Budget & Budgetary Control
Definitions
Budget: A financial and/or quantitative statement, prepared and approved prior to a defined period of time, of the policy to be attained during that period for the purpose of attaining a given objective.
Budgeting: The act of preparing budgets.
Budgetary Control: The establishment of budgets relating the responsibilities of executives to the requirements of a policy, the continuous comparison of actual with budgeted results, to secure expenses, etc.
Objectives of Budgetary Control
- Planning: Defines goals and strategies.
- Coordination: Integrates activities of different departments (Purchase, Sales, Production).
- Communication: Communicates goals to all levels of management.
- Control: Comparison of Actual vs Budgeted performance (Variance Analysis).
- Motivation: Acts as a target for employees.
Classification of Budgets
1. Based on Time
- Long-term Budget: 5-10 years (Strategic planning, R&D).
- Short-term Budget: 1-2 years (Operational).
- Current Budget: Very short period (Weeks/Months).
2. Based on Function
- Sales Budget: Estimate of sales (Quantity & Value). *Starting point of budgeting*.
- Production Budget: Estimate of production units.
(Sales + Closing Stock - Opening Stock). - Purchase Budget: Material required for production.
- Cash Budget: Estimate of cash inflows and outflows. ensures liquidity.
- Master Budget: Summary of all functional budgets (Budgeted P&L and Balance Sheet).
3. Based on Flexibility
| Fixed Budget | Flexible Budget |
|---|---|
| Prepared for a single level of activity (e.g., 100% capacity). | Prepared for multiple levels of activity (e.g., 60%, 80%, 100%). |
| Rigid. Does not change with actual volume. | Dynamic. Adjusted to actual volume for fair comparison. |
| Not useful for cost control if volume changes. | Essential for cost control. |
Modern Budgeting Techniques
1. Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB)
Developed by Peter Pyhrr. Every year is treated as a new year. Justification is required for every penny spent, starting from ZERO, not based on previous year's figures.
2. Performance Budgeting
Focuses on the results/outputs achieved rather than just money spent. Links inputs to outputs.
3. Program Budgeting
Allocates funds to specific programs or projects.
Key Terms
- Budget Manual: A document setting out the responsibilities, procedures, and forms for budgetary control.
- Budget Key Factor (Limiting Factor): The factor that limits the volume of activity (e.g., Shortage of Raw Material, Limited Sales Demand). Budget preparation starts with this factor.
- Variance Analysis: Analyzing the difference between Standard/Budgeted and Actual
costs.
- Favorable Variance (F): Actual Cost < Budgeted Cost.
- Adverse Variance (A): Actual Cost > Budgeted Cost.
Numericals & PYQs
Part A: Numericals (10 Questions)
Production = Sales + Closing Stock - Opening Stock
Production = 10,000 + 3,000 - 2,000 = 11,000 units.
Consumption = 5,000 units x 2 kg = 10,000 kg.
Purchase = Consumption + Cl Stock - Op Stock.
Purchase = 10,000 + 1,500 - 1,000 = 10,500 kg.
Jan Cash Collection comes from:
1. Jan Cash Sales (50% of 1,00,000) = ₹50,000.
2. Dec Credit Sales (50% of 80,000 collected in Jan) = ₹40,000.
Total = 50,000 + 40,000 = ₹90,000.
Total Cost = (Variable Cost/unit x Units) + Fixed Cost.
Cost = (10 x 2,000) + 50,000 = 20,000 + 50,000 = ₹70,000.
CA / CL = 2 / 1.
CA = 2 x 50,000 = ₹1,00,000.
In ZBB, they must justify the entire ₹12,000 from scratch, demonstrating the benefit of every rupee.
Production Capacity is the Limiting Factor (Key Factor). Budget will be based on 5,000 units.
Variance = Standard Cost - Actual Cost.
Variance = 10,000 - 12,000 = -2,000.
₹2,000 Adverse (A) or Unfavorable.
At 1000: (10k + 5k)/1000 = ₹15/unit.
At 2000: (10k + 10k)/2000 = ₹10/unit.
Cost per unit decreases due to fixed cost spreading.
Cl Bal = Op + Receipts - Payments.
Cl Bal = 5,000 + 20,000 - 18,000 = ₹7,000.
Part B: Previous Year Questions (PYQs) (10 Questions)
Peter A. Pyhrr (in Texas Instruments, USA).
Fixed Budget.
Master Budget.
Key Factor or Limiting Factor.
Management Control.
Functional Budget.
Capital Expenditure Budget.
Planning and Control.
Constant per unit (but variable in total).
Variance Analysis.
