Cost Controller
Help companies optimise their spending and run more profitable projects.
Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right now
Job growth
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5-year projection
Salary
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Typical salary
Job satisfaction
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Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right now
Salary
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Typical salary
Job growth
-
5-year projection
Job satisfaction
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On this page
- What's it like to be a Cost Controller?
- How to become a Cost Controller
- Cost Controller courses
- Latest Cost Controller jobs
- Top skills and experience for Cost Controllers
- Cost Controller role reviews
What's it like to be a Cost Controller?
Cost Controllers are financial experts who help businesses manage their spending on projects. They work to deliver a project within its budget by estimating and analysing costs including labour hours, supplies and infrastructure.
Tasks and duties
- Using spreadsheets and cost control software to analyse financial data.
- Creating and analysing budgets, forecasts and financial reports.
- Allocating costs to categories and business areas.
- Tracking labour hours and verifying supplier invoices.
- Analysing variances on forecasted profits and expenses.
- Communicating with stakeholders.
- Visiting project sites to observe workflows.
- Planning and managing costs, project scope and scope changes.
Cost Controllers enjoy finding more efficient ways to work and are comfortable using spreadsheets to analyse financial information. They usually work in project-based industries such as construction, manufacturing or civil engineering.
How to become a Cost Controller
You usually need to study for at least three years to become a Cost Controller. A relevant bachelor degree and several years’ experience are preferred by many employers. Cost Controllers often specialise in a particular industry, such as engineering.
- 1.Complete a bachelor degree in finance, economics, accounting or a similar field. This usually takes three years. Aim to secure an internship while studying to gain work experience.
- 2.Gain experience in a junior role in a project-based industry such as civil engineering or construction.
- 3.Consider joining the Australian Cost Engineering Society (ACES). Membership requires self-study and an examination and may require Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
- 4.Consider completing postgraduate study, such as the Master of Construction Management. Additional industry certifications may be beneficial if you’re looking to specialise in a chosen field.
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Find out how your salary compares with the average salary for Cost Controllers.
Latest Cost Controller jobs on SEEK
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Skills and experience employers are looking for
Having the right skills and experience can make you an in-demand applicant. Cost Controller employers on SEEK are looking for job seekers with expertise in the following areas.
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data
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Latest Cost Controller reviews
5.0May 2021
Tough but satisfying to be cost controller
Reviewer's Qualification
Bachelor of Accounting
Experience
10+ years
Organisation size
Large (200+ employees)
Specialisation
Finance
The good things
Need project and analytical skill, strong planning, commercial, budget and forecast skill.
The challenges
A lot of involvement, including commercial, quantity surveying, planning, cost accounting, project mamagement.
Read more
3.0Apr 2024
Senior Cost Role
Reviewer's Qualification
Bachelor of Accounting
Experience
10+ years
Organisation size
Large (200+ employees)
Specialisation
Mining, Resources & Energy
The good things
I enjoy working on Projects which are always different and the people work on projects. The work is challenging but rewarding .
The challenges
The politics, late nights, pressure . A project may end suddenly or a commodity price goes down which means the number of people on the project are reduced. It's hard to find a permanent role, usually...
Read more
Source: SEEK role reviews
SEEK has not verified the truth or accuracy of these comments and does not adopt or endorse any of the comments posted on this page.SEEK collects and posts the comments for what they are worth and for information purposes only to assist candidates to find employment through www.seek.com.au
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