Cost Control Auditor

Cost Control & Cost Audit SpecialistIndustryConstruction / Real Estate DevelopmentLocationUAESeeking Candidates having substantial construction/project cost-control experience and understand how construction costs are generated, contracted, measured, certified, invoiced, and ultimately paid.A candidate who has worked as a Cost Controller, Cost Auditor, Project Controls Specialist, Quantity Surveyor with audit exposure, or Construction Cost Analyst, particularly within a developer or large contracting organisation, would be highly suitable.Key ResponsibilitiesCost ControlMonitor and control project costs against approved budgets, BOQs, estimates, and forecasts.Establish and maintain project cost-control systems and procedures.Track committed, actual, accrued, and forecast project costs.Analyse cost variances and identify reasons for budget overruns.Prepare monthly cost reports, cost-to-complete reports, and project cost forecasts.Monitor subcontractor, supplier, consultant, and contractor expenditure.Review and validate invoices, payment applications, and supporting documentation.Monitor variations, claims, change orders, and their financial impact.Ensure all project expenditures are correctly allocated to the appropriate cost codes and projects.Work closely with Project Managers, Quantity Surveyors, Procurement, Finance, and Contracts teams.Cost AuditConduct periodic and project-based cost audits to verify the accuracy and validity of construction expenditure.Audit contractor and subcontractor invoices, payment certificates, variations, claims, and supporting documents.Reconcile approved budgets, contracts, purchase orders, invoices, payments, and actual project costs.Identify duplicate payments, incorrect rates, unsupported costs, overbilling, and unauthorized expenditure.Review contractual rates, BOQ quantities, material costs, labour costs, and subcontractor charges.Verify that project costs comply with approved contracts, budgets, procurement procedures, and company policies.Conduct audits of procurement and purchasing transactions related to construction projects.Highlight cost leakage and recommend corrective and preventive actions.Prepare audit findings and present recommendations to senior management.Follow up on implementation of agreed cost-control and audit recommendations.Reporting & AnalysisPrepare detailed cost-control dashboards and management reports.Provide management with early warnings on potential cost overruns and financial risks.Analyse project profitability, cost trends, and forecast final costs.Develop and maintain cost-control KPIs.Support annual budgeting, project feasibility reviews, and financial forecasting.Provide data and analysis for internal and external audits when required.RequirementsBachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline.5–10 years of relevant experience in construction cost control, project controls, quantity surveying, cost audit, or a similar role.Strong experience specifically in construction cost auditing is essential.Previous experience working with main contractors, developers, consultants, or construction companies is preferred.Strong knowledge of construction contracts, BOQs, variations, payment certificates, subcontractor accounts, and procurement.Experience in analysing project costs and identifying discrepancies and cost leakage.Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, cost-to-complete, accruals, commitments, and variance analysis.Excellent Excel and financial analysis skills.Experience with ERP/project cost-control systems is highly desirable.UAE/GCC construction experience is preferred.Preferred QualificationsRICS, MRICS, CIMA, ACCA, CPA, CMA, PMP, or equivalent certification would be an advantage.Experience auditing large-scale building, infrastructure, residential, commercial, or real estate development projects.Experience in both cost control and internal/project cost audit will be strongly preferred.