BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

INTRODUCTION:____________________________________________________________

A budget is an accounting plan. It is a formal plan of action expressed in

monetary terms. It could be seen as a statement of expected income and
expenses under certain anticipated operating conditions. It is a quantified
plan for future activities – quantitative blue print for action.
Every organization achieves its purposes by coordinating different activities.
For the execution of goals efficient planning of these activities is very
important and that is why the management has a crucial role to play in
drawing out the plans for its business. Various activities within a company
should be synchronized by the preparation of plans of actions for future
periods. These comprehensive plans are usually referred to as budgets.
Budgeting is a management device used for short‐term planning and control.
It is not just accounting exercise.

MEANING AND DEFINITION:__________________________________________________

BUDGET:

In a view of Keller & Ferrara, “a budget is a plan of action to achieve stated

objectives based on predetermined series of related assumptions.”
G.A.Welsh states, “A budget is a written plan covering projected activities of a
firm for a definite time period.”

One can elicit the explicit characteristics of budget after observing the above
definitions. They are…
 It is mainly a forecasting and controlling device.
 It is prepared in advance before the actual operation of the
company or project.
 It is in connection with definite future period.
 Before implementation, it is to be approved by the management.
 It also shows capital to be employed during the period.

BUDGETARY CONTROL:_______________________________________________________

Budgetary Control is a method of managing costs through preparation of budgets.

Budgeting is thus only a part of the budgetary control. According to CIMA, “Budgetary
control is the establishment of budgets relating to the responsibilities of executives of a
policy and the continuous comparison of the actual with the budgeted results, either to
secure by individual action, the objective of the policy or to provide a basis for its
revision.”
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The main features of budgetary control are:

1. Establishment of budgets for each purpose of the business.
2. Revision of budget in view of changes in conditions.
3. Comparison of actual performances with the budget on a continuous basis.
4. Taking suitable remedial action, wherever necessary.
5. Analysis of variations of actual performance from that of the budgeted
performance to know the reasons thereof.

OBJECTIVES OF BUDGETARY CONTROL:_______________________________________

Budgeting is a forward planning. It serves basically as a tool for management

control; it is rather a pivot of any effective scheme of control.

The objectives of budgeting may be summarized as follows:

1. Planning: Planning has been defined as the design of a desired future position
for an entity and it rests on the belief that the future position can be attained by
uninterrupted management action. Detailed plans relating to production, sales,
raw‐material requirements, labour needs, capital additions, etc. are drawn out.
By planning many problems estimated long before they arise and solution can
be thought of through careful study. In short, budgeting forces the management
to think ahead, to foresee and prepare for the anticipated conditions. Planning is
a constant process since it requires constant revision with changing conditions.
2. Co‐ordination: Budgeting plays a significant role in establishing and
maintaining coordination. Budgeting assists managers in coordinating their
efforts so that problems of the business are solved in harmony with the
objectives of its divisions. Efficient planning and business contribute a lot in
achieving the targets. Lack of co‐ordination in an organization is observed when
a department head is permitted to enlarge the department on the specific needs
of that department only, although such development may negatively affect other
departments and alter their performances. Thus, co‐ordination is required at all
vertical as well as horizontal levels.

3. Measurement of Success: Budgets present a useful means of informing

managers how well they are performing in meeting targets they have previously
helped to set. In many companies, there is a practice of rewarding employees on
the basis of their accomplished low budget targets or promotion of a manager is
linked to his budget success record. Success is determined by comparing the
past performance with previous period's performance.

4. Motivation: Budget is always considered a useful tool for encouraging

managers to complete things in line with the business objectives. If individuals
have intensely participated in the preparation of budgets, it acts as a strong
motivating force to achieve the goals.

5. Communication: A budget serves as a means of communicating information

BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

within a firm. The standard budget copies are distributed to all management
people provide not only sufficient understanding and knowledge of the
programmes and guidelines to be followed but also give knowledge about the
restrictions to be adhered to.

6. Control: Control is essential to make sure that plans and objectives laid down in
the budget are being achieved. Control, when applied to budgeting, as a
systematized effort is to keep the management informed of whether planned
performance is being achieved or not.

ADVANTAGES OF BUDGETARY CONTROL:__________________________________

In the light of above discussion one can see that, coordination and control help the
planning. These are the advantages of budgetary control. But this tool offer many
other advantages as follows:
1. This system provides basic policies for initiatives.
2. It enables the management to perform business in the most professional
manner because budgets are prepared to get the optimum use of resources
and the objectives framed.
3. It ensures team work and thus encourages the spirit of support and mutual
understanding among the staff.
4. It increases production efficiency, eliminates waste and controls the costs.
5. It shows to the management where action is needed to remedy a position.
6. Budgeting also aids in obtaining bank credit.
7. It reviews the present situation and pinpoints the changes which are
necessary.
8. With its help, tasks such as like planning, coordination and control
happen effectively and efficiently.
9. It involves an advance planning which is looked upon with support by
many credit agencies as a marker of sound management.

