Jacob Slaton

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Cooper Whaley
Investment Analyst, Circumference Group
Age: 29 | Hometown: Rogers | Alma Mater: University of Arkansas

Cooper Whaley initially set out to become an accountant. However, while taking courses at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, he discovered that finance and investing held more appeal, prompting him to pivot his career path toward investment banking. 

“My degree gave me the foundational skills to transition into an investment analyst,” Cooper said. “Concepts like financial markets, economic principles, and investing strategies are applied daily. My degree also taught me skills such as data analysis and financial modeling, making it easier to handle real-world tasks.”

The high earning potential of investing careers was a primary motivation for him following graduation. The comprehensive skill set he has cultivated within the industry has since prepared him for diverse career paths. He finds the job engaging because it blends problem-solving with real-world impact, all within a continually expanding industry.

“The most surprising thing about being an investment analyst is how much psychology plays into it,” Cooper said. “Financial markets aren’t just about numbers, but are influenced by human emotions, news headlines, or even social trends.”

Cooper developed an early interest in business and finance, influenced by his father. He possesses a strong enthusiasm for analyzing company financial models, solving intricate investment challenges, and staying current with significant market news and events. He also noted that a career in this field doesn't require exceptional math skills.

“One common misconception is that investment analysts just sit around and watch stock prices on charts all day,” Cooper said. “In reality, it’s a lot of research, financial analysis and thesis formulation. Another [misconception] is that you need to be a math genius. While math is involved and important, it is much less complex than geometry or calculus, in my opinion.”

Let's Talk Money

What was your first job?

“[I was an] Office manager at a lawn care company. [I] learned the effort required to effectively manage a business.” 

What is the worst money mistake you ever made? 

“Not building credit soon enough. Getting a low-limit collateralized credit card early on will make it so much easier to build a good credit score.”

What is the best money decision you ever made? 

“Investing in broad stock market ETFs early, let the compounding help build wealth.”

Go-to advice? 

“Two things – don’t go into credit card debt and start saving/investing early.”