How To Write a Budget Analyst Resume
A strong budget analyst resume shows you’re detail-oriented, financially savvy, and can help an organization save money. It includes career accomplishments backed by hard numbers, monetary figures, and data. It can be challenging to get all your qualifications in just a page or two, but our resume tips and examples can help you create a winning resume.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
If you’re a detailed person, it can be difficult to sum up who you are as a candidate in a few sentences. But the profile section that starts your resume should do just that. Use the job description to give you an idea of what’s most important to the hiring manager, and focus on these aspects.
For a job focused on analyzing budgets for rapid-growth companies, your profile might say, “Experienced budget analyst with five years of experience providing financial analysis for rapid-growth companies. Adept at communicating complex financial information to key stakeholders. Master’s degree in finance.”
Profile Example #1
Diligent Budget Analyst with 7+ years of advancement and experience in the nonprofit sector. Praised for putting complex technical and financial concepts in clear, accessible terms for diverse audiences. Committed to the utmost professional integrity and excellence in all endeavors.
Profile Example #2
Adaptable Budget Analyst with 7+ years of experience positioning short- and long-term company success. Provide financial insights that allow executives to make key budget decisions during periods of rapid growth and change. Offer well-rounded business knowledge and understanding, drawing on Master’s degree in finance.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
The professional experience section is where you provide more detail about the positions you’ve held and the successes you’ve had, and this is where your penchant for numbers comes in handy. Add as many metrics and data points as possible to these bullets. Don’t just say you “reduced costs.” Mention you “reduced costs by $200,000.”
The same goes for describing your daily duties. Show the scale of your work by mentioning metrics like the amount of the yearly budget or the number of systems or protocols you introduced.
Professional Experience Example #1
Budget Analyst, SFN Foundation, Nashville, TN | July 2019 to Present
- Develop efficient organization-wide budget in close coordination with department leaders
- Project future business results and financial needs based on review of income and expense estimates
- Introduced 5 systems and 7 protocols that reinforced compliance during a period of increased regulation
Professional Experience Example #2
Budget Analyst, TTA Corporation, Miami, FL | July 2015 to July 2020
- Drafted clear, comprehensive financial reports for this $16M enterprise
- Found and reconciled discrepancies while processing complex business and financial data
- Used leading-edge software to expertly manage funds and resources per local and national regulations
- Balanced and prioritized multiple tasks in a fast-paced corporate setting
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Even entry-level budget analyst positions usually require at least a bachelor’s degree, and if you’re applying for mid- or senior-level positions, a master’s degree in finance or accounting is expected. Mention your degree in your profile to immediately show a hiring manager you check this box, and include it again later in your resume in a specific education section.
Certifications can help a hiring manager see you as a stronger candidate, especially if another of your resume is sparse. The Budget and Finance Analyst certification is one of the most coveted in this industry, but other certifications that add value include Certified Public Accountant and a Certificate in Public Financial Management.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
Example:
Master’s in Finance
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL | May 2019
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
Certified Budget and Finance Analyst (CBFA), Institute of Certified Financial Analysts | 2020
4. List pertinent key skills
A major part of your resume is showing the hiring manager you have the necessary skills for the job. While these keywords can be worked into your experience bullets, it’s helpful to have a separate skills list. This ensures the hiring manager can quickly identify you as a good match, and it makes it easier to tailor each resume to the position.
If a post says the candidate needs to be familiar with a specific type of software, such as Oracle, ensure that’s in your skills list instead of just “financial software.”
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Advanced Excel skills | Capital budgeting and expenditure analysis |
| Cost-benefit analysis | Financial modeling and projections |
| Fiscal management and compliance | Oracle |
| Presentation and communication of financial information | Process improvement and optimization |
| Project management and coordination | Quantitative analysis and statistical data analysis |
| QuickBooks | Regulatory compliance and reporting |
| Stakeholder engagement and management | Strategic financial planning |
| Trend analysis and financial forecasting | Variance analysis |
How To Pick the Best Budget Analyst Resume Template
Resume templates can make it easier — and faster — to create a budget analyst resume and tailor it to each position. But how do you sort through the hundreds of templates out there? First, eliminate anything that stands out, such as anything with colors or fancy fonts. Your resume should look like a professional document, and these distract from your qualifications.
Next, look for a template that is organized with clear headings for each section and designed for a combination format resume. This ensures you have room for ample work history and that key skills list.
Budget Analyst Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- #1
- #2
- #3
Jessica Lang
123 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
Profile
Diligent Budget Analyst with 7+ years of advancement and experience in the nonprofit sector. Praised for putting complex technical and financial concepts in clear, accessible terms for diverse audiences. Committed to the utmost professional integrity and excellence in all endeavors.