LIMITATIONS OF BUDGETARY CONTROL:______________________________________

1. It tends to bring about rigidity in operation, which is harmful. As budget

estimates are quantitative expression of all relevant data, there is a tendency
to attach some sort of rigidity or finality to them.
2. It being expensive is beyond the capacity of small undertakings. The
mechanism of budgeting system is a detailed process involving too much time
and costs.
3. Budgeting cannot take the position of management but it is only an
instrument of management. ‘The budget should be considered not as a
master, but as a servant.’ It is totally misconception to think that the
introduction of budgeting alone is enough to ensure success and to security
of future profits.
4. It sometimes leads to produce conflicts among the managers as each of them
tries to take credit to achieve the budget targets. Simple preparation of
budget will not ensure its proper implementation. If it is not implemented
 BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

properly, it may lower morale.

5. The installation and function of a budgetary control system is a costly affair
as it requires employing the specialized staff and involves other expenditure
which small companies may find difficult to incur.

ESSENTIALS OF EFFECTIVE
BUDGETING:_______________________________________

1) Support of top management: If the budget structure is to be made successful, the

consideration by every member of the management not only is fully supported but also
the impulsion and direction should also come from the top management. No control
system can be effective unless the organization is convinced that the management
considers the system to be important.
2) Team Work: This is an essential requirement, if the budgets are ready from “the bottom
up” in a grass root manner. The top management must understand and give enthusiastic
support to the system. In fact, it requires education and participation at all levels. The
benefits of budgeting need to be sold to all.
3) Realistic Objectives: The budget figures should be realistic and represent logically
attainable goals. The responsible executives should agree that the budget goals are
reasonable and attainable.
4) Excellent Reporting System: Reports comparing budget and actual results should be
promptly prepared and special attention focused on significant exceptions i.e. figures
that are significantly different from expected. An effective budgeting system also
requires the presence of a proper feed‐back system.
5) Structure of Budget team: This team receives the forecasts and targets of each
department as well as periodic reports and confirms the final acceptable targets in form
of Master Budget. The team also approves the departmental budgets.
6) Well defined Business Policies: All budgets reveal that the business policies formulated
by the higher level management. In other words, budgets should always be after taking
into account the policies set for particular department or function. But for this purpose,
policies should be precise and clearly defined as well as free from any ambiguity.
7) Integration with Standard Costing System: Where standard costing system is also used,
it should be completely integrated with the budget programme, in respect of both budget
preparation and variance analysis.
8) Inspirational Approach: All the employees or staff other than executives should be
strongly and properly inspired towards budgeting system. Human beings by nature do
not like any pressure and they dislike or even rebel against anything forced upon them.
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CLASSIFICATION OF BUDGET:_____________________________________________

The extent of budgeting activity varies from firm to firm. In a smaller firm there
may be a sales forecast, a production budget, or a cash budget. Larger firms
generally prepare a master budget. Budgets can be classified into different
ways from different points of view. The following are the important basis for
classification:

FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION:

Classification of Budget

Function Flexibili Time

1. Sales Budget ty
1. Long‐Term
2. Production Budget Fixed 2. Short‐Term
3. Raw Materials Budget
4. Purchase Budget 3. Current
5. Labour Budget 4. Rolling
6. Production Overhead Budget
7. Selling & Distribution Budget
8. Administration Cost Budget
9. Capital Expenditure Budget
10. Cash Budget

SALES BUDGET:
The sales budget is an estimate of total sales which may be articulated in financial or
quantitative terms. It is normally forms the fundamental basis on which all other
budgets are constructed. In practice, quantitative budget is prepared first then it is
translated into economic terms. While preparing the Sales Budget, the Quantitative
Budget is generally the starting point in the operation of budgetary control because
sales become, more often than not, the principal budget factor. The factor to be
consider in forecasting sales are as follows:

 Study of past sales to determine trends in the market.

 Estimates made by salesman various markets of company products.
 Changes of business policy and method.
 Government policy, controls, rules and Guidelines etc.
 Potential market and availability of material and supply.

PRODUCTION BUDGET:
The production budget is prepared on the basis of estimated production for budget
period. Usually, the production budget is based on the sales budget. At the time of
preparing the budget, the production manager will consider the physical facilities
like plant, power, factory space, materials and labour, available for the period.
Production budget envisages the production program for achieving the sales target.
The budget may be expressed in terms of quantities or money or both. Production
may be computed as follows: Units to be produced = Desired closing stock of
finished goods + Budgeted sales – Beginning stock of finished goods.
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PRODUCTION COST BUDGET:

This budget shows the estimated cost of production. The production budget
demonstrates the capacity of production. These capacities of production are
expressed in terms of cost in production cost budget. The cost of production is
shown in detail in respect of material cost, labour cost and factory overhead. Thus
production cost budget is based upon Production Budget, Material Cost Budget,
Labour Cost Budget and Factory overhead.

