Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Timeline
Generic

Kurt Kouba

Romulus

Summary

Accomplished finance professional with extensive experience at Visteon Corporation, excelling in financial modeling and cross-functional collaboration. Proven track record in budget management and KPI reporting, driving operational improvements and strategic decision-making. Adept at problem-solving and attention to detail, delivering impactful results and enhancing organizational performance.

Overview

39
39
years of professional experience

Work History

Finance - Engineering & VA/VE FP&A Manager

Visteon Corporation
Detroit Metropolitan Area
12.2022 - Current
  • Consolidated VAVE savings across 16 plants and maintained global Power BI database.
  • Supported quarterly forecasts and annual budget submissions through data analysis.
  • Collaborated with global teams to troubleshoot and resolve operational issues.
  • Managed engineering project budgets in EnterProj, aligning with OneStream reporting system.
  • Maintained offline Excel templates for engineering resources, expenses, and reimbursement calculations.
  • Developed Incremental Budget Request files for change control estimates and JV contract evaluations.
  • Delivered monthly budget analyses to VP-level management, highlighting variances and trends.

PDMO Assessment & Analytics Manager

Visteon Corporation
12.2020 - 12.2022
  • Manage a team of six to provide direct support, project level templates & checklists to enable the Product Delivery Teams and Leaders to successfully identify project health concerns; and facilitate escalation activities where required.
  • Work with Teams on Quality of the Event improvements in project execution.
  • Perform project execution assessments on all global projects covering the full life-cycle, from Gate 1 to Gate 8.
  • Provide PD Teams with accurate, and beneficial, audit data to successfully manage their projects.
  • Provide KPI data to all levels of the organization enabling project health checks, performance status updates and improved Risk, Issue & Opportunity Management.

Engineering Finance Manager

Visteon Corporation
10.2015 - 12.2020
  • Responsible for loading the initial engineering budget on all projects worldwide (including, but not limited to, Forward Model, Current Model, General Admin and Pursuit projects).
  • Includes adding incremental budget as it pertains to approved engineering changes.
  • Responsible for ensuring the engineering monthly QAD actuals are loaded into the project management system on a monthly basis.
  • Maintained annual global engineering rate standards.
  • Oversight responsibilities on the monthly engineering timekeeping system to ensure data is transferred into the project management system accordingly utilizing a global support team.
  • Provide monthly B/(W) budget analysis to management (on gross engineering as well as recoveries).
  • Responsible for resource/expense validation on JV based contracts (where our JV's support Visteon lead projects and vice versa).
  • Provide detailed engineering data to the stakeholders for quarterly finance forecasts (expenses and recoveries).

Senior Commercial Finance Analyst

Visteon Corporation
08.2006 - 10.2015
  • Provide financial modeling support for all phases of a projects life (quotation, forward model, current model and past model - cradle to grave);
  • Provide financial support in corporate budgeting, forecasting and actuals reporting process ensuring the accuracy of the financial data (via e-FIN analysis and Forward Model Reporting);
  • Provide financial support in any special cases/studies (make versus buy analysis) required by product line management including new IT system roll outs;
  • Ensure current quote tool (eFIN) is properly maintained and to provide representative financials for forward model programs and ease of use is improved as an e-FIN Champion.
  • Trained junior analysts on financial analysis techniques and best practices.
  • Conducted variance analysis to compare budgeted figures against actual results and identified causes of discrepancies.
  • Performed ad hoc analysis to support sales and marketing operations.

Commercial Business Analyst - Auto & Truck Structures

Alcoa
Farmington Hills
02.2003 - 08.2006
  • Managed development of quote database and PDT process to ensure timely price delivery to Account Manager for North America and European programs.
  • Oversaw sales forecast data management, serving as informational gateway for system entries.
  • Tracked targeted programs and new business awards while analyzing quarterly movements for Director/Market Planning.
  • Audited forecast system and prepared variance reports on actual versus planned performance by group/customer.
  • Accumulated data for yearly revenue plan and strategic opportunities plan while coordinating support activities.
  • Developed and maintained component-pricing database, tracking monthly material adjustments by customer/part number.
  • Managed collection and analysis of customer intelligence, distributing relevant market information to stakeholders.
  • Prepared presentation materials with strategic, market, competitive, and pricing data for management reviews.

Accounting Manager - Wheel Products

Alcoa
Livonia
10.1999 - 02.2003
  • Directed two accounting professionals within a $60 million sales office and a $340 million division.
    Developed annual budgets and generated six-quarter rolling forecasts along with monthly plans.
    Conducted general ledger close process within eight-hour timeframe monthly.
    Reviewed forecasting results, explaining variances between actuals and projections.
    Oversaw management of accounts receivable, payable, reimbursable tooling, and fixed assets.
    Authorized purchase orders while supporting manufacturing locations with receivables inquiries.
    Led implementation of Future3 EDI system across multiple shipping sites efficiently.
    Acted as sole authority for all import/export transactions handled by office.

Financial Analyst - Reynolds Wheels, Inc.

