Cost Controller

AE Partners; Colchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Geotechnical Subcontract Alliance (GSA) leads the groundworks for the Sizewell C project along the Suffolk coast. The Cost Controller will oversee project costs, align with NEC contract governance, and provide accurate forecasting to support decision making.

Working with finance, commercial and delivery teams in a joint-venture setting, you will drive cost control, audit readiness and continuous improvement across the programme.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with NEC contract experience is essential.
• Strong Excel skills and ERP system experience are required for robust reporting.
• Ability to analyse costs, manage forecasts and provide actionable insights.

Responsibilities

• Monitor project costs against budget and NEC Defined Cost principles.
• Coordinate audit responses and ensure NEC contract compliance.
• Collaborate with finance, commercial and delivery teams to inform decisions.
• Improve forecasting accuracy and manage commitments, accruals and risks.
• Contribute to governance, controls and reporting processes.

Skills

Accountant (ICAEW/ACCA/CIMA)

NEC contract knowledge

Excel proficiency

ERP familiarity

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Professional accounting qualification (ICAEW/ACCA/CIMA)

Tools

Oracle ERP

Job description

The Geotechnical Subcontract Alliance (GSA) is a key part of the Sizewell C nuclear power station project on the Suffolk coast. It focuses on preparing the ground for construction by building cut-off walls, improving soil stability, and installing bearing elements and retaining structures. The work involves advanced techniques such as piling, diaphragm walling, soil mixing, and grouting, using specialist equipment including hydrofraises, hydraulic grabs, piling rigs, and soil mixing plants. The GSA team operates under a collaborative alliance model to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality results.

The Role

The Cost Controller plays a key role in ensuring robust financial governance across the GSA programme within a complex joint‑venture environment.

You will be responsible for monitoring project costs, supporting audit and compliance activities, and providing accurate reporting and forecasting in line with NEC contract requirements. The role works closely with finance, commercial and delivery teams to ensure strong cost control, informed decision‑making and continuous improvement.

What You'll Be Doing

• Cost Control & Reporting: Monitor project costs against budget, forecasts and NEC Defined Cost principles, preparing regular cost reports including Disallowed Cost and fee‑based forecasts. Analyse variances and provide clear, actionable insights to support project performance.
• Audit & Compliance: Coordinate responses to audit requests, ensure timely resolution of findings, and support compliance with NEC contract requirements, Works Information and joint‑venture governance standards.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Act as a key interface between finance, commercial, procurement and delivery teams, providing financial insight, supporting decision‑making and embedding lessons learned across the project.
• Forecasting & Financial Planning: Improve forecasting accuracy, support management of committed costs, accruals and financial risks, and identify opportunities for cost optimisation and efficiency.
• Process Improvement: Contribute to strengthening financial governance, controls and reporting processes, including segregation of duties and continuous improvement initiatives.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Fully qualified accountant (ICAEW, ACCA or CIMA)
• Experience working on large‑scale infrastructure, construction or engineering projects
• Strong understanding of NEC contracts, including Defined Cost and Disallowed Cost principles
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP systems (e.g. Oracle)
• Strong analytical capability, attention to detail and clear communication skills

Desirable

• Experience working on major projects or within joint‑venture environments
• Familiarity with Oracle E1 or similar ERP systems
• Experience working with Tier‑1 contractors