Budget Mastery: Process, Problems, and Solutions

The budgeting process can be a mundane chore for accountants. Let’s be realistic and agree that even the word “budget” does not bring excitement to you and your departmental colleagues. The constraints and pressures can lead to poor decisions in both the technical and human components. This session is the first part of a four-part series and will cover the big picture of keeping the process fresh, pragmatic and useful. We discuss these keys in an engaging manner by discussing both our flaws and strengths, including how to build on these characteristics towards an enjoyable solutions-based method that should deliver effective results for your organization.

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

•  Defining the budget process

• Common budgetary cultures and discussion of solutions

•  Does your budget need an overhaul or just a tune up?

•   How to make the budget flexible
•   Making a better budget and maybe even a better you (or at least improving the perception of the budget work itself)
•   How to develop a dynamic, flexible budget, including an Excel spreadsheet as a working model
•   Multiple suggestions on how to deal with ‘problem’ people in the budget process
•   How to communicate to those who use the budget
•   How to effectively present your budget so it is understood and not misused