RAW‐MATERIAL BUDGET:
Direct Materials budget is prepared with an intention to determine standard
material cost per unit and consequently it involves quantities to be used and the rate
per unit. This budget shows the estimated quantity of all the raw materials and
components needed for production demanded by the production budget. Raw
material serves the following purposes:
 It supports the purchasing department in scheduling the
purchases.
 Requirement of raw‐materials is decided on the basis
of production budget.
 It provides data for raw material control.
 Helps in deciding terms and conditions of purchase like credit purchase, cash
purchase, payment period etc.
It should be noted that raw material budget generally deals with only the direct
materials whereas indirect materials and supplies are included in the overhead cost
budget.

PURCHASE BUDGET:
Strategic planning of purchases offers one of the most important areas of reduction
cost in many concerns. This will consist of direct and indirect material and
services. The purchasing budget may be expressed in terms of quantity or money.
The main purposes of this budget are:
 It designates cash requirement in respect of purchase to be made during budget
period; and
 It is facilitates the purchasing department to plan its operations in time in
respect of purchases so that long term forward contract may be organized.

LABOUR BUDGET:
Human resources are highly expensive item in the operation of an enterprise.
Hence, like other factors of production, the management should find out in advance
personnel requirements for various jobs in the enterprise. This budget may be
classified into labour requirement budget and labour recruitment budget. The
labour necessities in the various job categories such as unskilled, semi‐skilled and
supervisory are determined with the help of all the head of the departments. The
labour employment is made keeping in view the requirement of the job and its
qualifications, the degree of skill and experience required and the rate of pay.
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PRODUCTION OVERHEAD BUDGET:

The manufacturing overhead budget includes direct material, direct labour and
indirect expenses. The production overhead budget represents the estimate of all
the production overhead i.e. fixed, variable, semi‐variable to be incurred during the
budget period. The reality that overheads include many different types of expenses
creates considerable problems in:
1) Fixed overheads i.e., that which is to remain stable irrespective of vary in the
volume of output,
2) Apportion of manufacturing overheads to products manufactured, semi
variable cost i.e., those which are partly variable and partly fixed.
3) Control of production overheads.
4) Variable overheads i.e., that which is likely to vary with the output.
The production overhead budget engages the preparation of overheads budget for
each division of the factory as it is desirable to have estimates of manufacturing
overheads prepared by those overheads to have the responsibility for incurring
them. Service departments cost are projected and allocated to the production
departments in the proportion of the services received by each department.

SELLING AND DISTRIBUTION COST BUDGET:

The Selling and Distribution Cost budget is estimating of the cost of selling,
advertising, delivery of goods to customers etc. throughout the budget period. This
budget is closely associated to sales budget in the logic that sales forecasts
significantly influence the forecasts of these expenses. Nevertheless, all other
linked information should also be taken into consideration in the preparation of
selling and distribution budget. The sales manager is responsible for selling and
distribution cost budget. Naturally, he prepares this budget with the help of
managers of sub‐divisions of the sales department. The preparation of this budget
would be based on the analysis of the market condition by the management,
advertising policies, research programs and many other factors. Some companies
prepare a separate advertising budget, particularly when spending on
advertisements are quite high.

ADMINISTRATION COST BUDGET:

This budget includes the administrative costs for non‐manufacturing business
activities like director’s fees, managing directors’ salaries, office lightings, heating
and air condition etc. Most of these expenses are fixed so they should not be too
difficult to forecast. There are semi‐variable expenses which get affected by the
expected rise or fall in cost which should be taken into account. Generally, this
budget is prepared in the form of fixed budget.

CAPITAL‐ EXPENDITURE BUDGET:

This budget stands for the expenditure on all fixed assets for the duration of the
budget period. This budget is normally prepared for a longer period than the other
functional budgets. It includes such items as new buildings, land, machinery and
intangible items like patents, etc. This budget is designed under the observation of
the accountant which is supported by the plant engineer and other functional
managers. At the time of preparation of the budget some important information
should be observed:
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 Overfilling on the production facilities of certain departments as revealed by

the plant utilization budget.
 Long‐term business policy with regard to technical developments.
 Potential demand for certain products.

CASH BUDGET:
The cash budget is a sketch of the business estimated cash inflows and outflows
over a specific period of time. Cash budget is one of the most important and one of
the last to be prepared. It is a detailed projection of cash receipts from all sources
and cash payments for all purposes and the resultants cash balance during the
budget. It is a mechanism for controlling and coordinating the fiscal side of
business to ensure solvency and provides the basis for forecasting and financing
required to cover up any deficiency in cash. Cash budget thus plays a vital role in
the financing management of a business undertaken.
Cash budget assists the management in determining the future liquidity
requirements of the firm, forecasting for business of those needs, exercising control
over cash. So, cash budget thus plays a vital role in the financial management of a
business enterprise.

