Budget Analysts play the primary role in the development, analysis, and execution of budgets, which are used to allocate current resources and estimate future financial requirements.

Their primary task is providing advice and technical assistance in the preparation of annual budgets. At the beginning of each budget cycle, managers and department heads submit proposed operational and financial plans to Budget Analysts for review. These plans outline expected programs, including proposed monetary increases and new initiatives, estimated costs and expenses, and capital expenditures needed to finance these programs.

Employment of Budget Analysts is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2014. Competition for Budget Analyst jobs should remain keen due to the substantial number of qualified applicants.

In addition to analytical and computer skills, those seeking a career as a Budget Analyst also must be able to work under strict time constraints. Strong oral and written communication skills are essential for analysts because they must prepare, present, and defend budget proposals to decision-makers.

Because developing a budget involves manipulating numbers and requires strong analytical skills, courses in statistics or accounting are helpful, regardless of the prospective budget analyst’s major field of study.

Government agencies generally require candidates for Budget Analyst positions to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Within the Federal Government, a bachelor’s degree in any field is sufficient for an entry-level Budget Analyst position.

State and local governments have varying requirements, but a bachelor’s degree in one of many areas accounting, finance, business or public administration, economics, political science, statistics, or a social science such as sociology may qualify one for entry into the occupation. Sometimes, a field closely related to the employing industry or organization, such as engineering, may be preferred.

An increasing number of State governments and other employers require a candidate to possess a master’s degree to ensure adequate analytical and communication skills. Some firms prefer candidates with backgrounds in business because business courses emphasize quantitative and analytical skills.

Budget analysts usually work in a comfortable office setting. Long hours are common, especially during the development and mid-year and final reviews of budgets. The pressure of deadlines and tight work schedules during these periods can be very stressful, and analysts usually are required to work more than the routine 40 hours a week.