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Budget coordinator vs cost analyst

The differences between budget coordinators and cost analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a budget coordinator and a cost analyst. Additionally, a cost analyst has an average salary of $54,158, which is higher than the $53,878 average annual salary of a budget coordinator.

The top three skills for a budget coordinator include purchase orders, payroll and invoice processing. The most important skills for a cost analyst are cost analysis, financial analysis, and cost estimates.

Budget coordinator vs cost analyst overview

Budget CoordinatorCost Analyst
Yearly salary$53,878$54,158
Hourly rate$25.90$26.04
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs23,02160,034
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a budget coordinator do?

A budget coordinator is responsible for ensuring that company departments comply with budget guidelines and regulations. They usually work in an office setting where they are in charge of gathering and analyzing checks, invoices, bills, and monthly financial statements to ensure that all expenses align with the set budget. They also reach out to various offices when overspending is detected, performing corrective measures as necessary. Moreover, as a budget coordinator, it is essential to implement the company's budget regulations and policies while producing regular budget reports.

What does a cost analyst do?

Cost Analysts are employees with a strong background in finance or accounting. They are in charge of collecting financial data and analyzing the entries. They study the company's expenses and prepare pertinent reports. Cost Analysts look for inconsistencies in the financial data. This way, they can assist in auditing the company's spending. Cost Analysts also look for inefficiencies. They do so by tracking item costs and department budgets and monitoring department expenses. They are also involved in budget-setting activities.

Budget coordinator vs cost analyst salary

Budget coordinators and cost analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Budget CoordinatorCost Analyst
Average salary$53,878$54,158
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $74,000Between $39,000 And $73,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaVirginia
Best paying companyCentral State UniversityGeneral Motors
Best paying industryConstructionAutomotive

Differences between budget coordinator and cost analyst education

There are a few differences between a budget coordinator and a cost analyst in terms of educational background:

Budget CoordinatorCost Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Budget coordinator vs cost analyst demographics

Here are the differences between budget coordinators' and cost analysts' demographics:

Budget CoordinatorCost Analyst
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 38.1% Female, 61.9%Male, 54.2% Female, 45.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 9.0% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 8.6% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between budget coordinator and cost analyst duties and responsibilities

Budget coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage credit card revenue reporting and reconciliations for multiple credit card merchant accounts which include recommending and implementing process improvements.
  • Compile and reconcile monthly payroll expenses.
  • Create departmentalized payroll spreadsheets and monitor them biweekly.
  • Participate in PeopleSoft financial system upgrade testing to eliminate implementation challenges.
  • Prepare required reports relate to the grant project utilizing various software programs, including preparing computerize reports using PeopleSoft system.
  • Help Medicaid eligible members to secure both physical and behavioral services in the community by reviewing and preparing prior authorization requests.
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Cost analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage general ledger expense accounts assign to ERP implementation project.
  • Develop, maintain financial models/applications (VBA Excel/Access) to automate and streamline business processes and perform financial analysis.
  • Perform cost control, revenue analysis and variance analysis for several DOD contracts.
  • Identify parts that need to be realign to correct WBS s in order to bring costs inline.
  • Ensure that purchase orders and work orders are setup in accordance with establish DuPont procedures and appropriate WBS structures.
  • Perform fixed asset and manufacturing accounting within ERP system.
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Budget coordinator vs cost analyst skills

Common budget coordinator skills
  • Purchase Orders, 19%
  • Payroll, 7%
  • Invoice Processing, 6%
  • Financial Analysis, 5%
  • Journal Entries, 5%
  • Budget Process, 4%
Common cost analyst skills
  • Cost Analysis, 8%
  • Financial Analysis, 6%
  • Cost Estimates, 6%
  • Data Analysis, 4%
  • DOD, 4%
  • Variance Analysis, 4%

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