Function of Cash Budget:

 It makes sure that enough cash is available when it is required.
 It designates cash excesses and shortages so that steps may be taken in time to
invest any excess cash or to borrow funds to meet any shortages.
 It shows whether capital expenditure could be financed internally.
 It provides funds for standard growth.
 It provides a sound basis to manage cash position.

Advantages of Cash Budget:

1. Usage of Cash: Management can plan out the use of cash in accord with the
changes of receipt and payment. Payments can be planned when sufficient cash is
available and continue the business activity with the minimum amount of working
capital.
2. Allocation for Capital Investment: It is dual benefits such as capital
expenditure projects can be financed internally and can get an idea for cash
availability of capital investment.
3. Provision of Excess Funds: It reveals the availability of excess cash. In this
regard management can decide to invest excess funds for short term or long term
according to the requirements in the business.
4. Pay‐out Policy: This budgetary system may help the management for future
pay‐out policy in the form of dividend. In case the cash budget liquid position is
not favourable, the management may reduce the rate of dividend or maintain
dividend amount or skip dividend for the year.
5. Provision for acquiring Funds: It gives the top level management ideas for
acquiring funds for particular time duration and sources to be explored.
6. Profitable Use of Cash: Business person can take decision for the best use of
liquidity to make more profitable transaction. It can be used at the time of bulk
purchase payments and one get the benefit of discount.
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Limitation of Cash Budget:

1. Complex Assumption: Business is full of uncertainties, so it is very difficult to
have near perfect estimates of cash receipts and payments, especially for a longer
duration. It can be predicted for short duration such as of three to four months.
2. Inflexibility: If the finance manager fails to show flexibility in implementing
the cash budget, it will incur adverse effects. If the manager follows strictly
adheres to the estimates of cash inflow it may negatively result in losing customers.
Likewise, loyalty in payments may lead to deterioration of liquid position.
3. Costly: Application of this technique necessitates collecting of statistical
information from various sources and expert personnel in operation research would
be the costliest deal. It becomes expensive which may not be affordable to small
business houses. In addition, finding out experts is not always possible. In this
situation the long term predictions do not prove correct.

Methods:

1. Receipt and payment: It is most popular and is universally used for preparing cash
budget. The assumption of statistical data is arrived at calculated on the basis of
requirements like monthly, weekly or fortnightly. On account of elasticity, this
method is used in forecasting cash at different time periods and thus it helps in
controlling cash distributions.
(a) Cash receipts from customers are based on sales forecast. The term of sale, lag
in payment etc., are generally taken into consideration.
(b) Cash receipts from other sources, such as dividends and interest on trade
investment, rent received, issue of capital, sale of investment and fixed assets.
(c) Cash requirements for purchase of materials, labour and salary cost and
overhead expenses based on purchasing, personnel and overhead budgets.
(d) Cash requirements for capital expenditure as per the capital expenditure budget.
(e) Cash requirements for other purposes such as payment of dividends, income‐tax
liability, fines and penalties.
(i) Estimating Cash Receipts: Generally main sources of cash receipts are sales,
interest and dividend, sales of assets and investments, capital borrowings etc.
The Company estimates time‐lag on the basis of past experience of cash receipts
on credit sales while cash sales can be easily determined.
(ii) Estimating Cash Payments: It can be decided on the basis of various operating
budgets prepared for the payment of credit purchase, payment of labour cost,
interest and dividend, overhead charges, capital investment etc.
2. Adjusted Profit and Loss Account: This method is based on cash and non‐cash
transactions. This method estimates closing cash balance by converting profit into
cash. The hypothesis of this method is that the earning of profit brings equal amount
of cash into the business. The net profit shown by profit and loss account does not
signify the actual cash flow into the business. This also leads to another assumption,
that is the business will remain static, i.e. there will be no wearing out or increase of
assets and changes of working capital so that the total cash on hand for the business
would be equal to the profit earned.
3. Budgeted Balance Sheet Method: This method looks like the Adjusted Profit and
Loss Account method only, except that in this method a Balance Sheet is projected
and in that method Profit and Loss Account is adjusted. In this method Balance Sheet
is prepared with the projected amount of all assets and liabilities except cash at the
end of budget period. The cash balance will find out balancing amount. If assets side
is higher than liability side it would be the bank overdraft while liability side is higher
than assets side it gives bank balance. This method is used by the stable business
houses.
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4. Working Capital Differential Method: It is based on the estimate of working

capital. It begins with the opening working capital and is added to or deducted from
any changes made in the current assets except cash and current liabilities. At the end
of the budget period balance shows the real cash balance. This method is quite similar
to the Balance Sheet method.
Model of Cash Budget

