Junior Cost Controller

HS2 Ltd.; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Free parking & travel allowance

Family-friendly policies

Wellbeing support & flu vaccinations

Job summary

HS2 Ltd. is seeking a diligent finance professional in Birmingham to support budgeting, forecasting and cost control on a major infrastructure programme. You will work with commercial, delivery and finance teams to ensure accurate monthly close and robust cost reporting.

The role emphasizes data integrity, rigorous analysis and attention to detail, with some travel to project sites. Strong Excel skills and a willingness to develop cost accounting knowledge are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong Excel and analytical skills.
• Developing knowledge of cost accounting, budgeting and forecasting.
• Proactive, self-motivated with a finance career focus.
• Some travel to project sites may be required.

Responsibilities

• Supports budgeting and forecasting for the project in collaboration with commercial, delivery and finance teams.
• Ensures accurate validation of costs and data; assists with monthly subcontract liabilities and recording in the accounting system.
• Supports month-end close activities and variance analysis.
• Maintains cost indicators, produces ad hoc cost analysis, and escalates variations to the Cost Controller.

Skills

Excel

Analytical skills

Cost accounting

Budgeting

Forecasting

UK right to work

Travel readiness

Job description

HS2, Britain’s new high‑speed railway is at peak construction. Balfour Beatty VINCI is HS2’s construction partner in the Midlands, responsible for delivering 90km of the route, from Long Itchington in Warwickshire to the centre of Birmingham and on to Handsacre in Staffordshire.

Now is a great time to join us and be part of a diverse team of nearly 9,000 people from over 80 nationalities working together to deliver major assets including bridges, tunnels and viaducts. Whether onsite or office based all colleagues have a key part to play in delivering this critical transport infrastructure project.

Location

Birmingham

Accountabilities

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Supports preparation of the MEP/PST budget and forecast in collaboration with the commercial, delivery and finance teams.

Cost & Data Validation

• Ensures accurate analytical coding for recorded expenses; conducts weekly reviews of labour and plant reports.
• Supports validation of monthly subcontract liabilities against applications, working closely with the QS team to help ensure accuracy; assists with timely recording of liabilities in the accounting system.
• Supports data integrity of the accounting system/records by checking transactions posted, escalating discrepancies to the Cost Controller/Financial Controller.
• Supports verification of labour hours and labour costs, helping to check that recorded hours match the time‑keeping system.
• Supports verification of plant and machinery recharges, helping to check that amounts match supporting backup files.

Month‑End Activities

• Supports monthly financial close activities, including:
  • Coordinating with the Finance Department to ensure costs and accruals are accurately captured for month‑end.
  • Assisting with variance analysis (outputs, Labour hours, rates, quantities, machine efficiencies) for self‑delivery and subcontracted works, working with Commercial and Delivery on key changes.
  • Supporting Regional Performance Reviews (RPR) by helping analyse variances against forecast and drafting commentary.

Monitoring, Reporting & Governance

• Maintains monitoring systems for cost indicators, targets and standards as directed.
• Prepares ad hoc cost analysis as requested.
• Escalates budget variations and irregularities to the Cost Controller/Financial Controller.

• Some exposure to a contracting/project’s environment is preferable but not essential.
• Developing knowledge of cost accounting, budgeting and forecasting.
• Good Excel and analytical skills.
• Self‑starter, motivated and dedicated, keen to develop within a finance career path.
• May require some travel; predominantly site‑office based.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK to be considered.

Why Join Us

• Flexible working options
• Free parking & travel allowance (where eligible)
• Family‑friendly policies
• Wellbeing support & flu vaccinations

Flexible Working

We’re open to discussing flexible working arrangements to suit your needs, aligned with project requirements.