Budget analysts manage a company's resources and strive to improve its profit margins. Read about undergraduate and graduate certificate and degree programs that could help prepare you for a budget analyst career, and about the requirements for certification in this field.
What Certificate Programs Are Available?
The most common certificate offered by schools is the certified financial planner (CFP) certificate, though some of these require no previous college experience. There are also certificates that focus on enterprise resource planning (ERP) and accounting. Some of these are also available at the graduate level. Like the degrees, there are no specific budget analyst certificates. You can find some of these courses and programs online.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Certificate Areas of Study</b></td><td>Certified financial planning, enterprise resource planning, accounting</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Prerequisites</b></td><td>Bachelor's degree, previous experience in lieu of education</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Duties</b></td><td>Budget creation, updates, profit increase suggestions, resource analysis</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Certification Options</b></td><td>Administered through the Association of Government Accountants</td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Median Salary (2020)</b> </td><td> $73,560 (<i>for all accountants and auditors</i>) </td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 4% growth (<i>for all accountants and auditors</i>) </td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatDegreeWillINeed">What Degree Will I Need?</h3><p>There is no specific budget analyst degree. Instead, most entry-level positions simply require a bachelor's degree, though some companies prefer candidates who have studied a related field, such as business, finance, accounting, economics or public administration. Some positions require a master's degree. In other cases, employers may accept previous financial experience in lieu of education. Courses such as statistics or accounting can be beneficial regardless of what your major is.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatIsABudgetAnalystAndWhatDoTheyDo">What Is a Budget Analyst and What Do They Do?</h3><p>Budget analysts help institutions organize their finances and manage their budgets. In this position, you would look at a company's financial resources, create yearly budgets and try to find the most efficient way to distribute resources between different divisions. In a for-profit organization, you would also make suggestions to increase profits and streamline business practices. Throughout the year, you may need to update the budget and suggest changes as necessary.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreMyOptionsAfterGraduation">What Are My Options After Graduation?</h3><p>Many employers give budget analysts on-the-job training. However, if you work for a government agency - and many budget analysts do - there is a certification you can get through the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) that can help you prove to future employers that you are competent and knowledgeable. The certification, Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), is available to anyone who has a bachelor's degree in a finance-related field and has or will soon have at least two years of experience. You have three years in order to pass the three examinations required for certification.</p>
