Is becoming a budget analyst right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
Still unsure if becoming a budget analyst is the right career path? Take the free CareerExplorer career test to find out if this career is in your top matches. Perhaps you are well-suited to become a budget analyst or another similar career!
Described by our users as being “shockingly accurate”, you might discover careers you haven’t thought of before.
How to become a Budget Analyst
Employers generally require budget analysts to have at least a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Public Administration, Economics, Statistics, Political Science, or Sociology. Some employers may require individuals to have a master’s degree.
Government budget analysts may earn the Certified Government Financial Manager credential from the Association of Government Accountants. To earn this certification, candidates must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree, 24 credit hours of study in financial management, two years of professional-level experience in governmental financial management, and they must pass a series of exams. To keep the certification, budget analysts must take 80 hours of continuing education every two years.
Budget analysts usually learn the job by working through one complete budget cycle. During the cycle, which typically lasts one year, analysts become familiar with the various steps involved in the budgeting process.