Burhanuddin joined Bank Indonesia in the late 1970s and held a number of positions in the organization.

He had briefly been Coordinating Minister of Economics, Finance and Industry in the National Unity Cabinet led by President Abdurrahman Wahid between 12 June 2001 and 9 August 2001.

Burhanuddin's appointment as Governor of Bank Indonesia was approved by the Indonesian parliament after he had been nominated as a candidate for the position by President Megawati Sukarnoputri in early 2003.

President Megawati nominated three people for the parliament to consider, the other two candidates being Miranda Goeltom and Cyrillus Harinowo, both senior managers in Bank Indonesia.

[4] After his release, Burhanuddin was active in community affairs, giving lectures on policy and management issues to professional organisations and in universities in Indonesia.