Cost Controls Specialist, Senior
About The Position
Luster is seeking a Senior Cost Control Specialist to support large, heavy-civil infrastructure programs, including highways, roads, bridges, transit, aviation, and water/wastewater projects delivered through traditional and alternative methods. The primary focus is cost accounting across a public recovery and rebuild program. The position also supports the design, implementation, and administration of a rebate program, with controls intended to keep payments eligible, traceable, and audit-ready. This is a long-term, full-time, on-site position in Los Angeles, California. The role tracks and reconciles project costs across multiple projects and funding sources, establishes cost-capture structures and procedures consistent with agency accounting methods, prepares reports for management and oversight bodies, and coordinates with project teams, finance staff, auditors, and partner agencies. It also communicates program rules and financial requirements to the public and internal staff while protecting confidential applicant and financial information.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, public administration, business administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 10+ years of cost accounting or public program financial management experience, including 5+ years in governmental or public-sector cost accounting, grant or program financial management, and financial reporting.
- Experience with large (>$500M), complex, heavy-civil infrastructure projects, including highways, roads, bridges, transit (including rail and bus), and/or airport projects.
- Experience tracking and reconciling project costs, budgets, encumbrances, and expenditures across multiple projects and funding sources.
- Experience establishing cost codes, job cost structures, and procedures for consistent cost capture in line with public agency accounting methods and procedures.
- Experience developing and implementing a rebate, reimbursement, grant, or incentive program, including eligibility criteria, application and verification workflows, and payment tracking.
- Experience designing internal controls to prevent duplicate or ineligible payments and keep programs audit-ready.
- Experience preparing financial reports, dashboards, and briefing materials for management and oversight bodies.
- Experience handling applicant and financial information confidentially and in accordance with privacy requirements.
- Experience explaining program rules to the public and internal staff.
- Experience coordinating with project managers, finance staff, auditors, and partner agencies.
- Experience with governmental financial and accounting systems.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite/Office 365, including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent multitasking and organizational skills.
- Collaborative mindset that fosters teamwork, trust, and positive relationships.
- Curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
- Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential applicant and financial information.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in accounting, finance, public administration, or business administration.
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) certification.
- Experience with disaster recovery or post-disaster financial programs.
- Knowledge of federal and state reimbursement requirements, such as FEMA Public Assistance, Cal OES, and 2 CFR 200, and related documentation standards.
- Familiarity or proficiency with Microsoft Power BI, Oracle Cloud Analytics, or other dashboard KPI reporting software.
Responsibilities
- Track and reconcile project costs, budgets, encumbrances, and expenditures across multiple projects and funding sources.
- Establish cost codes, job cost structures, and procedures for consistent cost capture that comply with agency accounting methods and procedures.
- Help design, implement, and administer a rebate program, including eligibility criteria, application and verification workflows, and payment tracking.
- Design internal controls to prevent duplicate or ineligible payments and keep the program audit-ready.
- Prepare financial reports, dashboards, and briefing materials for management and oversight bodies.
- Handle applicant and financial information confidentially and in accordance with privacy requirements.
- Explain program rules and financial requirements to the public and internal staff.
- Coordinate with project managers, finance staff, auditors, and partner agencies.
Benefits
- Unlimited flexible time off.
- Paid holidays.
- Paid parental leave.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent or elder care.
- Long-term disability insurance.
- Short-term disability insurance.
- Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
- 401(k) plan with guaranteed employer contribution.
- Formal career planning and development program.
- $2,500 annually toward professional development.
- Wellness program with monthly wellness stipend.
- Company cell phone or cell phone plan reimbursement.
- Personalized meal planning and nutrition support with a registered dietitian.
- Personal financial planning services.
- Employee assistance program.
- Employee discounts.
- Employee referral bonus.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
