What is Cost Engineering?

Cost Engineering is defined as the area of cost/management practice and experience is used in the application of scientific principles and techniques to problems of cost estimating, cost control, business planning and management science, profitability analysis, project management, planning and scheduling.

What are the skills of a Cost Engineer?

• Prepare a cost estimate for a project
• Calculate the contingency for unforeseen elements of risk
• Do escalation on cost of previous jobs
• Control the cost of the project
• Increase the profitability of the project
• Project economist

AACE Certification - An Investment In Your Career

In today's world of intense competition in the workplace, total cost management is the concern of all businesses and companies. It is therefore essential to have employees that are proficient in the principles and practices of total cost management. Certification is verification of that proficiency. It provides assurance that the person performing the work is qualified and up-to-date on the latest techniques and has the experience and knowledge to apply them. AACE Certification is an investment in your career.

The ACCE Certification Program encompasses specialties in cost estimating, project controls, planning and scheduling, and other related cost management disciplines. The original certifications, the Certified Cost Consultant™ (CCC™) and Certified Cost Engineer™ (CCE™) cover all areas of Total Cost Management and require 8 full years of relevant experience. The Certified Cost Technician™ (CCT™) covers only the fundamentals, and requires 4 full years of relevant experience.

Recognizing that individuals with a more focused career path need validation of their qualifications, AACE has developed the following additional specialty certifications:

• Certified Estimating Professional™ (CEP™)
• Certified Forensic Claims Consultant™ (CFCC™)
• Earned value Professional™ (EVP™)
• Planning & Scheduling Professional™ (PSP™)

Why should you be Certified?

• Enhance your professional credibility by meeting the challenges of an outside agency review of your experience and knowledge
• Validate your knowledge of cost engineering and the capability to professionally apply the principles of total cost management or your chosen specialty
• Verify that you are an individual dedicated to continuously improving your cost engineering skills and professional development
• Distinguish yourself, as a cost engineering professional, to employers, clients and the industry
• Increase your opportunities for career advancement, and for increased earnings
• Enhance your chances for new employment opportunities as well as continued employment in challenging economic times
• Improve the profession by promoting best practices and repeatable processes
• Allow your employer to improve their professional credibility and reputation with clients by advertising that their cost engineering functions are executed and managed by certified individuals
• Allow you to be identified as a subject matter expert and granted "expert witness" status
• Pre-quality your expertise to potential consulting clients
• Comply with job postings that require certified individuals