Cost Assurance Specialist

About this opportunity

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide commercial and financial assurance, audit and verification of costs across major infrastructure projects.
• Review and assess contractors’ accounting, commercial and financial management systems and processes.
• Develop risk-based audit and cost verification plans aligned with project requirements.
• Plan and undertake detailed audits and reviews across a range of cost categories, including actual and forecast costs.
• Review supporting documentation and assess the accuracy, completeness and appropriateness of claimed costs.
• Analyse financial data, project expenditure and contractor performance to identify trends, risks, discrepancies and potential areas for further investigation.
• Review actual cost reimbursement and other commercial contracting models.
• Interpret and apply different contractual and commercial frameworks when assessing costs and entitlements.
• Prepare high-quality audit documentation, working papers and supporting evidence.
• Produce clear, concise and robust reports outlining findings, risks, conclusions and recommendations.
• Engage confidently with contractors, clients, regulatory bodies and other relevant stakeholders throughout the audit and assurance process.
• Support the development and application of forensic technology, data analytics and cost assurance tools.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of cost assurance methodologies, processes and tools.
• Support the Head of Cost Assurance and other senior Gleeds team members on project delivery and wider business initiatives.

Who we’re looking for:

• A minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in audit, cost assurance, commercial assurance or a similar discipline, ideally including experience in a lead role.
• Experience working on large-scale infrastructure projects, preferably within a client, consultancy or contractor environment.
• Proven experience auditing and verifying actual costs under cost-reimbursable, target-cost or other complex contracting models.
• Experience developing and delivering risk-based audit plans and programmes.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to review and interpret complex financial and commercial data.
• Experience analysing vendor or contractor financial performance, costs and supporting documentation.
• Experience preparing detailed reports, forecasts, projections and recommendations based on financial and commercial analysis.
• Strong understanding of contractor accounting and commercial systems, processes and controls.
• Experience using Oracle Enterprise or similar enterprise financial/business management systems would be advantageous.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial and commercial information clearly to a range of stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities.

• Diploma or degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or another relevant discipline; or an equivalent combination of education, training and relevant experience.
• A relevant professional certification or designation is preferred but not essential.
• Professional qualifications such as CPA, CA, CMA, ACCA, CIMA, RICS or equivalent would be considered an asset.

About us

Gleeds is a global property and construction consultancy with over 150 years of expertise, operating in 28 countries worldwide. From iconic landmarks to critical infrastructure, we drive innovation, sustainability and value, delivering transformative projects that shape communities and redefine the built environment.