Alcoa
Southfield
04.1998 - 10.1999
  • Oversaw general ledger close, reviewed results to forecast and explain variances.
    Maintained perpetual inventory and sales records for off-site location.
    Prepared quarterly production price adjustments to reflect market conditions.
    Managed accounts receivable collections for past due accounts.
    Approved accounts payable invoices and reviewed purchase orders for accuracy.
    Conducted account analysis to ensure financial integrity across operations.
    Developed long-term and short-term tooling project cost summaries for budgeting purposes.
    Assisted plants with accounts receivable issues and prepared financial forecasts.

Vehicle Invoice Analyst

Mazda North American Operations
Flatrock
08.1997 - 04.1998
  • Confirmed distributors new model year model line-up/price worksheet to ensure order specification accuracy, established export vehicle selling price based on U.S. specifications, verified pricing database for correctness, reviewed weekly order price check lists to ensure price accuracy, maintained/reconciled daily units purchased from Ford and AAI, billed affiliated company for units shipped on a quad-monthly basis, prepared monthly management reports, reviewed vehicle data system processing and made recommendations for changes or system updates and/or enhancements.

Accounting Supervisor

Mazda North American Operations
Flatrock
04.1996 - 11.1997
  • Maintained general ledger and related chart of accounts, recorded entries for business transactions such as sales, cost of sales, royalty accruals, development fees, inventory transfers and accrued expenses, reconciled divisional sales reports to the general ledger, prepared month-end financial reports, analyzed accounts to explain balances and variances to expected results, Assisted in year-end physical inventories, responsible for maintaining the vehicle parts standard cost system, prepared monthly audit schedules, directly supervised and evaluated one junior accountant.

Senior Specialist - Accounting

Mazda North American Operations
Flatrock
08.1995 - 04.1996
  • Recorded and inputted business transactions such as sales, cost of sales, royalty accruals and other month-end accruals into the system, reconciled divisional sales reports to the general ledger, assisted in the preparation of the month-end financial reports, prepared bank reconciliation's, analyzed balance sheet and P&L accounts, prepared monthly audit schedules, supported the tax function by preparing government reports, property tax returns, annual reports and other compliance related documents, maintained all aspects of the fixed asset system.

Senior Specialist - Vehicle Sales

Mazda North American Operations
Flatrock
04.1994 - 07.1995
  • Verified vehicle sales/purchases amounts against daily shipping/receiving amounts to ensure accuracy, prepared and processed accounting/billing report including sales recaps, vehicle activity confirmation, monthly sales plan and inventory reconciliation, reviewed and reconciled sales/purchase sub ledgers and general ledgers on a monthly basis to determine accuracy/balance of accounts, prepared monthly price analysis to confirm vehicle profitability.

Plant Accountant

Hayes Wheels International
Howell
07.1992 - 04.1994
  • Produced various daily, weekly, and monthly management statements, responsible for all journal entries at month end, reconciled daily & monthly sales, tracked capital expenditures and reimbursable tooling projects, maintained fixed asset records for the plant, maintained standard cost system, performed quarterly inventories (tag controller), prepared government reports.

College Co-op - General Ledger Department

Kelsey-Hayes
Romulus
08.1987 - 07.1992
  • Reconciled corporate, disbursement and payroll bank accounts, produced various monthly management statements, reconciled inter-company account balances, input journal entries for multiple divisions.

Cash Disbursements - High School Co-op

Kelsey-Hayes
Romulus
09.1986 - 08.1987
  • Typed manual checks, backup for petty cash window ($5,000 fund, reconciled daily), reviewed daily accounts payable batches for accuracy and for possible duplicate payments, assisted disbursement manager with weekly vendor payments, miscellaneous filing.

Education

BBA - Accounting

Eastern Michigan University
01.1994

Huron High School
01.1987

Skills

  • Financial modeling and analysis
  • Budget management and forecasting
  • KPI reporting
  • Problem solving
  • Attention to detail
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Change management

Timeline

Finance - Engineering & VA/VE FP&A Manager

Visteon Corporation
12.2022 - Current

PDMO Assessment & Analytics Manager

Visteon Corporation
12.2020 - 12.2022

Engineering Finance Manager

Visteon Corporation
10.2015 - 12.2020

Senior Commercial Finance Analyst

Visteon Corporation
08.2006 - 10.2015

Commercial Business Analyst - Auto & Truck Structures

Alcoa
02.2003 - 08.2006

Accounting Manager - Wheel Products

Alcoa
10.1999 - 02.2003

Financial Analyst - Reynolds Wheels, Inc.

Alcoa
04.1998 - 10.1999

Vehicle Invoice Analyst

Mazda North American Operations
08.1997 - 04.1998

Accounting Supervisor

Mazda North American Operations
04.1996 - 11.1997

Senior Specialist - Accounting

Mazda North American Operations
08.1995 - 04.1996

Senior Specialist - Vehicle Sales

Mazda North American Operations
04.1994 - 07.1995

Plant Accountant

Hayes Wheels International
07.1992 - 04.1994

College Co-op - General Ledger Department

Kelsey-Hayes
08.1987 - 07.1992

Cash Disbursements - High School Co-op

Kelsey-Hayes
09.1986 - 08.1987

BBA - Accounting

Eastern Michigan University

Huron High School