“Reflecting on my time as a doctoral student at the School of Accounting and Finance, I am filled with gratitude and pride. The doctoral program at AF has equipped me with invaluable knowledge and research ability and fostered a spirit of collaboration and synergy that has proven to be an asset in my academic career.

I was able to study in a cross-disciplinary environment and could learn from and collaborate with renowned professors and researchers who possessed extensive knowledge and expertise spanning both accounting and finance. This exposure to diverse perspectives and cutting-edge scholarship has been truly valuable. I had the chance to participate in various seminars, workshops, and conferences. The opportunity to engage with the broader academic community, present my work, and receive valuable feedback has been essential in shaping me as a scholar. I was grateful that I could broaden my horizons and establish my research interests in financial accounting during my PhD study. As I now serve as an accounting faculty member at the Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing, I am deeply committed to carrying forward the remarkable spirit and values I have gained from the doctoral program at AF.”

 

Xiao LI, PhD graduate (2017)

 

 

“My time studying at PolyU School of Accounting and Finance is one of my most cherished memories. I started in 2015 and graduated in 2019—those four years flew by, but I gained way more than I ever imagined. The professors were super dedicated, and I got to soak up knowledge from workshops and talks by famous scholars worldwide. I also miss my fellow peers, with whom I spent an exceptionally fulfilling time within a spacious shared office. After graduation, I joined Xiamen University as a faculty member. Collaborating with PolyU mentors, I have published two papers titled “Credit Information Sharing and Investment Efficiency: Cross-Country Evidence” and “Credit Information Sharing and Firm Innovation: Evidence from the Establishment of Public Credit Registries” in Contemporary Accounting Research. PolyU AF was like a never-ending feast of knowledge. I still daydream about those days sometimes. Now I’m hustling for bigger academic wins, armed with everything my teachers drilled into me—their wisdom and that hardcore scholarly rigor.”

Fangfang HOU, PhD graduate (2019)

 

 

“Pursuing a PhD degree at PolyU’s School of Accounting and Finance was one of the best decisions I have made. I started my PhD study in 2015 and graduated in 2020. I am currently an Assistant Professor in Accounting at Hong Kong Baptist University. During my PhD programme, I was trained in a world-class research environment, with comprehensive coursework, adequate stipend, supportive supervisors, access to many databases, as well as extensive exposure to PhD workshops and research seminars delivered by renowned scholars from all over the world. The professors in the School of Accounting and Finance were productive and willing to guide PhD students. In the 5th year of my study, I published a paper titled “Policy uncertainty and loan loss provisions in the banking industry” in the Review of Accounting Studies together with Professors Jeffrey Ng and Walid Saffar. Life at PolyU was more than just academic pursuit. Playing basketball and hiking around Hong Kong were some of my favourite pastimes.”

Janus ZHANG, PhD graduate (2020)

 

 

“I enrolled in the PhD programme at the School of Accounting and Finance in 2017. I will graduate in June 2021 and join Central University of Finance and Economics as an assistant professor. I have received high-quality academic training from PhD coursework, PhD workshops, and research seminars. The School of Accounting and Finance is one big family and I have enjoyed my PhD life here. Our professors are very kind and willing to offer suggestions or work with PhD students on research projects. In 2021, I published, together with my professors, two papers, “Talk less, learn more: Strategic disclosure in response to managerial learning from the options market” in the Journal of Accounting Research and “CEO early-life disaster experience and stock price crash risk” in the Journal of Corporate Finance. I have had a wonderful time studying and having fun with my fellow PhD students.”

Xin YANG, PhD graduate (2021)

 

 

“The doctoral program at the School of Accounting and Finance (AF) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has been instrumental in shaping my academic journey. The faculty members are not only leading experts in their respective fields, but also exceptionally supportive and approachable. I had the valuable opportunity to co-author research papers with them, which helped me establish my research pipeline early in my PhD journey. The program also offered comprehensive coursework, generous financial support, and access to high-quality research seminars delivered by distinguished scholars from around the world. Now, as a faculty member at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, I’ve come to appreciate that the benefits of the program extend far beyond the publication of high-quality papers. The faculty at AF taught me the importance of both depth and breadth in research and inspired me to adopt the mindset of a lifelong learner—one who remains humble, curious, and intellectually engaged.”

Freya CHEN, PhD graduate (2024)