Jerry Topp, a 1974 graduate of Valley City State University, has been selected by the Valley City State University (VCSU)Alumni Board of Directors to become the 56th recipient of the Distinguished Alumni award.

Topp joined Eide Bailly in 1978 and was promoted to partner in 1989. He served as partner-in-charge of the firm's Fargo, N.D. office for four years before being appointed to chief operating officer in 2000. On May 1, 2003 he was elected by the partners to serve as managing partner/CEO of the firm.

As managing partner, Topp is responsible for carrying out the policies and objectives adopted by the firm's Board of Directors. Topp oversees the management and profitability of the firm and is responsible for implementing and monitoring actions to achieve the firm's strategic and long-range plans. Topp is also responsible for monitoring developments in the profession and business environment, and determining their relevance to the firm, to ensure continuity and success.

Topp is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants(AICPA), the AICPA Major Firms Group Committee, and has most recently served on the AICPA Nominations Committee. He is also a member of the North Dakota and Minnesota Societies of Certified Public Accountants. In 2005, President Ellen Chaffee presented Topp with the Distinguished Service Award.

Topp is a Grace City, N.D. native. He has a bachelor's degree in business education from VCSU and a master's degree in accounting and business law from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D. He holds his CPA license from the state of North Dakota.
Jerry lives in Fargo, N.D. with his wife, Marie (VCSU '74), who is a retired regional vision consultant with the North Dakota School for the Blind. They have two grown sons.