuaid Distinguished Service Professor of Finance and Robert King Steel Faculty Fellow

Raghuram Rajan

Raghuram G. Rajan

Katherine Dusak Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance

Amir Sufi

Bruce Lindsay Distinguished Service Professor of Economics and Public Policy

Pietro Veronesi

Pietro Veronesi

Deputy Dean for Faculty and Chicago Board of Trade Professor of Finance

Robert W. Vishny

Robert W. Vishny

Myron S. Scholes Distinguished Service Professor of Finance and Neubauer Faculty Director of the Davis Center

Michael Weber

Michael Weber

Associate Professor of Finance

Constantine Yannelis

Constantine Yannelis

Associate Professor of Finance and FMC Faculty Scholar

Anthony Zhang

Anthony Lee Zhang

Assistant Professor of Finance

Luigi Zingales

Luigi Zingales

Robert C. McCormack Distinguished Service Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance

Erick Zwick

Department of Economics Faculty

Fernando Alvarez

Fernando Alvarez

Ali Hortacsu

Ali Hortacsu

Harald Uhlig

Harald Uhlig

Saieh Hall

Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics

Alumni success.

Our PhD graduates lead successful careers  in prestigious academic settings, such as the Stanford Graduate School of Business and London Business School, as well as in leading financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund.

Jane (Jian) Li, PhD '21

Assistant Professor of Business, Finance Division Columbia Business School, Columbia University Jane's research lies at the intersection of macroeconomics and finance. She is particularly interested in how financial intermediaries affect the real economy and how different types of financial institutions can contribute to financial instability. Her dissertation area is in financial economics.

A Network of Support

Doctoral students at Booth have access to the resources of several interdisciplinary research centers that offer funding for student work, host workshops and conferences, and foster a strong research community.

Becker Friedman Institute for Economics Bringing together researchers from the entire Chicago economics community, the Becker Friedman Institute fosters novel insights on the world’s most difficult economic problems.

Center for Research in Security Prices CRSP maintains one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive stock market databases. Since 1963, it has been a valued resource for businesses, government, and scholars.

Fama-Miller Center for Research in Finance Tasked with pushing the boundaries of research in finance, the Fama-Miller Center provides institutional structure and support for researchers in the field.

George J. Stigler Center for the Study of the Economy and the State Dedicated to examining issues at the intersection of politics and the economy, the Stigler Center supports research by PhD students and others who are interested in the political, economic, and cultural obstacles to better working markets.

The Kent A. Clark Center for Global Markets Enhancing the understanding of business and financial market globalization, the Clark Center for Global Markets positions Chicago Booth as a thought leader in the understanding of ever-changing markets and improves financial and economic decision-making around the world.

Macro Finance Research Program The Macro Finance Research Program (MFR) expands our understanding of how financial markets affect the economy as a whole and, conversely, how the macroeconomy influences financial markets. It does so by bringing together a community of elite and emerging scholars and with common ambitions to tackle these important challenges. One of the important ambitions of this program is to provide intellectual and research support for advanced students in the joint PhD program in financial economics.

Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation Committed to making the world more equitable and sustainable, the Rustandy Center works to solve complex social and environmental problems. The center’s student support includes fellowships, research funding, and networking opportunities.

Spotlight on Research

Chicago Booth Review regularly highlights the research findings of Booth faculty and PhD students in financial economics.

Line of Inquiry: Amir Sufi on Household Debt and Business Cycles

Chicago Booth’s Amir Sufi explains how the financial sector's willingness to extend credit to households helps fuel booms and busts.

How is IT Spending Changing Banking?

According to researchers Zhiguo He (previous Booth prof.), Sheila Jiang and Douglas Xu (both Booth PhD graduates), and Xiao Yin, IT investment figures prominently in banking activities.

How Can We Calculate the US's Greatest Fortunes?

Chicago Booth’s Eric Zwick and his coauthors have devised a new way to gauge how much wealth the ultrawealthy have and what it’s composed of. Their results can help update and sharpen the picture of inequality in the US.

The PhD Experience at Booth

Maryam Farboodi, PhD ’14, talks about how the Booth faculty challenged her to focus her research on issues that are applicable to the current financial sector.

Maryam Farboodi sitting in and waiting to begin her interview

Video Transcript

Maryam Farboodi, ’14: 00:02 My work lies in the intersection of finance and economics, trying to apply theoretical models to think about broader questions in big data technology. I was doing extremely theoretical research and I was always interested in doing stuff which are more related to the real world, which led me to join Chicago econ and then the Joint Financial Economics Program at Chicago Booth.

Maryam Farboodi, ’14: 00:29 The faculty really helped me focus my research on issues that are relevant to the current financial climate. A lot of current policy focuses on how financial institutions intermediate for each other and that has been the focus of my research. The faculty at Chicago Booth challenged me in making sure that the insight is applicable to the current financial sector.

Maryam Farboodi, ’14: 00:52 What is really, really special about Booth is the really close interaction between the faculty here and the econ department. Chicago Booth, in particular the joint program, is the best place you can be in. It provides an environment where you can interact with people who are extremely deep in both finance and economics and not lose track of important issues. Chicago Booth and Econ has really being like home to me. That's the feeling that any student can get if they really engage themselves with faculty. 

Current Financial Economics Students

Students in Chicago Booth’s Joint Program in Financial Economics focus their PhD research on a vast array of issues, from state-government borrowing costs to wealth inequality to climate policy. They go on to positions at leading academic institutions and global financial organizations.

Current Students

Monica Barbosa

Filippo Cavaleri

Manav Chaudhary

Shirui (Suri) Chen Leo Aparisi De Lannoy

Laurenz De Rosa

Joanna Harris Jacob Hartwig

Lewei He Tanvi Jindal

Jingoo Kwon

Federico Mainardi

Benjamin Marrow

See a list of the current students in our Finance PhD Program .

How to Apply

To join the Joint Program in Financial Economics, you will need to be admitted to both the doctoral program in the Department of Economics and the PhD Program in Finance at Chicago Booth. However, you need only apply to one or the other program. Learn more about applying to Chicago Booth or to the Department of Economics .

Program Requirements

Learn more about the Joint Program in Financial Economics at Chicago Booth on the website or by referencing the joint program-specific guidebook below. See Joint Program-Specific Guidebook

General Program Expectations and Requirements

The Stevens Program at Booth is a full-time program. Students generally complete the majority of coursework and examination requirements within the first two years of studies and begin work on their dissertation during the third year. For details, see General Examination Requirements by Area in the Stevens Program Guidebook below.

Download the 2023-2024 Guidebook!

phd financial management topics

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The 10 Best PhD Programs in Finance

Lisa Marlin

In essence, finance is the study of economics and the claims on resources. The best PhD programs in finance help you develop professionally so you can make difficult decisions around fund allocation, financial planning, and corporate financial management. This qualification will also equip you for a career in teaching or research at top universities.

Which of the 10 best finance PhDs is best for you?

Read on to learn everything you need to know.

Table of Contents

Why Get a Doctorate in Finance?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), finance managerial professionals have an average salary of $131,710  per year, and jobs are estimated to grow by 17%  from 2020 to 2030. This is much more than the average across all occupations. With a PhD in finance, you may work as a finance manager or even become a CEO of a large corporation.

Jobs and Salaries for Doctors of Finance

After earning a PhD in finance, you can find well-paid jobs as a professor or in various corporate finance roles.

Here are some of the most common finance professions with the average annual salaries for each:

  • Financial Manager ( $96,255 )
  • Financial Analyst ( $63,295 )
  • Finance Professor ( $73,776 )
  • Chief Financial Officer ( $140,694 )
  • Investment Analyst ( $67,730 )

Read More:   The Highest Paying PhD Programs

What’s the average cost of a phd program in finance.

The tuition for a PhD in finance can vary depending on the university, with public institutions generally being much more affordable than private ones.

Across all schools, the average tuition is around $30,000 per year.

However, on top of this, you need to factor in other expenses, which could add up to another $30,000 a year. Some top universities offer full funding, including tuition and a stipend for all students who are successfully admitted to the program.

Read Next: The Average Cost of a Master’s Degree in Finance

Top finance phd programs and schools, stanford university, graduate school of business.

PhD in Finance

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Stanford University is one of the most prestigious business schools in the world. Its PhD in finance programs has an emphasis on theoretical modeling and empirical testing of financial and economic principles.