Professional Highlights
Budget Analyst, SFN Foundation, Nashville, TN | July 2019 to Present
- Develop efficient organization-wide budget in close coordination with department leaders
- Project future business results and financial needs based on review of income and expense estimates
- Introduced 5 systems and 7 protocols that reinforced compliance during a period of increased regulation
Budget Analyst, SZZ Institute, Nashville, TN | July 2015 to July 2019
- Performed detailed cost-benefit analysis for each department and program
- Closely monitored spending to ensure operation’s strict adherence to budget guidelines
- Reviewed financial requests and budget proposals to verify accuracy and offer funding alternatives as needed
Education
Bachelor’s Degree – Accounting
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Key Skills
- Budget Development & Analysis
- Budget Proposal Evaluation
- Business Results Forecasting
- Cost Accounting & Monitoring
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Process & System Improvement
- Regulatory Compliance
Aliya Jackson
123 Pine Brook Dr, Miami, FL 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
Profile
Adaptable Budget Analyst with 7+ years of experience positioning short- and long-term company success. Provide financial insights that allow executives to make key budget decisions during periods of rapid growth and change. Offer well-rounded business knowledge and understanding, drawing on Master’s degree in finance.
Professional Experience
Budget Analyst, SZF Inc., Miami, FL | July 2020 to Present
- Manage and facilitate projects promoting financial health of large-scale business operations
- Evaluate multimillion-dollar programs to determine and recommend new funding levels when needed
Budget Analyst, TTA Corporation, Miami, FL | July 2015 to July 2020
- Drafted clear, comprehensive financial reports for this $16M enterprise
- Found and reconciled discrepancies while processing complex business and financial data
- Used leading-edge software to expertly manage funds and resources per local and national regulations
- Balanced and prioritized multiple tasks in a fast-paced corporate setting
Education
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- Master’s Degree – Finance
- Bachelor’s Degree – Business
Key Skills
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Executive Consulting
- Financial Management Software
- Program Evaluation
- Project Management & Facilitation
- Reporting & Documentation
- Task Prioritization
John Bergsen
123 W Adams Ave, Detroit, MI 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
Profile
Certified Budget Analyst with 5+ years of experience serving state and local government. Combine deep financial knowledge with a strong sense of collaboration to build productive relationships with other departments. Dedicated to ongoing professional development; recently earned CGFM credential.
Professional Experience
Budget Analyst, State of Michigan, Detroit, MI | July 2017 to Present
- Collaborate with other finance team members to provide efficient, thorough cost accounting
- Present financial analysis and offer clear suggestions to legislators in committee hearings
- Draft monthly statements identifying financial trends, risks, and opportunities
- Report to and work closely with Finance Director
Highlights:
- Drove cost reduction initiative that resulted in $210K lower annual transit and miscellaneous expenses
- Created and honed finance processes, driving 16% improved workflow efficiency
Education
Bachelor’s Degree – Mathematics
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Certification
- Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)
- Association of Government Accountants (AGA)
Key Skills
- Budget Report Preparation
- Cost Reduction & Redistribution
- Cross-Functional Partnership
- Monthly Financial Statements
- Public Speaking & Presentations
- Team Collaboration
Frequently Asked Questions: Budget Analyst Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for budget analyst resumes?+
Action verbs are an important part of your resume, as they can help you highlight your achievements and qualifications in a more engaging way. Switching up your verbs to match words used in the job duties section of the job description can also help applicant tracking systems identify you as a good match.
If you’re not sure what verbs to use in your bullets or run out of unique options, this list can help.
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Balanced |
| Built | Calculated |
| Created | Developed |
| Ensured | Evaluated |
| Facilitated | Forecasted |
| Managed | Monitored |
| Optimized | Organized |
| Prepared | Presented |
| Provided | Reconciled |
| Reinforced | Verified |
How do you align your resume with a job description?+
A competitive job market requires you to do everything you can to stand out from other applicants. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what budget analysts could be facing in the next few years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts slower-than-average job growth, at just 3%, for budget analysts through 2032.
Help your resume make it to the top of the pile by spending some time customizing it to the job posting. This involves ensuring any must-have qualifications are highlighted in your profile and the first half of the resume and using as many keywords and skills from the job description as possible.
What is the best budget analyst resume format?+
While the contents of your resume matter most, the format you choose can make a difference in how long a hiring manager spends on your resume — or whether they read it at all. The combination resume format, which puts roughly equal emphasis on your professional skills and your work experience, is usually the best option.
This format is designed to be easily skimmable and let a hiring manager get an idea of what you bring to the table without having to read through two pages of job duties.
Expert advice: include a cover letter with your resume
When you’re sending in your resume with your application, include a cover letter as well. This is an extra step, but it’s a worthy time investment that can set you apart in a competitive job market. Look at our finance cover letter examples and templates to get ideas for your own.
