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Project finance analyst vs budget analyst

The differences between project 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 project finance analyst and a budget analyst. Additionally, a project finance analyst has an average salary of $77,005, which is higher than the $56,598 average annual salary of a budget analyst.

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

Project finance analyst vs budget analyst overview

Project Finance AnalystBudget Analyst
Yearly salary$77,005$56,598
Hourly rate$37.02$27.21
Growth rate9%3%
Number of jobs106,23050,081
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4047
Years of experience44

What does a project finance analyst do?

A project finance analyst is responsible for analyzing the financial needs and reports of an organization's project management system. Project finance analysts review project terms and expense forecasting and identify strategies to minimize financial loss. They also resolve account discrepancies and file accurate financial statements upon the assessment of project plans, resources, and timetables. A project finance analyst must have excellent communication and analytical skills to determine potential risks and enhance the company's portfolio for business proposals.

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.

Project finance analyst vs budget analyst salary

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

Project Finance AnalystBudget Analyst
Average salary$77,005$56,598
Salary rangeBetween $54,000 And $108,000Between $42,000 And $76,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying statePennsylvaniaVirginia
Best paying companyGoogleShenzhen Capital Group
Best paying industryManufacturingGovernment

Differences between project finance analyst and budget analyst education

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

Project Finance AnalystBudget Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Project finance analyst vs budget analyst demographics

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

Project Finance AnalystBudget Analyst
Average age4047
Gender ratioMale, 48.8% Female, 51.2%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 project finance analyst and budget analyst duties and responsibilities

Project finance analyst example responsibilities.

  • Lead a reconciliations project team responsible for the implementing new systemic reconciliations replacing manual and legacy processes.
  • Develop, maintain financial models/applications (VBA Excel/Access) to automate and streamline business processes and perform financial analysis.
  • Work with the accounting team to ensure revenue recognition rules where in compliance with GAAP and internal policy.
  • Ensure that budgets are loaded into ERP properly and tie to control totals
  • Complete coursework through PeopleSoft in order to thoroughly understand each module's processes.
  • Identify and implement optimal manner of extracting, purging and transferring data from old systems to PeopleSoft.
  • 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.
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Project finance analyst vs budget analyst skills

Common project finance analyst skills
  • Financial Analysis, 11%
  • Project Management, 9%
  • Financial Data, 4%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%
  • Hyperion, 3%
  • Financial Management, 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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