Senior Cost Control Specialist

Luster National•Los Angeles, CA

6h•Onsite

About The Position

Luster is seeking a Senior Cost Control Specialist to support large, complex heavy civil infrastructure programs, including highway, road, bridge, transit, aviation, and water/wastewater projects delivered through traditional and alternative delivery methods. The primary focus is cost accounting for a public infrastructure rebuild program, along with partnering on the design and implementation of its rebate program and administering it day to day. The role maintains controls so payments are eligible, traceable, and audit ready. This is a long-term, full-time, on-site position in Los Angeles, California.

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 the public sector covering cost accounting, grant or program financial management, and financial reporting.
Proven ability to track and reconcile project costs, budgets, encumbrances, and expenditures across multiple projects and funding sources.
Experience establishing cost codes, job cost structures, and cost capture procedures aligned with public agency accounting methods.
Experience developing and implementing rebate, reimbursement, grant, or incentive programs, including eligibility criteria, application and verification workflows, and payment tracking.
Experience designing internal controls that prevent duplicate or ineligible payments and keep programs audit ready.
Track record preparing financial reports, dashboards, and briefing materials for management and oversight bodies.
Working knowledge of 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 ability, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in accounting, finance, public administration, or business administration.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM).
Knowledge of federal and state reimbursement requirements, including FEMA Public Assistance and 2 CFR 200, and related documentation standards.
Experience with disaster recovery or post-disaster financial programs.
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 cost capture procedures aligned with agency accounting methods to ensure consistent recording and reimbursement eligibility.
Partner on the design and implementation of the rebuild rebate program and administer it day to day, including eligibility criteria, application and verification workflows, and payment tracking.
Develop internal controls to prevent duplicate or ineligible payments and keep the program audit ready.
Protect applicant and financial information in line with applicable privacy requirements.
Explain program rules and financial requirements to the public and internal staff.
Prepare financial reports, dashboards, and briefing materials for management and oversight bodies.
Coordinate with project managers, finance staff, auditors, and partner agencies to resolve cost and reimbursement issues.