Budget Officer Jobs
Budget Officer jobs are open across federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofits, and higher education, from entry-level analyst roles to senior and director positions, with specializations in capital budgeting, operating budget management, and grant budget oversight. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Summary/Objective
The Budget Officer oversees and manages the operations, maintenance, and oversight of the Smith County budgetary process including administration of the County's long-range Capital Improvement Program. This position directs, plans, organizes, analyzes, and prepares a comprehensive review and recommendation for all departmental budget requests and administers professional budgeting activities in compliance with the principals and procedures of public budgeting. The position performs complex professional level tasks related to budgeting and budget control and is responsible for the design and maintenance of the County budgeting program.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provides expert advice, budget analysis, guidance and recommendations on all aspects of the Smith County Budget to Commissioners Court, department heads, elected officials and staff; directs the activities of assigned staff to include the compilation, review, examination, and interpretation of financial data.
- Plans and directs the county's annual budget process including review of departmental requests and presentation of a recommended budget to Commissioners Court including existing operations, new programs, and staffing levels for all departments; recommends tax rates needed to finance the budget.
- Conducts interviews and assists department heads and elected officials in developing budget requests; prepares legal notices for budget and tax rate statutory requirements.
- Monitors and assists county departments' expenditures on an on-going basis, ensuring compliance with established policies and procedures, and adherence to budget limitations; reviews availability of funds and evaluates requests for interdepartmental fund transfers and budget amendments, preparing reports for court detailing impact on budget and recommendations.
- Coordinates, compiles, plans, and directs the long-term Capital Improvement Program for the county.
- Develops and proposes policies and procedures for budget development and administration, and assists with the design of the on-line budget application in order to streamline the budget process through the use of advanced technology.
- Reviews Commissioners Court agenda packet prior to meetings for budget impact or verification and provides any necessary clarification and/or research associated with agenda items.
Other Responsibilities
- Directs the work activities of assigned staff to include the compilation, review, examination, and interpretation of financial data; the recommendations for the future; and the implementation of new ideas and financial strategies also ensuring adherence to established policies and procedures.
- Conducts analytical studies, utilizing expertise in financial and budgetary areas, and in accordance with outlined goals and objectives; prepares and presents oral or written reports on findings and recommendations for improvements, as appropriate.
- Regular and punctual attendance is required.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Skills and Abilities
- Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or composite characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
- Requires the ability to use and interpret various technical and professional languages, including legal and government accounting terminology.
- Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract totals; to multiply and divide; to determine percentages and decimals; to understand and apply the theories of algebra and statistical inference.
- Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
- Requires the ability to perform under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.
- Requires the ability to make recommendations that impact the budget.
- Requires the ability to manage the budget within assigned unit/division.
- Requires the ability to determine allocation of budget among departments.
- Requires the ability to use small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
- Requires the ability to use computers for data entry.
- Requires the ability to use computers for word processing and/or accounting proposes.
- Requires the ability to create and guide implementation of capital improvement plans or programs.
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree and a minimum seven years of experience in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and related experience required.
Licenses and Certifications
None required for this position.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines. Must be able to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time. Position requires the ability to see, hear, and speak as well as color and depth perception. Position requires the ability to lift more than 30 pounds.
Travel
Must be able to travel to and from county facilities as needed.
Comments
Smith County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals and employees with disabilities. If you need special services or accommodations, please contact Smith County Human Resources at (903) 590-4644 or personnel@smith-county.com.
NOTICE:
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.
All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonable accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.
All employment with Smith County shall be considered “at will” employment. No contract of employment shall exist between any individual and Smith County for any duration, either specified or unspecified.
Budget Officer Jobs by Experience Level
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in budget officer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, public administration, or a related field
- Experience preparing, analyzing, and monitoring operating or capital budgets
- Proficiency in spreadsheet software and financial management systems such as SAP or Oracle
- Knowledge of government accounting principles, fund accounting, or GAAP as applicable
- Certified Government Financial Manager or Certified Public Accountant credential preferred
- Strong written communication skills for preparing budget justifications and financial reports
Tips for Your Budget Officer Job Search
Quantify budget volumes you managed
Hiring managers for budget officer roles want to see scale. On your resume, name the total dollar value of budgets you prepared, monitored, or reconciled. Candidates who write 'managed a $4M operating budget' stand out over those who only list duties.
Highlight your government accounting system experience
Many budget officer postings require hands-on experience with systems like SAP, Oracle Financials, or agency-specific platforms like FMIS or Workday. List each system by name in your skills section so your resume clears automated screening filters.
Target postings by appropriation type
Federal, state, and nonprofit budget roles differ significantly. A federal opening often requires knowledge of continuing resolutions and appropriations law, while a municipal role focuses on fund accounting. Filter openings by sector before applying so your cover letter speaks directly to that context.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists budget officer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare scenario answers for variance analysis questions
Budget officer interviews regularly include questions about how you handled a significant budget variance or a mid-year funding cut. Prepare two or three concrete examples with the cause, your analysis, and the corrective action you recommended. Generic answers about 'monitoring spend' don't get offers.
Negotiate using classification level, not just title
In government and higher education, the posted title often masks a pay band with real room to negotiate grade level. Before accepting, ask which GS grade, pay grade, or classification band the role sits in and whether there's flexibility to start at a higher step based on your experience.
Budget Officer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most budget officers?
The companies hiring the most budget officers right now include US Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys, Markon, and Anavation, with the largest share of openings in Texas, Virginia, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Federal agencies, state governments, and large universities consistently post the highest volume of budget officer openings throughout the year.
How many budget officer jobs are remote?
About 25% of budget officer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with availability varying considerably by sector. Budget analyst and financial reporting sub-functions tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while roles that require direct coordination with department heads or in-person budget hearings are more likely to require on-site presence at least part of the week.
How do you become a budget officer?
Start with a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, public administration, or a closely related field. Most budget officers build two to four years of experience as a budget analyst or financial analyst first, developing skills in variance analysis, financial forecasting, and budget preparation. Earning a credential such as the Certified Government Financial Manager strengthens your candidacy for senior roles, particularly in government and nonprofit sectors.
Can you get a budget officer job with little or no experience?
Entry-level budget officer or budget analyst roles are realistic with a relevant degree and demonstrated analytical coursework, internships in finance or public administration, or experience in related roles like grants coordination or accounts payable. Emphasize any hands-on work with budget tracking, financial reporting, or spreadsheet modeling. Some local government and nonprofit employers hire candidates directly from graduate programs in public policy or public administration.
What does the budget officer interview process look like?
Most budget officer interviews involve an initial phone or video screen with HR, followed by one or two rounds with the hiring manager and sometimes a panel that includes department directors or finance leadership. Expect technical questions on budget variance analysis, appropriations, and financial systems, as well as behavioral questions about managing competing deadlines or presenting budget recommendations to non-financial stakeholders. Some employers include a short written exercise or case scenario.
Where can I find and apply to budget officer jobs?
You can find and apply to budget officer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, sector preference, and location, then apply directly to each opening that fits.
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