Thomas L. Zeller

Thomas L. Zeller is a Professor in the Department of Accounting and Business Law at the Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago. He holds a PhD in Business Administration (Accounting) from Kent State University and has been actively contributing to academic and professional accounting discourse for decades.

His educational background includes:

• PhD in Business Administration - Accounting, Kent State University
• MBA in General Business, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
• BBA in Professional Accounting, Eastern Washington University

Zeller's research focuses on financial ratio analysis, activity-based costing, rolling forecasts, and case development. He has extensively studied the evolution of financial reporting practices, including annual report trends, IFRS adoption, and sustainability reporting. His work bridges academic rigor with practical application, particularly in healthcare, e-business, and corporate financial leadership contexts.

His recent scholarly output centers on refining financial ratio taxonomies under IFRS and U.S. GAAP, analyzing lease vs. buy decisions, and developing educational cases that link theory to real-world practice. The publications reflect a consistent focus on improving financial decision-making tools and enhancing accounting education.

Notable awards and recognitions include:

• 2001-2002 Quinlan School of Business Undergraduate Faculty Member of the Year
• Multiple appearances on the Dean’s List for top MBA and undergraduate faculty (1997–2002)
• Arthur Andersen & Company Alumni Faculty Fellow (1995–1996)
• Best Case Award at the Academy of Business Discipline Conference (2010)

Zeller has served as a faculty affiliate and representative in prominent organizations such as the American Accounting Association and the Illinois CPA Society, where he also serves on the board. He consults on business performance measurement and activity-based costing, particularly in healthcare and e-commerce. He teaches a wide range of courses at both graduate and undergraduate levels, including accounting information systems, cost/managerial accounting, strategic management, and executive education programs. He has co-developed numerous teaching materials, including e-learning projects centered on McDonald’s annual reports and sustainability initiatives.