Cost Controller
Public Service Club
Quick Take
Monitor and control costs, inventory, and financial performance across a members' club's food, beverage, sports, and administrative departments, producing daily reports and investigating variances.
CPA/ACCA qualification, 3+ years cost control or F&B accounting experience, and advanced Excel proficiency with hospitality accounting expertise.
Competitive mid-range salary (KES 80–150k), exposure to multi-department financial management, and a role critical to profitability at a prestigious Nairobi institution.
Job Description
Public Service Club (PSC) is a prestigious members' club offering a wide range of hospitality, sports, fitness, and recreational services. We are seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Cost Controller to join our Finance Department. This is a critical role responsible for safeguarding the Club's financial health by monitoring costs, strengthening inventory controls, and delivering timely financial insights that drive profitability across all operational departments.
Reporting to senior finance leadership, the Cost Controller will work closely with the Food & Beverage team, kitchen management, procurement, and operations to ensure resources are optimally utilised and cost variances are proactively identified and addressed. If you are passionate about numbers, thrive in a fast-paced hospitality environment, and have a proven track record in cost and inventory management, this opportunity is for you.
- Monitor and control costs across all Club cost centres including Food & Beverage, Sports & Fitness, Administration, and other operational areas
- Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date stock records at all times
- Coordinate and oversee daily, weekly, and monthly stocktake exercises across departments
- Produce food cost, beverage cost, and inventory consumption reports and investigate any variances identified
- Monitor discounts, complimentary sales, voids, staff meals, and other revenue-impacting transactions
- Maintain robust material management controls and enforce inventory procedures
- Track wastage and breakages, and recommend corrective measures to minimise losses
- Conduct regular menu costing exercises in collaboration with the Head Chef and F&B team
- Review supplier product specifications and monitor the quality of goods received
- Investigate and report on inventory and cost variances and recommend appropriate corrective actions
- Track Club revenues and provide timely, accurate reports to Management
- Support profitability analysis for promotions, events, and operational initiatives
- Recommend improvements to cost control systems, inventory management practices, and overall operational efficiency
- Must hold a degree in Food & Beverage Management, Inventory Management, Accounting, Finance, or a related field
- Must possess CPA, ACCA Part I & II, or an equivalent professional accounting qualification
- Must demonstrate a minimum of three (3) years' hands-on experience in cost control, inventory management, F&B controls, or financial accounting — preferably within the hospitality industry
- Must be able to produce accurate daily, weekly, and monthly stock and cost reports within agreed timelines
- Must be proficient in Microsoft Excel (advanced level), Word, Outlook, and inventory management systems
- Must demonstrate sound understanding of cost control principles, procurement processes, inventory management, and financial reporting
- Must be able to operate and extract data from Point of Sale (POS) systems and back-office inventory platforms
- Must exhibit a high level of integrity, professionalism, and the ability to handle confidential financial information
- Must be self-driven and able to work with minimal supervision while meeting strict deadlines
- Must demonstrate strong report-writing and communication skills to present findings clearly to management
The Public Service Club offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with qualifications and experience. Based on market benchmarks for a mid-level hospitality finance role in Kenya, the estimated monthly salary range is KES 80,000 – 150,000. Additional benefits typical of a members' club environment may include medical cover, staff meals, and performance-based recognition. Specific package details will be confirmed during the recruitment process.
Ideal candidate: A meticulous finance professional with at least three years of cost control or inventory management experience in a hotel, club, or hospitality setting. You are highly numerate, proactive in identifying financial risks, and comfortable working cross-functionally with kitchen, F&B, and procurement teams. You hold a relevant degree and a professional accounting qualification, and you bring genuine passion for driving operational efficiency.
Do NOT apply if: You have no experience in a hospitality or F&B cost control environment, you are not yet pursuing a professional accounting qualification, or you struggle with data accuracy and meeting reporting deadlines. This role demands a high degree of precision — candidates who are not detail-oriented will find this role challenging.
- Prepare an updated CV clearly highlighting your cost control and inventory management experience
- Write a concise cover letter addressed to the Human Resources Manager at Public Service Club, outlining your suitability for the role
- Submit your application through the PSC careers portal or the job platform where this posting is listed
- Ensure your application is submitted before the stated deadline — only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment
- Due to the sensitivity of this role, successful candidates will be subject to background and reference checks prior to appointment
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- CPA, ACCA Part I & II, or equivalent professional accounting qualification
- Degree in Food & Beverage Management, Accounting, Finance, or related field
- Minimum 3 years' hands-on experience in cost control, inventory management, or F&B accounting (hospitality preferred)
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel with ability to produce daily, weekly, and monthly reports
- Sound understanding of cost control principles, procurement, inventory management, and financial reporting
Nice to Have
- Experience with inventory management software systems and POS platforms
- Exposure to multi-department or multi-site cost control environments
- Track record of implementing cost-saving initiatives or process improvements
- Familiarity with the hospitality or food service industry in Kenya
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Salary Context
Competitive mid-range salary for Cost Controller in Nairobi hospitality sector
The KES 80,000–150,000 range reflects a qualified cost controller position in Nairobi's hospitality industry. Salary variation depends on experience level, professional qualifications (CPA vs. ACCA), and the candidate's track record in reducing costs and improving controls. Entry-level candidates with recent qualifications may land at the lower end; those with 5+ years' proven F&B or multi-unit experience typically command the upper range.