Particular January February March

Opening Balance ‐ ‐ ‐
Add: Receipts:
Cash Sales ‐ ‐ ‐
Receipts from Debtors ‐ ‐ ‐
Interest and Dividend ‐ ‐ ‐
Sale of fixed assets ‐ ‐ ‐
Sale of Investments ‐ ‐ ‐
Bank Loan ‐ ‐ ‐
Issue Shares & Debenture ‐ ‐ ‐
Others ‐ ‐ ‐
Total Receipts (A) ‐ ‐ ‐
Less: Payments
Cash Purchases ‐ ‐ ‐
Payment to creditors ‐ ‐ ‐
Salaries & wages ‐ ‐ ‐
Administrative expenses ‐ ‐ ‐
Selling expenses ‐ ‐ ‐
Dividend payable ‐ ‐ ‐
Purchase of Fixed Assets ‐ ‐ ‐
Repayment of Loan ‐ ‐ ‐
Payment of taxes ‐ ‐ ‐
Total Payments (B) ‐ ‐ ‐
Closing Balance (A ‐ B) ‐ ‐ ‐
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FIXED AND FLEXIBLE BUDGET:

1. FIXED BUDGET:___________________________________________________________
A fixed budget is prepared for one level of output and one set of condition. This is a
budget in which targets are tightly fixed. It is known as a static budget. It is firm and
prepared with the assumption that there will be no change in the budgeted level of
motion. Thus, it does not provide room for any modification in expenditure due to the
change in the projected conditions and activity. Fixed budgets are prepared well in
advance.
This budget is not useful because:
 The conditions go on the changing and cannot be expected to be firm.
 The management will not be in a position to assess, the performance of different
heads on the basis of budgets prepared by them because to the budgeted level of
activity.
 It is hardly of any use as a mechanism of budgetary control because it does not
make any difference between fixed, semi‐variable and variable costs
 It does not provide any space for alteration in the budgeted figures as a result of
change in cost due to change in the level of activity.

2. FLEXIBLE BUDGET:_______________________________________________________
This is a dynamic budget. In comparison with a fixed budget, a flexible budget is one
“which is designed to change in relation to the level of activity attained.” An equally
accurate use of the flexible budgets is for the purposes of control.
Flexible budgeting has been developed with the objective of changing the budget figures
so that they may correspond with the actual output achieved. It is more sensible and
practical, because changes expected at different levels of activity are given due
consideration. Thus a budget might be prepared for various levels of activity in accord
with capacity utilization.

Flexible budget may prove more useful in the following conditions:

 Where the level of activity varies from period to period.

 Where the business is new and as such it is difficult to forecast the demand.
 Where the organization is suffering from the shortage of any factor of production.
For example, material, labour, etc. as the level of activity depends upon the
availability of such a factor.
 Where the nature of business is such that sales go on changing.
 Where the changes in fashion or trend affects the production and sales.
 Where the organization introduces the new products or changes the patterns and
designs of its products frequently.
 Where a large part of output is intended for the export.

Uses of Flexible Budget:

In flexible budgets numbers are adjustable to any given set of operating
conditions. It is, therefore, more sensible than a fixed budget which is true
only in one set of operating environment.
Flexible budgets are also useful from the view point of control. Actual
performance of an executive should be compared with what he should have
achieved in the actual circumstances and not with what he should have
achieved under quite different circumstances. At last, flexible budgets are
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more realistic, practical and useful. Fixed budgets, on the other hand, have a
limited application and are suited only for items like fixed costs.

Preparation of a Flexible Budget

The preparation of a flexible budget requires the analysis of total costs into
fixed and variable components. This analysis of course is, not unusual to the
flexible budgeting, is more important in flexible budgeting then in fixed
budgeting. This is so because in flexible budgeting, varying levels of output
are considered and each class of overhead will be different for each level. Thus
the flexible budget has the following main distinguishing features:
 It is prepared for a range of activity instead of a single level.
 It provides a dynamic basis for comparison because it is automatically related
to changes in volume.
The formulation of a flexible budget begins with analyzing the overhead into
fixed and variable cost and determining the extent to which the variable cost
will vary within the normal range of activity. In a simple equation form it
could be put as:
Y=a+bx and it is illustrated as below:

Cost Flexible budget Y=a+bx

Fixed Rs.5000 + Rs. 0(x)

Variable Rs.0
Rs.500 + Rs.2.5(x)
Semi‐
Variable + Rs.1.0(x)

Rs.5500 + Rs.3.5(x)

There are two methods of preparing such a budget:

Model of Flexible Budget

Capacity Utilization
Particulars 60% 80% 100%
1. Prime Cost:
‐ Direct Material ‐ ‐ ‐
‐ Direct Labour ‐ ‐ ‐
‐ Direct expenses (if any) ‐ ‐ ‐
Total (A) ‐ ‐ ‐
2. Variable overheads:
‐ Maintenance & repairs ‐ ‐ ‐
‐ Indirect Labour ‐ ‐ ‐
‐ Indirect Material ‐ ‐ ‐
‐ Factory overheads ‐ ‐ ‐
‐ Administrative Overheads ‐ ‐ ‐
‐ Selling & distribution O/H ‐ ‐ ‐
Total (B) ‐ ‐ ‐
3. Marginal Cost (A + B) ‐ ‐ ‐
4. Sales ‐ ‐ ‐
5. Contribution ( Sales ‐ MC) ‐ ‐ ‐
6. Fixed cost
‐ Factory overheads ‐ ‐ ‐
‐ Administrative Overheads ‐ ‐ ‐
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‐ Selling & distribution O/H ‐ ‐ ‐

