Cost Engineer

• To assist the lead cost engineer and project controls manager (if applicable) by assuming the duties of planning, monitoring and reporting the status of project manhours, indirect costs, capital costs and owner's costs (if applicable) by applying relevant cost management methodology, procedures and systems.
• Work on either a single major project or provide cost engineering support to a number of smaller projects and studies to compile and co-ordinate the cost reports, in support of the relevant project / study managers.
• Work in a manner that supports and enhances the company of:
• Delivering on promises;
• Developing full potential;
• Doing the right thing.

• Projects and studies - includes the relevant duties below as agreed per project and / or study.
• Assist in defining the project work breakdown structure (WBS) to ensure compatibility with the applied project cost control system.
• Assist with the compilation of the baseline budget to the agreed WBS from the control budget estimate (CBE) that was agreed to by the client for:
• Indirect field costs
• Direct field costs
• Other costs including insurances, legal costs and professional fees
• Owners costs (if applicable)
• Budget and commitment allocations - committing correct amounts in CBE and applied project cost control system and providing correct WBS codes for budget and commitment values to be allocated against.
• Liaise with contract administrators and procurement officers to allocate commitment amounts for packages.
• Attend project kick off, progress, cost control and planning meetings and implement approved changes in the cost control system as directed as a consequence of these meetings.
• Establish and maintain histograms, S-curves, KPI's, graphs / curves for recording and monthly status reporting of project costs and forecasting.
• Manage contingency drawdown, escalation, rate of exchange fluctuations, calculate forecast at completion, report cost variances and initiate change control for cost adjustments where necessary.
• Maintain registers for change management.
• Process budget shifts and scope changes against the CBE and applied project cost control system when such changes are registered.
• Calculate forecast to complete (FTC) and forecast at completion (FAC) costs with the relevant project personnel and update the applied project cost control system accordingly.
• Cashflow forecasting.
• Prepare reports summarising and forecasting project activity and financial position, including cost reports that show the original budget, current budget, commitments, FAC, incurred and expended values and variances.
• Provide corrective actions / recommendations for variances between budget and commitments.
• Oversee the project accountant/s in respect of the costs produced for reporting of project performance and client invoicing.
• Oversee the project accountant/s in respect of capital contractor invoicing and processing of such for payment by the company or the client (for and on behalf of).
• Assist in the compilation of project close out reports by preparation and submission of cost control data.
• Assist in arranging and preparing for project audits.
• Travel to project sites as and when required
• Cost reporting
• Restructuring approved estimate into a control budget estimate in accordance with the project strategy and / or contractual requirements
• Forecasting cashflow
• Forecasting project costs
• Educating project team on all budget and commitment related procedures
• Control of budget per project strategy and / or contractual requirements
• Supervision of all project accounting related services

• A degree in commerce or engineering or alternatively a project controls related qualification / certification.

• Project Management Professional - PMI

• Minimum five years' experience in a cost and management accountant role in the mining, construction or manufacturing industries
• Advanced skills in the cost control process of multi-discipline EPCM and EPC projects
• Exposure to the use of commercial cost management software
• Advanced skills in the use of Microsoft Office software
• Data skills and ability to deal with large data sets to provide meaningful reports.

• Exposure to international projects is highly desirable
• Working knowledge of the Project Management Body of Knowledge, (PMBOK)

• Strong communication and interpersonal relationship skills
• Strong team player
• Pay strict attention to detail and ensure the accuracy of the outputs
• Confidentiality and discretion
• Ability to prioritise multiple demands without losing focus
• Analytical skills. elationship

John Wood Group