360 Budgeting: Mastering the Budget

Overview

In many organizations the budget is a necessary evil. Is it possible to enhance the budget to be more effective and efficient? We will show you how. This seminar focuses on improving the entire budget process including how to prevent budgeting missteps, creating flexible budget models and how to deal with budgeting’s people issues. Organizations often fall into the trap of following the same steps of annual budgeting without weeding out the flaws that creep in. For large and small organizations looking to refresh the results, purpose, and engagement of their budgeting, several key tools will be discussed. Learn more about the keys of successful budgets. This seminar will show you a step-by-step method to improve the entire budget process.

This course qualifies for reimbursement through the state’s Workforce Training Express Fund. As of April 7, 2025, the state’s Workforce Training Express Fund suspended reimbursements for training costs to Massachusetts businesses. While we don’t have a confirmed timeline for the program to resume, it will likely be sometime this summer. We will continue to monitor this closely and encourage you to visit the state’s Workforce Training website for the most current updates and guidance.

This course qualifies for reimbursement through the state’s Workforce Training Express Fund. Firms/companies with fewer than 50 staff can be reimbursed up to 100% of the cost of training and firms/companies with 50-100 employees can be reimbursed up to 50% of the cost of training. You must register for the course and apply for reimbursement through the Workforce Training Express Fund website a minimum of three weeks prior to the start of the course. The course code for this program is C-13321. To learn more, click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@masscpas.org.

Highlights

What are the steps we can take to budget for external factors beyond our control? • Common budgetary problems and discussion of solutions • How to build a flexible budget model that works • How to build a volume sensitive model • Budgeting to GAAP and for the Board to understand • Efficiently modeling payroll and benefits • Identifying controllable and uncontrollable expense • Using key variables to stress-test your budget • Managing and coping with the budget team • Effectively dealing with the A, B, C and other players • How to communicate so others can understand the budget • Tips and tricks for budget presentations.

Designed For

This seminar is for anyone involved with the budget process; including CFOs, COOs, Controllers, CEOs, accountants, Board members, consultants and those who advise them

Objectives

This seminar will show you a step-by-step method to improve the entire budget process