How Do I Become a Budget Manager?

A budget manager creates and modifies budgets, prepares financial forecasts, manages budget employees, and analyzes a company's financial matters. To become a budget manager, you will usually need a good understanding of business and finance, which you typically can gain by earning a degree in a business or finance major. Alternatively, you might consider earning a degree related to the industry in which you will work and then take some accounting, business, or finance courses to make yourself a more attractive job candidate. In addition, you will likely need budget and finance experience, and earning certification can also help improve your job prospects.

Higher education is usually required when you want to become a budget manager. In this job, you will typically have to perform a range of tasks in relation to the finances of the company for which you will work, including budget creation, financial forecasting, and financial analysis. To prepare for these tasks, you will likely have to earn a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as business or finance. Earning an accounting or economics degree may provide good preparation for this job as well. Additionally, you might find that some employers prefer to hire candidates with graduate degrees instead.

Though many people seek business or finance degrees when they want to become budget managers, this isn't necessarily your only option. Many employers will also hire you for this job if you earn a degree in the field in which you plan to work. For example, if you are hoping to become a budget manager for a medical technology company, earning a degree in medical technology or a closely related major might help you land a job. If you plan to pursue a non-business major in preparation for this field, however, taking business and finance classes as electives might help you capture the attention of prospective employers.

In most cases, you will also need experience to become a budget manager. The amount of experience required may vary, but many employers prefer to hire individuals with at least four to six years of related work history. You can gain accounting, business, or finance experience in preparation for this job, but it is usually important to demonstrate leadership skills as well. Although many employers advertise for job candidates with experience supervising others, some also might accept other types of leadership experience.

You can also consider seeking certification as you work to become a budget manager. Though certification isn't usually a requirement, some employers might be more interested in certified professionals. Likewise, some may be more apt to offer you higher pay or a promotion if you hold certification. The steps you will have to take to become certified as a budget manager may vary, but will likely include providing documentation of your education and experience, and then passing an exam or series of exams.