Cost Controller | Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

Hitachi ABB Power Grids; Petaling Jaya; On-site; MYR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Hitachi Energy in Malaysia is seeking a Cost Controller to support financial planning, cost management, forecasting, and performance analysis across our projects and operations. You will collaborate with project managers, business leaders, and finance teams to ensure accurate cost control and financial transparency.

The role focuses on budgeting, variance analysis, and driving improvements in cost processes, including maintaining cost rate structures and supporting month-end closes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in cost controlling, management accounting, FP&A, or similar finance functions.
• Strong costing, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis experience.
• Hands-on SAP experience; SAP S/4HANA preferred.
• Experience in project-based, engineering, or labour-intensive environments is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement cost control processes and financial governance.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and cost estimates for projects and operations.
• Monitor performance vs budgets, analyze variances, and provide financial recommendations.
• Analyze project and operational costs, focusing on labour and resources.
• Collaborate with project managers to improve cost efficiency and resource allocation.
• Conduct monthly cost performance reviews and support decision-making with data insights.
• Maintain cost rate structures across countries and support quarterly reviews.
• Participate in month-end and year-end closing for cost reporting.
• Review cost allocations and ensure accurate reporting.
• Review and approve purchase requisitions per budget controls.

Skills

Forecasting

Cost control

Financial analysis

Excel

SAP

SAP S/4HANA

Stakeholder communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Business

Tools

SAP

SAP S/4HANA

Job description

At Hitachi Energy, our purpose is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We are looking for a Cost Controller to support financial planning, cost management, forecasting, and performance analysis across our project and operational activities.

In this role, you will partner closely with project managers, business leaders, and finance stakeholders to ensure accurate cost control, financial transparency, and effective resource utilization. You will play a key role in budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and driving continuous improvement in financial processes.

How You'll Make an Impact

At Hitachi Energy, our purpose is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We are looking for a Cost Controller to support financial planning, cost management, forecasting, and performance analysis across our project and operational activities.

In this role, you will partner closely with project managers, business leaders, and finance stakeholders to ensure accurate cost control, financial transparency, and effective resource utilization. You will play a key role in budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and driving continuous improvement in financial processes.

How You'll Make an Impact

• Develop, implement, and maintain effective cost control processes and financial governance measures.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and cost estimates for projects and operational activities.
• Monitor actual performance against budgets and forecasts, identify variances, and provide meaningful financial analysis and recommendations.
• Analyze project and operational costs, with particular focus on resource and labour-related expenditures.
• Partner with project managers and business leaders to improve cost efficiency and optimize resource allocation.
• Conduct regular financial and cost performance reviews and support decision-making with data-driven insights.
• Prepare and maintain cost rate structures across countries and support quarterly reviews.
• Participate in month-end and year-end closing activities related to cost reporting and management accounting.
• Review cost allocations and ensure costs are accurately assigned and reported.
• Review and approve purchase requisitions in line with budget controls and company policies.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial controls, accounting standards, and corporate requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to cost management tools, reporting, and processes.

Your Background

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in Cost Controlling, Management Accounting, Financial Analysis, FP&A, or similar finance functions.
• Strong experience in costing, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Hands-on experience using SAP is required; SAP S/4HANA experience is highly preferred.
• Experience supporting project-based, engineering, consulting, professional services, or other labour-intensive businesses is highly desirable.
• Experience within multinational or matrix organizations is an advantage.
• Strong understanding of management accounting principles and cost control methodologies.
• Advanced Excel and financial analysis skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Preferred Experience

We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience managing and analysing costs in project-driven or service-oriented environments where labour and resource costs form a significant component of the cost base. Experience solely within manufacturing environments may be considered if accompanied by strong transferable cost control and financial analysis experience.

More About Us

At Hitachi Energy, we are committed to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. Join us and be part of a global team that is shaping the future of sustainable energy while advancing your own career development in a diverse and inclusive environment.

We are a global leader in electrification, powering the electricity era to meet the energy demands of today, and the next 25 years. As the energy arm of Hitachi Group, over three billion people depend on our pioneering, mission-critical technologies to power their daily lives.

With over a century of innovation, we are addressing the most urgent energy challenge of our time: driving the evolution of the world’s energy system to ensure abundant, secure, affordable, and sustainable power for today’s generation and the next.

With an unparalleled installed base in over 140 countries, we are the grid ecosystem partner across the utility, industry, data center, and transportation sectors. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ over 56,000 people in 60 countries and generate revenues of around $20 billion USD. We welcome you to apply today.