How to Plan a Corporate Budget

Planning a budget is paramount to the continued success of any business. A budget allows managers to estimate and properly manage resources. Many components of properly planned corporate budget exist. All the pieces of the puzzle work together, and it is important to follow the proper steps while preparing budgets.

Things You'll Need

  • Accounting system or software Computer with spreadsheet application Pencils Erasers Paper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare the sales budget. The sales budget will be compiled using prior year information with various forecasting assumptions. The sales budget will be used to plan revenue and is the building block of the corporate budget.

    • 2

      Prepare the production budget. The production budget will let management know what needs to be produced and when. Seasonal issues, current inventory levels, staffing and other resources all will affect the production budget.

    • 3

      Prepare the purchasing budget. The production budget tells you what needs to be made, and the purchasing budget tells you what you have to buy in order to make it. Current parts inventory levels, purchase discounts available, and seasonal issues all will affect the purchasing budget.

    • 4

      Prepare the operations budget. This section consists of direct labor and all costs necessary to operate the facilities where your product is made. Operations costs will be higher in high production months and lower in low production months.

    • 5

      Prepare the selling, general, and administrative expenses budget. This part of the budget takes into consideration everything and everyone not involved in the production of the product. Marketing, human resources, legal and finance departments are examples of what is included in the selling, general, and administrative expenses portion of the budget.

    • 6

      (Optional) Combine the portions of the corporate budget completed in Steps 1 through 5 to one file. This will be your master corporate budget. Use the budget to evaluate corporate performance throughout the year.

Tips & Warnings

  • As circumstances change, be sure to update your budget.

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