Top 3 "must know" budgeting methods for finance pros


Hi Reader,

It's now budgeting season!

Like most of you, I have done multiple budget seasons, and they can be frustrating.

But budget is crucial for each company to plan their upcoming investments, create the roadmap to achieve their objectives and allocate resources.

They are also time-consuming... but by using my methods, you will save a lot of valuable time!

In this newsletter, I will break down my top 3 budgeting methods + show you an easy way to move up the ladder in your FP&A career.

Nicolas

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Do you want to succeed this budgeting season but you don't know where to start?

Is budgeting new to you?

Do you feel like the others are progressing and you are stuck in the same place?

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  • How to analyze variances for great insights
  • How to make your reporting faster to save time
  • How to make Excel and PowerPoint work for you
  • How to be a better business partner to have an impact
  • And the most important right now: how to make a budget like a pro so your boss sees you as a valuable asset in the finance team!

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My Top 3 Budgeting Methods

If you are working in Finance, you must know how to use these 3 methods.

#1: Activity Based method

A top-down approach is where you derive the activities needed (input) to achieve your targets (output).

Example: To grow by 10%, you need to acquire 100 new customers. With a customer acquisition cost of 5,000$, you need to plan 500,000$ as a customer acquisition budget.

  • Advantage: ideal for sales planning
  • Drawback: It is only possible when you have historical data you can use to back up your assumptions

#2: Zero Based Budget (ZBB)

Every expense needs to be justified. Budgets are then built around what is needed for the upcoming period, regardless of the previous one.

Example: If last year's marketing budget were $50,000 under ZBB, you wouldn't automatically allocate the same amount this year. Instead, you'd evaluate what marketing activities are necessary now and budget accordingly, perhaps justifying $30,000 for targeted social media campaigns based on current goals.

  • Advantage: ideal for cost reduction
  • Drawback: time-consuming method

#3: Incremental approach

Take last year’s figures and add or subtract a percentage to calculate your budget.

Example: If last year's operating budget was $200,000 and you decide to increase it by 5% to account for inflation and growth, this year's budget would be $210,000.

  • Advantage: simple & quick
  • Drawback: perpetuates inefficiencies/ one-offs & and creates budgetary slack

You can find all three methods in my course and learn them by also saving 70%!

Which of the budgeting methods have you already used?

Let me know!

I hope you enjoyed this email.

Looking forward to reading your questions and responses!

Nicolas

P.S.: Boost your budgeting skills and your finance career with my tried and tested course. Save 70% and become an irreplaceable finance pro!

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