Budget Analyst

Your Fit

Income

$88K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

3.3%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Budget Analyst?

A Budget Analyst is responsible for helping organizations and businesses organize their finances by preparing, analyzing, and managing budgets. They provide financial advice and guidance, ensuring budget proposals are accurate and comply with legal requirements.

Sample job titles:

Budget Analyst, Budget and Policy Analyst, Budget Officer, Budget Planning Analyst

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Budget Analyst.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Budget Analyst earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$60K per year	$72K per year	$88K per year	$110K per year	$135K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $38K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Budget Analyst do?

Work environment

Budget Analysts typically work in office settings within various organizations, including government agencies, educational institutions, and private corporations. Their role often involves regular collaboration with department heads, managers, and other financial staff. The position usually requires a standard work week, though longer hours can occur at critical times like end-of-fiscal-year budget reviews.

Quick task list

Analyzes budget proposals and funding requests.
Collaborates with project managers to develop a budget.
Monitors spending to ensure it remains within budget.
Prepares budget reports and presents recommendations to management or governing bodies.
Ensures compliance with laws and regulations in the budgetary process.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Government Budgeting: Specializes in managing budgets within government departments and agencies.
Corporate Budgeting: Focuses on budget analysis and planning in private sector companies.
Non-Profit Budgeting: Involves budget planning and analysis for non-profit organizations.
Education Budgeting: Specializes in managing budgets for educational institutions.
Healthcare Budgeting: Focuses on budgeting within healthcare organizations and hospitals.

Description

Budget Analysts play a crucial role in the financial health and strategy of an organization. They work closely with project and department managers to develop and manage budgets, ensuring that funds are used efficiently and effectively. This involves a thorough understanding of the organization's goals and financial needs, as well as the ability to forecast future financial requirements.

The role requires strong analytical skills to evaluate budget proposals, review financial requests, and determine the feasibility of projects based on financial analysis. Budget Analysts must be detail-oriented, as their work involves careful scrutiny of financial documents and compliance with complex regulations.

Communication skills are also essential. Budget Analysts must effectively explain their recommendations and analyses to non-finance personnel, often justifying or defending budget decisions to stakeholders. They must also stay current with changes in laws and regulations that affect their organization's budget.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Playing a key role in the financial planning and stability of an organization.
The intellectual challenge of analyzing financial data and making strategic recommendations.
Working in a role that combines numerical analysis with interpersonal communication.

You might make a good Budget Analyst if you are...

Detail-oriented, with a strong ability to analyze and interpret financial data.
Adept at planning and organizing, able to manage complex budgets and financial plans.
An effective communicator, capable of explaining financial concepts in layman's terms.
Interested in finance and economics, with a desire to apply this knowledge in a practical setting.
Ethical and transparent, understanding the importance of compliance and accuracy in financial matters.

Pros:

A clear career path with opportunities for advancement in various sectors.
Engaging work that is critical to the success of an organization.
High demand for skilled Budget Analysts in diverse industries.

Cons:

Can be stressful due to the responsibility of managing large budgets and strict deadlines.
May involve routine and repetitive tasks.
Requires continuous learning to stay updated with financial regulations and software.

How to become a Budget Analyst

Typical education

Most Budget Analyst positions require a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field, amounting to about 4 years of post-secondary education.

High school preparation

Courses:

Mathematics, especially algebra and statistics, to build a strong numerical foundation.
Economics to understand fiscal policies and economic principles.
Business studies for basic knowledge of organizational operations.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining finance or economics clubs to gain early exposure to budgeting concepts.
Participating in math or business competitions to develop analytical skills.
Volunteering in student organizations, managing budgets and finances.

Preparation after high school

Pursuing a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field.
Seeking internships in finance or budgeting to gain practical experience.
Considering certification programs like Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) for additional expertise.

More resources

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) - Offers resources and training for public finance professionals.
Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) - Provides certification and career development resources in finance.
National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) - Focuses on higher education budgeting and financial management.
American Association for Budget and Program Analysis (AABPA) - A resource for professionals in budgeting and financial planning.

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