  • Courses include: Financial markets, empirical asset pricing, macroeconomics, and financial markets.
  • Duration: 5 years
  • Tuition : Full funding
  • Financial aid: Research & teaching assistantship, grants, outside employment, and outside support.
  • Delivery: On-campus
  • Acceptance rate: 5%
  • Location: Stanford, California

The University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School

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The University of Pennsylvania’s renowned Wharton School of Business is home to faculty who are well-known in the field of business research. The school boasts a low student-faculty ratio in an atmosphere that allows you to work with faculty members as peers. This doctor of finance program emphasizes subjects like asset pricing, corporate finance, and portfolio management. This helps students become experts in research and teaching in these areas.

  • Courses include: Topics in asset pricing, financial economics, and international finance.
  • Credits: 18 courses
  • Financial aid: Fellowships, grants, student employment, health insurance, stipend, and loans.
  • Acceptance rate: 9%
  • Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

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Booth School of Business is a major center for finance education because its faculty includes Eugene F. Fama, Nobel laureate and the father of modern empirical finance. This finance doctoral degree has an option for a joint PhD in collaboration with the university’s economics department.

  • Courses: Financial economics, financial markets in the macroeconomy, and behavioral finance.
  • Tuition : Refer tuition page
  • Financial aid: Grants, stipends, health insurance, scholarships, fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and loans.
  • Acceptance rate: 7%
  • Location: Chicago, Illinois

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Gies College of Business

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The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign is one of the best places for studying and conducting research in finance. Its finance research faculty was ranked #4  in the UTD Top 100 Business School Research Rankings between 2016-2019. In this PhD in finance program, students can take the qualifying examination at the end of the first year and, if successful. They’ll be able to start their research project earlier and complete the degree sooner.

  • Courses include: Empirical analysis in finance, corporate finance, and statistics & probability.
  • Duration: 4-5 years
  • Financial aid: Full tuition waiver, stipends, scholarships, grants, student employment, and loans.
  • Acceptance rate: 63%
  • Location: Champaign, Illinois

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management

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The Sloan School is one of the top research centers in the world, which aims to transform students into experts who can handle real-world problems in a wide range of spheres, from business and healthcare to climate change. This PhD program in finance gives students the flexibility to choose between a wide range of electives and even study some courses at Harvard.

  • Courses include: Current research in financial economics, statistics/applied econometrics, and corporate finance.
  • Duration: 6 years
  • Financial aid: Full tuition, stipend, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, health insurance, fellowships, scholarships, and loans.
  • Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management

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The Kellogg School of Management allows students to conduct independent research under the supervision of faculty who’ve made significant contributions to the field and have earned numerous prestigious awards. This doctorate of finance program’s admission process has a dual application option. You can also apply to the Economics PhD simultaneously, so if you are not selected for the finance program, you may be considered for economics.

  • Courses include: Econometrics, corporate finance, and asset pricing.
  • Duration: 5.5 years
  • Financial aid: Tuition scholarship, stipends, health insurance, moving allowance, and subsidies.
  • Location: Evanston, Illinois

The University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

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The Haas School of Business in Berkeley is an innovative institution that questions the status quo, takes intelligent risks, and accepts sensible failures in its path to progress. This finance PhD program offers students opportunities to learn about cutting-edge research from faculty from around the world.

  • Courses include: Corporate finance theory, stochastic calculus, and applications of psychology & economics.
  • Tuition : Refer cost page
  • Financial aid: Fellowships, grants, tuition allowance, stipends, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.
  • Acceptance rate: 17%
  • Location: Berkeley, California

The University of Texas at San Antonio, Alvarez College of Business

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The Alvarez College of Business is one of the forty largest business schools in the USA. It follows a comprehensive and practical approach to education that allows students to apply the knowledge they gain directly in the workplace. This PhD in finance encourages students to do collaborative research with the faculty, which helps them publish their own academic papers before they even complete the program.

  • Courses include: Corporate finance, international financial markets, and microeconomic theory.
  • Credits: 84 (post-bachelors)
  • Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, work-study, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, research fellowships, and loans.
  • Acceptance rate: 84%
  • Location: San Antonio, Texas

Liberty University, School of Business

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Finance

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Liberty University is a non-profit institution among the top five online schools in the USA and has been offering fixed tuition fees for the past seven years. This is one of the best PhD in Finance programs you can do completely online. It aims to prepare students to address issues in business finance through research, best practices, and relevant literature.

  • Courses: Managerial Finance, Investments & Derivatives, Business Valuation, etc.
  • Credits: 60
  • Duration: 3 years average
  • Tuition : $595 per credit
  • Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, work-study, veteran benefits, and loans.
  • Delivery: Online
  • Acceptance rate: 50%
  • Location: Lynchburg, Virginia

Northcentral University

PhD in Business Administration (PhD-BA) – Finance Management

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Northcentral University was founded with the objective of offering flexible, fully-online programs to working professionals around the world. This doctorate degree in finance online is flexible and allows you to design your own schedule. You will also get one-on-one personal mentoring from qualified faculty.

  • Courses include: Business financial systems, business statistics, and business leadership & strategy.
  • Duration: 84 months average
  • Tuition: $1,105 per credit
  • Financial aid: Grants, scholarships, and military scholarships.
  • Acceptance rate: NA
  • Location: Scottsdale, Arizona

Things To Consider When Choosing a Finance PhD Program

The right PhD program for you is a very personal decision and will depend on several individual factors.

However, these general questions will help you to make the right choice:

  • Is the university properly accredited?
  • Does the university conduct innovative and cutting-edge research?
  • Are there renowned faculty members who you’ll want to work with?
  • Do they offer subjects or specializations that match your career goals?
  • What is the school’s placement history?
  • What are the tuition fees, costs, and options for scholarships and financial aid?
  • Does the program offer online study options?

It’s also important to consider if you want to pursue a career in academia or work in organizations as a senior finance professional. A PhD degree will generally set you up for a career in research or academia, while a DBA is more suited to a career in business or government.

Preparing for a Finance Doctorate Program

It’s important to start preparing early if you want to be selected for one of the best finance PhD programs.

These handy tips can help you put your best foot forward:

  • Research the requirements of the best universities offering PhD in finance degrees, including pre-requisite subjects and qualifying grades. Keep these in mind when completing your bachelor’s or master’s degree.
  • Understand your strengths and weaknesses in relation to the program’s requirements. Work on your weaknesses and continue to hone relevant skills.
  • Read extensively in the field and keep up-to-date on regional and global developments.
  • Join communities of finance professionals to build your network and be exposed to the latest knowledge in the discipline.

Skills You Gain from Earning a PhD in Finance

The most important skills you learn as a doctor of finance include:

  • Communication skills, including writing and presentation skills
  • Data analytical skills
  • Economics and accounting skills
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Mathematical skills
  • Analytical software skills
  • Management and leadership skills
  • Problem-solving skills

PhD Programs in Finance FAQs

How long does a phd in finance take.

PhD programs in finance usually take between three and eight years to complete.

Is It Worth Getting a PhD in Finance?

A PhD in Finance is a qualification that’s in high demand today. It is a terminal degree and can help you get top-level jobs with lucrative salaries in corporate or large organizations.

How Much Can You Make With a PhD in Finance?

With a finance doctorate, you can expect to earn a salary anywhere from around $45,000 to $150,000, depending on your experience, role, and the organization you work for. According to the BLS, the average salary for finance PhD holders is $131,710 .

What Do You Need To Get a PhD in Finance?

The admissions requirements vary depending on the program, but you’ll typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in finance. The programs can take three to eight years of coursework and research.

To apply, you’ll usually need to submit:

  • Application
  • Academic resume
  • Academic transcripts
  • Recommendation letters
  • GRE or GMAT score
  • Personal essay

Final Thoughts

With a doctorate in finance, you can build a rewarding career in academia, research, or the business sector. Like any doctorate, these programs ask for dedication and hard work. By planning early, you’ll set yourself up to pursue one of the best PhD programs in finance.

For more on how to build your career in the field, take a look at our guides to the best master’s degree in finance , the highest paying PhDs , and fully-funded PhD programs .

Lisa Marlin

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration (PhD-BA), Financial Management

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PhD in Financial Management

Expert financial management is essential to the growth and stability of any organization. These skills allow you to analyze the financial health of institutions, businesses, and nonprofits, helping them plan strategically, improve performance, increase profitability, and achieve their goals. For this reason, jobs in financial management are expected to grow faster than average with higher than average salaries over the next decade. 

This PhD specialization in Business Administration concentrates on research and development analyses used to manage and allocate financial resources and develop effective strategic planning for projection and ROI issues. You’ll analyze financial and non-financial organizations—from private to public to corporate. In addition to core business studies and dissertation research instruction, the coursework focuses on international financial issues, investment analysis, managing financial institutions, analyzing financial statements, and accounting for nonprofit organizations.

