John J. Maher

880 West Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Education
Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University, MBA University of Scranton, B.S. University of Scranton
Specialization
Capital Markets and Accounting Information, and Information Systems in Accounting
Biography
John J. (Jack) Maher holds the endowed Tom Wells/Kathy Dargo Professorship, has been a faculty member at Virginia Tech since 1985. He specializes in teaching and research on capital markets and accounting information, and information systems in accounting.
Director of the department’s Ph.D. program for 15 years, Maher received the college’s 2009 Outstanding Faculty in Doctoral Education Award. In addition, he has received three other college awards for teaching excellence.
His recent research has examined the capital market implications of firms meeting or beating revenue and cash flow forecasts, the effects of real earnings management on credit markets, and the influence of earnings management on IPO pricing. Professor Maher’s research has been published in leading journals such as The Accounting Review; Journal of Accounting, Auditing & Finance; Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory; Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting; The Journal of the American Taxation Association; Accounting Horizons and others. His research has applied decision modeling to accounting and auditing, particularly in debt markets.
Maher has professional work experience as a public accountant in New Zealand and as an internal auditor and management accountant in Pennsylvania.
In giving back to the community, Maher has spent many years volunteering his time and talent as coach of youth soccer and basketball programs at various levels. He has also been a 20-year member of the Recreation Advisory Board in his community. Finally, Professor Maher has helped build houses for Habitat for Humanity and has been active in his church as a member of the Finance Council and Sunday lector.