What are the responsibilities and job description for the Cost Analyst position at Consulting Solutions?
3 year contract to start out
Hybrid in Plainfield, IN
Business Analyst II – Financial Analysis & Project Accounting
Position Overview
We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Business Analyst II to support financial accuracy, project accounting, and closeout activities within the utility industry.
This position focuses on investigating financial discrepancies, analyzing project cost variances, and resolving exceptions identified through PowerPlan and related accounting systems. The ideal candidate enjoys problem-solving, digging into financial data, identifying root causes, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to resolve complex issues.
This role works closely with Project Controls, Project Managers, and Engineering teams to ensure accurate financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and successful project closeout.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Analysis & Exception Resolution
- Investigate and resolve financial discrepancies and exceptions identified in PowerPlan and related project accounting systems.
- Analyze variances between estimated and actual project costs.
- Identify root causes of cost discrepancies, accounting errors, and incorrect project coding.
- Review financial transactions to ensure accuracy and compliance with established requirements.
- Recommend corrective actions to resolve financial exceptions.
Project Portfolio Management
- Manage an assigned portfolio of utility projects, conducting recurring financial reviews.
- Monitor and investigate project exceptions on a monthly basis.
- Prioritize investigations and follow-up activities to ensure timely resolution.
- Track outstanding discrepancies and maintain accurate documentation.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Project Controls, Project Managers, and Engineering teams to investigate project financial issues.
- Gather supporting documentation and ask detailed questions to identify underlying problems.
- Communicate findings and recommended corrective actions to stakeholders.
- Coordinate with internal teams to ensure discrepancies are appropriately resolved.
Project Closeout & Financial Reconciliation
- Support project closeout activities and ensure compliance with established ARC requirements.
- Review project financial records to validate accuracy and completion requirements.
- Assist with financial reconciliation and resolution of outstanding project accounting issues.
- Prepare and process journal entries when accounting corrections are necessary.
- Maintain accurate supporting documentation and audit records.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for someone who brings:
- Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience with financial analysis, project accounting, cost analysis, or project controls.
- Ability to analyze financial variances and reconcile discrepancies.
- Understanding of project costs, financial transactions, and accounting processes.
- Experience working with financial or project accounting systems; PowerPlan experience is highly relevant.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with technical and financial stakeholders.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to independently manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
- A proactive, inquisitive mindset and attention to detail.
Relevant backgrounds include: Project Accounting, Financial Analysis, Cost Analysis, Project Controls, Capital Project Accounting, and Financial Reconciliation.
This is an excellent opportunity for an analytical professional who enjoys investigating financial issues, improving accuracy, and supporting complex utility infrastructure projects.
EEO and ADA Statement:
- Consulting Solutions and its family of companies is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
- If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application or at any point in the hiring process, please contact us at: requests@consultingsolutions.com