Project Manager Accounting

**** ******** ******, ******** ****, Ca *****

cell: 805-***-****, email: abhlib@r.postjobfree.com

CINDY R. SMITH, CPA

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY:

Exceptionally broad-based background in financial management,

with emphasis on forecasting, financial and strategic planning,

process and system reengineering, competitive price analysis,

cost containment, operational accounting, budgeting and value

analysis.

Business advisor to top management - provide critical

information to assist in high-level decision-making and suggest

opportunities to improve business and put into action.

Creative problem solver - ability to think out of the box and

big picture while implementing solutions at a practical level.

Strong negotiator - persuasive, persistent and resolute in

achieving the best results for the company.

Reengineering expert - lead role in worldwide database

configurations for finance/executive management and major

process reengineering of the worldwide budget cycle,

manufacturing finance process and financial instruments

accounting process.

EXPERIENCE:

2006-Present NESTLE USA, Glendale, CA (subsidiary of Nestl S.A.

worldwide based in Switzerland)

Lead in the consolidation of Nestl Holdings, Inc. based on IFRS

(contract basis)

Lead for Financial Instruments and Derivative Accounting

(contract basis)

Support Treasury Group - Treasury Operational Accounting

$22 Billion Packaged Foods Company

. Led three year end cycles of the NHI consolidation which

includes the U.S. based entities of Nestl S.A. (Nestl USA

Brands, Gerber, Purina PetCare, Dreyer's and Jenny Craig)

o Involved in integrating the purchase accounting for the

Gerber/Novartis acquisition ($4 billion) into the NHI

process.

o Key contact for the divisions and external audit team -

KPMG.

o Issued financials based on International Financial

Reporting Standards (IFRS).

o Implemented new IFRS 7 for Financial Instruments and

IFRS 8 Segment Reporting.

. Lead for all Financial Instruments and Derivatives held by

Nestl Holdings, Inc. (NHI)

o NHI holds 90% of all debt instruments of the worldwide

Nestl S.A. group. ($14 billion).

o Handled all derivative accounting and related IAS 39

reporting requirements.

Major Accomplishments:

. Uncovered a substantial error in financial instrument work

performed by an outsourcing entity.

. Documented all financial instrument and related derivative

procedures.

. Redesigned the consolidation process, creating a 40%

reduction in the KPMG audit fee.

. Key accounting lead in financial instrument software

implementation.

. Developed vital relationships with Nestl S.A. group

specialists, which dramatically improved the transparency and

accuracy of accounting for derivative instruments.

. Strong relationships created with the Treasurer, CFO and

Controller of NHI.

2002-2005 J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES, Westlake Village, CA (subsidiary of

McGraw Hill Companies)

Senior Director Finance, Worldwide

$150 Million Worldwide Market Research Company

. Created the Finance group from the bottom up - from one

employee to a total of 5 personnel - four senior managers

(all MBA's) and a senior director.

. Responsible for strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting

and management reporting needs of the company. Report to the

CFO and dotted line to the top line executives and the

President.

. Key advisor and strong relations with the top executives on

all critical business matters.

Major Accomplishments

. Established a streamlined, automated budget process, cutting

the overall process time by

60% in the first year (5 to 2 months). Eased the burden on

the operations teams by creating a standardized training

process, easy to use Excel based templates for familiarity

and revamped the budget calculations for faster processing

time (Essbase budgeting tool).

. Lead in two major reorganizations and development of new

accounting/financial structure and processes for company.

. Created a new automated revenue and EBITDA Forecast process

for the entire company, working with key operations personnel

to ensure its relevance as a tool for operation decision

making.

. Lead in the valuation of the company, working with accounting

and outside valuation advisors.

. Part of an eleven person Strategic Planning task force to

determine the next five year phase of growth for this dynamic

company (nominated by the senior leadership of the company).

. Lead in the due diligence and transition process when company

acquired by McGraw Hill.

. Involved as a business advisor to the operations teams in the

development of new product plans.

2000-2002 NESTLE USA, Glendale, CA

Lead on the Manufacturing Business Process Improvement Project

(BPI) (contract basis)

$8 Billion Packaged Foods Company

. Responsible for analysis and modification of the

accounting/financial process flows at a division and plant

level using the BPI methodology to achieve an Instantaneous

Close.

. Replaced manual processes with automation and streamlined the

overall financial flow based on identifying and solving for

root causes of all non-value driven activities.

. Partner with the Director of Manufacturing Finance and plant

controllers (33 plants) in solution identification and

implementation.

. Part of the integration team, ensuring that the existing

systems worked with the rollout of SAP.

Major Accomplishments

. Lead in the overall Instantaneous Close Project (for

manufacturing finance) instituted by Nestl USA in line with

their Blue Print for Success objectives.

. Working with the controllers of over 30 plants, reduced the

Manufacturing close process from

4 days to 1 day.

. Received an award for the top project successfully completed

by the company in 2002.