Admission Requirements 

A conferred master’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited academic institution. In addition to this general requirement, applicants have two options for entering the doctoral program in the School of Business:

1. Direct Entry – You may immediately begin the doctoral program through the DBA or PhD track with a previously completed master’s degree in one of the following:

  • A generalized business area, such as business management or business administration
  • A specialized business area (Master of Finance, Master of Human Resources Management, etc.) AND an undergraduate degree in business
  • A master’s in any field AND an undergraduate degree in business

2. Evaluation Track – If you don’t meet the direct entry requirements, you’re required to take SKS-7001 – Doctoral Comprehensive Strategic Knowledge Studies as part of your degree program.

Course Details

For the PhD in Business Administration, Financial Management, you must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours (20 courses), including a minimum of five core courses, five specialization courses, two statistical courses, five research courses, and one doctoral elective. The estimated time needed to complete this certificate is 73 months.

Course Listing

This course serves as an introduction to the PhD–BA and as the foundation for further doctoral-level study in business. The PhD–BA degree is designed to encourage you to become a scholar-practitioner, using business theory to inform further scholarly inquiry and positively impact business practices. You will examine requirements for the degree—including each milestone and deliverable—and will develop a plan for achieving your academic and research goals. This preparation will be done in the context of an examination of modern trends in business theory and in beginning the transition from being consumers of knowledge to being producers of knowledge.

Students will analyze and apply knowledge in 12 business areas necessary to address a wide variety of business-related situations. The focus of the course is demonstrating core proficiencies in the following business areas: Marketing, Business Finance, Accounting, Management, Legal Environment of Business, Economics, Business Ethics, Global Dimensions of Business, Information Systems, Quantitative Techniques and Statistics, Leadership, and Business Applications. The intent is not to introduce these core business concepts, but rather to verify a graduate-level threshold competency within each. The course includes a comprehensive case study that will allow students to demonstrate their competency within all 12 professional component areas.

It is important for scholar-practitioners to understand both the internal and external influences on business—the business environment. In this course, students will examine theories related to those environmental factors including business ethics, international business, and marketing. Internal environmental factors include management and organizational behavior.

The allied fields of economics, accounting, and finance are key areas where a highly knowledgeable leader can greatly contribute to the success of a business. Financial professionals secure and manage the money needed to run a business; economists determine how markets will react in certain situations; and accountants provide analysis and accountability to the entire process. In this course, scholar-practitioners will work towards information fluency in theories related to these critical knowledge areas.

Good plans aligned against clear strategic goals can help business leaders achieve those goals. This course is an overview of the theories involved in strategic planning to aid business. Students will explore the difference between strategic thinking and strategic planning, how to choose a strategy that is right for each business, and how to design a strategic plan. This course will investigate how to analyze customers and the competition and ask key questions that help design the most effective strategic plan for each business.

In this course, you will engage in the process of scholarly literature reviews and academic writing. With an emphasis on how to (a) conduct effective literature searches, specifically in preparation for the dissertation, (b) develop a plan for writing comprehensive, critical, and synthesized reviews of research literature, and (c) critically review and write about underlying theory/conceptual frameworks, you will develop a foundation for future research. The overarching goal of this course is for you to conduct an exhaustive search of the peer-reviewed research literature in your topic area and identify potential areas of inquiry for your dissertation.

In this course, you will cultivate a statistical mindset through learning and nurturing skills needed to perform and interpret univariate inferential statistics. The course will facilitate building your statistical confidence in assessing and performing statistics. The course will cover univariate parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, interpretation of statistical output, and introduce skills needed to select statistical tests based on quantitative research questions.

In this course, you will learn advanced statistical principles and how to apply them to quantitative research in the study of organizations. You will be provided an overview of advanced statistical concepts used in empirical research, including inferential analysis. Advanced computations will be performed using commonly used statistical software. The focus involves helping you build independent scholarly skills with an emphasis on understanding multivariate data; the use, comprehension, and evaluation of sophisticated statistical concepts, and presentation of statistical results.

During this course, as a scholar-practitioner, you will build the skills essential for designing quantitative studies; analyzing the data collected in these studies, and interpreting the results of data analyses. You will explore designs and statistical techniques to use with their envisioned dissertation research.

During this course, you will examine qualitative methods for studying human behavior including grounded theory, narrative analysis, ethnography, mixed methods, and case studies. You will explore designs and methodologies to use with your envisioned research.

The Pre-Candidacy Prospectus is intended to ensure students have mastered knowledge of their discipline prior to candidacy status and demonstrated the ability to design empirical research as an investigator before moving on to the dissertation research coursework. Students will demonstrate the ability to synthesize empirical, peer-reviewed research to support all assignments in this course. The Pre-Candidacy Prospectus is completed only after all foundation, specialization, and research courses have been completed.

Students in this course will be required to complete Chapter 1 of their dissertation proposal including a review of literature with substantiating evidence of the problem, the research purpose and questions, the intended methodological design and approach, and the significance of the study. A completed, committee approved (against the minimum rubric standards) Chapter 1 is required to pass this course successfully. Students who do not receive approval of Chapter 1 to minimum standards will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of Chapter 1.

Students in this course will be required to work on completing Chapters 1-3 of their dissertation proposal and receive committee approval for the Dissertation Proposal (DP) in order to pass the class. Chapter 2 consists of the literature review. Chapter 3 covers the research methodology method and design and to includes population, sample, measurement instruments, data collection and analysis, limitations, and ethical considerations. In this course, a completed, committee-approved Chapters 2 and 3 are required and, by the end of the course, a final approved dissertation proposal (against the minimum rubric standards). Students who do not receive approval of the dissertation proposal will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of these requirements.

Students in this course will be required to prepare, submit, and obtain approval of their IRB application, collect data, and submit a final study closure form to the IRB. Students still in data collection at the end of the 12-week course will be able to take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to complete data collection and file an IRB study closure form.

In this dissertation course students work on completing Chapters 4 and 5 and the final Dissertation Manuscript. Specifically, students will complete their data analysis, prepare their study results, and present their findings in an Oral Defense and a completed manuscript. A completed, Committee approved (against the minimum rubric standards) Dissertation Manuscript and successful Oral Defense are required to complete the course and graduate. Students who do not receive approval for either or both their Dissertation Manuscript or defense can take up to three supplementary 8-week courses to finalize and gain approval of either or both items as needed.

Specialization Courses

Specialization course listings.

It’s been said that to understand a business, one must understand the financial numbers. This course, building upon a basic understanding of accounting, serves as the springboard for understanding the financial health of a corporation, its operating environment, and the structure of interest rates and yield curves that can affect it. Central to this understanding is the concept of cash flow, where it comes from, and what influences it. Preparing financial statements, something learned in accounting, is not the same as understanding what they can reveal. This course provides the initial building blocks for understanding the financial strengths and weaknesses of a corporation.

Central to the understanding of investment portfolio management is the concept of risks and return, futures, swaps, valuation, and performance. Advanced investment components will be examined with an emphasis on financial markets, option valuations, international diversification, and pricing models. This course prepares you with the financial knowledge to make sound investment decisions. Shareholders, stakeholders, financial managers, and investors will all improve their ability to identify key sources of funding to grow their businesses and improve their investment returns.

This course examines the most advanced components of financial institutions with an emphasis on those related to academic research. You’ll review and assess relevant academic papers to prepare for writing in-depth papers on the primary topics within financial institutions. Your studies begin with an analysis of financial systems, statements, and institutions, then you’ll proceed with a careful examination of interest rate risk, credit risk, and derivative securities. Finally, you’ll conclude with an academic paper examination and the development of a presentation on financial institutions.

An examination of the most important components of financial statement analysis with an emphasis on those related to academic research. You’ll review and assess relevant academic papers to prepare for writing in-depth papers on the central topics of financial statement analysis. The course begins with an analysis of the balance sheet, income statement, and financial ratios, then it concludes with financial decomposition analysis and the impacts of financial leverage.

This course provides you with a complete review of the accounting principles and practices used in nonprofit organizations with a heavy focus on government accounting practices. The coursework on accounting principles and practices can be applied to hospitals, colleges and universities, health and welfare agencies, and other similar organizations. You’ll employ case studies, problem solving, and written research narratives to examine topics such as appropriations, budgetary accounting, financial conditions, auditing, fund accounting, and ethics.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students earning the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration, Financial Management specialization will learn to:

  • Develop business knowledge  based on a synthesis of current theory
  • Defend theories, applications, and perspectives related to business to diverse audiences
  • Evaluate business practices that positively impact society
  • Evaluate the relationship  between the global environment and business decisions
  • Formulate solutions to problems identified in extant business research

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Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.

Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.

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phd financial management topics

50+ Best Finance Dissertation Topics For Research Students

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50+ Best Finance Dissertation Topics For Research Students

Finance Dissertation Made Easier!

Embarking on your dissertation adventure? Look no further! Choosing the right finance dissertation topics is like laying the foundation for your research journey in finance, and we're here to light up your path. In this article, we will be diving deep into why dissertation topics in finance matter so much. We've got some golden writing tips to share with you! We're also unveiling the secret recipe for structuring a stellar finance dissertation and exploring intriguing topics across various finance sub-fields. Our buffet of finance dissertation topics will surely set your research spirit on fire!

What is a Finance Dissertation?

Finance dissertations are academic papers that delve into specific finance topics chosen by students, covering areas such as stock markets, banking, risk management, and healthcare finance. These dissertations require extensive research to create a compelling report and contribute to the student's confidence and satisfaction in the field of finance. Now, let's understand why these dissertations are so important and why choosing the right finance dissertation topics is crucial!

Why are Finance Dissertation Topics Important?

Choosing the dissertation topics for finance students is essential as it will influence the course of your research. It determines the direction and scope of your study. You must make sure that the finance dissertation topics you choose are relevant to your field of interest. Here are a few reasons why finance thesis topics are important:

1. Relevance

Opting for relevant finance thesis topics ensures that your research contributes to the existing body of knowledge and addresses contemporary issues in finance. Choosing a dissertation topic relevant to the industry can make a meaningful impact and advance understanding in your chosen area.

2. Personal Interest

Selecting finance dissertation topics that align with your interests and career goals is vital. When genuinely passionate about your research area, you are more likely to stay motivated during the dissertation process. Your interest will drive you to explore the subject thoroughly and produce high-quality work.

3. Future Opportunities

Well-chosen finance dissertation topics can open doors to various future opportunities. They can enhance your employability by showcasing your expertise in a specific finance area. They may also lead to potential research collaborations and invitations to conferences in your field of interest.

4. Academic Supervision

Your choice of topics for dissertation in finance also influences the availability of academic supervisors with expertise in your chosen area. Selecting a well-defined research area increases the likelihood of finding a supervisor to guide you effectively throughout the dissertation. Their knowledge and guidance will greatly contribute to the success of your research.

Writing Tips for Finance Dissertation

Writing a dissertation requires a lot of planning, formatting, and structuring. It starts with deciding on topics for a dissertation in finance, conducting tons of research, deciding on methods, and so on. Below are some tips to assist you along the way, and here is a blog on the 10 tips on writing a dissertation that can give you more information, should you need it!

1. Select a Manageable Topic

It is important to choose finance research topics within the given timeframe and resources. Select a research area that interests you and aligns with your career goals. This will help you stay inspired throughout the dissertation process.

2. Conduct a Thorough Literature Review

A comprehensive literature review forms the backbone of your research. After choosing the finance dissertation topics, dive deep into academic papers, books, and industry reports. Gain a solid understanding of your chosen area to identify research gaps and establish the significance of your study.

3. Define Clear Research Objectives

Clearly define your dissertation's research questions and objectives. It will provide a clear direction for your research and guide your data collection, analysis, and overall structure. Ensure your objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

4. Collect and Analyse Data

Depending on your research methodology and your finance dissertation topics, collect and analyse relevant data to support your findings. It may involve conducting surveys, interviews, experiments, and analysing existing datasets. Choose appropriate statistical techniques and qualitative methods to derive meaningful insights from your data.

5. Structure and Organization

Pay attention to the structure and organisation of your dissertation. Follow a logical progression of chapters and sections, ensuring that each chapter contributes to the overall coherence of your study. Use headings, subheadings, and clear signposts to guide the reader through your work.

6. Proofread and Edit

Once you have completed the writing process, take the time to proofread and edit your dissertation carefully. Check for clarity, coherence, and proper grammar. Ensure that your arguments are well-supported, and eliminate any inconsistencies or repetitions. Pay attention to formatting, citation styles, and consistency in referencing throughout your dissertation.

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Finance Dissertation Topics

Now that you know what a finance dissertation is and why they are important, it's time to have a look at some of the best finance dissertation topics. For your convenience, we have segregated these topics into categories, including cryptocurrency, risk management, internet banking, and so many more. So, let's dive right in and explore the best finance dissertation topics:

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Cryptocurrency

1. The Impact of Regulatory Frameworks on the Volatility and Liquidity of Cryptocurrencies.

2. Exploring the Factors Influencing Cryptocurrency Adoption: A Comparative Study.

3. Assessing the Efficiency and Market Integration of Cryptocurrency Exchanges.

4. An Analysis of the Relationship between Cryptocurrency Prices and Macroeconomic Factors.

5. The Role of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) in Financing Startups: Opportunities and Challenges.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Risk Management

1. The Effectiveness of Different Risk Management Strategies in Mitigating Financial Risks in Banking Institutions.

2. The Role of Derivatives in Hedging Financial Risks: A Comparative Study.

3. Analysing the Impact of Risk Management Practices on Firm Performance: A Case Study of a Specific Industry.

4. The Use of Stress Testing in Evaluating Systemic Risk: Lessons from the Global Financial Crisis.

5. Assessing the Relationship between Corporate Governance and Risk Management in Financial Institutions.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Internet Banking

1. Customer Adoption of Internet Banking: An Empirical Study on Factors Influencing Usage.

Enhancing Security in Internet Banking: Exploring Biometric Authentication Technologies.

2. The Impact of Mobile Banking Applications on Customer Engagement and Satisfaction.

3. Evaluating the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Internet Banking Services in Emerging Markets.

4. The Role of Social Media in Shaping Customer Perception and Adoption of Internet Banking.

5. Fraud and Identity Theft are Accomplished via Internet Banking.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Microfinance

1. The Impact of Microfinance on Poverty Alleviation: A Comparative Study of Different Models.

2. Exploring the Role of Microfinance in Empowering Women Entrepreneurs.

3. Assessing the Financial Sustainability of Microfinance Institutions in Developing Countries.

4. The Effectiveness of Microfinance in Promoting Rural Development: Evidence from a Specific Region.

5. Analysing the Relationship between Microfinance and Entrepreneurial Success: A Longitudinal Study.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Retail and Commercial Banking

1. The Impact of Digital Transformation on Retail and Commercial Banking: A Case Study of a Specific Bank.

2. Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty in Retail Banking: An Analysis of Service Quality Dimensions.

3. Analysing the Relationship between Bank Branch Expansion and Financial Performance.

4. The Role of Fintech Startups in Disrupting Retail and Commercial Banking: Opportunities and Challenges.

5. Assessing the Impact of Mergers and Acquisitions on the Performance of Retail and Commercial Banks.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Alternative Investment

1. The Performance and Risk Characteristics of Hedge Funds: A Comparative Analysis.

2. Exploring the Role of Private Equity in Financing and Growing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.

3. Analysing the Relationship between Real Estate Investments and Portfolio Diversification.

4. The Potential of Impact Investing: Evaluating the Social and Financial Returns.

5. Assessing the Risk-Return Tradeoff in Cryptocurrency Investments: A Comparative Study.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to International Affairs

1. The Impact of Exchange Rate Volatility on International Trade: A Case Study of a Specific Industry.

2. Analysing the Effectiveness of Capital Controls in Managing Financial Crises: Comparative Study of Different Countries.

3. The Role of International Financial Institutions in Promoting Economic Development in Developing Countries.

4. Evaluating the Implications of Trade Wars on Global Financial Markets.

5. Assessing the Role of Central Banks in Managing Financial Stability in a Globalised Economy.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Sustainable Finance

1. The Impact of Sustainable Investing on Financial Performance.

2. The Role of Green Bonds in Financing Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.

3. The Development of Carbon Markets.

4. The Use of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Factors in Investment Decision-Making.

5. The Challenges and Opportunities of Sustainable Finance in Emerging Markets.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Investment Banking

1. The Valuation of Distressed Assets.

2. The Pricing of Derivatives.

3. The Risk Management of Financial Institutions.

4. The Regulation of Investment Banks.

5. The Impact of Technology on the Investment Banking Industry.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Actuarial Science

1. The Development of New Actuarial Models for Pricing Insurance Products.

2. The Use of Big Data in Actuarial Analysis.

3. The Impact of Climate Change on Insurance Risk.

4. The Design of Pension Plans That Are Sustainable in the Long Term.

5. The Use of Actuarial Science to Manage Risk in Other Industries, Such as Healthcare and Finance.

Dissertation topics in Finance related to Corporate Finance

1. Study the Relations Between Corporate Governance Structures and Financial Performance

2. Testing the Effects of Capital Structure on Firm Performance Across Different Industries

3. Effectiveness of Financial Management Practices in Emerging Markets

4. Integrating Sustainability and CSR Initiatives Impacts a Corporation’s Financial Performance and Enhances its Brand Reputation.

