Cost Controller

AEPartners UK; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced subsistence allowance

Performance related bonus

Healthy benefits package

Job summary

AEPartners UK is seeking a Cost Controller to deliver robust financial governance across the GSA programme within a complex joint-venture environment. You will monitor project costs, support audits and provide accurate reporting and forecasting in line with NEC requirements.

You will work closely with finance, commercial and delivery teams to ensure strong cost control, informed decision-making and continuous improvement across the project portfolio.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with ICAEW/ACCA/CIMA required.
• Experience on large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Strong NEC Defined Cost & Disallowed Cost knowledge.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with Oracle ERP.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.
• Experience with joint-venture environments.
• Familiarity with Oracle E1 or similar ERP systems.
• Experience working with Tier-1 contractors.

Responsibilities

• Monitor project costs against NEC Defined Cost principles and Budgets.
• Prepare cost reports, forecasts and Disallowed Cost analyses.
• Coordinate responses to audits and ensure NEC contract compliance.
• Provide financial insight to support decision-making and governance.
• Collaborate with finance, commercial, procurement and delivery teams to drive cost control and improvements.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Cost forecasting

Strong analytical ability

Clear communication

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ICAEW, ACCA or CIMA)

Tools

Oracle E1

ERP systems (Oracle)

Job description

Basic Salary then has a 15% project uplift added on to it for the duration of the project

Enhanced subsistence allowance paid

Performance related bonus

Plus a very healthy benefits package

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

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