About Public Service Club
Public Service Club is a well-established, prestigious members' club in Nairobi offering comprehensive hospitality, sports, fitness, and recreational facilities to a discerning clientele. As a full-service club with diverse revenue streams (F&B, sports, events, administration), PSC operates a complex cost structure requiring sophisticated financial controls and inventory oversight. This is an ideal organisation for a finance professional seeking exposure to operational management and profitability improvement within Kenya's upscale hospitality sector.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Walk us through your most significant cost control or inventory management project. What was the baseline, your approach, and the measurable outcome?
- 2
How do you typically identify and investigate cost variances in F&B operations, and what corrective actions have you recommended in the past?
- 3
Describe your experience with stocktake exercises—how have you coordinated them, and what systems or processes have you put in place to ensure accuracy?
- 4
Tell us about your experience with Excel—can you give us an example of a complex report or analysis you've built, and what insight it drove for management?
- 5
Why are you interested in working for a members' club like Public Service Club, and how does this role fit your career progression?
Application Tips
Emphasize specific, quantifiable cost reductions or inventory losses you've identified and resolved (e.g., 'Reduced F&B variance from 8% to 3% through tighter procurement controls and weekly variance analysis').
Highlight experience with inventory management software and POS systems alongside Excel—this dual proficiency is a strong differentiator in hospitality finance.
Include examples of cross-departmental collaboration (e.g., working with kitchen, F&B, or procurement teams) to show you can operate effectively in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment like a club.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Clear, well-defined role with explicit KPIs and deliverables (daily/weekly/monthly reports, variance investigation, stocktake oversight)—you'll know exactly what success looks like.
- Prestigious employer (members' club) with diverse revenue streams offers exposure to multiple operational areas and improves career credibility in Kenya's finance sector.
- Competitive salary range (KES 80–150k) is above the entry-level threshold, reflecting investment in a skilled, qualified professional.
- Direct reporting to senior finance leadership provides mentorship opportunity and potential fast-track to management roles within the club.
Watch Out
- Job description is truncated at the end ('Must be able to operate and extrac')—some key requirements or details are missing, which may indicate incomplete communication about role expectations.
- Salary range is quite broad (KES 80–150k, an 87% spread), suggesting pay is highly variable or negotiable; clarify where in this range you'd start based on your experience.
- Heavy emphasis on detailed daily/weekly reporting and multiple cost centre monitoring could indicate a high-volume administrative workload—confirm time expectations and staffing support before accepting.
A Day in the Life
Your week balances real-time monitoring and strategic analysis. Monday mornings, you review the previous week's stocktake data, reconcile inventory counts across F&B and sports, and flag variances to department heads. Tuesday–Thursday, you're embedded with the kitchen and F&B teams during service peak hours, spot-checking stock integrity, investigating void transactions, and monitoring supplier deliveries against specifications. Afternoons are spent in Excel building cost reports, analysing menu profitability, and preparing management dashboards. By Friday, you've submitted your weekly variance report to senior finance leadership and are collaborating with the Head Chef on the menu cost exercise for the following week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be a Cost Controller at Public Service Club?
You must hold a degree in Food & Beverage Management, Accounting, Finance, or a related field, plus a professional accounting qualification such as CPA or ACCA Part I & II. A minimum of 3 years' hands-on experience in cost control, inventory management, or F&B accounting is required.
Is the Cost Controller role at Public Service Club remote?
No. This is a full-time, on-site role in Nairobi requiring daily engagement with kitchen, F&B, procurement, and operations teams across the club's departments.
How much does a Cost Controller earn at Public Service Club?
The posted salary is KES 80,000–150,000 per month. Your position within this range will depend on your experience level, professional qualifications, and proven track record in cost control and F&B operations.
What are the career growth opportunities for this role?
This role typically leads to Senior Cost Controller, Finance Manager, or Operations Manager positions within hospitality groups, or to Financial Controller roles at multi-unit organisations. Direct reporting to senior finance leadership at a prestigious club accelerates exposure to strategic financial decisions and management potential.
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