accounting: research areas and schools?

[oliver2014]

Hi, folks! Before applying to some doctoral programs in accounting in the coming fall, I really need advice and appreciate what you have to say. 

 

Research area?

I enjoyed helping people who have a hard time writing academic papers in business. But I'm not sure which area I should dive into. My professor suggested I pick one from something like "archival", "behavioral", "experimental" and etc, which I don't have a clue about. I had two years audit experience at some big 4 accounting firm and then jumped to an investment firm where I work as the VP in OTC listing and direct finance. I have little interest in audit or tax. Math and statistics are not my strong suits, though I should do them right if I practiced less in running or did not chair the orchestra in college.

 

Schools?

Canadian and U.S. schools are the targets. I have a 750 GMAT (Q50, V40, IR8, AWA6), 3.68 GPA for MAcc (U.S.) and roughly 3.3 GPA for BBA (somewhere else). So far I've secured two recommendations, one from he firm I used to work at, and the other from a research partner who is attending some top doctoral program in economics. I'd like to consider some place that offers competitive financial packages and would probably let me go in five years or less. I prefer north to south because of the cooler weather and fewer creepy reptiles.

 

Thank you very much! And I look forward to working with some of you in the future.