Cost Controller

Marvel Placement Consultants; Rustenburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Marvel Placement Consultants is assisting a well-established client in Irene, Centurion area to fill a Cost Controller role. You will monitor project expenditure, maintain cost records and prepare reports to ensure budgets are controlled across the project lifecycle.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in cost control, mining experience, advanced Excel skills and familiarity with ERP/SAP. You will collaborate with project managers, engineers, procurement and finance to drive accurate cost

Qualifications

• Qualification in Cost Management, Cost Accounting, Finance, Accounting or Project Management.
• 7+ years in cost control, preferably in mining/engineering/construction.
• Mining industry experience is essential.
• Experience in project cost control, budget monitoring, forecasting and reporting.
• Experience with capital project budgets, commitments, expenditures and cost-to-complete.
• Advanced Excel proficiency (formulas, lookups, PivotTables, reporting).
• Experience using ERP or project cost systems; SAP is a plus.
• Ability to liaise with project management, engineering, procurement and finance.

Responsibilities

• Monitor project expenditure against budgets and baselines.
• Track actual costs, commitments, POs, invoices and remaining budgets.
• Maintain accurate cost records, registers and reports.
• Identify cost overruns and potential savings.
• Prepare cost-to-complete estimates and forecast revisions.
• Develop cost dashboards and reporting templates.
• Reconcile cost data with financial records.
• Coordinate with procurement and accounts payable to resolve discrepancies.

Skills

Cost Management

Cost Accounting

Finance

Project Management

Mining industry experience

Advanced Excel

SAP

ERP systems

Education

Qualification in Cost Management/Cost Accounting/Finance/Accounting or Project Management

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

Cost Controller

One of our clients, a well-established organisation based in the Irene, Centurion area, is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Cost Controller to support the financial monitoring and control of projects. The successful candidate will be responsible for monitoring project expenditure, maintaining accurate cost records, preparing cost reports, updating forecasts and identifying potential budget variances. The role requires a hands‑on professional who can work closely with project managers, engineers, procurement and finance teams to ensure that project costs are accurately tracked, reported and controlled throughout the project lifecycle. This position is suited to an analytical, proactive and highly organised individual who takes ownership of deliverables, pays close attention to detail and can identify discrepancies before they become significant project cost risks.

• A relevant qualification in Cost Management, Cost Accounting, Finance, Accounting, Project Management or a related field is essential.
• Minimum 7 years’ relevant cost control experience, preferably within mining, engineering, construction or capital projects.
• Previous mining industry experience is essential.
• Proven experience in project cost control, budget monitoring, expenditure tracking, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Experience working with capital project budgets, commitments, actual expenditure and cost-to-complete forecasts.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency, including formulas, lookups, PivotTables and cost reporting.
• Experience using ERP or project cost management systems, SAP experience would be advantageous.
• Ability to liaise effectively with project management, engineering, procurement, finance and operational stakeholders.

Roles and Responsibilities

Project Cost Control and Monitoring

• Monitor project expenditure against approved budgets and cost baselines.
• Track actual costs, commitments, purchase orders, invoices and remaining budget allocations.
• Maintain accurate project cost records, registers and reports.
• Monitor expenditure across project work packages, cost codes and relevant cost categories.
• Identify cost overruns, discrepancies, potential savings and emerging financial risks.
• Ensure project costs are accurately recorded and allocated to the correct cost codes and activities.
• Investigate discrepancies and follow up on outstanding cost information to maintain reliable reporting.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Assist with the preparation of project budgets, cost estimates and budget revisions.
• Maintain updated project forecasts based on actual expenditure, outstanding commitments and anticipated costs.
• Prepare cost-to-complete estimates and estimates-at-completion forecasts.
• Compare forecast costs against approved budgets and identify potential deviations.
• Investigate variances and obtain explanations from relevant project stakeholders.
• Support project managers in identifying corrective actions where expenditure exceeds planned allocations.
• Ensure budget changes and cost adjustments are properly documented and approved.

Cost Reporting and Analysis

• Prepare regular project cost reports for project managers and management.
• Compile budget-versus-actual reports, variance analyses, expenditure summaries and forecast reports.
• Analyse cost trends and identify areas requiring further investigation or intervention.
• Develop and maintain cost dashboards, spreadsheets, trackers and reporting templates.
• Ensure reports are accurate, complete and submitted within the required reporting deadlines.
• Provide clear explanations of cost movements, financial risks and forecast changes.
• Reconcile project cost information against relevant financial and procurement records.

Procurement and Commercial Cost Monitoring

• Monitor purchase orders, supplier commitments, contractor costs and project-related expenditure.
• Track contractual commitments against approved budgets.
• Review supplier and contractor invoices against purchase orders, approved work and supporting documentation.
• Liaise with procurement and accounts payable teams to resolve discrepancies and outstanding invoices.
• Monitor variations, change orders, claims and additional expenditure affecting project budgets.
• Maintain accurate records of approved and pending variations and their potential cost implications.
• Identify unapproved commitments, duplicate charges and discrepancies requiring investigation.

Project Progress and Cost Forecast Integration

• Work with project managers and planners to align expenditure forecasts with project schedules and progress.
• Monitor actual expenditure against planned progress and identify potential cost or schedule impacts.
• Update forecasts to reflect changes in scope, delivery dates, procurement timelines and project requirements.
• Support monthly project reviews and cost performance reporting.
• Provide accurate cost information to support project planning and management decision‑making.

Governance, Compliance and Documentation

• Maintain organised and auditable records of project budgets, expenditure, commitments, forecasts and approvals.
• Ensure cost control processes comply with internal procedures and financial reporting requirements.
• Maintain supporting documentation for cost adjustments, budget transfers and forecast revisions.
• Assist with project financial reviews, internal audits and cost reconciliations.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost tracking, reporting accuracy and financial controls.
• Handle confidential financial and commercial information professionally.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Work collaboratively with project managers, engineers, procurement, finance and other relevant departments.
• Coordinate the collection and verification of cost information from multiple stakeholders.
• Follow up proactively on outstanding inputs, approvals and reporting requirements.
• Communicate cost variances and emerging risks clearly to the relevant stakeholders.
• Participate in project review meetings and provide accurate cost‑related information as required.

Closing Date:

Submissions for this vacancy will close on 20 October 2026. Late applications may still be considered until 11 November 2026.

PoPI Act Compliance:

Marvel Placement Consultants adheres to the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act No. 4 of 2013). Section 9 of PoPI states that “Personal Information may only be processed if, given the purpose for which it is processed, it is adequate, relevant and not excessive.”