June Employee Spotlight: Jimmy Li

Name: Jimmy Li

Job Title: Accounts Payable Specialist

What do you do at BitSight and when did you start?

My team and I process and record all of the company’s expenses, so all the money that goes out. For me, my role on the team is more on the corporate card side, so anything that is paid on the company credit cards, I record and process in our system. I started mid-April 2019.

What is your background and how did you get into finance?

Prior to this job, I was actually working in retail at CVS, but my degree was in accounting, so that’s how I went from retail to there. I was actually recommended by Chelsea Peredo, who’s one of my coworkers here.

What advice do you have for someone first getting into this field?

Hmm. I think definitely to work hard and not give up. I was kinda stuck in my retail job for a while. I had interviews that didn’t really pan out, but you have to keep persisting and getting better at what you do.

Were you good at math as a kid? Is that part of why you went into finance?

Accounting is more about being organized than math oriented. It’s like trying to solve a puzzle, really.

Before working at BitSight, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

I actually worked with my parents for a while. They owned a bunch of restaurants, and I worked as a cashier there. Now they run a supermarket, and I worked there as a supervisor.

What would people never guess is part of your job?

One thing they wouldn’t guess would probably be how much reading I do. There’s a lot of contracts that you have to go through to make sure everything is part of the agreement that you’re paying for. You make sure that everything has the proper approvals prior to actually paying it. It’s a lot more reading that I thought when I took the position.

What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?

The weirdest thing I’ve eaten is snake dip. I took a trip to China when I was younger, and that was one of the delicacies in the rural areas. I was kinda grossed out, but I tried it. I don’t remember if I really liked it or not. My family eats a lot of things that most people probably wouldn’t. I like trying new food, so nothing really phases me.

Any restaurant recommendations?

I go to this one Korean place in Allston called Kaju Tofu House all the time. Out of all the Korean food that I’ve had, I think that one’s one of the best.

What is your favorite thing to do in the Boston area?

I like to go to karaoke a lot. I haven’t been recently, but it’s definitely one of the things I like to do with my friends. We go to KTV in Chinatown.

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?

I like playing a lot of sports. I don’t like to say I’m naturally good at them, but I can beat my brothers, so that counts for something.

Which cartoon character would you most like to switch lives with?

I don’t know if many people have seen it, but I’d want to switch with Saitama from One-Punch Man. His life is pretty cool.

What is the most important thing you’ve learned at BitSight?

The short amount of time I have been a part of BitSight has already been a life-changing experience. From the first day I stepped foot into the office till now, it has been a period of development and personal growth. By developing my technical skills and aligning myself to BitSight's mission, I have learned how to contribute and make a difference in a fast-growing organization.