Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Cost accounting Manager, MPA

HONG (JULIET) NIU

**W*** Fox Creek Drive, St. Charles, IL 60175

630-***-**** *******@*****.***

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA)

20+ Years of Finance & Cost Accounting Expertise

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Accomplished and results-oriented Cost Accounting Manager with over 20 years of expertise in finance and managerial accounting across corporate and manufacturing environments. Adept at assessing the financial impact of strategic decisions, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and streamlining processes for operational efficiency. Recognized for exceptional analytical and organizational skills.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Data Analysis & Reporting: Expertise in inventory, cost, and variance analysis.

Financial Management: Budgeting, forecasting, and financial statement preparation.

Cost Accounting & Inventory Control: Skilled in cost roll processes, inventory grading, and controls.

Process Improvement: Specialized in automating workflows and implementing ERP systems.

Audit & Compliance: Deep understanding of GAAP compliance, internal controls, and audit coordination.

Technical Proficiency: Microsoft Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Dynamics NAV, SAP, AS400, and Hyperion.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Cost Accounting Manager

Ideal Industries Inc., Sycamore, IL

January 2011 – October 2024

Directed financial reporting for inventory, cost of sales, and production variances, ensuring compliance with cost accounting policies.

Executed month-end close processes, including variance analysis, journal entries, and inventory grading reports, with a focus on slow-moving/obsolete inventory.

Prepared monthly forecasts and analysis for material COGS, purchase price variance (PPV), inventory adjustments,

Delivered cost analyses to support strategic decision-making.

Developed and maintained standard costs, ensuring accuracy in bills of materials and routings. Led the annual standard cost roll process through collaboration with cross-functional supply chain teams, driving improved standard costing methodologies.

Supported the annual budget process, coordinating operation inputs and analysis.

Established and maintained intercompany transfer pricing policies.

Coordinated external and internal audits.

Led physical asset counts and internal audits for plant capital projects.

Created and maintained documentation for inventory and costing internal controls.

Key Achievements:

Spearheaded the successful implementation of Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP system.

Significantly reduced Slow & Obsolete Inventory (SLOB).

Developed automated reporting tools, saving 70% of reporting preparation time.

Received the Innovation Award for Operational Excellence.

Sr. Financial Analyst

Global Finance System Support, Nalco Company, Naperville, IL

January 2009 – January 2011

Liaised between IT and finance teams to resolve system issues in SAP FI-CO.

Managed global master data for GL accounts and cost center mappings in SAP and BPC.

Led special financial projects, improving processes and documentation.

Key Achievements:

Implemented budgeting system support, automating data uploads and reconciliation processes.

Streamlined reconciliation across budget versions through custom reporting tools.

Sr. Cost Accountant

Supply Chain Cost Accounting department, Nalco Company, Naperville, IL

June 2005 – December 2008

Supervised global standard cost roll processes and North American supply chain budgeting.

Prepared manufacturing spending and P&L reports.

Supported audits, variance analyses, and new product cost estimates.

Key Achievements:

Automated SAP reporting processes, reducing preparation time by 70%.

Designed a manufacturing variance predictor model, adopted globally.

Received the Outstanding Customer Service Award (2008).

Plant Controller

Spaulding Composite Inc., DeKalb, IL

September 2000 – June 2005

Managed month-end closings, inventory control, and financial reporting.

Developed plant budgets, analyzed operation costs.

Collaborated with MIS staff on MRP/ERP system enhancements.

Coordinated audits, payroll, and human resource functions.

Early Career Roles

Cost Accountant

Corning Frequency Control, Holly Springs, PA (1999–2000)

Implemented a standard cost system and improved labor/overhead rate standards.

Staff Accountant

Road Machinery Division, Ingersoll-Rand Co., Shippensburg, PA (1998–1999)

Managed inventory reconciliation and cost reporting for product development.

Tax Auditor

Mississippi State Tax Commission, Casino Audit Division (1997)

Conducted compliance audits and prepared detailed financial reports for tax compliance.

EDUCATION

Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA), Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS

Minor: Business Information Systems

Bachelor of Investment Economics (B.A.), Renmin University of China, Beijing

CERTIFICATIONS & AWARDS

Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Board of Examiners, University of Illinois

Outstanding Customer Service Award (Nalco)

Innovation Award for Operational Excellence (Ideal Industries)

Beta Alpha Psi Member, Graduate Assistantship (MSU)

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Advanced Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, Macros)

Proficient in ERP systems: Microsoft Dynamics NAV, SAP, AS400

Data Analytics Tools: Jet, Access, etc.

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