1996-1999 HERBALIFE INTERNATIONAL, INC., Century City, CA

Senior Director - Finance Operations

$1.6 Billion Nutrition/Personal Care Company

. Lead finance role for worldwide pricing and product

positioning strategy.

. Developed strategic plans for countries and significant

regions of the world (Russia and Asia).

. Responsible for all budgeting and tracking to actual for the

new Personal Care division.

. Assisted in worldwide expansion efforts of company (5 new

countries, including India).

. Provided critical and in depth operational data to support

major financial transactions of the company (Privatization of

company 1999; DECS transaction 1998).

. Responsible for all product costing for the Personal Care

unit

. Worked closely with Manufacturing/Marketing on all costing

decisions by product

. Determined it was both cheaper and more efficient to make

all personal care products in Italy versus U.S. - involved

in the transition of these lines overseas.

. Worked with co-manufacturers to keep costs in line with our

pricing parameters.

. Finance liaison between all major functional areas involved

in product development.

. Teamed with Marketing on concept development, feasibility,

product positioning and rollout.

. Scouted out and negotiated manufacturing contracts in the

U.S., Europe and Asia.

. Evaluated regional manufacturing strategies versus U.S.

production.

. Monitored sales to forecast, spending to target cost.

. Created value analysis programs to enhance margin on

existing products while maintaining aesthetic and quality

parameters.

. Designed and implemented a fully automated management and

operational reporting system.

Major Accomplishments

. Led the development of a long-range business plan for the

newly created Personal Care division.

. Devised and implemented the first major Marketing Plan change

in the company's history, enabling the company to broaden its

competitive product offering.

. Became the right hand person to the EVP of Marketing in the

areas of product strategy, reengineering of product

development processes and creative solutions to inventory

overages.

. Created targeted operational/marketing plan to stimulate

Russian sales after 1998 currency collapse.

. Instrumental in establishing manufacturing contracts in

Korea, Italy, France and Germany.

. Developed the company's first management reporting database,

tracking sales to contribution margin on a product line and

country/regional basis.

1991-1996 DOLE FOOD COMPANY, INC., Westlake Village, CA

Senior Manager - Corporate Financial Planning/Analysis

$6 Billion Food and Real Estate Company

1. Managed International (Latin America, Far East and Europe)

operating divisions.

2. Coordinated operating budget and five-year strategic plan for

the global company and coordinated forecasts with the

accounting/SEC group to ensure accuracy of financials.

3. Developed financial reporting for the Board of Directors,

stock analysts and management.

4. Established capital cost savings tracking capabilities for a

$150 million capital budget.

5. Supported the president directly in Senior Operating Committee

Meetings.

6. Close interaction with top management, divisional contacts and

accounting/SEC and other corporate departments as well as our

major overseas location (Latin America, Europe and Asia).

Major Accomplishments

. Lead on several major acquisition/divestiture projects.

. Analysis of desirability/fit of potential company, due

diligence and interaction with attorneys.

. Corporate lead on the sell off of Dole's beverage business

to Seagram's.

. Coordinated the spin off of our major Real Estate holdings

to the shareholders.

. Re-engineered the worldwide budget and forecasting process to

include focus on global regionalization, greater access to

detailed information and faster turnaround (33% time

savings).

. Designed and implemented a new database for SEC/accounting

and management reporting (Hyperion Enterprise).

. Streamlined reporting and reduced workload, while providing

enhanced, consistent information.

. Sponsored roll out of Hyperion world wide and part of global

team to implement JD Edwards.

. Project manager in development of Executive Information

System (EIS - On Track).

1984 to 1991 ARTHUR ANDERSEN & COMPANY, Los Angeles, CA and Dallas, TX

Audit Manager

. Performed all phases of certified audit engagements,

including fieldwork, financial statement preparation, audit

reports, tax provision review and management letters.

7. Industry experience: financial institutions, insurance, real

estate, healthcare (from $500K to $6B)

Major Accomplishments

. Extensive experience in offering circular work, 10-K and F-2

filings.

. Successfully implemented a major debt refinancing.

. Liaison with group of international investors in feasibility

analysis of U.S. bank acquisition.

. Taught Junior Achievement at a local area Middle School.

. One of a select manager group to sponsor college interns for

Leadership Seminar training.

EDUCATION:

1984 California State University, Fresno

Bachelor of Science, Accounting / GPA: 3.86/4.00

Beta Gamma Sigma and Dean's List; Tolkalon and Rotary Club

Scholarship

Bank of America Award- Business Debate and VITA Volunteer

CERTIFICATION:

Certified Public Accountant, State of California

COMPUTER SKILLS:

Software: Excel, Word, PowerPoint

Database: Essbase, Hyperion Enterprise and SAP.

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES:

International Director - Westlake Village Sunrise Rotary Club (4

years),

VP and Treasurer - Alzheimer's Assn. (3 years), Board member of

the YMCA (3 years).

Contact this candidate