2015 Best 40 Under 40 Professors: Panos Patatoukas, Haas School

Panos N. Patatoukas

Assistant Professor of Accounting & Finance

University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business

 

Panos Patatoukas

Panos Patatoukas, a professor in the accounting group at the U.C. Berkeley Haas School of Business, has collected degrees the way some people collect stamps. He has a PhD in accounting and finance, plus two masters degrees in management from Yale, a master’s in accounting and finance from the London School of Economics, plus a BA in accounting and finance from Athens University of Economics and Business, where he graduated as valedictorian in 2003. He’s also no slouch at collecting honors: at Haas, he has won teaching excellence awards in 2010, 2011, and 2012, plus the Earl F. Cheit Outstanding Teaching Award in the fall of 2012. He studies the relationship between aggregate accounting data and the macroeconomy, financial statement analysis for measuring and forecasting economic activity, financial statement analysis and valuation, and cross-industry economic ties and supply chain management.

Age: 33

At current institution since: 2010

Education:

Ph.D., Accounting & Finance, Yale University, December 2010

Courses currently teaching: 

Financial Information Analysis & Valuation

Professor you most admire: 

Professor Jake Thomas, my mentor at Yale University

“I knew I wanted to be a b-school professor when…”:

When I realized that through financial education we can actually increase social welfare!

“If I weren’t a b-school professor…”: 

I would be an entrepreneur.

Most memorable moment in the classroom or in general as a professor: 

Every single MBA class I’ve taught at Haas is memorable! I feel especially connected to my most recent roster of 120+ MBA students at Haas in the Evening and Weekend program.

What professional achievement are you most proud of? 

I am very proud of being part of U.C. Berkeley. The history and values of Cal fit my personality and background. “Confidence without Attitude” is one of the defining principles of the Haas School of Business that I associate with and implement in my life.

What do you enjoy most about teaching? 

I thoroughly enjoy breaking down and communicating complex ideas to my students. The energy of a classroom packed with MBA students eager to learn excites me!

What do you enjoy least? 

What I enjoy the least is having to think that there is something I do not enjoy!

Fun fact about yourself: 

I am originally from Athens, Greece and I am very proud of my heritage.

Favorite book: 

The Little Prince

Favorite movie: 

The Godfather (Parts I and II) because I usually make offers that you cannot refuse.

Favorite type of music: 

West Coast Hip Hop!

Favorite television show: 

I don’t have a TV!

Favorite vacation spot: 

Greek islands!

What are your hobbies? 

Teaching and research are my hobbies! When I’m not teaching or doing research, you will find me cooking some variation of Mediterranean cuisine.

Twitter handle: None!

“If I had my way, the business school of the future would have…” 

More students who want to study but cannot afford to do so.

Students say…

Taking Professor Patatoukas’ Financial Informational Analysis class is definitely one of the defining moments in my MBA journey. He turns complex theories into easily digestible concepts. He fills the classroom with laughter, yet he is serious in his delivery of key takeaways. His application of practical, progressive learning models motivates you to explore beyond the classroom settings.

– Cecilia M.

Panos is perhaps the most engaging professor and as well as the most caring professor I have ever come across. In our FIA class, he always opened his lecture by saying “this is going to be the most amazing class”, and he always delivered on that promise. His teaching focuses on giving students the tools and knowledge that could help them advance their careers. For many of us, myself included, that had truly been the case. Lastly, Panos cares a great deal about his students. He is always available when students needed help, well beyond his required office hours.”

– Shou Z.

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