Xinyao (Cindy) Zhu

Xinyao (Cindy) Zhu

Contact Information

  • office Address:

    1360 Steinberg Hall - Dietrich Hall
    3620 Locust Walk
    Philadelphia, PA 19104

Teaching

All Courses

  • ACCT1020 - Strategic Cost Analysis

    Strategic Cost Analysis is the process of analyzing and managing costs in order to improve the strategic position of the business. This goal can be accomplished by having a thorough understanding of which activities and costs support an organization's strategic position and which activities and costs either weaken it or have no impact. Subsequent cost management efforts can then focus on reducing or limiting expenditures on activities that add little or no strategic value, while increasing expenditures on activities that support the strategic position of the organization. Performance can then be evaluated to ensure that the chosen actions are taken, and that these actions are yielding improved strategic performance. Throughout the course, a strategic cost analysis and management framework will be applied across functions and organizations to highlight the cost analysis and performance evaluation methods available to forecast financial performance and improve strategic position.

Knowledge at Wharton

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Wharton management professor discusses how AI is reshaping job forecasts, CEO decision-making, and long-standing misconceptions about which roles are at risk.Read More

Knowledge @ Wharton - 7/18/2025
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Knowledge @ Wharton - 7/17/2025
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Professor emeritus of physics at University of Illinois discusses baseball bat construction and the HR Derby.Read More

Knowledge @ Wharton - 7/16/2025