Recently, we discussed what you can do with a degree in finance, what type of jobs you can get, and why you should consider getting your degree in the field. 

Here, we’ll discuss how to launch your career as a budget analyst, which is one of the most respected and best jobs in the finance industry. 

This post will detail why you should consider starting your career as a budget analyst, what you will be doing in this role, why you should get a degree in finance before starting your job search, and what you can do to improve your chances of success. 

After you’ve learned everything there is to know about becoming a budget analyst, please fill out our information request form to learn more about our 100% online Bachelor's Degree in Finance and our online Master’s Degree in Finance, which are the perfect programs for developing the types of skills and abilities you’ll need to succeed in this competitive field.

If you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.

What Do Budget Analysts Actually Do?

As a budget analyst you will be responsible for analyzing, monitoring, and reviewing current budgets, as well as preparing regular budgeting reports to outline the current state, risks, and other information related to relevant budgets. 

Typical tasks for budget analysts include:

  • Monitoring payments to vendors, identifying any problems or issues, and recommending solutions to management.
  • Assisting in preparing monthly, quarterly, and year-end internal budget reports, as well as external regulatory reports.
  • Preparing, maintaining, and analyzing balance sheets, income statements, and other financial documents to ensure operations align with planned budgets.
  • Presenting financial and budgetary data to the management team, identifying problems or risks, and providing actionable recommendations.
  • Researching accounting and financial issues and implementing solutions in a timely manner. 

The role of a budget analyst requires advanced mathematical skills and great attention to detail, and those people looking to enter this field definitely need to have proper training if they want to have a successful career.

For this reason, many budget analyst jobs will require you to have earned at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field, like finance. 

Completing a B.S. in Finance will prove to potential employers that you possess the skills necessary to excel in this challenging role. 

Is Becoming a Budget Analyst a Good Career Option?

Yes, the role of a budget analyst is an excellent career choice for anybody who enjoys working with numbers and who is interested in helping companies develop, execute and monitor budgets.

There are many compelling reasons to consider becoming a budget analyst, but three of the most compelling include:

  1. Budget analysts play a critical role in nearly every organization, as they’re responsible for monitoring company spending to ensure operations stay within budgets. Upper management relies on the data created by budget analysts to make informed financial decisions.
  2. This role earns a considerable salary, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual salary for a budget analyst was $79,940 as of 2021.
  3. The BLS also estimates that demand for professional budget analysis is on the rise, as they project that employment for the position will grow 5% between 2020 and 2030.

If you’re interested in a finance-based career with a great salary and a rising demand, then you should seriously consider becoming a budget analyst.

Do I Need a Degree to Get a Job as a Budget Analyst?

Although it may be possible to get a job as a budget analyst without a degree, the BLS reports that the typical entry-level education for this job is a Bachelor’s-level degree.

Many companies looking to hire budget analysts are likely to want you to have at least a bachelor’s degree, and for senior-level positions in the industry, you may even need a master’s degree.

It’s important to get your degree before pursuing this role because the job can be complex and will require a deep understanding of many different financial techniques and best practices. 

Earning your degree in a relevant field like finance will help ensure you have developed the foundational knowledge needed to succeed.

Simply put, obtaining your Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Finance is likely to help you prove you hold a deep understanding of the key principles that ensure financial and budgetary success, making it easier for you to land a good job in the industry.

If you’re interested in getting a degree in finance, you’ll find two great options from CSU Global, with our 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, and our 100% online Master’s Degree in Finance.

Which Degree Should I Get?

This is largely a personal question, however, you should pursue the degree that will help you achieve your long-term career goals.

To determine whether a Bachelor’s or Master's Degree is right for you, look at your current academic qualifications, long-term career goals, and current understanding of relevant financial topics. 

If you are just beginning your career and learning path in finance, and don’t yet have a degree, then you’ll want to consider starting with our online Bachelor’s Degree in Finance.

And if you already have a degree, you have a basic level of financial knowledge or relevant experience in the industry, then you should look at our Master’s Degree in Finance to learn more advanced finance-related skills and improve your resume.

Keep in mind that a bachelor’s degree will focus more on the basic and general principles of finance, as compared to a master’s degree, which will cover more complex topics, preparing you for a career in a senior-level, or leadership position. 

If you’d like advice on which degree may be best for you, feel free to reach out to one of our enrollment counselors, who can help you make the right decision.

What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s Degree or a Master’s Degree in Finance?

