Guidance.help

Budget Analysts

O*NET files this work under Budget Analysts: people who examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. The skills rated most useful are mathematics, critical thinking, and speaking. One core duty is to analyze monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls. Its interest code is CEI. Conventional leads at 7.0 out of 7, so expect orderly work with data, records and clear procedures, with Enterprising next at 4.9. Getting in usually takes a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience, a level O*NET calls considerable preparation. If you want orderly work with data, records and clear procedures, keep it on your list. If you need hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, it may feel thin.

What they do

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

Main tasks

  • 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.

Skills

  • Mathematics
  • Critical Thinking
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Complex Problem Solving

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
  • You are comfortable relying on mathematics and critical thinking.

May not suit you if

  • You get restless with routine, records and exact procedures.
  • You want to work with your hands for most of the day. Realistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code CEI takes the three highest, and Conventional comes first here.

Preparation

Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

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

Related careers

Is this your direction?

See how your interests line up with CEI and 906 other careers.

Take the career test

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.