Total (C) ‐ ‐ ‐
7. Profit or Loss (C‐ FC) ‐ ‐ ‐
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3. ZERO BASE BUDGETING:_____________________________________________________

The ‘Zero‐Base’ refers to a ‘nil‐budget’ as the starting point. It starts with a presumption that
the budget for the next period is ‘zero’ until the demand for a function, process, or project is
not justified for single penny. The assumption is that without such justification, no expenditure
will be allowed. In effect, each manager or functional head is required to carry out cost‐benefit
analysis of each of the activities, etc. under his control and for which he is responsible.
The method of ZBB suggests that the business should not only make decision about the
proposed new programmes but it should also, regularly, review the suitability of the existing
programmes. This approach of preparing a budget is called incremental budgeting since the
budget process is concerned mainly with the increases or changes in operations that are likely
to occur during the budget period.
This method for the first time was used by the Department of Agriculture, U.S.A. in the
19th century. Other State Governments of the U.S.A. found this method helpful and so almost
all the states took deep interest in the ZBB method. A number of states of America use this
technique even today. The ICAI has brought out a research in the form of a monograph
showing the application of the ZBB method that worries in tandem with the concerns for
national environment and its requirements. In India, however, the ZBB approach has not been
fully accepted and actualized.
"ZBB is a management tool, which provides a systematic method for evaluating all
operations and programmes, current or new, allows for budget reductions and expansions in a
rational manner and allows re‐allocation of sources from low to high priority programmes."
‐ David
Lieninger ZBB is a planning, resource allocation and control tool. It, however, presupposes
that
(a) There is an efficient budgeting system within the enterprise.
(b) Managers can develop quantitative measures for use in performance evaluation.
(c) Among the new suggestions and programmes, along with old ones are put to a strict
scrutiny.
(d) Funds are diverted from low‐priority suggestions to high priority suggestions.

Procedure of Zero‐base Budgeting:

(1) Determination of the objective: This is an initial step for determining the objective to
introduce ZBB. It may result into the decreased cost in personnel overheads or debunk the
projects which do not fit in the business structure or which are not likely to help accomplish
the business objectives.
(2) Degree at the ZBB is to be introduced: It is not possible every time to evaluate every
activity of the whole business. After studying the business structure, the management can
decide whether ZBB is to be introduced in all areas of business activities or only in a few
selected areas on the trial basis.
(3) Growth of Decision units: Decision units submit their data as to which cost benefit analysis
should be done in order to arrive at a decision that helps them decide to continue or abandon.
It could be a functional department, a programme, a product‐line or a sub‐line. Here the
decision unit sexist independent of all the other units so that when the cost analysis turns
unfavourable that particular unit could be closed down.
(4) Growth of Decision packages: Decision units are to be identified for preparing data relating to
the proposals to be included in the budget, concerned manager analyzes the activities of his or
her own decision units. His job is to consider possible different ways to fulfill objectives. The
BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

size of the business unit and the volume of goods it deals with determine the number of
decision units and packages. The decision package has to contain all the information which
helps the management in deciding whether the information is necessary for the business, what
would be the estimated costs and benefits expected from it.
(5) Assessment and Grading of decision packages: These packages invented and formulated
are submitted to the next level of responsibility within the organization for ranking purposes.
Ranking basically decides as to whether or not to include the proposals in the budget. The
management ranks the different decision packages in the order from decreasing benefit or
importance to the organization. Preliminary ranking is done by the unit manager himself and
for the further review it is sent to the superior officers who consider overall objectives of the
organization.
(6) Allotment of money through Budgets: It is the last step engaged in the ZBB process.
According to the cost benefit analysis and availability of the funds management has ranks and
thereby a cut‐off point is established. Keeping in view reasonable standards, the approved
designed packages are accepted and others are rejected. The funds are then allotted to
different decision units and budgets relating to each unit are prepared.

Advantages:
 ZBB rejects the attitude of accepting the current position in support of an attitude of
inquiring and testing each item of budget.
 It helps improve financial planning and management information system through various
techniques.
 It is an educational process and can promote a management team of talented and skillful
people who tend to promptly respond to changes in the business environment.
 It facilities recognition of inefficient and unnecessary activities and avoid wasteful
expenditure.
 Cost behavior patterns are more closely examined.
 Management has better elasticity in reallocating funds for optimum utilization of the
funds.

