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Budget Analysts
Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
Other titles employers use
Budget Analyst · Budget and Policy Analyst · Budget Coordinator · Budget Officer · Budget Planning Analyst · Cost Analyst · Financial Services Officer · Fiscal Analyst
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to organizing, persuading and analytical work.
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
Subjects to know
- Economics and Accounting
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Administrative
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Number Facility
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.2 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 1.8 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.3 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 3.6 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 77%
- High school or less 13%
- A master's degree 8%
- A certificate or some college 2%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Development environment software
- Electronic mail software
- Business intelligence and data analysis software
- Presentation software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 5,100
- Job openings each year
- 350
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 6.3%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 5,100 | 350 | 6.3% |
| Texas | 4,760 | 350 | 14.1% |
| Florida | 4,410 | 320 | 11.6% |
| New York | 4,150 | 60 | 18.2% |
| Virginia | 2,950 | 200 | 5.7% |
| Maryland | 2,770 | 190 | 7.8% |
| District of Columbia | 2,100 | 140 | — |
| Georgia | 1,890 | 130 | 6.8% |
| North Carolina | 1,700 | 120 | 9.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,550 | 100 | 3.3% |
| Colorado | 1,270 | 90 | 10.4% |
| Arizona | 1,120 | 80 | 7.7% |
| Missouri | 1,090 | 80 | 5.8% |
| Tennessee | 1,080 | 80 | 16.1% |
| Washington | 970 | 80 | 9.0% |
| Alabama | 930 | 60 | 1.1% |
| New Jersey | 850 | 50 | −1.2% |
| Oregon | 810 | 60 | 6.6% |
| Wisconsin | 800 | 60 | 5.3% |
| Ohio | 780 | 50 | 2.6% |
| Connecticut | 770 | 60 | 13.2% |
| Illinois | 730 | 50 | 1.4% |
| Kentucky | 690 | 50 | 3.0% |
| Michigan | 640 | 40 | 1.6% |
| New Mexico | 620 | 40 | 8.8% |
| South Carolina | 590 | 40 | 11.3% |
| Iowa | 570 | 40 | 7.5% |
| Oklahoma | 560 | 40 | 1.8% |
| Massachusetts | 470 | 30 | 9.3% |
| Utah | 470 | 40 | 23.7% |
| Mississippi | 430 | 30 | 10.3% |
| Louisiana | 390 | 30 | 2.6% |
| Arkansas | 380 | 30 | — |
| Indiana | 370 | 30 | 5.7% |
| Alaska | 350 | 20 | 6.1% |
| Puerto Rico | 340 | 30 | 9.7% |
| Minnesota | 320 | 20 | 6.7% |
| Montana | 280 | 20 | 7.7% |
| Kansas | 270 | 20 | — |
| Nebraska | 220 | 20 | — |
| Idaho | 190 | 10 | 11.8% |
| Maine | 160 | 10 | — |
| Delaware | 150 | 10 | — |
| West Virginia | 140 | 10 | −6.7% |
| South Dakota | 130 | 10 | — |
| Wyoming | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| North Dakota | 70 | 0 | — |
| Guam | 60 | 0 | — |
| Vermont | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Virgin Islands | 30 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
- Degrees each year
- 1,416
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $6,000
Western Governors University
- Degrees each year
- 1,301
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Ohio State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 1,114
- Admit rate
- 51%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 976
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
Florida State University
- Degrees each year
- 840
- Admit rate
- 25%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
The University of Alabama
- Degrees each year
- 798
- Admit rate
- 76%
- Annual cost after aid
- $22,000
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 795
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
University of South Carolina-Columbia
- Degrees each year
- 752
- Admit rate
- 61%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
Compare every college offering accounting and related services