5. A Comparative Study of the Financing Strategies Employed in Mergers and Acquisitions.

Tips To Find Good Finance Dissertation Topics 

Embarking on a dissertation report on finance topics journey requires careful consideration of various factors. Your choice of topic in finance research topics is pivotal, as it sets the stage for the entire research process. We suggest the following tips that can help you pick the perfect dissertation topic:

1. Identify your interests and strengths 

2. Check for current relevance

3. Feedback from your superiors

4. Finalise the research methods

5. Gather the data

6. Work on the outline of your dissertation

7. Make a draft and proofread it

Lastly, we have discussed the importance of finance thesis topics and provided valuable writing tips and tips for finding the right topic. We have also presented a list of thesis topics for finance students within various subfields. With this, we hope you have great ideas for finance dissertations. Good luck with your finance research journey!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i research for my dissertation project topics in finance, what is the best topic for dissertation topics for mba finance, what is the hardest finance topic, how do i choose the right topic for my dissertation in finance, where can i find a dissertation topic in finance.

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UCL School of Management

University college london, phd programme in financial economics.

Start date:  September 2024 Duration: 5 years (1 year MRes + 4 years PhD) Fees:  We offer fully-funded scholarships to all admitted students who have applied by the 31 January 2024 (see details below)  Application deadline:  31 January 2024, 17:00 UK time (late applications submited by the 05 April 2024 may still be considered, see details below) Entry:  Applicants must hold a distinction in a master’s degree in Economics or a closely related subject. Applicants must demonstrate a high level of analytical and quantitative skills (such as in mathematics and statistics), evidenced by strong performance in relevant modules taken on previous degree programmes and/or through relevant standardised test performance (such as GRE Quantitative of at least 160). International students, please note that UCL’s English language requirement for this programme is a ‘ Level 2 ’ (IELTS and TOEFL are the preferred test, however others on the UCL recognised test list will be accepted if required) - further details regarding this can be found on the  UCL English Language Requirements  page.

The MRes and PhD in Financial Economics is a joint programme between the UCL Department of Economics and the UCL School of Management.

The MRes programme is the first year of the five-year integrated MRes/PhD programme in Financial Economics. The MRes programme will provide you with training in research methods together with an advanced understanding of financial economics, to enable you to conduct insightful and original PhD level research in financial economics. 

The MRes will firstly provide quantitative training in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, and finance. These will be taught in the context of cutting-edge research and relevant applications. Secondly, it will provide you with analytic frameworks and transferable skills that will allow you to identify relevant and promising research topics, present ideas in order to obtain feedback, and provide feedback yourself. 

The subsequent years (for students who progress from the MRes to MPhil) will focus on the skills you will need to run research projects to completion and to present completed research projects to various kinds of specialised audiences. Likewise, teaching skills will also be developed.

phd financial management topics

PhD Structure

  • The MRes programme consists of taught modules (Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics. Real Analysis and Probability with Economic Application), a hybrid module (Financial Economics) with taught components and research based components, and a research project in the final part of the year. For the MRes project, you work under supervision to design and carry out a substantial piece of original research. This enables you to gain a deep understanding of the entire research process.
  • Superior performance is required for automatic progression from MRes to MPhil. In particular, students should achieve an average mark of not less than 60% in the independent, original research components of the programme, and not less than 50% in the taught element.
  • Our highly selective and small-sized PhD programme ensures that each student receives personal attention and guidance from our faculty members throughout their doctoral study. The close mentorship process forms the foundations of a successful academic career. At the same time, you will be part of both the School of Management PhD cohort and the Economics PhD cohort, with which you will share most of the taught modules.
  • We expect our PhD graduates to have as their goal an academic career as a faculty member in a top business school or Economics department or in the research group of an international institution or a central bank.

Students take a total of 180 credits in the MRes year. This is made up of the MRes Research Project (MSIN0135) and 75 credits of compulsory taught modules. 

All modules in the MRes year are core modules, there are no optional modules. 

  • ECON0107 - Macroeconomics, 15 credits  
  • ECON0106 - Microeconomics, 15 credits  
  • ECON0108 - Econometrics, 15 credits  
  • ECON0118 - Real Analysis and Probability with Economic Applications, 15 credits
  • MSIN0234 - Topics in Financial Economics, 30 credits  
  • MSIN0135 - MRes Financial Economics Research Project, 105 credits  

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and class discussion. Student performance is assessed through presentations, coursework, projects, and examinations. 

Students will study 4 compulsory taught modules. A typical taught module is taught over two terms (2 x 10 weeks) with 4 hours of contact hours per week (3 hours of lecture + 1 hour of review session). In addition, students spend approximately 6-8 hours a week for each module on assessment and independent study to further develop the skills and knowledge covered in lectures and seminars.  

Students will also undertake a substantial research project, which would usually start in Term 2 and be completed over the Summer. The total number of weekly hours will vary according to the weekly activities being undertaken.

Why choose us

What makes us different:.

Unlike many PhD Programmes in finance, our programme has a full anchor in economics and econometrics. Hence, we offer a unique world-class environment that combines the best of a leading business school, located in Canary Wharf, the heart of London’s modern financial district, and the tradition of economic research and teaching of the Department of Economics, which is located in Bloomsbury, London’s historical intellectual centre.

If you want to become an academic economist conducting research in finance, this programme is for you.  

UCL School of Management and the Department of Economics  

Founded in 2007, UCL School of Management has forged a reputation for world-leading research in management studies with 95% of the School’s research deemed to be world-leading or internationally excellent, the second highest percentage of any business school in the UK, according to the 2021 REF . The PhD programme is an integral part of our School’s active and ambitious research environment where students receive rigorous academic training and personalised research mentorship. 

The UCL Department of Economics has an outstanding international reputation in key areas of current research. The Department ranked top in the UK for research environment and outputs in the field of Economics and Econometrics in the 2021 REF . 

Our research programme offers a unique education and research experience with the intent of preparing you for scholarly careers at the highest level. Our highly selective and small-sized programme ensures that you receive personal attention and an opportunity for guidance from our world-leading scholars. The close mentorship process forms the foundations of a successful academic career. 

As a research student you will join a highly active research environment which involves frequent research seminars and visits by leading scholars worldwide, reading groups, brown bag seminars and panels in which PhD students and faculty members present and discuss their ongoing work. Such forums provide an excellent opportunity to receive critical constructive feedback on your research and to develop academic, generic and transferable skills.

Applications

Applying for our mres/phd programme.

Entry requirements and admissions criteria:

Applicants to the MRes+PhD programme must hold a distinction in a master’s degree in Economics or a closely related subject. Applicants must demonstrate a high level of analytical and quantitative skills (such as in mathematics and statistics), evidenced by strong performance in relevant modules taken on previous degree programmes and/or through relevant standardised test performance (such as GRE Quantitative of at least 160). Submitting a GRE test result is encouraged but not compulsory and is only one of the components used to assess the strength of applications. 

We only have a single intake in September. We accept applications throughout the year. Successful candidates who have submitted their MRes application by 31 January 2024 will receive a scholarship (full fee waiver plus a stipend). Successful candidates who have submitted their application after this date may receive a scholarship subject to availability, or will come with their own funding.

In your personal statement you are expected to suggest one or more faculty members as potential supervisors. On the application form you may see that it states that it is preferred that you contact potential supervisors beforehand. However, we strongly discourage applicants from contacting individual faculty members or potential supervisors when applying to our programme. All applications are first evaluated by a joint admissions committee, so contacting potential supervisors separately will not increase your chances.

We also require you to submit IELTS or TOEFL scores if English is not your first language. Our School requires a “Level 2” English language qualification which corresponds to:

IELTS: Overall grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the sub-tests.

TOEFL: Score of 96 overall, plus 24/30 in the reading and writing subtests and 22/30 in the listening and speaking subtests. 

Application Deadline

The application window closes 31 January 2024 (17:00 UK time) and a late submission window closes on 05 April 2024 (17:00 UK time). We advise those interested in the programme to apply before 31 January 2024, as those applying in the late submission window will only be considered if there are still places remaining.

