Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/201447
Participating universities in the ADS program were required to accept ADS Program Scholars as incremental enrollments, not enrollments that filled currently funded slots. Thirty-nine to 42 universities participated in the program during each of the four years. Moreover, for the program to be successful, participating firms were encouraged to inform their audit and tax staff members of this opportunity to make a career change. Confirming Commitments Each year, the council followed a two-step process to narrow down the pool of applicants for the ADS Program. First, a selection committee identified the most promising applicants and paid their travel expenses to attend an orientation in Chicago. The first year of the program, many people who applied were not eligible—only 53 of 131 initial applicants were invited to the orientation event. After the first year, we believe the number of applications decreased as potential candidates learned what was required of successful applicants. In year two, 60 of 99 applicants were invited to move on; in year three, 60 of 77; and in year four, 58 of 78. At the Chicago conference, we offered three panel sessions to give applicants a clear understanding of academic life. They included "Secrets of a Successful Applicant," "Life as a Doctoral Student," and "Life as a Faculty Member." A concluding programs fair gave candidates the opportunity to visit with representatives from all participating universities. Second, those applicants were asked to inform us—within one week—that they were committed to enrolling in doctoral programs and becoming accounting professors. 52 November/December 2013 BizEd slots had become available. In addition, some applicants who weren't chosen for the ADS Program were enrolled in university-funded slots. About 10 percent withdrew their applications after the conference. Many simply noted that the program was "not what I thought I was signing up for." Once the committee selected final ADS Program Scholars, their names were posted on the ADS Program website, where participating universities could access the information. Each scholar received an annual $30,000 stipend for four years. In addition, participating universities were required to fund their tuition for four years and could supplement the stipend if they wished. Participating universities with five-year programs were required to provide their standard graduate assistant stipend and other financial support during the fifth year. Of the 89 scholars enrolled in doctoral programs at participating universities over the first three years, only ten had discontinued their study by the fall term of the fourth year. Thirty-five new ADS Program Scholars were funded in the fall of 2012, bringing the total enrollments of our program to 114. We know that some candidates dropped out at their host universities to accept offers of enrollment at their first-choice universities, where Key Lessons Now that we have funded the last class of ADS Program Scholars, we can look back at what we have learned. First of all, we discovered that working professionals know very little about academic careers, and even less about doctoral education. For that reason, we knew that it would be essential for us to provide applicants with a clear understanding of what lay ahead for them if they chose this path. More important, we found that a pool of highly qualified applicants for accounting doctoral programs exists, but they must be actively recruited. We believe the same is true for other business disciplines. We encourage other disciplines that face a shortage of academically qualified faculty to initiate programs similar to the ADS Program. By working closely with the employers who hire their graduates, departments can better identify, recruit, and support outstanding candidates who want to pursue academic careers. In an era of faculty shortages and university budget cuts, we believe that such an approach could not be more critical or timely. Doyle Z. Williams served as the executive director of the Accounting Doctoral Scholars Program until August 31, 2012. Steve Matzke is director of faculty and university initiatives at the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is now serving as the program administrator for ADS. Those who would like more information on this initiative can reach the authors at ADSProgram@aicpa.org.