Cost Analyst (Education)

Harris & Associates, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris & Associates, Inc. Education team seeks a detail-oriented cost analyst to maintain project budgets, forecasts, and cost performance across multiple funding sources in Los Angeles. You will collaborate with PMO and scheduling teams to monitor cash flow, variances, and corrective actions.

The role emphasizes accuracy, timely reporting, and proactive risk assessment to align financial targets with project goals in K-12 and higher-ed programs.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and manage the accuracy and integrity of project budgets and financial forecasts, ensuring compliance with established cost management procedures and policies.
• Collaborate with Project and Construction Managers in drafting white papers for project establishment, re-baselining, and securing funding for capital projects.
• Participate in monthly Estimate at Completion (EAC) reviews, collaborating with the PMO to provide in-depth variance analysis and identify underlying causes.
• Allocate and manage Estimates to Complete (ETCs) for projects, including but not limited to change order proposals, task order requests, online vendor portal requests, and PBAs to ensure continued alignment with financial objectives.
• Participate in the change management and risk assessment meetings to analyze cost-related trends, risks, and exposures, contributing to proactive cost mitigation strategies.
• Conduct detailed analysis of cost variances, performance data, and trends to identify potential impacts on budgets, recommending corrective actions where necessary, ensuring financial data aligns with project goals.
• Perform monthly reconciliation of budget & costs to ensure month-end data reporting accuracy.
• Track and analyze trends in project costs and the effectiveness of mitigation plans, comparing these against actual performance and forecasts.
• Review project budgets and expenditures across multiple funding sources to ensure alignment with overall financial goals and objectives.
• Work with scheduling teams to assess the impact of cash flow and schedule performance on project costs, identifying variances, cost overruns or underruns, and potential forecasting issues.
• Review and analyze financial reports, cost performance, and progress data to ensure accuracy, providing insights into potential financial risks on a regular and/or as needed basis.

Job description

Who We Are

Our Education team partners with K-12 school districts, community colleges, and universities to design and manage transformative programs that align with their goals. We partner with institutions on projects including:

• Modernization and expansion of facilities
• Infrastructure improvements for safety and sustainability
• Development of specialized spaces such as laboratories, research centers, and classrooms.

Position Description:

• Maintain and manage the accuracy and integrity of project budgets and financial forecasts, ensuring compliance with established cost management procedures and policies.
• Collaborate with Project and Construction Managers in drafting white papers for project establishment, re-baselining, and securing funding for capital projects.
• Participate in monthly Estimate at Completion (EAC) reviews, collaborating with the Project Management Office (PMO) to provide in-depth variance analysis and identify underlying causes.
• Allocate and manage Estimates to Complete (ETCs) for projects, including but not limited to change order proposals, task order requests, online vendor portal requests, and PBAs to ensure continued alignment with financial objectives.
• Participate in the change management and risk assessment meetings to analyze cost-related trends, risks, and exposures, contributing to proactive cost mitigation strategies.
• Conduct detailed analysis of cost variances, performance data, and trends to identify potential impacts on budgets, recommending corrective actions where necessary, ensuring financial data aligns with project goals.
• Perform monthly reconciliation of budget & costs to ensure month-end data reporting accuracy
• Track and analyze trends in project costs and the effectiveness of mitigation plans, comparing these against actual performance and forecasts.
• Review project budgets and expenditures across multiple funding sources to ensure alignment with overall financial goals and objectives.
• Work with scheduling teams to assess the impact of cash flow and schedule performance on project costs, identifying variances, cost overruns or underruns, and potential forecasting issues.
• Review and analyze financial reports, cost performance, and progress data to ensure accuracy, providing insights into potential financial risks on a regular and/or as needed basis.