Budget Analysts

If you’ve ever tried to stick to a budget, then you already know something about budget analysis. Managing your own money means keeping your eye on long-term goals and cutting back on spending when you’re running low on cash. Maybe you’ve passed up the latest hit CD to save up for a used car. Maybe you’ve stayed at home while your friends went to a movie because you wanted to keep what was left of your allowance for later.

As a budget analyst, you’ll be making decisions like these all the time. Instead of managing your own money, though, you’ll be working on the budgets of businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies.

Budget analysts create, study, and oversee the budgets of organizations.

Are You Ready To...?

• Compare the costs of resources with their benefits
• Estimate profits and losses
• Recommend ways to save money
• Teach coworkers how to work with the budget
• Work long hours

It Helps To Be...

Good with numbers, a clear communicator, a problem solver, and a leader. You should also be able to juggle many projects under a tight deadline.

Make High School Count

• Pay close attention in math and consider trying your hand at statistics and accounting.
• Polish your speaking and writing skills in English, history, speech, and drama classes.
• Master the computer. Become familiar with word processing and spreadsheet software.