What Do Budget Analysts Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Budget Analysts examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports. They also summarize budgets and submit recommendations for the approval or disapproval of funds requests.

Other tasks include:

• Analyze monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls.
• Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations.
• Direct the preparation of regular and special budget reports.
• Provide advice and technical assistance with cost analysis, fiscal allocation, and budget preparation.
• Compile and analyze accounting records and other data to determine the financial resources required to implement a program.
• Review operating budgets to analyze trends affecting budget needs.

We asked Budget Analysts how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

---

68% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 56% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Budget Analysts compile and analyze accounting records and other data to determine the financial resources required to implement a program. They provide advice and technical assistance with cost analysis, fiscal allocation, and budget preparation.

• Review operating budgets to analyze trends affecting budget needs.
• Direct the preparation of regular and special budget reports.
• Analyze monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls.
• Consult with managers to ensure that budget adjustments are made in accordance with program changes.
• Match appropriations for specific programs with appropriations for broader programs, including items for emergency funds.

We asked some Budget Analysts a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	88% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	39% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	75% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	20% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	4% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	25% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Budget Analysts also analyze monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls. They may also review operating budgets to analyze trends affecting budget needs.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Budget Analysts Compile and analyze accounting records and other data to determine the financial resources required to implement a program. They might also Direct the preparation of regular and special budget reports.

In addition, they Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Perform cost-benefit analyses to compare operating programs, review financial requests, or explore alternative financing methods.

To some Budget Analysts, it is also their responsibility to Interpret budget directives and establish policies for carrying out directives.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Budget Analyst, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/business-and-financial/budget-analysts.htm

https://www.agacgfm.org/