How To Hire the Best Budget Analyst

A budget analyst helps an organization determine how they will organize their finances. Although top executives usually make the final decision on an organization’s budget, they rely on the work of budget analysts to prepare the information for that decision.

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A budget analyst helps an organization determine how they will organize their finances. A superior budget analyst keeps company finances and goals on track by running regular financial reports, analyzing data to determine the costs and benefits of various programs, collaborating with executives about funding requirements, and assessing budget decisions about special programs or unique expenses. Although top executives usually make the final decision on an organization’s budget, they rely on the work of budget analysts to prepare the information for that decision.

An effective budget analyst job description clearly lists the functions that the role is expected to perform. Additionally, it’s important to stress the importance of data crunching skills versus the ability to build consensus goals.

How To Hire the Best Budget Analyst

Copy this template, and modify it as your own:

Company Introduction

Write a short and catchy paragraph about your company. Make sure to provide information about the company’s culture, perks, and benefits. Mention office hours, remote working possibilities, and everything else that you think makes your company a compelling career choice.

Job Description

As a budget analyst, you will work with managers to develop appropriate departmental budgets, review budget proposals, prepare regular [insert how often] financial reports, analyze data to determine spending recommendations, and monitor company spending. Additionally, you will review all budgets to ensure they are accurate and comply with appropriate laws.

Responsibilities

  • Work with managers to develop appropriate departmental budgets.
  • Review managers’ budget proposals for accuracy, reasoning, and compliance with laws.
  • Combine department budgets together into a consolidated budget report and review all funding requests for worthiness.
  • Present recommendations for funding requests to others in the organization.
  • Help top managers analyze proposed plans and find alternatives if the projected results are unsatisfactory.
  • Monitor organizational spending to ensure that it is staying within budget.
  • Keep program managers informed of the status and availability of funds.
  • Work with finance managers to estimate future financial needs.

Skills

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, or Data Analytics.
  • Between two and five years of experience in federal financial management, budget, or financial analysis.
  • Between two and five years of experience in the development of budget justification statements.
  • Advanced knowledge of MS Office applications, specifically in Excel, macros, data analysis, and pivot tables.
  • Extensive financial statement modeling experience.
  • Ability to problem-solve, both autonomously and within teams.
  • Approachable and confident personality type, comfortable within a wide range of organizational environments.
  • High integrity and natural desire to assume responsibility.

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A proper budget lays everything out in the open. Every expenditure, investment, and expansion plan is broken down and tallied up. The right budgeting consultant can turn a time-consuming process into a positive experience to refocus a company's strategy. This guide presents the best way to track and test the right skills in top candidates.

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Toptal is a marketplace for top budgeting consultants, experts, and specialists. Top companies and start-ups hire budgeting freelancers from Toptal for their mission critical projects.

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United KingdomFreelance Budgeting Consultant Since December 13, 2019

A Wharton MBA graduate, Carlo has led transactions on $10 billion worth of LBO and growth capital deals. He's worked in investment banking, M&A (Deutsche Bank), management consulting (Bain & Company, Oliver Wyman), and corporate development (Lehman Brothers). Carlo leverages his skills in corporate finance, business strategy, and international business development to help companies scale and deliver value for their investors.

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Gary Calnan

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United StatesFreelance Budgeting Consultant Since November 22, 2019

Gary is a serial entrepreneur with CEO and CFO experience. Before co-founding an aerospace startup in 2017, Gary was the director of finance at a $120 million revenue SaaS company, where he was responsible for the financial management of multiple departments and supported three mergers. Gary leverages his unique blend of finance and entrepreneurial experience across early and growth-stage businesses to add value to Toptal clients.

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Gregory Thompson

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United StatesFreelance Budgeting Consultant Since January 31, 2017

Greg led the corporate development team at a technology company, completing many acquisitions and divestitures and growing revenue 400% to over $800 million. He has worked as a principal and a consultant for both large public companies (such as FICO and Oracle) and smaller venture-backed businesses specializing in the technology and FinTech sectors. He joined Toptal to leverage his experiences in finance, M&A, strategy and business development.

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Andy Vietor

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United StatesFreelance Budgeting Consultant Since April 13, 2017

Andy was recognized twice as an All-Star Analyst by the Wall Street Journal. He has been a strategist, operating executive, financier, and top-ranked industry analyst. As a freelancer, Andy advises a range of companies—from early-stage and middle-market to large caps—delivering customized solutions including effective investor presentations, dynamic financial models, and project finance structuring.

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Evan Fisher

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United StatesFreelance Budgeting Consultant Since August 29, 2017

Evan is a former investment bank VP offering a simple value prop: better-than-Wall-Street quality documents and advice at a fraction of the price. His work resulted in over $5 billion invested in SMEs by top-tier investors, including a16z, SoftBank, Tiger, and more. He has sat in every seat at the boardroom table as a director, shareholder, executive, and advisor. Evan enjoys helping businesses plan, refine their strategies, prepare for corporate actions, and hone their capital-raising approach.

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Peter Jacobson

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United StatesFreelance Budgeting Consultant Since July 25, 2017

A Harvard grad with an MBA from Stanford, Peter has served as CFO of three successful companies, led several acquisitions, obtained growth capital, led recapitalization efforts, and led a successful exit for the shareholders. He's also raised $500 million+ for clients as a VP at KeyBanc Capital Markets, a commercial and investment bank. Peter enjoys freelancing to help clients with capital raising, M&A, FP&A, and various CFO-related functions.

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Olivia Passoni

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AustriaFreelance Budgeting Consultant Since August 31, 2017

Olivia has over a decade of advisory experience, specializing in valuation, financial and business planning, M&A, capital raising, and due diligence. She has advised business owners globally on financial planning and strategy optimization during the fundraising and exit process. Olivia also works with investors for portfolio valuation work, the development of fund models, and due diligence. She is a Certified Valuation Analyst and is specialized in early-stage valuations.

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Sean Heberling

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United StatesFreelance Budgeting Consultant Since October 18, 2017

With Morgan Stanley, BNY Mellon, Sailfish Capital, and Marion Street Capital, Sean has analyzed 10,000+ companies, built complex models, and helped facilitate $1+ billion in investment transactions. He freelances to leverage his expertise in financial modeling, investor presentations, investment analysis, and M&A. He is on the boards of several early-stage companies, advising on operations, growth strategy, and fundraising.

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Thomas Robb

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United StatesFreelance Budgeting Consultant Since January 4, 2019

Thomas delivered actionable solutions and insights to multi-billion dollar clients across the tech and software industries as a senior equity research associate at Morgan Stanley. As an entrepreneur, he understands the importance of taking extreme ownership of projects and enjoys working with executives to grow their businesses through financial modeling, competitive market analysis, and creative problem-solving.

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Barbara Kolenc

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SloveniaFreelance Budgeting Consultant Since May 15, 2019

As a CFO, Barbara has led multiple software startups through venture capital fundraises and exits totaling over $25 million. An E&Y trained accountant with 15+ years of experience, Barbara specializes in developing models and presentations, executing operational improvements, and scaling finance teams and processes to support growth. She freelances to leverage her extensive financial skill set and expertise to drive value for Toptal's clients.

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