All great plans commence with a very sound budget. For any business to succeed, budgeting and planning are processes come with much importance.
While planning outlines the company’s financial direction and expectations over a specified period, budgeting specifies how the overall plan will be executed throughout the period, with more detailed expenditures. The company’s financial department usually undertakes the process under close monitoring by the chief financial officer.
Some companies, depending on their size, find it easier to use tools like Excel for budgeting, planning, and inventory balance calculations among others. There is however better software for fast-growing companies which consolidates and centralizes financial information, make it easier for finance managers to produce more accurate budgets.
Budgeting and planning software can be purchased on its own or as part of integrated corporate performance management (CPM) system. Regardless of your budgeting and business planning tools, the process lends itself into simple steps outlined below.
NB: You need to understand that these business terms are different from forecasting, though related. Forecasting is a process which uses accumulated historical data to predict the future financial outcomes.
1. Calculate expensesThe first business order is knowing how much it is that you spend every month. You can do this via consulting financial files, receipts, and bank statements.
This is because some of the expenses are intermittent, like insurance payments, you will get very accurate financial picture should you calculate the average for six to twelve months. Add everything up for the past six to twelve months then get the average to help you know the average monthly expenses.
Do not forget that getting through when adding up expenses is crucial in coming up with a budget that is realistic. A bill which is forgotten would throw a wrench really in the savings plan.
When you are having your expenses calculated you need to interpolate unexpected bills like car repairs. A good thumb rule is adding extra 10-15%.
2. Determine your average incomeAfter figuring out the amount that you will need to remain financially afloat every month, you will need to have the actual income determined.
In addition to your normal salary, acquire a correct picture via interpolating in any additional funds which might come the entire year like garage sales, cash gifts as well as online item sales.
Plus remember every other source of income such as rental income, dividends, interest, child support as well as alimony.
3. Set goals of debt payoffs and savings.
To have your realistic savings determined as well as your goals of debt payoff achieved you need to find out whether you possess a budget overage or shortfall.
This is done by subtracting your income and monthly expenses. Should you find out that you’re making money more than you are spending well cups of coffee. That amount may be earmarked to your savings as well to pay off creditors.
However, should you find out that you are spending more than you are making it might be high time to cut on other things in order to get a thing to save so that you don’t fall further in debts?
A great way to have that figured out is where you are able to cut from those expenses and track every spending via recording all expenses for every month — insignificant items like cups of coffee that interpolate up over time. For example a five dollar snack a week might add up to about $260 annually which is a huge lot.
This will help you for one because you will get a blue, black frame of where every dime goes, be ruthless in cutting out expenses till your budget is in black. Cut sufficiently so that you get 10-20%of your monthly income to add it up to savings account. Should that be impossible, you might need to consider ways which might help you increase income.
4. Prediction of One-Time Spends
The importance of having a budget created has the ability to interpolate one-time purchase accurately. Although some items might unexpectedly come up such as replacing damaged laptops, others might be budgeted in advance for months such as enhancing office chairs to satiate staff need or staff thanksgiving party.
ONE-TIME SPENDS are like
•Gifts
• Office supplies
• Furniture
• Software
• Computer
5. Put it all together
After you have all the financial, you have listed your financial situation you’ll have a much clearer understanding of your position and be able to plan for the future.
Your next agenda should be on how to harness your spending to assist you in gaining your set financial goals. The aforementioned five steps above can help you outline a feasible budget that can help you achieve and reach your goals.
Conclusion
It may seem unachievable to create a business plan, but it is all for the good. It is something you can’t do without if you are a serious business mogul and would love to have a successful business tenure.
Do not hesitate to take the step. It is an essential practice which builds for you the conscientious financial structure that keeps any business on track while seeking to outgrow beyond its potential.