While attending Graham (Texas) High School, Cooper Gordy took accounting classes from Sherri Walker. The teacher instilled a lot of confidence and knowledge in Cooper. So much so that he left high school knowing that he wanted to be an accountant.
Cooper – known as “Coop” to friends and family – did just that. In May, he graduated from the Sam M. Walton College of Business with both his Master of Professional Accounting and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting. In July, Cooper begins work at Ernst & Young in Northwest Arkansas.
“I chose the MPAcc program because the accounting professors at the U of A are the best in the business, in my opinion,” Cooper said. “It was through the instruction of Dr. Erin Henry and Dr. Robyn Jarnagin that I discovered an interest in tax, which I will be pursuing at Ernst & Young.”
Cooper loves the problem-solving challenges in accounting, and his new job will provide lots of opportunities for him. He will serve as a national diversified tax staff member at EY’s Rogers branch.
“Every tax case that I will work on will present a challenge for me, which will provide copious amounts of growth,” he said. “The amount of research required, along with the ever-changing nature of the U.S. tax system, will require me to continue learning throughout the course of my career.”
Cooper’s professional accounting classes prepared him for his new position and strengthened his skills in research, analysis and, most importantly, independent thinking – all critical in his new job.
“The class that I believe will be the most relevant to my job is Advanced Taxation, with Dr. Erin Henry. This class was one of my most challenging, requiring research and high-level analysis,” Cooper shared. “However, I enjoyed the material and Dr. Henry’s teaching style, which encouraged participation and independent thinking from the students.”
Cooper took advantage of a 5-year integrated program at Walton College that accounting majors may apply to participate in. It allows qualifying undergraduate students to begin graduate classes their senior year. It also helps to prepare accounting students for the Certified Professional Accountant exam and qualifies them for the exam’s academic requirements.
“I would absolutely encourage others to utilize the MPAcc pathway in their senior year. The transition into the graduate program is seamless, which was extremely beneficial for me (as someone who completed the program in 3+1 instead of 4+1),” he said. “Furthermore, by moving the admission forward a year, I believe that the MPAcc decreases anxiety and restlessness about the near future.”
Cooper Gordy is authentic, casual and welcoming. While he is serious about academics, he also values living in the moment with friends and family. He loves sports and is looking forward to the NBA finals, but the Razorbacks are always his favorite go-to team. He lights up when talking about the Razorbacks competing in the Men's College World Series. He enjoys hanging out with friends and family, trying out new restaurants and hitting the courts for pickleball.
Cooper’s personality informs his advice for his younger sister Emilee, who is Fayetteville-bound this fall as she enters the University of Arkansas as a freshman. She plans to study exercise science and physical therapy.
“My biggest advice to her as she starts school is to remember to have fun! College is all about earning a degree, for sure,” he said. “It is also a time for personal growth and countless memories to be made.”
Cooper’s plans for the future include earning his CPA license, find professional success and see where life takes him.
“All that I know, so far, is that I will be working in the tax service line. I will be in the career path that I have hoped for in the location that I have wanted to live, so I am extremely grateful in this season of my life.”
