Accountants/Budget Analysts: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of accountants/budget analysts about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for accountants/budget analysts to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of accountants/budget analysts expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for accountants/budget analysts.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Accountants/Budget Analysts?
Do accountants/budget analysts need a degree? What kind of experience do accountants/budget analysts typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for accountants/budget analysts to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Accountants/Budget Analysts
Jobs Postings for Accountants/Budget Analysts By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 6,984 (49%)
- No Education Listed: 2,799 (20%)
- Master's degree: 2,679 (19%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 1,111 (8%)
- High School or GED: 663 (5%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of accountants/budget analysts. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 49% of positions. In 20% of job listings no education level was listed and in 19% of postings a master's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Accountants/Budget Analysts
Jobs Postings for Accountants/Budget Analysts By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 2,360 (30%)
- 2-3 Years: 2,466 (31%)
- 4-6 Years: 2,359 (30%)
- 7-9 Years: 429 (5%)
- 10+ Years: 371 (5%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for accountants/budget analysts. In 31% of job postings for Accountants/Budget Analysts, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 30% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 30% of job postings for accountants/budget analysts.
What Kind of Degree Do Accountants/Budget Analysts Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for accountants/budget analysts, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 6 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective accountants/budget analysts, and in 2021 a total of 129,354 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective accountants/budget analysts.
Top Degree Programs for Accountants/Budget Analysts
Top 5 Degree Programs for Accountants/Budget Analysts (2021)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Accounting. | 71,881 |
| Finance, General. | 51,430 |
| Accounting and Finance. | 3,644 |
| Accounting and Business/Management. | 1,537 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other. | 814 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Accounting. | 71,881 |
| Finance, General. | 51,430 |
| Accounting and Finance. | 3,644 |
| Accounting and Business/Management. | 1,537 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other. | 814 |
| Public Finance. | 48 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Accountants/Budget Analysts
Develop the foundational financial skills needed to keep business running successfully, including financial reporting and analysis, managerial accounting, and federal taxes, so you can start your career as an accounting technician, tax preparer, payroll assistant and more.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Turn a head for numbers into a career as a financial associate or analyst, and help businesses turn financial data into actionable insights that can maximize investments, improve cash flow, and impact decisionmaking.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Enter into or advance within the rapidly growing accounting industry and prepare for professional certifications like the CPA.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Build in-demand skills in programming, data management and cloud computing with Franklin’s online data science bachelor’s degree.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Integrate data-driven insights into business processes and strategies with Franklin’s online business analytics degree.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Master finance principles and develop all-inclusive corporate finance strategies for business firms and financial institutions.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Distinguish yourself as a knowledgeable accounting professional with advanced technical, research, and communication skills.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 17
- Accreditation: IACBE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 12
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Accountants/Budget Analysts Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by accountants/budget analysts to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for accountants/budget analysts, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Accountants/Budget Analysts
Based on 11,065 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Accountants/Budget Analysts
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Analysis | 7,259 | 66% |
| Accounting | 6,801 | 61% |
| Finance | 5,608 | 51% |
| Financial Management | 3,376 | 31% |
| Financial Statements | 3,232 | 29% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Accountants/Budget Analysts
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Budgeting | 7,326 | 66% |
| Management | 6,566 | 59% |
| Communications | 4,173 | 38% |
| Planning | 4,074 | 37% |
| Operations | 3,745 | 34% |
Based on 11,065 job postings related to accountants/budget analysts, budget analysis was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 66% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for accounting, finance, financial management, financial statements and financial analysis were also highly sought.
As for common skills, budgeting was the most desired skill found in job postings for accountants/budget analysts, followed by management, communications, planning, operations and forecasting.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Analysis | 7,259 | 66% |
| Accounting | 6,801 | 61% |
| Finance | 5,608 | 51% |
| Financial Management | 3,376 | 31% |
| Financial Statements | 3,232 | 29% |
| Financial Analysis | 2,767 | 25% |
| Auditing | 2,231 | 20% |
| Budget Development | 1,713 | 15% |
| Financial Systems | 1,653 | 15% |
| Public Administration | 1,578 | 14% |
| Financial Data | 1,471 | 13% |
| Invoicing | 1,331 | 12% |
| Purchasing | 1,257 | 11% |
| Economics | 1,215 | 11% |
| Procurement | 1,172 | 11% |
| Data Analysis | 1,154 | 10% |
| Reconciliation | 1,102 | 10% |
| Operating Budget | 1,101 | 10% |
| Financial Planning | 1,076 | 10% |
| Project Management | 1,054 | 10% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Budgeting | 7,326 | 66% |
| Management | 6,566 | 59% |
| Communications | 4,173 | 38% |
| Planning | 4,074 | 37% |
| Operations | 3,745 | 34% |
| Forecasting | 3,251 | 29% |
| Microsoft Excel | 3,240 | 29% |
| Research | 2,802 | 25% |
| Leadership | 2,292 | 21% |
| Writing | 2,206 | 20% |
| Business Administration | 2,194 | 20% |
| Coordinating | 1,984 | 18% |
| Detail Oriented | 1,874 | 17% |
| Microsoft Office | 1,767 | 16% |
| Customer Service | 1,681 | 15% |
| Problem Solving | 1,562 | 14% |
| Spreadsheets | 1,526 | 14% |
| Presentations | 1,506 | 14% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 1,455 | 13% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 1,216 | 11% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about accountants/budget analysts? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for accountants/budget analysts.
What do accountants/budget analysts do?
How much do accountants/budget analysts make?
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