Cost Audit Manager
Support the commercial delivery of a major local authority contract, ensuring robust cost assurance, audit governance, and value for money across a diverse portfolio.
Responsibilities
Operations
* Ensure that all contractual obligations are met within the defined area and/or activities assigned, supporting the Account Director and wider Account Management Team in achieving all contractual KPIs.
* Develop strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and provide timely responses to requests for support.
* Work with the Contract Manager and client to obtain approvals for works, ensuring appropriate accruals/commitments are reflected in financial systems.
* Monitor suppliers to ensure effective day‑to‑day service delivery and escalate performance issues where required.
* Promote a positive Health and Safety culture, ensuring issues are escalated and addressed.
Commercial & Audit
* Lead the independent audit and validation of supplier quotations, invoices, and applications for payment to ensure compliance with contractual terms and commercial accuracy.
* Challenge costs, assumptions, and scopes of work to ensure value for money and alignment with contract requirements.
* Identify discrepancies, overcharges, or non‑compliant submissions and take appropriate action, including rejection where necessary.
* Provide detailed audit reports highlighting savings, cost avoidance, trends, and areas of risk.
* Support CAPEX planning by validating cost assumptions and providing insight into financial risks and opportunities.
* Work with Supply Chain and Finance teams to produce monthly reporting on spend, accruals, and forecasted activity.
* Support the management and audit of contract variations, ensuring full transparency and documentation.
Technology
* Utilise the Concerto CAFM system and other client/Bellrock systems to monitor cost performance and audit activity.
* Produce reports analysing asset performance, lifecycle costs, and replacement priorities.
* Identify opportunities to enhance cost visibility and audit capability through system improvements, APIs, and data integration.
Technical
* Lead audits of statutory compliance records, ensuring both technical and financial alignment.
* Analyse supplier performance and cost trends, providing actionable insights and improvement plans.
* Provide lifecycle and forward maintenance cost assurance advice.
Risk Management
* Maintain and develop the commercial audit and risk register, identifying financial exposure and trends.
* Ensure all cost and procurement activity complies with contractual, statutory, and governance requirements.
* Lead cost investigations relating to incidents, contractor performance issues, or non‑compliance.
* Support change management by ensuring robust audit, cost validation, and risk assessment of all proposed changes.
* Attend governance and management meetings as required.
Business Growth
* Ensure additional services and variations are commercially robust, audited, and aligned with contractual requirements.
* Identify and drive cost savings and efficiency opportunities across the portfolio.
* Contribute to continuous improvement of commercial audit processes and best practice.
Qualifications
* Strong experience in a cost audit, commercial assurance, or Quantity Surveying role within FM, property, construction, or building services.
* Proven experience auditing supplier costs, invoices, and commercial submissions.
* Strong understanding of commercial governance, contract compliance, and cost control mechanisms.
* Ability to challenge and influence stakeholders at multiple levels.
* Advanced Excel and financial analysis capabilities.
* High attention to detail with the ability to identify anomalies and risks.
* Strong understanding of FM commercial models, PPM regimes, and contractual performance frameworks.
* Ability to interpret technical maintenance data and relate it to financial outcomes.
Desirable
* BSc in Quantity Surveying or related discipline.
* MRICS or working toward chartership.
* NEC, JCT, or FM contract experience.
* Facilities Management qualification or working toward one.
AI Fluency & Learning Mindset
* Demonstrate strong curiosity about new technologies and an ownership mindset for continuously improving thinking, working, and delivery.
Working Arrangements
Flexibility is supported; the successful candidate will work from the Yorkshire site three days a week and the remainder of the week remotely.
Benefits
* 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day.
* Salary exchange pension scheme.
* Life cover.
* Paid sick leave.
* Health Assured employee assistance and wellness program.
* Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
* Cycle to work scheme.
* Additional 5 days holiday purchase scheme.
* Offers and discount scheme for everyday shopping and essentials.
* Healthcare Cashplan.
* MotorSave Scheme.
* Refer a friend.
* Liftshare.
* Virtual GP.
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