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Program finance analyst vs budget analyst

The differences between program finance analysts and budget 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 program finance analyst and a budget analyst. Additionally, a program finance analyst has an average salary of $57,254, which is higher than the $56,598 average annual salary of a budget analyst.

The top three skills for a program finance analyst include financial analysis, variance analysis and program management. The most important skills for a budget analyst are financial management, budget analysis, and financial reports.

Program finance analyst vs budget analyst overview

Program Finance AnalystBudget Analyst
Yearly salary$57,254$56,598
Hourly rate$27.53$27.21
Growth rate9%3%
Number of jobs154,30550,081
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4047
Years of experience44

What does a program finance analyst do?

A program finance analyst is an individual who supports the execution of program financial services to ensure effective and transparent utilization of financial resources. Program finance analysts must obtain and compile information regarding the credit history of loan applicants, corporate financial statements, and other financial information. They communicate with faculty members and business administrators about the company's financial status and provide recommendations for strategic planning. Program finance analysts must also monitor the financial performance of a project and provide analysis for project managers concerning burn rates and potential overruns.

What does a budget analyst do?

A budget analyst supports organizations and businesses by organizing their financial resources to develop and execute budgets for them. A budget analyst is also responsible for evaluating budget proposals, analyzing data, extra funds redistribution, recommending spending cuts, preparing reports annually, and estimating spending requirements in the future. A budget analyst explores alternative funding methods and uses cost-benefit analyses. In addition, budget analysts also look at past budgets and research any financial developments that could affect income and expenditures.

Program finance analyst vs budget analyst salary

Program finance analysts and budget analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Program Finance AnalystBudget Analyst
Average salary$57,254$56,598
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $76,000Between $42,000 And $76,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaVirginia
Best paying companyMicrosoftShenzhen Capital Group
Best paying industryTechnologyGovernment

Differences between program finance analyst and budget analyst education

There are a few differences between a program finance analyst and a budget analyst in terms of educational background:

Program Finance AnalystBudget Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Program finance analyst vs budget analyst demographics

Here are the differences between program finance analysts' and budget analysts' demographics:

Program Finance AnalystBudget Analyst
Average age4047
Gender ratioMale, 53.5% Female, 46.5%Male, 45.7% Female, 54.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 14.1% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 8.9% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%13%

Differences between program finance analyst and budget analyst duties and responsibilities

Program finance analyst example responsibilities.

  • Develop, maintain financial models/applications (VBA Excel/Access) to automate and streamline business processes and perform financial analysis.
  • Prepare monthly accounts payable accruals as well as researching and analyzing account variances.
  • Provide monthly and quarterly accruals of channel programs and MDF to revenue accounting team.
  • Ensure accurate forecasting in using Hyperion.
  • Perform monthly contract invoicing/billings, program account reconciliations, and sales forecasting.
  • Develop, maintain financial models/applications (VBA Excel/Access) to automate and streamline business processes and perform financial analysis.
  • Show more

Budget analyst example responsibilities.

  • Write and document SAS, SPSS and SQL programs to automate standard processes.
  • Manage accounting data of expenditures in ledgers; ensure all transactions are re-serve for obligation.
  • Manage virtual war room database and prepare advanced PowerPoint presentations for high-level briefings.
  • Manage credit card revenue reporting and reconciliations for multiple credit card merchant accounts which include recommending and implementing process improvements.
  • Provide corporate financial support services for multiple contracts and various contract types (FFP, CPFF, CPAF, etc . )
  • Prepare and present EAC projections, customer financial reports, and documents for program reviews.
  • Show more

Program finance analyst vs budget analyst skills

Common program finance analyst skills
  • Financial Analysis, 13%
  • Variance Analysis, 5%
  • Program Management, 5%
  • Financial Data, 4%
  • Earned Value Management, 3%
  • Strong Analytical, 3%
Common budget analyst skills
  • Financial Management, 8%
  • Budget Analysis, 6%
  • Financial Reports, 5%
  • Financial Data, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • Budget Estimates, 3%

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