Cost Analyst

A Cost Analyst at Abacus Technology is responsible for managing and performing scientific work that includes designing and adapting mathematical and statistical techniques. Key duties involve analyzing management challenges and providing insights on various solutions, as well as evaluating contractor financial data using Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics to assess a program's viability regarding cost, schedule, and performance.

To qualify for the Cost Analyst position at Hanscom AFB with Abacus Technology, you should have at least 12 years of experience in cost estimating and analysis, with a minimum of 5 years in a DoD environment. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required, though additional years of experience may be substituted for educational requirements. Moreover, proficiency with analytical methods and tools, especially the Automated Cost Estimating Integrated Tools (ACEIT) Suite, is essential.

Success as a Cost Analyst at Abacus Technology requires a strong command of various analytical, mathematical, and statistical principles, as well as the application of cost estimating methods like analogy and engineering methodologies. Effective communication and the ability to present findings to government stakeholders and program management teams are also crucial.

Yes, applicants for the Cost Analyst position at Hanscom AFB with Abacus Technology must be US citizens and possess a current Secret clearance. Selected candidates will undergo a U.S. government security investigation and must meet all eligibility requirements for accessing classified information.

The work environment for a Cost Analyst at Abacus Technology is collaborative and engaging. You'll be interacting with various levels within the organization, presenting and briefing government stakeholders, and actively contributing to significant defense projects aimed at improving military capabilities.

When answering this question, highlight your familiarity with various cost estimating techniques like analogy, engineering, and extrapolation. Provide specific examples from your past job experiences where you've successfully applied these methods to evaluate costs for defense projects.

Discuss your methodology for analyzing contractor financial data, particularly focusing on the use of Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics. Share an example where your analysis led to significant insights regarding a program's financial viability.

Be sure to mention your expertise with the Automated Cost Estimating Integrated Tools (ACEIT) Suite, as well as any other analytical software you've used. Highlight how these tools help streamline your cost estimating processes and improve accuracy.

Emphasize your ability to present complex data clearly and concisely. Describe your experience creating reports and visual presentations that summarize essential cost analysis findings and highlight the key factors impacting program costs.

Choose a relevant project from your experience, detailing the challenges you faced, the analytical approaches you employed, and the results you achieved. This gives insight into your problem-solving abilities and analytical skills.

Discuss your commitment to continuous learning, mentioning any professional organizations you belong to, conferences you attend, or publications you read that focus on cost analysis practices, particularly within the defense sector.

Detail your process for establishing a clear understanding of the analysis requirements, including identifying objectives, collecting background research, and determining the necessary data inputs. This shows your systematic approach to problem-solving.

Explain your organizational strategies for managing projects, such as using project management tools, setting deadlines, and working collaboratively with your team to ensure all projects are completed on time.

Discuss critical metrics such as cost performance index (CPI) and schedule performance index (SPI), as well as any other performance indicators you consider essential for evaluating the overall health of a program.

Describe your approach to identifying the root cause of the discrepancy, your communication strategy with stakeholders, and the corrective measures you would propose to address any issues and realign the project's cost estimates.