What a budget analyst really does
You track where an organization's money goes, check every request for more of it, and recommend yes or no when there is not enough to go around.
FieldBusiness
Preparation (O*NET Job Zone)Considerable preparation needed
What the work involves
What fills a typical week for budget analysts, built from O*NET occupation data.
- Review monthly budget versus actual reports for the departments you cover
- Check department budget requests for accuracy and whether they follow the rules
- Meet with program managers to adjust budgets when plans change
- Run cost benefit comparisons on new requests and programs
- Write budget summaries and recommendations to approve or deny funding
- Prepare regular and special budget reports for leaders and elected officials
What the days are like
What people in the job know
- It is a team job, not a lone spreadsheet job. Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team: 85% extremely important; Coordinate or Lead Others: 76% extremely important (O*NET Work Context)
- The yearly cycle repeats, and doing the same steps consistently matters a lot. Importance of Repeating Same Tasks: 66% extremely important (O*NET Work Context)
- You make decisions daily, even if each one is small. Frequency of Decision Making: 64% every day (O*NET Work Context)
- Dealing with people outside your office is a big part of it. Deal With External Customers or the Public: 73% extremely important (O*NET Work Context)
- Saying no to funding requests is a core duty, and some people take it badly. Summarize budgets and submit recommendations for approval or disapproval of funds requests: Core, importance 77 (O*NET task 6); Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People: 46% once a month or more (O*NET Work Context)
How people get into it
Most budget analysts have a bachelor's degree (77% of O*NET respondents say it is required), often in accounting, finance, economics or public administration; some hold a master's (8%). Many work in government, where entry roles are junior or associate budget analyst.
The Firstday trial, easy to hard
Three simulated tasks at City of Fernwood Office of Budget and Management, a fictional company, with AI coworkers who message you, react to your work and coach with questions. Nobody scores you.
What the trial can't show: The trial uses one fictional city and a simplified budget. It does not show the full annual budget cycle, government accounting rules and fund structures in depth, real budget software, or testifying at a formal public hearing with residents in the room.
Reading about it is one thing.
Find out how the work feels to you before you spend on a degree, course or job change. Your first trial is free.
Other careers you can try
Job details on this page are built from O*NET OnLine, 13-2031.00. 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.