Accounting & Financial Analysis 1 Lecture 8 Budgets

What is a Budget ? A budget is a plan Developed by management To achieve a goal Within a specified time frame A budget is a plan Developed by management To achieve a goal Within a specified time frame

What is a Budget ? (2) It is a financial plan, prepared and approved prior to a defined period of time, incorporating the policy to be pursued during that period for the purpose of attaining a given objective. The budget provides a benchmark A plan is of little value unless it is monitored and controlled. The budget provides a benchmark. It is a financial plan, prepared and approved prior to a defined period of time, incorporating the policy to be pursued during that period for the purpose of attaining a given objective. The budget provides a benchmark A plan is of little value unless it is monitored and controlled. The budget provides a benchmark.

Why prepare a budget? A budget sets a target / goal to be achieved (Sales, costs, profit) A budget is a plan set by management for the development of the business. A means to compare actual results on an ongoing basis to the budget (Monitor) Provides a check on progress towards the desired goal (Measurement) Indicates departure from the plan at the earliest possible time. (Timeliness) Facilitates corrective action to get back on track. (Correction) A budget establishes a benchmark for operational efficiency. (Standard) Creates teamwork amongst department managers (Participative approach) A budget sets a target / goal to be achieved (Sales, costs, profit) A budget is a plan set by management for the development of the business. A means to compare actual results on an ongoing basis to the budget (Monitor) Provides a check on progress towards the desired goal (Measurement) Indicates departure from the plan at the earliest possible time. (Timeliness) Facilitates corrective action to get back on track. (Correction) A budget establishes a benchmark for operational efficiency. (Standard) Creates teamwork amongst department managers (Participative approach)

Why prepare a budget? (2) Makes management accountable for performance (Ownership) An effective management tool, shares knowledge amongst all department managers. (Control & enlightened management team) Feedback mechanism for management. (Feedback) Highlights fundamental changes within the business and indicates the need for a modification of the future plans. (Trends) Identifies the need for capital investment in a timely manner. (Capital) Motivates staff towards efficiency / reward scheme. (Motivation) Assists in the development of future plans. (Growth) Identifies trouble spots ahead Makes management accountable for performance (Ownership) An effective management tool, shares knowledge amongst all department managers. (Control & enlightened management team) Feedback mechanism for management. (Feedback) Highlights fundamental changes within the business and indicates the need for a modification of the future plans. (Trends) Identifies the need for capital investment in a timely manner. (Capital) Motivates staff towards efficiency / reward scheme. (Motivation) Assists in the development of future plans. (Growth) Identifies trouble spots ahead

Disadvantages of preparing a budget Takes time to prepare. Interrupts operational work. It is a costly exercise Future information is difficult to predict and risky. Could create rivalry amongst managers. Blame on others. An easy budget encourages complacency. Demoralises staff if targets are unachievable. In order to be effective the actual performance requires regular monitoring to the budget plan. Any departure from budget (variances) require regular analysis and justifications – time consuming Takes time to prepare. Interrupts operational work. It is a costly exercise Future information is difficult to predict and risky. Could create rivalry amongst managers. Blame on others. An easy budget encourages complacency. Demoralises staff if targets are unachievable. In order to be effective the actual performance requires regular monitoring to the budget plan. Any departure from budget (variances) require regular analysis and justifications – time consuming

Approaches to budget preparation Authoritative Consultative Participative Authoritative Consultative Participative

Approaches to budget preparation (2) Authoritative Authoritative : This is where top management develops the budget without any consultation with department managers or supervisors. It is centralised decision making and discourages employee motivation. Authoritative Authoritative : This is where top management develops the budget without any consultation with department managers or supervisors. It is centralised decision making and discourages employee motivation.

Approaches to budget preparation (3) Consultative Consultative : Top management develops final budget after consulting with supervisors regarding specific aspects of operations. (Seeking information only, not encouraging participation) Consultative Consultative : Top management develops final budget after consulting with supervisors regarding specific aspects of operations. (Seeking information only, not encouraging participation)

Approaches to budget preparation (4) Participative Participative : All levels of management actively participating in the development of the budget, and taking ownership for the performance of their department. In many cases there is a high interdependence of departments and a participative approach is the only way to achieve a consensus. Participative Participative : All levels of management actively participating in the development of the budget, and taking ownership for the performance of their department. In many cases there is a high interdependence of departments and a participative approach is the only way to achieve a consensus.

Difficulties when preparing a budget? Internal Internal Scarce resources, how to allocate resources over requirements. Interdependency of departments Conflict amongst managers Reluctance to predict future trends Provide for unforseen circumstances. What can go wrong. Cash flow requirements Establish measurement criteria Restricted timeframe to produce budget. Internal Internal Scarce resources, how to allocate resources over requirements. Interdependency of departments Conflict amongst managers Reluctance to predict future trends Provide for unforseen circumstances. What can go wrong. Cash flow requirements Establish measurement criteria Restricted timeframe to produce budget.

