Budget Analysts

Career Overview

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

Also Known As

  • Budget Analyst
  • Budget and Policy Analyst
  • Budget Officer
  • Budget Planning Analyst

Alternate Job Titles

  • Budget Administrator (Budget Admin)
  • Budget Analyst
  • Budget and Policy Analyst
  • Budget Coordinator
  • Budget Engineer
  • Budget Examiner
  • Budget Management Analyst
  • Budget Officer
  • Budget Planning Analyst
  • Budget Specialist
  • Cost Accountant
  • Cost Analyst
  • Financial Management Analyst
  • Financial Planning and Analysis Analyst
  • Financial Services Officer

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

  • Analyze monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls.
  • Provide advice and technical assistance with cost analysis, fiscal allocation, and budget preparation.
  • Review operating budgets to analyze trends affecting budget needs.
  • Compile and analyze accounting records and other data to determine the financial resources required to implement a program.
  • Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations.
  • Summarize budgets and submit recommendations for the approval or disapproval of funds requests.
  • Consult with managers to ensure that budget adjustments are made in accordance with program changes.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

  • Communicate financial reports and budgets to stakeholders.
  • Submit and monitor salary raises.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

  • Economics and Accounting
  • Mathematics
  • English Language
  • Administration and Management

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

  1. Mathematics
  2. Critical Thinking
  3. Reading Comprehension
  4. Active Listening
  5. Speaking
  6. Complex Problem Solving
  7. Judgment and Decision Making

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

  • Oral Comprehension
  • Oral Expression
  • Written Comprehension
  • Number Facility
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Information Ordering
  • Problem Sensitivity
  • Deductive Reasoning
  • Speech Clarity
  • Inductive Reasoning

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Cautiousness
  • Intellectual Curiosity

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

  • Working Conditions
  • Support
  • Independence
  • Achievement
  • Recognition

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Power BI
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Microsoft Word
  • SAP software

Tools & Equipment

  • Desktop computers
  • Laser printers
  • Notebook computers
  • Personal computers

Work Environment

  • E-Mail
  • Spend Time Sitting
  • Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  • Telephone Conversations
  • Frequency of Decision Making

Salary & Job Market

Salary PercentileAnnual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)$60,510
Median$87,930
Top Earners (90th percentile)$134,640

Workers Employed Nationally: 47,170

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:


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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.

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