Senior Cost Control Specialist

Luster National; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited flexible time off

Health insurance

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Paid holidays

Professional development stipend

Job summary

Luster National in Los Angeles, CA seeks a Senior Cost Control Specialist to support large heavy civil infrastructure programs. You will manage cost accounting for a public infrastructure rebuild, contribute to rebate program design, and implement controls ensuring eligible, auditable payments.

This is a long-term, full-time, hybrid position with up to 2 days remote. Responsibilities include tracking costs across multiple projects, establishing cost structures, and preparing financial reports

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, public administration, business administration, or related field.
• Masters degree in accounting, finance, public administration, or business administration (preferred).
• 10+ years of cost accounting or public program financial management experience, including 5+ years in public sector.
• Experience establishing cost codes, job cost structures, and cost capture procedures.

Responsibilities

• Track and reconcile project costs, budgets, encumbrances, and expenditures across multiple projects and funding sources.
• Establish cost codes, job cost structures, and cost capture procedures aligned with agency accounting methods.
• Design and administer rebate, reimbursement, grant, or incentive programs, including eligibility criteria and payment tracking.
• Develop internal controls to prevent duplicate or ineligible payments and keep programs audit ready.
• Coordinate with project managers, finance staff, auditors, and partner agencies to resolve cost and reimbursement issues.

Skills

Cost accounting

Public sector financial management

Excel proficiency

Financial reporting

Communication skills

Education

Bachelors degree in related field

Masters degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office 365

Power BI

Oracle Cloud Analytics

Job description

Los Angeles, California, United States

Position Title: Senior Cost Control Specialist

About the Position

We're seeking a Senior Cost Control Specialist to support large, complex heavy civil infrastructure programs, including highways, roads, bridges, transit (bus and rail), aviation (international airports), and water/wastewater projects delivered through both traditional and alternative delivery methods. Your main focus will be cost accounting for a public infrastructure rebuild program, where you'll also partner on the design, implementation, and day‑to‑day administration of its rebate program, with controls that keep every payment eligible, traceable, and audit ready.

This is a long‑term, full‑time, hybrid position located in Los Angeles, CA with up to 2 days remote.

Responsibilities

• Track and reconcile project costs, budgets, encumbrances, and expenditures across multiple projects and funding sources.
• Establish cost codes, job cost structures, and cost capture procedures aligned with agency accounting methods, so costs are recorded consistently and remain eligible for reimbursement.
• Partner on the design and implementation of the rebuild rebate program and administer it day to day, including eligibility criteria, application and verification workflows, and payment tracking.
• Develop internal controls that prevent duplicate or ineligible payments and keep the program audit ready.
• Protect applicant and financial information in line with applicable privacy requirements.
• Explain program rules and financial requirements to the public and internal staff.
• Prepare financial reports, dashboards, and briefing materials for management and oversight bodies.
• Coordinate with project managers, finance staff, auditors, and partner agencies to resolve cost and reimbursement issues.

Attributes

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent multi‑tasking and organizational skills.
• Collaborative mindset that fosters teamwork, trust, and positive relationships.
• Natural curiosity, problem‑solving abilities, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in accounting, finance, public administration, business administration, or related field.
• 10+ years of cost accounting or public program financial management experience, including 5+ years in the public sector covering cost accounting, grant or program financial management, and financial reporting.
• Proven ability to track and reconcile project costs, budgets, encumbrances, and expenditures across multiple projects and funding sources.
• Experience establishing cost codes, job cost structures, and cost capture procedures aligned with public agency accounting methods.
• Experience developing and implementing rebate, reimbursement, grant, or incentive programs, including eligibility criteria, application and verification workflows, and payment tracking.
• Experience designing internal controls that prevent duplicate or ineligible payments and keep programs audit ready.
• Track record preparing financial reports, dashboards, and briefing materials for management and oversight bodies.
• Working knowledge of governmental financial and accounting systems.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite/Office 365 (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in accounting, finance, public administration, or business administration.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM).
• Knowledge of federal and state reimbursement requirements, including FEMA Public Assistance and 2 CFR 200, and related documentation standards.
• Experience with disaster recovery or post-disaster financial programs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Power BI, Oracle Cloud Analytics, or other dashboard KPI reporting software.

Compensation Details

Expected Salary: $120k-$165k/year ($57-$79/hour). Luster provides the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might offer for this position based on the successful candidates level of experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, education, certifications, licenses, geographic location, etc. Luster reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range depending on circumstances not related to any status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

Just LOOK at the Benefits We Offer!

• Unlimited flexible time off
• Paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts (healthcare and dependent or elder care)
• Long‑term disability insurance
• Short‑term disability insurance
• Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment
• 401(k) plan with guaranteed employer contribution
• Formal career planning and development program
• $2,500 annually toward professional development
• Wellness program with monthly wellness stipend
• Company cell phone or cell phone plan reimbursement
• Free personalized meal planning and nutrition support with a registered dietitian
• Free personal financial planning services
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discounts
• Employee referral bonus

Specific plan details and coverage for each benefit noted above will be provided upon offer. #IN-LNJS

Luster is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to criminal history, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. This employer participates in E-Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.

All positions may be subject to a background check and drug test once a conditional offer of employment is made for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities, in accordance with all applicable local, state, and/or federal regulations.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/protected veterans