Budget Analyst

Budget Analyst

Budget analysts develop, analyze, and execute budgets, which are used to allocate current resources and estimate future financial needs. They examine budget estimates and proposals for completeness; accuracy; and conformance with established procedures, regulations, and organizational objectives. Sometimes they employ cost-benefit analyses to review financial requests, assess program tradeoffs, and explore alternative funding methods.

Low-end Salary: 
$42,470/yr
Median Salary: 
$65,320/yr
High-end Salary: 
$100,360/yr
Education: 

Private firms and government agencies generally require budget analysts to have at least a bachelor’s degree, but many prefer or require a master’s degree. Within the Federal Government, a bachelor’s degree in any field is sufficient for an entry-level budget analyst position, but master’s degrees are preferred.

Math Required: 

College Algebra
Trigonometry
Geometry
Calculus I, II, III
Linear Algebra
Theory of Analysis
Statistics

When Math Is Used: 

Budget analysts require the mathematical problem-solving skills necessary in order to develop, analyze, and execute budgets for various sizes of companies. They must be good and comfortable with numbers as they allocate current resources and estimate future financial needs.

Potential Employers: 

Federal, State, and local governments are major employers, accounting for 44 percent of budget analyst jobs. Many other budget analysts worked in manufacturing; financial services; management services; professional, scientific, and technical services; and schools.

Facts: 

As of 2009, budget analysts have been assisting the States in cutting back on their budgets. An article in the Wall Street Journal said, “State budgets look bad now, but they are set to get worse . . .tax collections aren't likely to be enough to take their place—even if the economy is recovering. The drop in tax revenue is set to be deeper and last longer.”

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Quote Of The Day

"It should be evident that each step in my career has rested on a firm foundation in mathematics. For me, the study of mathematics was the key that opened the doors to the universe."

— Robert L. Stewart

NASA Astronaut

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Figures represent salary potential.

28
Jul

Here's an interesting story of a girl in Michigan with Grapheme-Color Synesthesia. In other words, she visualizes each digit, zero through nine, as a different color.

For her, and others with the same condition, it adds a new splash to math work.

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