Project Cost & Budgeting Controller

At Terracotta – Driving Business Growth in Recruitment, Outsourcing & Corporate Services

We are a leading outsourcing company in the UAE, delivering recruitment, manpower, visa outsourcing, EOR/PEO, business setup, PRO services, and corporate solutions across the region.

We are currently hiring an experienced Project Cost & Budgeting Controller to support one of our key clients within the power and utilities sector in Abu Dhabi on a 12-month contract
.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in project cost control, budgeting, accruals, contract financial management, invoicing, and project cost reporting
. This is a hands-on role supporting the financial control of a portfolio of approximately 25–30 projects
, working closely with Finance, Project Management, Procurement, Accounts Payable, contractors, and suppliers.

• Monitor project expenditure against approved budgets, forecasts, and commitments
• Track actual spend, outstanding commitments, liabilities, and forecast costs across multiple projects
• Maintain project cost trackers and provide bi-weekly cost and budget reporting
• Analyse budget variances and identify potential cost overruns
• Support project forecasting and maintain visibility over upcoming financial commitments

• Prepare and maintain monthly accrual schedules across project contracts and suppliers
• Work with Project Managers and contract owners to identify costs incurred but not yet invoiced
• Reconcile accrual balances against subsequent invoices and payments
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial close activities
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of project-related costs

• Maintain financial oversight of project contracts, including contract values, amendments, commitments, milestones, and outstanding obligations
• Monitor activities and deliverables against contractual and budget requirements
• Review contractor and supplier invoices against contracts, purchase orders, and approved deliverables
• Coordinate with Accounts Payable to ensure invoices are processed and paid on time
• Track outstanding invoices and support the resolution of payment-related issues
• Monitor upcoming payment obligations to support project cash-flow planning

• Support purchase requisitions, purchase orders, tender evaluations, and other procurement activities
• Ensure procurement commitments remain aligned with approved project budgets
• Work closely with Finance, Project Management, Procurement, contractors, and suppliers
• Maintain accurate financial, procurement, and contractual documentation for audit and compliance purposes

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration
  , or a related field
• Approximately 4–8 years of relevant experience in project cost control, project finance, project accounting, budgeting, procurement finance, or cost management
• Strong hands-on experience with project budgets, cost tracking, commitments, forecasting, and variance analysis
• Practical experience with accrual accounting and financial close activities
• Experience managing contracts, contractor invoices, payment tracking, and financial obligations
• Strong Microsoft Excel and analytical skills
• Experience with SAP, Oracle, or a similar ERP system is preferred
• Experience with in power, utilities, energy, EPC, infrastructure, engineering, or construction is desirable; candidates from other project-intensive industries will also be considered
• Demonstrated ability to manage the financial control of multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, and organizational skills
• Currently based in the UAE with immediate or short-notice availability preferred