Budgeting consumes a massive amount of time and resources. It's a stressful and busy time.

Are there ways to improve the effectiveness of the investment we make in the budget process? Can we make better budgeting decisions that lead to higher performance?

In this course, I walk step-by-step through the budget formation process. The purpose and role of the budget can best be explained in the context of strategic planning. We'll explore which analyses can be done throughout the year to take pressure off the very busy budgeting season. Some lessons cover the nuts and bolts of budget reporting and budgeting tools.

This course is part of a three-part series I call Better Budgeting. The three parts are:

You can watch all three parts in the order above or watch any part as a stand-alone course.

Note: This course is also available in Text Base Format:
Better Budgeting (Text Based Course)

The course author has been the CFO, SVP of Finance, or Director of Operations of companies with just a few employees to companies with $3 billion in assets and hundreds of employees. He's led, facilitated, or participated in the budgeting process many times.

Course Key Concepts: Budget, Budgeting, Strategic Planning.

Learning Objectives
  • Identify the relationship between strategic planning and budgeting.
  • Explore and recall key steps in the budgeting process.
  • Recognize the difference between top-down and bottom-up budgeting.
    Last updated/reviewed: March 25, 2024
    5 Reviews (28 ratings)

    Reviews

    5
    Anonymous Author
    This was an excellent overview of the budget process in review. It is not a detailed budget process but it is sufficient to outline the major points.

    5
    Anonymous Author
    Very good course on the budgeting process with explanations on strategic planning vs budgeting and different methods for creating a budget.

    5
    Anonymous Author
    very comprehensive course, yet not loaded with filler. The grand majority of the topics covered was useful and interesting.

    4
    Anonymous Author
    This was a good course. Thoughtful examples and detail in the study materials as well!

    4
    Anonymous Author
    Good overview, but would like to see more concretre examples.

    Prerequisites
    Course Complexity: Foundational

    No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.

    Education Provider Information
    Company: Illumeo, Inc., 75 East Santa Clara St., Suite 1215, San Jose, CA 95113
    Contact: For more information regarding this course, including complaint and cancellation policies, please contact our offices at (408) 400- 3993 or send an e-mail to .
    Instructor for this course
    Course Syllabus
    INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
      Introduction to Better Budgeting: The Budgeting Process4:20
      Budgeting and Strategic Planning15:52
      Top-Down or Bottom-Up Budgeting18:34
      The Budget Process15:14
      REVIEW QUESTIONS: The Budgeting Processquiz
      Testing Budgets6:28
      Budget Reporting14:00
      Budgeting Tools12:50
      REVIEW QUESTIONS: Budgeting Toolsquiz
    CONTINUOUS PLAY
      Better Budgeting: The Budgeting Process1:27:18
    SUPPORTING MATERIAL
      Slides: Better Budgeting: The Budgeting ProcessPDF
      Better Budgeting: The Budgeting Process GlossaryPDF
    REVIEW AND TEST
     FINAL EXAMexam