Application Procedure

Apply via UCL Postgraduate Admissions System here . When starting the application, you must select the MRes Financial Economics option. In addition to filling out the online application form, please upload a copy of the following documents:

  • Official Transcripts of Grades / Course marks
  • A 1 page personal statement that clearly indicates: (i) your research interests and preliminary research ideas, (ii) potential faculty member(s) you may want to work with (this is a suggested list, you don’t need to contact potential supervisors beforehand), and (iii) your motivation to do a PhD.
  • Your  GRE  score report, if you took the test.
  • Your IELTS/TOEFL score report, if English is not your first language.

Funding/Scholarships

We offer fully funded five year scholarships to all admitted students who apply before the 31 January 2024. The scholarship is open to all nationalities. It covers all tuition fees, and includes an annual stipend of £25,000 which is tax-free. 

Successful candidates who have submitted their application after 31 January 2024 may receive a scholarship subject to availability or will come with their own funding.

Additional Costs

This programme does not have any compulsory additional costs outside of purchasing books or stationery, printing, thesis binding or photocopying.  Students may have the opportunity to participate in conferences in the UK and internationally. The UCL School of Management provides MRes/PhD students with an annual budget for conferences, which students will use to cover the travel, accommodation, food and other costs whilst at conferences, in line with UCL’s expenses policy. 

Further Information and Contact Details

The full-time MRes/PhD programme runs from September each academic year. Entrance is therefore every September. While we may accept applications until 05 April 2024 we encourage candidates to apply as early as possible. Our programme is very selective and we only admit a limited number of students, so applying before 31 January 2024 increases your chances.

How to Apply

For queries about the MRes/PhD Programme that are not addressed on our web pages, please contact [email protected] .

Video Library

Frequently Asked Questions about the UCL School of Management MRes/PhD Programme

Programme Information

Application process, admissions requirements.

Students are required to possess a “Level 2” English language qualification if it is not their first language. This means: TOEFL: Score of 96, plus 24/30 in the reading and writing, and 22/30 in the listening and speaking subtests. IELTS: Overall grade of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the subtests.

Further Information

If you have any other questions regarding the programme that are not addressed on our web pages please email the programme team ( [email protected] )

phd financial management topics

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200 Finance Dissertation Topics: Quick Ideas For Students

finance dissertation topics

Finance dissertation topics are on-demand in the 21st century. But why is this so? It may perplex you how everyone is up and down looking for interesting, quality finance topics. However, the answer is simple: because fascinating finance dissertation topics can earn students bonus points.

We will delve into that in just a second. Your finance topic dictates the difficulty of the assignment you are going to handle. Landing on the right topic means that you will not have to toil as much as when you pick a highly complex topic. Does it make sense?

Let’s explore the nitty-gritty of finance dissertation papers before we get into mentioning the top-rated finance research topics list.

What Is A Finance Dissertation?

As the name goes, finance dissertation is a kind of writing that investigates a particular finance topic selected by the student. The topics range from the stock market, banking, and risk management to healthcare finance topics.

This dissertation provides the student with a degree of academic self-confidence and personal satisfaction in the finance field. Finance writing requires extensive research to create a persuasive paper in the end.

Writing Tips For Finance Dissertations

Are you uncertain concerning what you need to do to compose a top-notch finance dissertation? Worry no more! Our professional writers have put together some essential suggestions to kick you off. In the next few minutes, you will be in a position to create a perfect finance dissertation painstakingly:

  • Narrow down your topic : Trim down your finance topic to a specific niche. It should focus on one region; either micro-finance, macro-finance, or internet banking.
  • Verify your facts : Finance is a field that includes a lot of statistical data to be followed logically. Therefore, verify facts and figures with reliable sources before opting to use them in your paper.
  • Write concisely : Unlike other papers with long narrative tales, you should encapsulate a finance paper into a tight, concise paper. The rule of ‘short is sweet’ technically applies here at great length.
  • Arrange your data neatly : A paper that is stuffed with numerals and charts all over may turn down a reader at first sight. For an impressive finance thesis, know-how and when to use your data.
  • Write simply : Avoid jargon that may confuse an ordinary reader. Where a need is for technical terms to be used, illustrate them with relatable examples. Simplicity is gold in a finance dissertation. So, use it well.

With these tips and tricks, you are all set to start writing your finance paper. We now advance to another crucial part that will make sure your finance paper is refined and at per with your institution’s academic standards.

General Structure of a Finance Dissertation

It is crucial to consult your supervisor regarding your dissertation’s research methodology, structure, style, and reasonable length. Depending on the guidance of your supervisor, the structure may vary. Nonetheless, as a general guide, ensure the following sections are part and parcel of your dissertation:

  • Introduction: State the problem that you intend to address in your dissertation. It also includes a definition of key terms, the relevance of the topic and a summary of hypotheses.
  • Theoretical and empirical literature, hypotheses development and contribution: It provides the theoretical framework of your study. The hypotheses are based on the literature review.
  • Data and methodology: State the model (i.e. dependent and key independent variables) that you want to use the drawing on theoretical framework or economic argument that you may employ for your analysis. Define all control variables and describe the data used to test the hypothesis.
  • Empirical results: Describe the results and mention whether they are consistent with the hypotheses and relate them with the existing evidence in the literature. You will also describe the statistical and practical/economic significance of your findings.
  • Summary and conclusion: Summarize your research and state the general conclusion with relevant implications.

It is important to have all the dataset you want to use readily available before finalizing the topic. The dataset is essential for testing your hypotheses.

There are thousands of research topics for finance students available all over the internet and academic books. You only have to browse and lookup for the latest research or refer to past readings or course lectures.

Even though this exercise may look simple enough on the surface, it takes a lot of time to consider what makes for interesting finance topics adequately. Not all ideas you find will achieve the academic requirements that your supervisor expects from you.

Here is a list of freshly mint topics to use for numerous finance situations:

Impressive Healthcare Finance Topics

Healthcare involves more than just treating patients and administering injections. There are finance aspects that also come into play, including:

  • Strategies for marketplace achievement in turbulent times: Medical staff marketing
  • Effects of the employer executive compensation and benefits plan after the Tax Reform Act of 1986
  • Improving profitability through accelerating philanthropic giving to healthcare systems
  • Acceleration and effective information strategies for cash management in hospitals
  • Finding the system’s solution to health care cost accounting
  • How hospitals spend money from charitable organizations and donor funding
  • Models of enhancing cost accounting efforts by improving existing information sources
  • Strategies of increasing cash flow with a patient accounting review
  • A systematic review of productivity, cost accounting, and information systems
  • A study of the cost accounting strategies under the prospective payment system
  • How to manage bad debt and charity care accounts in hospitals
  • Achieving more value from managed care efforts in healthcare systems
  • Strategies of achieving economies of scale through shared ancillary and support services
  • Profitable ways of financing the acquisition of a health care enterprise
  • Effects of mergers and acquisitions on private hospitals
  • Measuring nursing costs with patient acuity data in hospitals
  • Affordable treatment and care for long-term and terminal diseases
  • Survey of the organization and structure of a hospital’s administration concerning financing
  • Impact of culture and globalization on healthcare financing
  • Discuss the necessity for universal health coverage in the United States

Finance Management Project Topics

If you are a finance management enthusiast, this section will impress you the most:

  • The impact of corrupt bank managers on its sustainability
  • How banks finance small and medium-scale enterprises
  • Loan granting and its recovery problems on commercial banks
  • An evaluation of credit management in the banking industry
  • The role of microfinance banks in the alleviation of poverty in the US
  • Comparative evaluation strategies in mergers and acquisitions
  • How to plan and invest in the insurance sector and tax planning
  • Impact of shareholders on decision-making processes on banks
  • How diversity in banks affects management and leadership practices
  • Credit management techniques that work for small scale enterprises
  • Appraisal on the impact of effective credit management on the profitability of commercial banks
  • The impact of quantitative tools of monetary policy on the performance of deposit of commercial banks
  • Financial management practices in the insurance industry and risk management
  • The role of the capital market in economic development
  • Problems facing financial institutions to the growth of small scale business in the USA
  • Why training and development of human resources is a critical factor in bank operations
  • The impact of universal banking financial system on the credibility
  • Security threats to effective management in banks
  • The effect of fiscal and monetary policy in controlling unemployment
  • The effects of financial leverage on company performance

Topics in Mathematics With Applications in Finance

Mathematics and finance correlate in several ways in that they borrow concepts from each other. Here are some of the mathematics concepts that apply to finance paper topics:

