11:12 a.m., Oct. 1, 2009----Thomas Vermeer, associate professor of accounting and management information systems in the University of Delaware's Lerner College of Business and Economics, has received the prestigious 2009 Outstanding Research Paper Award from the American Accounting Association's Government and Nonprofit Section for the paper, “Do Local Governments Present Required Disclosures for Defined Benefit Pension Plans?”

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"I was pleasantly surprised and deeply honored to have been selected by my academic peers to receive the award," Vermeer said. "It is a high compliment to be recognized by your professional peers."

The research paper examines the funding and reporting of defined benefit pension plans for local governments in Michigan and Pennsylvania, an issue that has significant business implications given recent pension scandals in San Diego and widespread declines in the stock market, Vermeer said.

"I have used this paper in my classes to illustrate to students the impact of accounting decisions, the importance of presenting and interpreting accounting information, and the reality of the significant pension obligations local governments must address in the near future," said Vermeer, who joined the University of Delaware from the University of Baltimore this fall and teaches financial accounting.

"I am very pleased that a member of our faculty has received such a prestigious award from an organization that promotes worldwide excellence in accounting education, research and practice," said Conrado (Bobby) M. Gempesaw, dean of UD's Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics. "This honor underlines the high quality of our faculty, whose experience ensures that our students receive superior education."

Vermeer received his bachelor's degree in accounting from George Mason University in 1989. He earned a master's degree in audit and financial accounting and a doctorate in accounting from the University of North Texas in 1995 and 1998, respectively.

Vermeer earned special recognition for an article, “To Compete or Noncompete,” in the February 2004 issue of the Journal of Accountancy.

Vermeer received the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Elijah Watt Sells Award and Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants' Gold Medal Award for grades received on the May 1989 Uniform CPA Examination.

Article by Martin A Mbugua