Germain Böer

Professor of Accounting, Emeritus Director, Owen Entrepreneurship Center

Subject Area(s): Accounting and Taxation, Entrepreneurship

Germain Böer is an innovator in all that he does. His courses use technology and creative assignments that challenge students to think, and feature speakers who have created unusual companies. He also conducts experiential learning programs that transform students into self-driven entrepreneurs.

After working for Arthur Andersen & Co., the Institute of Management Accountants., and two universities, Prof. Böer joined The Owen School in 1977 as a professor of management accounting, Since that time, he has initiated numerous entrepreneurship activities at Owen, including an annual entrepreneurship conference; student sessions with venture capitalists; and a new course, "Adventures in Entrepreneurship," in which Owen students learn how to start a new venture by working directly with entrepreneurs. Prof. Böer also instituted a program that connected students holding graduate degrees in biology with local biotech companies so the students could learn about the business side of the industry while earning an MBA. Further, an alliance with BizTech, a technology incubator in Huntsville, Alabama, allows Owen students to work on projects with technology companies while helping build strong relationships between Owen faculty members and Huntsville entrepreneurs.

He currently serves as an advisor to startup companies in the Nashville area and is a member of the editorial boards of Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, and Strategic Finance. He has provided consulting services for companies such as Chase Manhattan Bank, the National Heart and Lung Institute, General Electric, and Magnatek. Prof. Böer is the past recipient of two Owen teaching awards and in 1999 he was presented with the Most Outstanding Teacher Award by the graduating Executive MBA class. In 2003, the Tennessee District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration named him Small Business Research Advocate of the Year. In addition to his academic service, Prof. Boer served as Interim Dean of the Owen School in 1986-87.

Education: B.S., Commerce, St. Edward's University, 1960 M.B.A., Accounting, Texas Tech University, 1961 Ph.D., Business Administration, Louisiana State University, 1964

Research Interest(s): Financial management, startup financing for new ventures, cost accounting, technology commercialization, and institutional structures that encourage innovation.

Area(s) of Expertise: Entrepreneurship, management accounting, management consulting, venture capital.