Budget Analysts

What the job really is

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

At a glance

• Sector: Business & Financial
• O*NET-SOC code: 13-2031
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Direct the preparation of regular and special budget reports.
• Interpret budget directives and establish policies for carrying out directives.
• Perform cost-benefit analyses to compare operating programs, review financial requests, or explore alternative financing methods.
• Match appropriations for specific programs with appropriations for broader programs, including items for emergency funds.
• Seek new ways to improve efficiency and increase profits.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Visual Basic, Microsoft Word, SAP software, Structured query language SQL, Accounting software

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Accountants and Auditors
• Treasurers and Controllers
• Financial Managers
• Credit Analysts
• Personal Financial Advisors
• Financial Examiners
• Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents
• Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Budget Analysts — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.