What Do Budget/Cost Analysts Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for budget/cost analysts?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what budget/cost analysts do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Budget/Cost Analysts Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about budget/cost analysts by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Budget/Cost Analysts examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
Popular Job Titles For Budget/Cost Analysts
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Budget Analysts
- Budget Specialists
- Budget Managers
- Budget Management Analysts
- Budget Coordinators
- Lead Budget Analysts
- Supervisory Budget Analysts
- Budget Officers
- Program Budget Analysts
- Budget/Policy Analysts
- Budget Technicians
- Capital Budget Analysts
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for budget/cost analysts can be found.
Best Industries for Budget/Cost Analysts
Budget/Cost Analysts Jobs By Industry
- Federal Government, Civilian: 27.6%
- State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals: 12.6%
- Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals: 11.3%
- Education and Hospitals (State Government): 8.2%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 5.9%
- Education and Hospitals (Local Government): 3.9%
- Other: 30.5%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of budget/cost analysts can be found working in the Federal Government, Civilian sector. In 2023, about 27.6% of all jobs for budget/cost analysts were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals (12.6%), Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals (11.3%), Education and Hospitals (State Government) (8.2%), Management of Companies and Enterprises (5.9%) and Education and Hospitals (Local Government) (3.9%).
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Degree Options for Budget/Cost Analysts
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- Accreditation: IACBE
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Master finance principles and develop all-inclusive corporate finance strategies for business firms and financial institutions.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
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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 Do Budget/Cost Analysts Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what budget/cost analysts do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work budget/cost analysts do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that budget/cost analysts tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for budget/cost analysts, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Budget/Cost Analysts
Based on 10,583 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Budget/Cost Analysts
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Analysis | 6,778 | 64% |
| Accounting | 6,205 | 59% |
| Finance | 5,422 | 51% |
| Financial Statements | 2,809 | 27% |
| Financial Management | 2,710 | 26% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Budget/Cost Analysts
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Budgeting | 7,011 | 66% |
| Management | 5,887 | 56% |
| Communication | 4,024 | 38% |
| Planning | 3,969 | 38% |
| Operations | 3,319 | 31% |
Based on 10,583 job postings related to budget/cost analysts, budget analysis was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 64% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for accounting, finance, financial statements, financial management and financial analysis were also highly sought.
As for common skills, budgeting was the most desired skill found in job postings for budget/cost analysts, followed by management, communication, planning, operations and forecasting.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Analysis | 6,778 | 64% |
| Accounting | 6,205 | 59% |
| Finance | 5,422 | 51% |
| Financial Statements | 2,809 | 27% |
| Financial Management | 2,710 | 26% |
| Financial Analysis | 2,471 | 23% |
| Auditing | 1,973 | 19% |
| Budget Development | 1,752 | 17% |
| Financial Data | 1,511 | 14% |
| Public Administration | 1,508 | 14% |
| Financial Systems | 1,490 | 14% |
| Economics | 1,377 | 13% |
| Purchasing | 1,174 | 11% |
| Procurement | 1,165 | 11% |
| Invoicing | 1,153 | 11% |
| Data Analysis | 1,120 | 11% |
| Financial Planning | 1,082 | 10% |
| Operating Budget | 1,075 | 10% |
| Project Management | 1,042 | 10% |
| Reconciliation | 986 | 9% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Budgeting | 7,011 | 66% |
| Management | 5,887 | 56% |
| Communication | 4,024 | 38% |
| Planning | 3,969 | 38% |
| Operations | 3,319 | 31% |
| Forecasting | 3,105 | 29% |
| Microsoft Excel | 2,945 | 28% |
| Research | 2,796 | 26% |
| Leadership | 2,197 | 21% |
| Business Administration | 2,066 | 20% |
| Writing | 2,041 | 19% |
| Coordinating | 2,036 | 19% |
| Microsoft Office | 1,865 | 18% |
| Detail Oriented | 1,859 | 18% |
| Problem Solving | 1,749 | 17% |
| Presentations | 1,641 | 16% |
| Spreadsheets | 1,594 | 15% |
| Customer Service | 1,410 | 13% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 1,362 | 13% |
| Decision Making | 1,262 | 12% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Budget/Cost Analysts
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Analysts | 13,278 | 71.9% |
| Budget Specialists | 949 | 5.1% |
| Budget Managers | 574 | 3.1% |
| Budget Management Analysts | 397 | 2.1% |
| Budget Coordinators | 450 | 2.4% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was budget analysts, with 5,873 unique job postings. Budget specialists were second, with 250 postings, followed by budget managers, budget management analysts and budget coordinators.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to budget/cost analysts.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Analysts | 13,278 | 71.9% |
| Budget Specialists | 949 | 5.1% |
| Budget Managers | 574 | 3.1% |
| Budget Management Analysts | 397 | 2.1% |
| Budget Coordinators | 450 | 2.4% |
| Lead Budget Analysts | 270 | 1.5% |
| Supervisory Budget Analysts | 187 | 1% |
| Budget Officers | 305 | 1.7% |
| Program Budget Analysts | 260 | 1.4% |
| Budget/Policy Analysts | 188 | 1% |
| Budget Technicians | 130 | 0.7% |
| Capital Budget Analysts | 173 | 0.9% |
| Budget Assistants | 152 | 0.8% |
| Budget Administrators | 130 | 0.7% |
| Program and Budget Analysts | 180 | 1% |
| Budget Directors | 120 | 0.6% |
| Finance and Budget Analysts | 262 | 1.4% |
| Cost and Budget Analysts | 104 | 0.6% |
| Budget Supervisors | 259 | 1.4% |
| Directors of Budget and Planning | 106 | 0.6% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for budget/cost analysts? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for budget/cost analysts.
How much do budget/cost analysts make?
Budget/Cost Analysts: How do you become one?
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