project controller

Job Purpose

The Project Controller is responsible for ensuring accurate financial oversight, cost control, and performance monitoring for all assigned projects. The role provides financial transparency, early detection of risks, and proactive support to project managers and management. The Project Controller ensures that projects remain within budget, follow approved financial processes, and deliver expected profitability

. Key Responsibilities:

1. Project Financial Setup

• Create and maintain project codes for all new projects.

• Establish baseline budgets in coordination with COO, and Finance.

• Define cost structures including labor, materials, subcontractors, logistics, overhead.

• Set up cash flow and billing plans aligned with the project schedule.

2. Cost Tracking & Monitoring

• Record and track all direct costs (labor, materials, subcontractors, logistics, site expenses).

• Allocate indirect/shared costs using approved allocation rules.

• Maintain and update the project cost ledger in a timely manner.

• Monitor project commitments (POs, contracts, pending invoices).

1. Cost Control & Analysis
   • Prepare monthly Budget vs Actual (BvA) report for each project.

• Conduct variance analysis, identify root causes, and propose corrective actions.

• Update Forecast-to-Complete (FTC) and Estimate-at-Completion (EAC).

• Monitor cost trends, inefficiencies, rework, and schedule delays.

• Highlight early warnings to PMO, COO, and Finance Manager

. 4. Revenue, Billing & Collections Support

• Coordinate with projects on monthly progress certifications

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• Validate billing milestones and ensure timely customer invoices.

• Track project revenues, retention, and pending certificates.

• Support AR team in collection follow-ups for project-related invoices.

.5. Cash Flow & Liquidity Management

• Align project cost plan with corporate cash flow forecast.

• Monitor billing vs cash inflow, identify risks affecting liquidity.

• Track large commitments and upcoming payments.

6. Reporting & Communication

• Prepare monthly Project Financial Report including: – BvA – EAC – Project P&L – Cash flow status – Commitments – Risk log

• Present project financial updates to PM, PMO, COO, and Finance Manager.

• Prepare executive summaries for senior management.

7. Compliance, Documentation & Internal Control

• Ensure compliance with approved budgets and delegation of authority.

• Validate accuracy of PRs, POs, contracts, and subcontractor agreements.

• Ensure proper documentation (GRN, timesheets, site confirmations).

• Ensure project financial practices align with Saudi regulatory requirements.

• Support audit requests related to project financials. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Accuracy of Forecast-to-Complete (±5%)
• Timeliness of monthly reporting (Day +4 close)

• Percentage of cost variances flagged before occurrence

• Accuracy of project P&L (≤2% deviation)

• Project documentation completeness (100%)

• Cycle time for BvA reporting

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, Engineering, or related field

.
• 3–6 years of experience in project costing or financial controlling.

• Strong analytical and Excel skills.

• Experience in construction/engineering/technical project environments preferred.

• Understanding of cost accounting, project costing, and financial planning.

• Proficiency in both English and Arabic (spoken and written).

• Familiarity with Saudi financial laws, rules, and regulations (ZATCA, VAT, WHT, etc.)

Skills & Competencies

• Strong numerical and analytical ability.

• Excellent communication and coordination s
ve financial discipline

.
• High attention to detail.

• Ability to work cross-functionally with PMO, Procurement, HR, and Operations.

• Proactive problem-solving and risk identification.

• Strong understanding of compliance in the Saudi regulatory environment
kills in both English and Arabic.

• Ability to challenge assumptions and drive financial discipline

.
• High attention to detail.

• Ability to work cross-functionally with PMO, Procurement, HR, and Operations.

• Proactive problem-solving and risk identification.

• Strong understanding of compliance in the Saudi regulatory environment