Disadvantages:
 It is an expensive method as ZBB incurs a huge cost every in its preparation.
 It also requires high volume of paper work; hence sometimes it becomes a tedious job.
 In ZBB there is a danger of emphasizing short‐term benefits at the expenses of long term
ones.
 This is not a new method for evaluating various alternatives, and cost‐benefit analysis.
 The psychological effects can also not be ignored. It holds out high hopes as a modern
technique, claiming to raise the profitability and efficiency of the business.
BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

Budgets & Budgetary Control

Practical Problems (with solutions)
Flexible Budget
(1) Prepare a Flexible budget for overheads on the basis of the following data. Ascertain the
overhead rates at 50% and 60% capacity.

Variable overheads: At 60% capacity (Rs)

Indirect Material 6,000
Labour 18,000

Semi‐variable overheads:

Electricity: (40% Fixed & 60% variable) 30,000

Repairs: (80% fixed & 20% Variable) 3,000
Fixed overheads:

Depreciation 16,500
Insurance 4,500
Salaries 15,000

Total overheads 93,000

Estimated direct labour hours 1,86,000

 BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

Flexible Budget
Items Capacity

50% 60%

Variable overheads: Rs Rs
Material 5,000 6,000

Labour 15,000 18,000

Semi‐variable
Electricity 27,000 30,000
Repairs 2,900 3,000
Fixed overheads:
Deprecation 16,500 16,500
Insurance 4500 4500

Salaries 15,000 15,000

Total Overheads 85,900 93,000

Estimated direct labour hours 1,55,000 1,86,000

Overhead Rate 0.55 0.50

Working Note:

Electricity

At 50% capacity = 18,000 * 50

60
= Rs. 15,000
Rs. 12,000 + Rs. 15,000 = Rs. 27,000
60% capacity = Rs 18,000 + Rs. 12,000 = Rs. 30,000

Repairs
For 60% capacity = Rs.600
=Rs. 2400 + Rs.600 =Rs.3,000
At 50% capacity : = 600/60 * 50
= Rs. 500
=Rs.2400 + 500

=Rs.2,900
 BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

(2) Prepare a flexible budget for overheads on the basis of the following data.
Ascertain the overhead rates at 60% and 70% capacity.

Variable overheads: At 60% capacity(Rs)

Material 6,000

Labour 18,000

Semi‐variable overheads:

Electricity: 30,000

40% Fixed

60% variable

Repairs:

80% fixed 3,000

20% Variable 3,000

Fixed overheads:

Depreciation 16,500

Insurance 4,500

Salaries 15,000

Total overheads 93,000

Estimated direct labour hours 1,86,000

Solution:

Working:

Repairs

For 60% capacity Fixed 80/100 * 3,000 = Rs.2400

Variable = 20/100 * 3,000 = Rs. 600

=Rs. 2400 + Rs.600 =Rs.3,000

BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

Electricity Exp.:

At 60% capacity Fixed= 40/100 *30,000 = 12,000

Variable = 60/100 * 30,000=

18,000 At 70% capacity: Fixed = 40/100 * 30,000
= Rs. 12,000
Variable = 18,000/60 *70 = Rs. 21,000
Total Rs. =33,000
Flexible Budget

Items Capacity

60% 70%

Variable overheads: Rs. Rs

.
Material 6,000 7,000

Labour 18,000 21,000

Semi‐variable

Electricity 30,000 33,000

Repairs 3,000 3,100

Fixed overheads:

Deprecation 16,500 16,500

Insurance 4,500 4,500

Salaries 15,000 15,000

Total Overheads 93,000 1,00,100

Estimated direct labour hours 1,86,000 2,17,000

Overhead Rate 0.50 0.46

BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

(3) The expenses budgeted for production of 1,000 units in a factory are furnished below:

Particulars Per Unit

Rs.
Material Cost 700

Labour Cost 250

Variable overheads 200

Selling expenses (20% fixed) 130

Administrative expenses (Rs. 2,00,000) 200

Total Cost 1,480
Prepare a budget for production of 600 units and 800 units assuming administrative
expenses are rigid for all level of production.

Solution: Flexible Budget

Particulars For 600 units For 800 units

Per unit Rs. Total Rs. Per unit Rs. Total Rs.

Variable Cost:
Materials 700 4,20,000 700 5,60,000

Labour 250 1,50,000 250 2,00,000

Variable overheads 200 1,20,000 200 1,60,000

(A) 1,150 6,90,000 1,150 9,20,000

Semi variable cost:

Variable selling 104 62,400 104 83,200
expenses
Fixed selling expenses 43.33 26,000 32.50 26,000

(B) 147.33 88,400 136.50 1,09,200

Fixed cost:
Administrative 333.33 2,00,000 250.00 2,00,000
expenses
Total Cost(A+B+C) 1,630.66 9,78,400 1,536.50 12,29,200
BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

(4) The budgeted output of an industry specializing in the production of a one

product at the optimum capacity of 6,400 units per annum amounts to Rs.
1,76,048 as detailed below:

Particulars Rs. Rs.

