Cecilia Leong, Finance Expert in California City, CA, United States
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Cecilia Leong

Verified Expert  in Finance

Management Consulting Expert

Location
California City, CA, United States
Toptal Member Since
May 16, 2022

Cecilia has over 20 years of experience specializing in organizational change management, business process transformation, risk management, and internal audit. She possesses technical know-how coupled with strong interpersonal skills. Cecilia's proactive approach to analyzing business processes and organizational culture before applying the change management strategies makes her a valuable resource to any company wanting to achieve a successful change transformation.

AccountingInternal Control EvaluationBusiness Process Optimization ConsultingInternal Audit

Career Highlights

Operational Excellence Director
Bunge Asia

Case Studies

Work Experience

Operational Excellence Director

2010 - 2019
Bunge Asia
  • Led a team in the business process of re-engineering and transforming business units in Asia to enable process standardization, identification of internal control weaknesses, and duplication of work efforts for remediation.
  • Led the organizational change management efforts in implementing the Asian financial and sales order processing shared service center, resulting in overall cost savings and improved efficiencies and controls.
  • Developed the Asia-wide standard operating procedure manuals and training website for the trading and distribution division within the organization.
  • Played the role of change management lead for the SAP ERP system, OpenText, enterprise content management, and mobile application for order processing system implementations across Asia.
  • Achieved recognition as a subject-matter expert in the process, risks, and compliance, working with key users and system teams to resolve process issues, risks, and control deficiencies for Asia.
  • Played the role of Asia's regional order-to-cash and procure-to-pay process owner.
  • Oversaw the implementation and management of the sales contract centralization project for Asia. Managed the operations of Asia's contract management team for three years.
Focus areas: Organizational Change Management (OCM), Internal Control Evaluation, Business Process Optimization, Business Processes

Management Consultant

2007 - 2010
RGP
  • Conducted internal and SOX compliance audits independently for clients from various industries.
  • Reviewed the client’s business processes to ensure control processes were in place and developed or updated financial policies and procedure manuals.
  • Developed operational business policy and procedural manuals.
Focus areas: Internal Audits, SOX Compliance

SOX Compliance Manager

2004 - 2007
Tyco
  • Spearheaded the roll-out of the global SOX 404 program, including scoping, preparation of process narrative of key controls, development of test plans and methodology, working with the audit firm, and performing SOX testing.
  • Worked closely with process owners to design and implement remediation plans and monitored for closure of identified gaps. Trained and supported stakeholders to ensure a thorough understanding of the SOX requirements.
  • Played the primary liaison between finance, IT, process owners, and internal and external auditors to support day-to-day compliance activities.
Focus areas: SOX Compliance

Internal Auditor

2003 - 2004
Dell
  • Conducted operational and financial audits for business units across Asia Pacific.
  • Conducted trade compliance audits across business units in Asia.
  • Performed potential fraud investigative reviews across Asia.
Focus areas: Internal Audits

Global Internal Auditor

2000 - 2002
Neptune Orient Lines
  • Developed and maintained annual internal audit budgets and audit resource planning.
  • Led global risk-based internal audits, developed an audit work program, and presented audit reports to department stakeholders or owners.
  • Developed a standardized operational and financial risk assessment template to be used by the Internal audit team globally.
  • Played the role of an internal control specialist in the finance, shared-service center implementation.
Focus areas: Internal Audits

Risk Management Consultant

1997 - 2000
Deloitte
  • Planned and executed financial and operational audits using a risk-based audit methodology.
  • Conducted fraud investigative audits for clients across various industries.
  • Developed an operational risk assessment template.
Focus areas: Operational Risk Management, Fraud Investigation

Internal Auditor

1996 - 1997
Singapore Turf Club
  • Performed financial and operational audits for the company.
  • Hired and spearheaded the establishment of an internal audit function.
  • Managed a group of eight auditors when the internal audit manager was on long-term leave.
Focus areas: Internal Audit Function
1992 - 1995

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Finance

University of New South Wales - Kensington, Australia

1993 - 1994

Graduate Diploma in Taxation

University of Sydney - Sydney, Australia

SEPTEMBER 2022 - PRESENT

Certified Information Security Auditor

CISA

JANUARY 2002 - PRESENT

Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)

Certified Internal Auditors

JANUARY 1999 - PRESENT

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Australia CPA

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