Is it best to build around the motherboard? As in buy the motherboard first, and then see which parts are the most compatible?
Firstly, congrats about your job mate! Dunno how I missed the post, but ah well.
I've only got one build under my belt so I can't speak from experience, but I chose the CPU first then a mobo to put it in. Maybe it was just luck, but I never had to choose a different part because it wasn't compatible with my other hardware. CPU > mobo > case, GPU, RAM, optical drive, cooling system > power supply with enough kick for your components