Budget Analysts - 13-2031.00

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

Sample of reported job titles: Accounting Supervisor, Analyst, Budget Analyst, Budget Coordinator, Budget Officer, Cost Accountant, Financial Services Officer, Management and Budget Analyst, Policy Analyst, Staff Analyst

Tasks

• Summarize budgets and submit recommendations for the approval or disapproval of funds requests.
• 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.
• Interpret budget directives and establish policies for carrying out directives.
• Match appropriations for specific programs with appropriations for broader programs, including items for emergency funds.
• Consult with managers to ensure that budget adjustments are made in accordance with program changes.
• Perform cost-benefit analyses to compare operating programs, review financial requests, or explore alternative financing methods.
• Seek new ways to improve efficiency and increase profits.
• Testify before examining and fund-granting authorities, clarifying and promoting the proposed budgets.

Technology Skills

• Accounting software - Deltek Costpoint; Fund accounting software ; Hyperion Enterprise
• Analytical or scientific software - Statistical software
• Business intelligence and data analysis software - IBM Cognos Business Intelligence
• Data base reporting software - SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports
• Data base user interface and query software - Microsoft Access ; Online analytical processing OLAP software; Relational database software; Structured query language SQL
• Development environment software - Business Objects Data Integrator; Microsoft Visual Basic
• Electronic mail software - Email software
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - Microsoft Dynamics GP ; NetSuite NetERP; Oracle Hyperion ; Sage Active Planner (see all 21 examples)
• Financial analysis software - Budget monitoring systems; Microsoft FRx; Oracle Performance Management Suites; Satori Group proCube (see all 5 examples)
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Graphics software
• Human resources software - Human resources management system HRMS; Ultimate Software UltiPro Workplace
• Object or component oriented development software - Microsoft Visual Basic.NET
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint ; SAP Crystal Xcelsius
• Project management software - Microsoft Sharepoint
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Time accounting software - Payroll software; Time and attendance software; Valiant Vantage
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word

Tools Used

• Desktop computers
• Laser printers
• Notebook computers
• Personal computers

Knowledge

• Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Skills

• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Management of Financial Resources - Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Abilities

• Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
• Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Interests

• Interest code: CEI
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
  • Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
  • Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Work Context

• Electronic Mail - 99% responded “Every day.”
• Face-to-Face Discussions - 79% responded “Every day.”
• Spend Time Sitting - 76% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
• Telephone - 79% responded “Every day.”
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - 67% responded “Extremely important.”
• Contact With Others - 57% responded “Constant contact with others.”
• Work With Work Group or Team - 51% responded “Extremely important.”
• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - 43% responded “Very important results.”
• Coordinate or Lead Others - 51% responded “Very important.”
• Freedom to Make Decisions - 46% responded “Some freedom.”
• Time Pressure - 40% responded “Every day.”
• Duration of Typical Work Week - 53% responded “More than 40 hours.”
• Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - 48% responded “Extremely important.”
• Structured versus Unstructured Work - 64% responded “Some freedom.”
• Frequency of Decision Making - 51% responded “Every day.”
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - 70% responded “Every day.”
• Level of Competition - 44% responded “Highly competitive.”
• Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - 42% responded “Limited responsibility.”
• Letters and Memos - 25% responded “Every day.”

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
64%	Bachelor's degree
11%	Associate's degree
10%	High school diploma or equivalent

Work Styles

• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
• Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Work Values

• Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
• Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
• Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Wages & Trends

• Median wages (2017)
  • $36.17 hourly, $75,240 annual
• Employment (2016)
  • 58,000 employees
• Projected growth (2016-2026)
  • Average (5% to 9%)
• Projected job openings (2016-2026)
  • 4,800