Monday, November 25, 2013

Skills Needed as a Budget Analyst

A budget analyst needs to work on complex processes and requires skills in analysis, software, economics and mathematics. Extensive knowledge regarding the creation and application of budgets is needed to succeed at this position.

One needs to understand policy and legislation that will affect the allocation of resources to the organization when working for the government or corporations. He has to display the ability to look at many parts of an organization as a whole. Additionally, he should be capable to help increase efficiency and productivity within the various parts so that the entire organization performs better.

Education

One should display strong and extensive skills in accounting, mathematics and business. A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field will help in development of these skills. Few organizations prefer to have a master's degree for a budget analyst job. Courses in a bachelor's degree program focus on learning the skills needed to be technically proficient at analyzing budgets.

On-the-job Training

Apart from education, one can learn many of the skills through on-the-job training. This mainly involves using analysis software and gaining an understanding of the legislation which affects the organization that one is working for. One also gains knowledge about intricacies of a specific organization on-the-job. This basically includes understanding the organization of the departments, ways in which pay raises, how they affect the overall budget and the specific budgets of each department.

Cost Analysis Skill

It is important for a budgeting analyst to have skills in cost analysis as well. This is because they have to look at the budgets of each department within an organization to ensure that the resources are allocated accurately. One may have to substitute items to lower the overall budget of an organization without adversely affecting a department. Costs differ in every organization due to the services and products being offered. So this skill is generally learned on-the-job.

Critical thinking aids to come up with creative solutions to solving budget problems within an organization. Effective communication, critical thinking and problem solving are valued skills for a budget analyst.

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