Difficulties when preparing a budget? (2) External External Change in trends / fashion Changes in bank rate Changes in currency exchange rates Changes in infrastructure, diverting traffic, open new main road. Development of alternate products. Government restrictions/sanctions to other countries. (AWB export to Iraq) Competitors opening new premises close to yours, or giving special discounts. Boycott by sectors of the public. (Live trade export, boycott of wool products) External External Change in trends / fashion Changes in bank rate Changes in currency exchange rates Changes in infrastructure, diverting traffic, open new main road. Development of alternate products. Government restrictions/sanctions to other countries. (AWB export to Iraq) Competitors opening new premises close to yours, or giving special discounts. Boycott by sectors of the public. (Live trade export, boycott of wool products)

Process of budget preparation Establish a budget committee – Participative approach, to involve department managers in the process. Establish desired company direction, (Policies & Procedures) Responsibility for co-ordination of budget. Establish deadline for completion of budget Establish a budget committee – Participative approach, to involve department managers in the process. Establish desired company direction, (Policies & Procedures) Responsibility for co-ordination of budget. Establish deadline for completion of budget

Allocate budget resources Funds are always in short supply, one of the major scarce resources within any business. Management will have to decide which of the projects are most beneficial to the business and allocate funds accordingly. Funds are always in short supply, one of the major scarce resources within any business. Management will have to decide which of the projects are most beneficial to the business and allocate funds accordingly.

Allocate budget resources (2) The decision is generally reached after the following considerations: The decision is generally reached after the following considerations: Feasibility study / best return Department needs / interdependence Capital or expense replacement Return on investment Improved efficiency Management decision / participative approach Staff morale Customer comfort Market research / competitors / client needs The decision is generally reached after the following considerations: The decision is generally reached after the following considerations: Feasibility study / best return Department needs / interdependence Capital or expense replacement Return on investment Improved efficiency Management decision / participative approach Staff morale Customer comfort Market research / competitors / client needs

Maintain detailed records of resource allocation Maintain detailed records of resource allocation in accordance with enterprise control systems  Financial records are developed in a variety of ways (refer session 6 – Historical and Future Predictions).  One of the most common methods is by use of spreadsheets to calculate project revenue and expenses.  These calculations will represent standard expectations and will be used as a benchmark to evaluate actual results  Financial records are developed in a variety of ways (refer session 6 – Historical and Future Predictions).  One of the most common methods is by use of spreadsheets to calculate project revenue and expenses.  These calculations will represent standard expectations and will be used as a benchmark to evaluate actual results

Maintain detailed records of resource allocation (2) Source documents and accounting records relating to expenditure are checked and monitored to ensure that they comply with earlier estimates. A budget is of little use unless it is monitored and controlled. The budget is a benchmark for the business activities, it is a management tool used to detect if the business is drifting away from its goals. Constant monitoring of expenses will ensure accurate allocation as well as economies and best value. Source documents and accounting records relating to expenditure are checked and monitored to ensure that they comply with earlier estimates. A budget is of little use unless it is monitored and controlled. The budget is a benchmark for the business activities, it is a management tool used to detect if the business is drifting away from its goals. Constant monitoring of expenses will ensure accurate allocation as well as economies and best value.

Processes required in order to maintain appropriate records of expenditure Analyse and review source documents. Check source documents are properly authorised. Check allocation of expenses to appropriate account heading in the general ledger. Check debtor’s schedule to estimate receipts in the short term. Check creditor’s schedule to confirm payments due in short term. Analyse and review source documents. Check source documents are properly authorised. Check allocation of expenses to appropriate account heading in the general ledger. Check debtor’s schedule to estimate receipts in the short term. Check creditor’s schedule to confirm payments due in short term.

Processes required in order to maintain appropriate records of expenditure (2) Check cash flow to confirm sufficient cash available. Complete monthly bank reconciliations. Check Capital budget to see what requires to be purchased in the short term. Substitute/adjust capital purchases in the event of cash shortage. Monitor project expenses to stay within budget and detect any blow-outs as early as possible. Establish variances between actual and budget, notify department manager, and implement corrective action. Check cash flow to confirm sufficient cash available. Complete monthly bank reconciliations. Check Capital budget to see what requires to be purchased in the short term. Substitute/adjust capital purchases in the event of cash shortage. Monitor project expenses to stay within budget and detect any blow-outs as early as possible. Establish variances between actual and budget, notify department manager, and implement corrective action.

PRACTICE ACTIVITY! EXCEL exercise EXCEL exercise OR Continue with MYOB postings OR Do it manual postings EXCEL exercise EXCEL exercise OR Continue with MYOB postings OR Do it manual postings