Cost Controller

Purpose of the Role

To manage and control the complete financial performance of the project at site by ensuring effective budgeting, cost control, forecasting, cash flow management, contract compliance and commercial monitoring throughout the Engineering, Procurement, Construction Commissioning, Operation & Maintenance (O&M) and concession phases while protecting the expected Internal Rate of Return (IRR), EBITDA, project margins and lender commitments.

Key Responsibilities

1. Budget Planning & Cost Control

• Prepare detailed project execution budgets.
• Establish Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS).
• Allocate budgets package-wise and discipline-wise.
• Track actual costs against approved budgets.
• Monitor committed cost, incurred cost and forecast cost.
• Analyse monthly cost variances.
• Recommend corrective actions to Project Director.
• Ensure complete cost visibility

2. Cost Forecasting

• Prepare Estimate to Complete
• Update rolling forecasts.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization.
• Monitor contingency utilization.
• Review remaining cost to complete.

3. Cash Flow Management

• Prepare weekly and monthly cash flow forecasts.
• Monitor project cash inflow and outflow.
• Forecast debt drawdowns.
• Ensure adequate liquidity during construction.

4. Procurement Cost Control

• Review Purchase Requisitions.
• Validate Purchase Orders against budget.
• Analyse procurement savings.
• Review rate variations.
• Monitor freight and logistics costs.
• Review supplier claims.

5. Subcontract Management

• Verify subcontractor bills.
• Review work measurements.
• Validate RA Bills.
• Track variation orders.
• Forecast subcontract final cost.
• Recommend recoveries where applicable.

6. Variation Order & Claims Management

• Track approved VOs.
• Monitor pending claims.
• Track Extension of Time (EOT) financial implications.
• Monitor claim realization.

7. O&M Cost Planning

• Chemical consumption
• Power consumption
• Fuel cost
• Labour cost
• Spare parts
• Preventive maintenance
• Major overhaul costs
• Asset replacement
• AMC costs
• Insurance renewals

8. Financial Reporting

Prepare:

• Monthly Cost Report
• Cost Variance Report
• Forecast Report
• Cash Flow Statement
• Budget Utilization Report
• Margin Analysis

9. Risk Register

Identify financial risks including:

• Inflation
• Commodity escalation
• Foreign exchange
• Delay damages
• Productivity loss
• Design changes
• Client delays
• Utility shifting
• Land availability
• Contractor claims

Prepare mitigation plans for each identified risk.

10. Interface with Finance

Coordinate for:

• Invoice booking
• Cost accruals
• Revenue recognition
• Fixed asset capitalization
• GST compliance
• Vendor payments
• Customer collections
• Audit support
• Month-end closing

11-Required Technical Skills

• Cost Control
• Project Finance
• Budgeting
• Forecasting
• SAP
• Advanced Excel
• Power BI
• Contract Management
• Risk Analysis
• Financial Modelling