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Cook
Scott Cook
Rank #929
UNITED STATESTechnologySoftware

Scott Cook

Net Worth
$4.506B
-1.6% (24h)
Scott Cook is an American billionaire businessman, best known as the co-founder of Intuit, the financial software giant. Born in 1952, Cook holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. His career began at Procter & Gamble, where he gained experience in brand management. In 1983, he launched Intuit, revolutionizing personal finance with Quicken, TurboTax, and QuickBooks. Cook is the chairman of the executive committee at Intuit and is also a director of eBay and Procter & Gamble. His net worth is estimated at $5.4 billion, reflecting his success in the technology industry and his significant shareholding in Intuit. Cook is also involved in philanthropy through the Valhalla Foundation.

How to read Scott Cook's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For Scott Cook, we anchor the narrative to Software and Software, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $4.506B alongside global rank #929, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (UNITED STATES) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

Early Life

Scott Cook was born in 1952 in Glendale, California. Growing up, he displayed a keen interest in technology, even programming his school district's one computer. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics and mathematics from the University of Southern California and later obtained an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1976.

Rise to Success

Cook started his career at Procter & Gamble, gaining experience in brand management. He then worked at Bain & Company, a consulting firm. Inspired by his wife's struggles with household finances, Cook saw an opportunity to create user-friendly software. In 1983, he co-founded Intuit, which launched Quicken, a software designed to help people manage their finances. Under Cook's leadership as president and CEO from 1983 to 1994 and chairman from 1993 to 1998, Intuit grew into a dominant force in financial software.

Key Business Strategies

Cook's success is rooted in a focus on user-friendly design and customer satisfaction, which helped Quicken become a leading software. Intuit expanded its offerings with TurboTax, QuickBooks, and Mint, providing comprehensive financial solutions for individuals and small businesses. Cook also emphasized frugal experimentation and data-driven decisions to foster innovation within Intuit.

Philanthropy

Cook and his wife, Signe Ostby, founded the Valhalla Foundation, which supports early childhood development, K12 education, medical research, and other initiatives. The foundation has assets worth $348 million. Cook is also a member of The Giving Pledge, committing to donate a majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes.

Career Timeline

2015

Class Day Speaker

Spoke at the Harvard Business School Class Day.

2002

Founded Center for Brand and Product Management

Cook and his wife founded the Center for Brand and Product Management at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Business.

1993-1998

Chairman of Intuit

Served as Chairman of the board of Intuit.

1983-1994

CEO of Intuit

Served as President and CEO of Intuit.

1983

Co-founded Intuit

Launched Intuit, which developed Quicken.

1976

MBA

Graduated from Harvard Business School.

Philanthropic Impact

Philanthropy$348M

Valhalla Foundation

Supports early childhood development, education, medical research, and other causes.

Key Business Ventures & Holdings

CompanyStakeValue
Intuit2.40%$4.4M

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life

Scott Cook was born in 1952 in Glendale, California. Growing up, he displayed a keen interest in technology, even programming his school district's one computer. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics and mathematics from the University of Southern California and later obtained an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1976.

Rise to Success

Cook started his career at Procter & Gamble, gaining experience in brand management. He then worked at Bain & Company, a consulting firm. Inspired by his wife's struggles with household finances, Cook saw an opportunity to create user-friendly software. In 1983, he co-founded Intuit, which launched Quicken, a software designed to help people manage their finances. Under Cook's leadership as president and CEO from 1983 to 1994 and chairman from 1993 to 1998, Intuit grew into a dominant force in financial software.

Key Business Strategies

Cook's success is rooted in a focus on user-friendly design and customer satisfaction, which helped Quicken become a leading software. Intuit expanded its offerings with TurboTax, QuickBooks, and Mint, providing comprehensive financial solutions for individuals and small businesses. Cook also emphasized frugal experimentation and data-driven decisions to foster innovation within Intuit.

Philanthropy

Cook and his wife, Signe Ostby, founded the Valhalla Foundation, which supports early childhood development, K12 education, medical research, and other initiatives. The foundation has assets worth $348 million. Cook is also a member of The Giving Pledge, committing to donate a majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for Scott Cook are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.