  • Linear algebra
  • Probability theory
  • Stochastic processes
  • Regression analysis
  • Value at risk models
  • Time series analysis
  • Volatility modelling
  • Regularized pricing and risk models
  • Commodity models
  • Portfolio theory
  • Factor modelling
  • Stochastic differential equations
  • Ross recovery theorem
  • Option, price, and probability duality
  • Black-Scholes formula, Risk-neutral valuation
  • Introduction to counterparty credit risk
  • HJM model for interest rates and credit
  • Quanto credit hedging
  • Calculus in finance and its application

International Finance Topics

International finance research topics deal with a range of monetary exchanges between two or more nations. Below is a list of international research topics in finance for you to browse through and pick a relevant one:

  • A study of the most important concepts in international finance
  • How internal auditing enhances good corporate governance practice in an organization
  • Factors that affect the capital structure of Go Public manufacturing companies
  • A financial engineering perspective on the causes of large price changes
  • Corporate governance and board of directors responsibilities
  • An exploratory study on the management of support services in international organizations
  • An accounting perspective of the need for theorizing corporation
  • Impact of coronavirus on international trade relations
  • Is business ethics attainable in the global market arena
  • How exchange rates affect international trading
  • The role of currency derivatives in shaping the global market
  • How to improve international capital structure
  • How to forecast exchange rates
  • Ways of measuring exposure to exchange rates fluctuations
  • How to hedge exposure to exchange rates fluctuations globally
  • How foreign direct investment puts individual countries at risk
  • How to stabilize international capital markets
  • A study of shadow banking in the global environment
  • A comparative analysis of Western markets and African markets
  • Exploring the monetary funding opportunities by the International Monetary Fund

Corporate Finance Research Topics

These 20 topics have the potential to help you write an amazing corporate finance paper, provided you have the will to work hard on your paper:

  • Short- and long-term investment needs for working capital trends
  • Identifying proper capital structure models for a company
  • How capital structure and an organization’s funding of its operations relate
  • Corporate finance decision making in unstable stock markets
  • The effect of firm size on financial decision making incorporates
  • Compare and contrast the different internationally recognized corporate financial reporting standards
  • Evaluate the emerging concept integrated reporting in corporate finance
  • Managing transparency in corporate financial decisions
  • How technological connectivity has helped in integrated financial management
  • How different investment models contribute to the success of a corporate
  • The essence of valuation of cash flows in financial and non-financial corporates
  • Identify the prevalent financial innovations in the USA
  • Ways in which governance influences corporate financial activities
  • Impact of taxes on dividend policies in developed nations
  • How corporate strategies related to corporate finance
  • Implications of the global economic crisis in the backdrop of corporate finance concepts
  • How information technology impact corporate relations among companies
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of corporate financing tools and techniques
  • How do FDI strategies compare in Europe and Asia?
  • The role of transparency and liquidity in alternative corporate investments

Finance Debate Topics

These finance debate topics are formulated in keeping with emerging financial issues globally:

  • Is China’s economy on the verge of ousting that of the US?
  • Does the dynamic nature of the global market affect the financial alienations of countries?
  • Is Foreign Direct Investment in retail sector good for the US?
  • Is it possible to maintain stable oil prices in the world?
  • Are multinational corporations good for the global economy?
  • Does the country of origin matter in selling a product?
  • Are financial companies misusing ethics in marketing?
  • Why should consumer always be king in marketing messages?
  • Does commercialization serve in the best interest of the consumer?
  • Why should companies bother having a mission statement?
  • Why should hospitals receive tax subsidies and levies on drugs?
  • Is television the best medium for advertisement?
  • Is the guarantor principle security or a myth?
  • Compare and contrast market trends in capitalism versus Marxism states
  • Does the name of a business have an impact on its development record?
  • Is it the responsibility of the government to finance small-scale business enterprises?
  • Does budgeting truly serve its purpose in a company?
  • Why should agricultural imports be banned?
  • Is advertising a waste of company resources?
  • Why privatization will lead to less corruption in companies

Finance Topics For Presentation

Is your group or individual finance presentation giving you sleepless nights just because you do not have a topic? Worry no more!

  • The role of diplomatic ties in enhancing financial relations between countries
  • Should banks use force when recovering loans from long-term defaulters?
  • Why mortgages are becoming difficult to repay among the middle class
  • Ways of improving the skilled workforce in developing
  • How technology creates income disparities among social classes
  • The role of rational thinking in making financial decisions
  • How much capital is necessary for a start-up?
  • Are investments in betting firms good for young people?
  • How co-operatives are important in promoting communism in a society
  • Why should countries stop receiving foreign aids and depend on themselves?
  • Compare and contrast the performance of private sectors over public sectors
  • How frequent should reforms be conducted in companies?
  • How globalization affects nationalism
  • Theories of financial development that is still applicable today
  • Should business people head the finance ministry of countries?
  • The impact of the transport sector on revenue and tax collection
  • The impact of space exploration on the country’s economy
  • How regional blocs are impacting developing nations
  • Factors contributing to the growth of online scams
  • What is the impact of trade unions in promoting businesses?

Finance Research Topics For MBA

Here is our best list of top-rated MBA financial topics to write about in 2023, which will generate more passion for a debate:

  • Evaluate the effect of the Global crisis to use the line of credit in maintaining cash flow
  • Discuss options for investment in the shipping industry in the US
  • Financial risk management in the maritime industry: A case study of the blue economy
  • Analyze the various financial risk indicators
  • Financial laws that prevent volatility in the financial market
  • How the global recession has impacted domestic banking industries
  • Discuss IMF’s initiatives in tackling internal inefficiency of new projects
  • How the WTO is essential in the global financial market
  • The link between corporate and capital structures
  • Why is it important to have an individual investment?
  • How to handle credit crisis in financial marketing
  • Financial planning for salaried employee and strategies for tax savings
  • A study on Cost And Costing Models in Companies
  • A critical study on investment patterns and preferences of retail investors
  • Risk portfolio and perception management of equity investors
  • Is there room for improvement in electronic payment systems?
  • Risks and opportunities of investments versus savings
  • Impact of investor awareness towards commodities in the market
  • Is taxation a selling tool for life insurance
  • Impact of earnings per share

Public Finance Topics

These interesting finance topics may augur well with university students majoring in public finance:

  • Financial assistance for businesses and workers during Coronavirus lockdowns
  • Debt sustainability in developing countries
  • How we can use public money to leverage private funds
  • Analyze the use of public funds in developed versus developing countries
  • The reliability of sovereign credit ratings for investors in government securities
  • Propose a method of analysis on the cost-benefit ratio of any government project
  • The role of entities in charge of financial intermediation
  • The reciprocity and impact of tariff barriers
  • Impact of the exempted goods prices on the trade deficit
  • Investor penalties and its impact in the form of taxes and penalties
  • Public government projects that use private funds
  • Ways of measuring the cost of sustainability
  • Maintaining economic growth to avoid a strong recession
  • The impact of the declining income and consumption rates
  • Effects of quarantine and forced suspension of economic activity
  • Innovative means of limiting the scale of pandemic development
  • The growing scale of the public debt of the public finance system
  • A critical analysis of the epidemiological safety instruments used in countries
  • The growing debt crisis of the state finance system
  • How to permanently improve and increase the scale of anti-crisis socio-economic policy planning

Business Finance Topics

You can address the following business finance research papers topics for your next assignment:

  • How organizations are raising and managing funds
  • Analyze the planning, analysis, and control operations and responsibilities of the financial manager
  • Why business managers should take advantage of the federal stimulus package
  • Economical ways of negotiating for lower monthly bills
  • Evaluate the best retirement plans for entrepreneurs
  • Tax reform changes needed to spearhead businesses to the next level
  • How politicians can help small businesses make it to the top
  • Setting up life insurance policies from which you can sidestep the banks and loan yourself money
  • Why every business manager should know about profit and loss statements, revenue by customers and more.
  • Advantages of creating multiple corporations to business entrepreneurs
  • Why good liquidity is a vital weapon in the face of a crisis
  • Reasons why many people are declaring bankruptcy during the coronavirus pandemic
  • Why you should closely examine the numbers before making any financial decisions
  • Benefits of corporations to small scale business ventures
  • How to start a business without money at hand
  • Strategies for improving your company’s online presence
  • Discuss the challenge of debt versus equity for small-scale businesses
  • The impact of financial decisions on the profitability and the risk of a firm’s operations
  • Striking a balance between risk and profitability
  • Why taking the ratio of current assets to current liabilities is important to any business

You can use any of the hot topics mentioned above for your finance dissertation paper or opt for our thesis writing services. We have competitive finance dissertation writing experts ready to tackle your paper to the core.

