The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario conducts a program of financial support for chartered accountants pursuing doctoral studies, which will prepare them for a career in teaching and research in accounting, assurance or taxation.  The program is now in its 33rd year.  Seventeen of the 41 candidates who have obtained their PhD under this program are currently teaching at Ontario universities.  In addition, sixteen candidates are in the process of completing their studies.  The program’s net paid/committed support amounts to almost $1.28 million to date.

The program has the following objectives:

• to help assure a continuing supply of qualified teachers in accounting, assurance and taxation in Ontario universities;
• to enhance the long-run research capabilities of the accounting profession; and
• to encourage the development of accounting doctoral programs in Canada.

Upon completion of all obligations under the doctoral studies support program agreement, a candidate shall receive the designation "The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario Doctoral Fellow" (ICAO Doctoral Fellow) and shall be entitled to cite the support program completed as "The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario Doctoral Fellowship".  To date, seventeen candidates have become ICAO Doctoral Fellows.