Somnath Das, PHD
Professor & Coordinator of Doctoral Program
Department of Accounting
Contact
Building & Room:
UH 2330, (M/C: 006)
Address:
601 S. Morgan St., Chicago, IL 60607
Email:
CV Link:
Related Sites:
About
Somnath Das is a Professor of Accounting and Coordinator of the Doctoral Program in the College of Business Administration at the University of Illinois Chicago. His teaching spans financial accounting, managerial accounting, and research methods at the undergraduate, MBA, MSA, and doctoral levels.
With decades of industry experience — including leadership roles at the Atomic Energy Commission of India — Professor Das brings a uniquely applied perspective to accounting education, connecting foundational concepts to real-world policy and financial decision-making.
He is deeply committed to student success and doctoral mentorship, having supervised PhD students at both UIC and UC Berkeley, and consistently earning commendation for teaching excellence across institutions.
Selected Grants
University of Illinois Chicago, Faculty Scholarship Support Program: Raising the Research Profile, College of Business Administration, 2011-2013
Selected Publications
- Das, S., Schaberl, P., & Sen, P. K. (2022). Analyst’ use of dividends in earnings forecasts. Review of Accounting Studies.
- Das, S., Gong, J., & Li, S. (2022). The effect of accounting expertise of board committees on the short- and long-term consequences of financial restatements. Journal of Accounting, Auditing & Finance, 37(3), 603–632.
- Das, S., Kim, K., & Patro, S. (2017). An empirical examination of the divergence between managers’ and analysts’ earnings forecasts. Contemporary Accounting Research, 34(4).
- Das, S., Kim, K., & Patro, S. (2011). An analysis of managerial use and market consequences of earnings management and expectation management. The Accounting Review.
- Das, S., Guo, R., & Zhang, H. (2006). Analysts’ selective coverage and subsequent performance of newly public firms. Journal of Finance, 61(3).
Notable Honors
2020, Financial Accounting and Reporting Section (FARS) Excellence in Reviewing Award, American Accounting Association
2019, Dean’s Research Professor by the Department of Accounting, UIC College of Business Administration
2014, Outstanding Service Award, American Accounting Association
2010, University Scholar Award of the University of Illinois by the Department of Accounting, UIC College of Business Administration
Education
Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University
M.Phil., Public Policy Analysis, Carnegie Mellon University
Post-Graduate Diploma in Management (equivalent to MBA), Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
B.Sc. (Honors, Physics), St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi
Professional Memberships
(Relevant Proff experience)
Head, Planning & Analysis Group, Atomic Energy Commission, Government of India (1979–1981) — ex-officio advisor to CEOs and Board Member of five major government enterprises including Bhabha Atomic Research Center and Nuclear Power Corporation.
Member, Planning & Analysis Group, Atomic Energy Commission, Government of India (1976–1979).
Consulting engagements including brand valuation (with Prof. David Aaker), curriculum design for India's senior federal administrator training academy, and fisheries economic impact assessment.
Panel of Experts, Westlaw Round Table Group, Thomson Reuters.
Selected Presentations
Best Paper Award, 2004 International Finance Conference (National Taiwan University)
Three ANBAR/Emerald Management Reviews Citations of Excellence for Highest Quality Rating
FARS Excellence in Reviewing Award, American Accounting Association (2020)
Ernst & Young Professorship, UIC College of Business Administration (2008–09)
Intellectual Property
Commitment to student success
Coordinator, Doctoral Program in Accounting, UIC (2015–present) — actively mentors and supervises PhD candidates through completion.
Doctoral dissertation committee chair or member for nine students across UIC, UC Berkeley, and University of Cincinnati.
Recipient of multiple Dean's Letters of Commendation for high teaching ratings (4.2+/5.0) and UC Berkeley 'Six Plus Club' membership (6.0+/7.0) for teaching excellence.
Faculty Mentor, CBA Business Scholars' Program (2014–present).
Executive education delivery to family business executives, financial market traders, and international banking professionals.