Cost Analyst

Cost Analyst at Apex Systems

Apex Systems, a world-class IT services company, is seeking a diligent and skilled Cost Analyst to join their team. This role is crucial for establishing and optimizing cost and project controls systems for Post-Stim projects. The successful candidate will leverage strong analytical skills to provide comprehensive cost and budgetary analysis, ensuring financial accuracy and operational efficiency. This is an initial contract role with the ability to convert to a full-time hire.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish, implement, and continuously improve cost and project controls systems, tools, and methodologies.
• Conduct detailed cost, financial, and variance analysis to support Execution Planning & Performance and Post-Stim execution teams.
• Support Post-Stim execution teams with AFE creation/revisions, cost estimating, planning, contracting, scheduling, and performance tracking.
• Develop advanced Excel models and analytical frameworks for budgeting, forecasting, KPI measurement, and cost reporting.
• Write, maintain, and optimize SQL queries to extract, validate, and analyze large datasets from enterprise systems.
• Create automated dashboards and reporting tools using Power BI, Spotfire, or similar platforms to provide real-time visibility into project and financial performance.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual cost and performance reports.
• Analyze Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and investigate cost deviations to identify trends, anomalies, and root causes.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for cost and financial data, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and data integrity across systems.
• Provide data-driven insights to identify business challenges, propose solutions, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to maintain strong working relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Perform additional duties or analysis projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Business, Finance, Accounting, Data Analytics, or a related field (required).
• 3-5 years of experience in cost control, financial analysis, accounting, project controls, or a related analytical role.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel (complex formulas, pivot tables, Power Query, data modeling).
• Strong technical skills, including SQL for querying, data extraction, and validation.
• Proficiency with Power BI, Spotfire, or similar BI tools.
• Experience in data analysis, interpretation, and visualization.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial and operational data and produce accurate forecasts and insights.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to translate technical information for various audiences.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proven collaboration and leadership skills within multidisciplinary teams.
• Highly detail-oriented with strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.

Key Skills/Competency

• Cost Control
• Financial Analysis
• Project Controls
• Excel Modeling
• SQL Querying
• Power BI/Spotfire
• Data Visualization
• Variance Analysis
• Budgetary Analysis
• KPI Reporting