Budget Analysts

Individuals who are responsible for the development, analysis and execution of budgets which are used to allocate current resources and estimate future financial requirements. Steps in the budgeting process include reviewing program and management achievements for the previous fiscal year (including a comparison of budgeted figures to actual figures and, based on the number of persons served, determining the cost per unit of service); establishing goals and objectives for the coming year; estimating the costs required to meet new objectives including staff, supplies and other resources and expected income; comparing revenue and expense projections; and reevaluating and making adjustments in programs and management activities if there is an unacceptable deficit. Budget analysts can be found in private industry, nonprofit organizations and the public sector.