Budgets and Forecasts

Aims Of The Programme

An increasing number of people are involved in the budget process in organisations – and indeed everyone impacts the forecasting and control. This programme aims to help participants understand the forecasting, budgeting, monitoring and control processes.

Target Group

For this reason a budgeting course is ideal for a wide range of people, including:

• Budget managers

• Budget holders

• Anyone contributing to the budgetary process

• Anyone running a cost or profit centre

Developing a thoughtfully put together programme pays dividends in terms of personal knowledge, changes in attitude and a tangible improvement in organisational performance.

Methodology

We utilise a range of techniques in this programme, including:

• Drawing learning from day to day events within the business

• Allowing participants to directly reflect on the organisation and the job they do

• Incorporating high levels of interactivity, for example:

• Running light hearted but focussed business games

• Using live company data where possible

• Providing realistic case studies

• Cutting out the jargon and keeping things simple

• Encouraging group work

• Catering for different learning styles and providing multi sensory input

Our programmes are designed specifically to meet our clients’ individual needs. The content will ultimately depend on things such as the industry that the client operates in; the roles delegates undertake and the specific issues the business wishes to address.

The example content areas detailed below are provided for illustration purposes and give an indication of the topics typically covered in many of our budgeting and forecasting programmes.

Why budgeting and forecasting are important. Establishes the link between shareholder value, the business and the budgeting and control processes. It also considers the budgeting, forecasting and control systems in the client organisation.

Forecasting and budgeting. Considers the key stages in the planning process. Also provides an understanding of core requirements within the process, such as:

• How to establish what is coming in and what is going out

• Fixed and variable cost assessment

• How to draw up the budget – incremental and zero-based

• Working with financial data and ratios

Controlling a budget. Establishes the key stages in the monitoring process. Also the key aspects in understanding how to control a budget effectively, such as:

• Understanding the figures

• Variances – significance, controllable, adverse & favourable, impacts

• How to respond to variances

Capital investment appraisals. Where required, the use of DCF and payback to assist the forward planning process.

Management skills. Navigate the politics, games and behaviours associated with an organisational budget.

How you can make a difference. How participants can put their learning into action back in the work place

This list is not exhaustive so please talk to us if you don’t see what you are looking for.