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A Selection Of Best Topics For A PhD Thesis Paper In Financial Management

Crafting a financial management dissertation starts by coming up with an authentic topic. Many students will be stuck at some points because most topics seem to have been covered in the past. Other topics may seem irrelevant and uninteresting. You can avoid going through such a process by considering the following topics:

  • Microfinance in developing countries. Find out through research whether enough awareness has been raised in such countries and the impact.
  • The relationship between business growth and investment and Accessing credit
  • Comparison of financial innovation in a developed country and a Middle East country
  • Agricultural productivity and credit flow. What is the relationship? How can retail and commercial banks boost agricultural productivity in developing countries?
  • The attitudes and perceptions on investing in emerging markets. You can focus on the idea that emerging markets are expensive and hence offer details on the related perceptions by the developing countries.
  • The role of Financial supervision in addressing cross-border issues
  • Investor behavior. Focus on how investors in a country have been behaving within a decade
  • Hedge funds. What are the reasons for growth of hedge funds in some developing nations? What are the effects of such a growth?
  • The current and future developments of internet banking in developing and developed nations. You could focus on either a developed or a developing country.
  • Ethics in banking. Find out if banks always act ethically in offering credit to the consumer. What are the effects of unethical behavior in banking? You could pay a keen focus on failure to disclose information to the clients while rendering credit to them.
  • The security issues in transactions related to electronic banking. Find out whether the banking sectors have made progress to secure confidential and private consumer data. You could narrow down to the issue of identity theft in the sector.
  • Terrorism and financing
  • Risk management and foreign exchange

Notably, you may want to do more research before settling for any of the above dissertation topics in financial management. This way, you will get a unique point of view that further helps you to craft an outstanding paper. Equally important, you can involve other people to brainstorm on some of the aspects to consider while completing the paper. For more topics suggestions and details on how to come up with a winning paper, check this out .

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  • Financial Advisor

Financial Planning Basics

Jordan Tarver

Updated: Jun 26, 2024, 4:51pm

Financial Planning Basics

No matter the size or scope of your financial goals, a financial plan can help make them a reality.

Financial planning is the process of looking at the current state of your finances and making a step-by-step plan to get it where you want it to be. That may mean devising a plan to become debt-free or figuring out how to save enough money for a down payment on a new home.

This process can include many aspects of personal finance, including investing, debt repayment, building savings, planning for retirement and even purchasing insurance.

Anyone can engage in financial planning—it’s not just for the wealthy. You can get started on making financial goals on your own, and if you choose, you can work with a financial professional to help devise the smartest plan to make those goals a reality.

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5 Steps to Create a Financial Plan

A financial plan is devised of smaller goals or tasks that will help support you along your financial journey. Create a financial plan with these five steps:

1. Identify Your Financial Goals

By identifying your financial goals, you’ll have a clear idea of what you need to accomplish to make them happen. Your goals should be realistic and actionable and include a timeline of when you want to accomplish them.

Making a goal to pay off credit card debt by a certain date, for example, would be an appropriate financial goal that will set you up for success.

2. Set a Budget

Having a clear picture of your finances will make it easier to achieve any financial goals. A budget can help you understand where your money is going each month. It can also help you identify where you may be overspending, giving you opportunities to cut back and allocate that money elsewhere.

One of the easiest budgets to start with is the 50/30/20 budget . This budget plan allocates your monthly income into three buckets: mandatory expenses (50%), savings and debt repayment (20%) and discretionary spending (30%). This is just one of many types of budgeting plans out there.

A budget should be a guide to help you understand your monthly finances and devise smaller goals that will bring you closer to your long-term financial goals. You likely won’t always follow your budget down to every single penny; keeping this in mind will help you stay on track, rather than get discouraged and give up on budgeting altogether.

There are apps out there that make budgeting much easier by helping you visualize your spending and savings choices each month. Some budgeting apps even give you the option to enter your financial goals directly into their platform to help you stay on track. A fully featured budgeting app allows you to track spending, manage recurring bill payments, set savings goals and manage your monthly cash flow.

3. Build an Emergency Fund

Building an emergency fund will help make sure that a financial emergency doesn’t become a catastrophic financial event.

Experts usually recommend having six months’ worth of living expenses saved to cushion you, should the unfortunate unexpected happen, such as losing a job. But six months’ worth of money can be unattainable for those who may be struggling financially, or those living in tight financial means each month.

You can start building an emergency fund by setting a few dollars aside each paycheck. You can start with a small fund goal of $100 to $200 to establish your fund. From there, you can create other smaller goals that will add up to a larger financial cushion. Some budgeting and savings apps also give you the option of rounding up to the nearest dollar in transactions and funnel that spare change toward your savings.

4. Reduce Your Debt

Having to make debt payments each month means you’ll have less money to allocate toward your purchase goals. Plus, carrying credit card debt can be expensive; every month, you’re accruing interest on your balance, which can make it take longer to pay off.

There are a variety of debt payoff methods out there. Two of the most popular include the debt snowball and debt avalanche methods . With the snowball method, you’ll pay off your smallest balance debts first, then make your way to the ones with the higher balances. The debt avalanche, on the other hand, starts with higher interest rate debts first.

5. Invest for the Future

Although risky, investing can help grow your money, even if you’re not wealthy. You can get started with investing by enrolling in your company’s 401(k) plan or opening a low-or-no fee account through an online broker .

Keep in mind that investing always involves some risk; you could end up losing the money you invest. There are also robo-advisors that automatically recommend investments based on your goals and risk tolerance.

Looking For A Financial Advisor?

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Bottom Line

A financial plan is composed of a series of smaller goals that will help you achieve a larger financial goal, such as purchasing a home or retiring comfortably. A solid financial plan includes identifying your goals, creating a budget, building an emergency fund, paying off high interest debt and investing.

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Jordan Tarver has spent seven years covering mortgage, personal loan and business loan content for leading financial publications such as Forbes Advisor. He blends knowledge from his bachelor's degree in business finance, his experience as a top performer in the mortgage industry and his entrepreneurial success to simplify complex financial topics. Jordan aims to make mortgages and loans understandable.

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California to make financial literacy classes a requirement to graduate high school

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California is set to add financial literacy classes as a requirement to graduate high school.

The video above is from a related story and will be updated.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday an agreement with Nex Gen Personal Finance , a national financial literacy non-profit.

The agreement requires all California high school students to take a semester-long personal finance education course starting by the 2027-28 school year.

The course will also be a graduation requirement starting with the Class of 2030-31.

"We need to help Californians prepare for their financial futures as early as possible," Newsom said in a statement. "Saving for the future, making investments, and spending wisely are lifelong skills that young adults need to learn before they start their careers, not after."

Nex Gen Personal Finance, which sponsored California Assembly Bill 2927, aims to have all U.S. high schoolers take at least one semester of a personal finance course before graduation.

Governor Newsom says he will sign the bill into law. This comes after California lawmakers approved a budget on Wednesday that slashes spending and temporarily raises taxes on some businesses to close an estimated $46.8 billion budget deficit.

Once the bill is signed, proponents of the California Personal Finance Education Act initiative have agreed to remove its measure from the November 2024 ballot.

Related Topics

  • PERSONAL FINANCE
  • HIGH SCHOOL
  • GAVIN NEWSOM
  • CALIFORNIA LEGISLATION

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Choosing Between a Structured or Conversational Interview

  • Marlo Lyons

phd financial management topics

Both approaches have pros and cons — and can yield different insights about a candidate.

It’s critical to avoid the financial burden of making a wrong hire. Two approaches to conducting interviews — structured and conversational — can yield different insights about a candidate. While structured interviews make it easier to compare candidate responses and help ensure each interviewer covers distinct areas without redundancy, they may fall short in uncovering the candidate’s communication style and adaptability to change in a real-world setting. Conversational interviews offer a unique opportunity to get to know a candidate better by engaging them in a discussion about a real problem your organization is facing or has faced, but they can also present greater opportunities for bias to creep in. Here’s what each interview method can reveal about a candidate and when you might want to use them.

Interviewing candidates involves more than assessing their hard and soft skills — it’s crucial to choose the right method to gain a comprehensive understanding of their potential long-term fit for the team and company. During my time in human resources, I frequently encountered new hires who possessed extensive experience and expertise but struggled to adapt, which ultimately benefited no one. This mismatch often stemmed from a lack of alignment between the candidate’s values and the company’s environment and core principles, as well as the hiring manager’s lack of understanding about a candidate’s long-term career aspirations and motivations.

phd financial management topics

  • Marlo Lyons is a career, executive, and team coach, as well as the award-winning author of Wanted – A New Career: The Definitive Playbook for Transitioning to a New Career or Finding Your Dream Job . You can reach her at marlolyonscoaching.com .

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