Budget Management

Overview

base_account_budget adds analytic budget management: plan versus actual by account and analytic dimension (department, project, cost centre).

Navigation: Accounting → Budgets (menu label may vary by version).

Step-by-Step Guide

Create a budget

1. Accounting → Budgets → New.
2. Name the budget (e.g. FY2026 Operating Budget).
3. Set Period (start/end dates).
4. Save.

Enter budget lines

1. Open the budget.
2. Add lines: Analytic Account, General Account, Planned Amount.
3. Split by month if using monthly budget control.
4. Save.

Compare budget vs actual

1. Open budget or Budget Analysis report.
2. Select period.
3. Review Planned, Practical (Actual), and Variance.
4. Investigate large variances with department heads.

Link analytics to transactions

1. On invoice or bill lines, set Analytic Distribution.
2. Posted actuals flow into budget comparison automatically.

Revise mid-year budget

1. Duplicate budget or add revision lines per policy.
2. Document approval outside system (board resolution).
3. Keep original budget for year-on-year comparison.

FAQ

Q: Is budget mandatory? A: No — optional management tool. Many SMEs start with P&L reports only.

Q: What are analytic accounts? A: Tags for departments/projects — orthogonal to chart of accounts.

Q: Can one transaction split across analytics? A: Yes — use percentage split on analytic distribution.

Q: Do budgets block overspending? A: Standard module is informational unless custom approval rules are added.

Q: Who maintains the annual budget? A: Finance controller with input from department managers.