INTHEBLACK February 2023 - Magazine - Page 61
ONE PIECE OF ADVICE
“You have to drive success yourself.
I have been given opportunities, but
I have had to push for a lot of this
myself, too. Network with people,
advocate for yourself and do not be
afraid to take on new challenges.”
JOE BISCO CPA, STATE STREET
Above: Joe Bisco CPA taking part in the Hong Kong Virtual Charity Run 2022.
The other side of the job, says Bisco,
is typically referred to as chief of staff,
supporting the CEO to deliver on key
global and regional business objectives
and alignment across his direct reports.
The challenges and highlights of
the role are mostly the same, he says.
“The challenge is dealing with
multiple country managers and
multiple senior leaders across basically
every market in APAC. I need to
have the depth of market knowledge
in every jurisdiction we operate to be
able to have meaningful conversations
and advise on strategy. But at the same
time, that’s what I love,” he exclaims.
“I love the diversity of what I
do across different markets, with
different areas of our business
all in different stages of business
development – every day is extremely
different. Every hour is different!”
Bisco says he feels incredibly
grateful for the opportunities he has
had, and he firmly believes the CPA
qualification has propelled his career.
“I wouldn’t have had the
opportunities I’ve had without it. Even
though I’m not purely in finance,
it positions you differently to other
candidates. Showing people that you
have a strong financial background
is fundamental and highly valued to
most organisations,” he says.
“If you had asked me if it was worth
it when my head was in a textbook and
I hadn’t left the house in seven days, I
might have said something different.
But now, I genuinely think the two
years of study gives you a lifetime of
opportunity.”
Bisco also nods to hard work
and putting time into internal
relationships as fundamental to
advancing his career. “I think people
really underestimate the importance
in growing relationships with people:
your manager, your manager’s manager,
your team – it goes a long way.”
Bisco outlines these key learnings
with a clarity of focus that has clearly
served him well and makes one
wonder where the path will take him
next. Beyond Angkor Wat and a
successfully completed half marathon,
that is.
intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au 61