Successfully completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance will give you the education and academic credentials required to launch a successful career in the finance industry.

Getting your B.S. in Finance will qualify you for excellent job opportunities, like:

These are only a small sample of the many potential jobs you could get with a finance-related degree, as this is an area of expertise that applies to all sorts of different fields.

While a bachelor’s degree will prepare you for entry and mid-level positions and may very well be the best way to begin your career in finance, getting a master’s degree is a better option for anyone looking to land a more senior, leadership-level role in the field.

Obtaining your Master’s Degree in Finance will prepare you for more management-oriented, senior-level, leadership positions in the industry, including roles like:

After earning your master’s degree, you will have the foundational knowledge and credentials needed to effectively lead large teams and ensure financial success. 

If your long-term career aspirations include leading teams, being responsible for large budgets, or overseeing entire financial departments, then earning your master’s degree is a great place to start working towards achieving those ambitious goals.

Is a Degree in Finance Really Worth it?

Yes, earning your degree in finance is well worth it. 

Finance is extremely important in companies across almost every industry, and earning your degree in the field shows employers you have the skills and abilities needed to perform important financial functions. 

Earning your degree in finance may be challenging, and it will require dedication and hard work to finish, but getting your degree is the best way to show employers you have the required skills and abilities needed to provide real value from your first day on the job.

Obtaining your degree in finance will open new doors and allow you to pursue great jobs in nearly any industry, along with the confidence that you’re prepared to meet and overcome the challenges and issues you will face in your new role.

Should I Get My Degree in Finance Online?

Yes, you can and should choose to earn your degree in finance online with us at CSU Global, as we are a regionally accredited and highly respected online university.

Our 100% online programs offer a great way for those who are busy with other commitments such as work or family to earn their degree while also balancing the other important areas of their life. 

Our online finance programs were built to offer ultimate flexibility, as well as other important benefits, including:

  • No requirements to show up at set times or in physical locations.
  • Monthly class starts.
  • Accelerated courses. 

These benefits are perfect for anyone who leads a busy life, and who is looking to further their education in the most efficient way possible. 

If you’re concerned you don’t have the time to earn a degree, then you should consider looking into the convenient, flexible, and entirely-online programs we offer at CSU Global.

Why Should I Study Finance at CSU Global?

CSU Global’s Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Finance will provide you with the confidence, skills, and foundational knowledge needed to become a successful budget analyst.

Both of our finance programs are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and our master’s program is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Reasons to Choose our Bachelor’s in Finance Program

Our Bachelor’s Degree in Finance will provide you with the foundational financial knowledge needed to launch your career, as the program covers core topics, including:

  • Learning to apply sound financial principles and methodologies to real-world business and personal finance situations.
  • Examining and analyzing financial risks in a variety of different settings.
  • Applying industry regulations and laws to internal processes.
  • Understanding financial reports and applying common financial metrics.

Completing our Bachelor’s Degree in Finance will ensure you’ve developed all of the skills and abilities needed to launch a successful career as a budget analyst.

Reasons to Choose our Master’s in Finance Program

Our Master’s Degree in Finance will cover all of the basics you need to know about finance, as well as more advanced topics that help prepare you for more senior-level roles, including:

  • Capital markets analysis.
  • Financial management.
  • Applied research and quantitative skills.
  • Accurately value businesses.

This program has earned multiple top rankings, including:

  • A #1 ranking on 25 Best Online Master’s in Finance for 2020, Best Masters Programs.
  • A #4 ranking on Best Online Master's in Finance Programs of 2022, Intelligent.
  • A #6 ranking on Best Online Finance Degree Programs of 2022, Intelligent.

Graduates from our program also report excellent results from the real-world, with alumni reporting a median salary that is 6% higher than the national average for all master’s degree holders (BLS, 2019).

Furthermore, you can count on your degree being respected by potential employers as CSU Global itself has earned several impressive rankings, including:

  • A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges & Schools in Colorado from Best Accredited Colleges.
  • A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges in Colorado from Best Colleges.
  • A #10 ranking for Best Online Colleges for ROI from OnlineU.

Finally, we offer all our students affordable tuition rates and a Tuition Guarantee that ensures your rate won't increase as long as you remain enrolled as a student with us.

To get additional details about our fully-accredited, online Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Finance, please give us a call at (800) 462-7845, or fill out our Information Request Form.

Ready to get started today? Apply now!