Starting in corporate American soon (big4). What are some things you wished you knew about corporate america before starting or early in your career?

Congrats on the new role! One thing I wish I knew earlier is how much networking and relationship-building matter in corporate America. It’s not just about doing the work but also about making connections. Also, don’t forget to set boundaries early.. burnout is real if you don’t

Don’t come with a problem without at least having thought of a solution. You can Google things, use firm guidance, etc. Even if the solution you found is wrong, the concept of problem solving and bringing solutions is what they wanna see. You’ll get better as you go.

Max out your 401(k) as soon as possible. It won’t be fun, but you’ll thank yourself around your early 40s (or around 20 years in the market).

Other than that, corporate America isn’t as important as they try to make you think it is. Do not try to impress anyone. Nothing is urgent, we aren’t saving lives. Do your job well, but take care of yourself and spend as much time as possible with those who bring you peace.

Just know how to play office politics. Being good at your job matters but without being a bit strategic in networking, you won’t go as far.

Get on a big job. Your metrics are a popularity contest. You get honors and recognition if you are on big notable visible jobs, and you also get all the best resources to do the job better. As previously mentioned personal networking is supremely important for this. Kiss up to important people and sell yourself. Also, nothing is personal. No matter how much people pretend to be on your side or promote you or tell you they'll help you, you will be a cog at the end of the day and can be let go or get little to no raise at the drop of the hat, even if you were seen as a great performer but weren't following the big job/networking tips. If you end up not doing those, put in the least amount of work to do the job well and sit back and be invisible because if you didn't kiss up and get on a big job and network, but you do your job really well, you will get saddled with extensive amounts of work and get paid as a lower/average performer. Also the difference in pay between high and low levels of performance is maybe 5k at the associate to senior levels. You determine for yourself if that's worth it. Kissing up and selling yourself are seen as "firm contributions" whereas doing your job really well is just seen as "what is expected in a high performance culture." If you get yourself in that spot all the partners who love you and say wonderful things about you will not fight for you and you will feel like you are getting the short end of the stick. So either kiss up and sell yourself and do your job really well, or sit back and be invisible and do the least amount of work to do the job well (don't want to do so poorly you get laid off). Don't do in between, because it's not worth it. Ruthlessly be the top, or intensely pursue average performance and don't make yourself look like a high performer.

Perception is more important than reality. Conferring credit to your peers, staff, and superiors when due is better perceived than bestowing it upon yourself.

No one is your friend at work. Never share personal details at work. People will throw you under the bus to get themselves ahead. It’s all office politics so be good at fake smiling and building fake work relationships

They are NOT your family !

Really insightful question.

In corporate America, doing great work is not the key to success. Instead, it is the person who listens completely and accurately and empathetically, and digs in with meaningful questions that convey both inquisitiveness and incisive thinking. It is the person who expresses clearly and concisely the value of what they do or their team does that gets the credit for the achievement.

When unpleasant things happen - and they will happen - choose to maintain your composure and positive outlook on the future.

Most highly capable professionals are unable to express themselves well in a public speaking situation. If you are speaking with another human being, it is public speaking. Get involved with Toastmasters for at least two years.

Effective communication leads to accelerated opportunity, opportunity leads to choice and fulfillment, and most likely to higher earnings.

Wishing you a positive and rewarding career! You have already taken the first step.

Treat everyone with respect and kindness. What you put out into the world is what you get back.

I would say stay far far away. Especially if you are a good person. Corporate America is soulless and greedy. All the higher ups care about is money and getting more of it. No matter how much they tell you they care about you they actually don’t. All they care about is getting more money for themselves. I started in public accounting as an auditor. Then went to industry and even spent some time in government until going back to corporate America. Protect your time at all costs and don’t be afraid to say no. This will help balance your work load and thus work life balance.

Not @ B4 but from a similarly sized company

Work friends =! Personal friends, but..

If your work output isn't top notch, you have to make up for it that much more in soft skills, relationships, social contributions, etc.


If you're not great at making personal relationships involve yourself in resource groups, committees, trainings, activities, etc.

Management/HR likes, or at least avoids firing, people who are recognizable and positive influences around the office

But that's also on top of being good at your job, being a sponge, etc.

Congrats on the new position! Network, network, network...even though they probably drilled that in your head in business school. If you're in a cube and have access to break out rooms, take all your planning and personal calls in those rooms. Don't take any calls at your desk... even if they're work related. This is not just to be polite to others, but it is also so that you don't fall victim to opportunistic co-workers... they exist.

how important is CPA licensure? I understand the bonus and not being able to get promoted to manager without it, but if I don’t plan on staying that long, how worth it is it?