John R. Cooper, CPA
When John R. Cooper, CPA, initially joined the accounting profession, he learned that working with giant companies wasn’t working for him. He wanted to make connections and work directly with business owners and senior management. Cooper, a senior assurance manager and partner, found what he was looking for at HoganTaylor in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “My passion is to provide services for small- and medium-sized businesses instead of large publicly-traded corporations,” said Cooper, now a senior assurance manager and partner. “I didn’t feel like I could truly make a difference with the corporations and I didn’t understand how I was adding value or assisting with day-to-day issues. I rarely formed a personal relationship with my assurance clients due to turnover or downsizing within the industry and thus was left offering only a technical accounting service aspect.” Cooper, who received his bachelor’s
from Oklahoma State University said, “It was when I left the large firms of public accounting and starting working with regional firms where my passion for service was finally being encouraged. In working with business owners and their senior management, I have become a trusted advisor within their industry...” Randa Vernon, CPA and partner at
HoganTaylor, said, “I have experienced firsthand John’s ability to lead and create opportunities... John has gained the respect of his partners and peers through his hard work and willingness to play any part of service-oriented tasks.”
“My other passion is understanding what motivates the individuals who have chosen to work for our respected firm,” Cooper added. “I take great pride in being a career advisor and a mentor to many of our newer employees within the assurance department. I challenge them to foster relationships with their peers, become ingrained within the community, and always be willing to help others succeed. ” Being ingrained with his community is something Cooper embraced whole- heartedly in 2014. Te Poteau, Oklahoma, native applied for—and was accepted to— Leadership Tulsa Class of 51. “Not growing up in Tulsa, I was unaware of its history and industries, outside of oil and gas,” Cooper said. “Being selected among over 400 applicants to join 54 other individuals was a great accomplishment and something I didn’t want to take for granted.” Cooper, a nine-year OSCPA member,
parlayed his Leadership Tulsa experience into joining the board of directors for the Tulsa Advocates for the Protection of Children (TAPC), an organization that helps foster children in Oklahoma. “As a father, it is hard to imagine what some children go through early in life,” Cooper said. “As the State of Oklahoma continues to close shelters, it is paramount for organizations like ours to step in and normalize these children’s lives as much as possible. Serving on TAPC’s board of directors has truly inspired me to do more for those who are less fortunate and to take an interest in Oklahoma’s budget crisis.”
“Winning isn’t everything, but wanting it is.” ~Arnold Palmer
JOHN’S TRAIL MIX
If I weren’t a CPA: I would be a professional golfer.
You’ll never catch me wearing: Skinny jeans
My nickname is: Coop
Do you have any quirky talents? I can change light bulbs really easily. (Editor’s Note: He’s tall.)
What is your personal theme song? Eye of the Tiger
Are you famous for anything? Te Coop Dawg Dance
What was your favorite toy as a child? Big Wheel
If you could have an endless supply of anything, what would it be? Gasoline
Have you ever met anyone famous? Garth Brooks
Do you collect anything? Coins
March/April 2017
CPAFOCUS 13
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