How To Become A Cost Controller: What It Is and Career Path

What is a cost controller and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A cost controller makes sure that a business controls its costs by developing and managing the budget. They can work in any industry where a business wants to implement a complex project, from construction to hospitality. No matter where they work, cost controllers develop a budget for a project by researching projected costs for resources they will need, such as labor and material. While a project is ongoing, they monitor spending using accounting systems like QuickBooks, write financial reports, and make suggestions to executives on where to cut costs.

Cost controllers need to have excellent financial analysis skills. They also need to be highly organized in order to manage projects and identify areas where costs can be cut.

Most cost controllers start their careers by getting a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field. They also need several years of professional experience in the world of finance, for example by working as an accountant or financial analyst. Although it takes a few years of hard work to become a cost controller, it pays off with an average annual salary of $78,899.

ScoreCost ControllerUS Average

Salary

6.0

Avg. Salary $76,697

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.4

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.46%

Asian 13.38%

Black or African American 8.84%

Hispanic or Latino 11.18%

Unknown 3.97%

White 62.17%

Gender

female 36.81%

male 63.19%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

5.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.7

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a cost controller

Explore cost controller education requirements

Most common cost controller degrees

Bachelor's

70.2 %

Master's

17.1 %

Associate

6.8 %

Start to develop specific cost controller skills

Skills	Percentages
Project Management	11.49%
Cost Analysis	7.20%
Financial Statements	6.01%
Cost Estimates	5.91%
Variance Analysis	5.39%

Complete relevant cost controller training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New cost controllers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a cost controller based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real cost controller resumes.

Research cost controller duties and responsibilities

Improve project process by developing and implementing cost structure, then manage job-specific code of accounts for WBS approvals.
Manage treasury, open several new accounts, establish new procedures and controls, monitor daily activity.
Prepare monthly write-ups reports for the cost performance and EAC forecast
Identify wrongly charge WBS in order to control the budget release under each WBS element.

Prepare your cost controller resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your cost controller resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a cost controller resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable cost controller resume templates

Build a professional cost controller resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your cost controller resume.