Budget Analysts

High School

Take mathematics, statistics, accounting, economics, and business classes in high school because budget analysts must be skilled at working with numbers and have a good understanding of business concepts. English, writing, and speech classes will be useful because budget analysts are required to provide oral presentations, write reports, and, of course, communicate on a daily basis with company executives and other colleagues. Other recommended classes include computer science (especially database management) and social studies.

Postsecondary Education

You will need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to become a budget analyst. Some employers prefer those who have a master’s degree. A graduate degree will also be useful if you want to advance to supervisory or executive-level roles. Budget analysts often have degrees in accounting, finance, economics, statistics, business, or mathematics. Some analysts have degrees in public administration, public policy, political science, or psychology. During their degree program, students also participate in internships, co-ops, or other experiential education opportunities to build their skills and obtain experience. These learning opportunities also allow them to build their professional networks.

Certification

A variety of certificate programs are available in budget analysis, accounting, financial management, and related topics from colleges and universities, professional associations, and for-profit, online learning platforms. These programs—which typically last six months to a year—are an excellent way to explore the field and acquire specialized skills. One example of such a program is the certificate in budget and public finance (https://tspppa.gwu.edu/certificate-budget-public-finance) that’s offered by George Washington University in Washington, DC. To earn the certificate, students take one required class (Public Budgeting, Revenue, and Expenditure Analysis) and three of the following courses:

• Financing State and Local Government
• Governmental Budgeting
• Tax Policy Analysis
• Issues in Federal Budgeting
• Financial Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations
• Contracting Out and Public-Private Partnerships

Other Education or Training

Participating in continuing education (CE) classes is a great way to keep your skills up to date and learn about new developments in budget analysis and related topics; CE credits may also be required to renew one’s certification. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Association of Government Accountants, Government Finance Officers Association, Institute of Management Accountants, and organizations at the state and local levels provide CE in-person classes and webinars. One noteworthy program is offered by the Government Finance Officers Association. Its Budget Analyst Training Academy is a four-day, in-person program that features exercises, discussions, and lectures. Participants learn about the budget development process, including best practices and techniques required in effective budgeting, among other topics.