Fixed costs 20,688
Variable costs:
Power 1,440
Repairs etc. 1,700
Miscellaneous 540
Direct material 49,280
Direct Labour 1,02,400 1,55,360

Total cost 1,76,048

The company decides to have a flexible budget with a production target of

3,200 and 4,800 units (the actual quantity proposed to be produced being left to
a later date before commencement of the budget period)

Prepare a flexible budget for production levels of 50% and 75%. Assuming,
selling price per unit is maintained at Rs. 40 as at present, indicate the effect on
net profit.

Administrative, selling and distribution expenses continue at Rs.3,600.

BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

Solution:

The production at 100% capacity is 6400 units, so it will be 3,200 units at 50% and 4,800
units at 75% capacity. The variable expenses will change in that proportion.

Flexible Budget

Particulars 100 % 75% 50 %

(i)Sales (per unit Rs.40) 2,56,000 1,92,000 1,28,000

Cost of Sales:
(a)variable costs:

Direct material 49,280 36,960 24,640

Direct Labour 1,02,400 76,800 51,200

Power 1,440 1,080 720

Repairs 1,700 1,275 850

Miscellaneous 540 405 270

Total variable costs 1,55,360 1,16,520 77,680

(b)Fixed Costs: 20,688 20,688 20,688

(ii) Total Costs 1,76,048 1,37,208 98,368

Gross Profit(i)‐ (ii) 79,952 54,792 29,632

Less: Adm., selling and Dist. 3,600 3,600 3,600

Costs
Net Profit 76,352 51,192 26,032
BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

(5) A factory engaged in manufacturing plastic buckets is working at 40% capacity

and produces 10,000 buckets per month.

The present cost break up for one bucket is as under:

Materials
Rs.10 Labour
Rs.3
Overheads Rs.5 (60% fixed)

The selling price is Rs.20 per bucket. If it is desired to work the factory at 50%
capacity the selling price falls by 3%. At 90% capacity the selling price falls by 5%
accompanied by asimilar fall in the price of material.

You are required to prepare a statement the profit at 50% and 90% capacities and also
calculate the break‐ even points at this capacity production.
BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

Solution

Flexible Budget

Particulars Capacity y

40% 50 90%
%
Production and sales 10,000 12,500 22,500
Units

Sales price per unit 20 19.40 19.00

Sales Amount 2,00,000 2,42,500 4,27,500

Marginal Cost:

Material: Rs.10 per 1,00,000 1,25,000 2,13,750

unit(at 90% ‐ Rs.9.50

per unit)
Labour 30,000 37,500 67,500

Variable overhead 20,000 25,000 45,000

Total 1,50,000 1,87,500 3,26,250

Contribution 50,000 55,000 1,01,250

Less: Fixed Cost 30,000 30,000 30,000

Profit 20,000 25,000 71,250

Contribution per unit 5 4.40 4.50

BEP (units) (F /C) 6,000 6,818 6,667

BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

CASH BUDGET
(1) Saurashtra Co. Ltd. wishes to arrange overdraft facilities with its bankers from the
period August to October 2019 when it will be manufacturing mostly for stock. Prepare
a cash budget for the above period from the following data given below:

Month Sales Purchases Wages Mfg. Exp. Office Exp. Selling

(Rs.) (Rs.) (Rs.) (Rs.) (Rs.) Exp. (Rs.)

June 1,80,000 1,24,800 12,000 3,000 2,000 2,000

July 1,92,000 1,44,000 14,000 4,000 1,000 4,000

August 1,08,000 2,43,000 11,000 3,000 1,500 2,000

September 1,74,000 2,46,000 12,000 4,500 2,000 5,000

October 1,26,000 2,68,000 15,000 5,000 2,500 4,000

November 1,40,000 2,80,000 17,000 5,500 3,000 4,500

December 1,60,000 3,00,000 18,000 6,000 3,000 5,000

Additional Information:

(a) Cash on hand 1‐08‐2010 Rs.25,000.

(b) 50% of credit sales are realized in the month following the sale and the remaining
50% in the second month following. Creditors are paid in the month following
the month of purchase.

(c) Lag in payment of manufacturing expenses half month.

(d) Lag in payment of other expenses one month.

BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

Solution:

CASH BUDGET

For 3 months from August to October 2019

Particulars August (Rs.) September (Rs.) October (Rs.)

Receipts:

Opening balance 25,000 44,500 (66,750)

Sales 1,86,000 1,50,000 1,41,000

Total Receipts(A) 2,11,000 1,94,500 74,250

Payments:

Purchases 1,44,000 2,43,000 2,46,000

Wages 14,000 11,000 12,000

Mfg. Exp. 3,500 3,750 4,750

Office Exp. 1,000 1,500 2,000

Selling Exp. 4,000 2,000 5,000

Total payments(B) 1,66,500 2,61,250 2,69,750

Closing 44,500 (66,750) (1,95,500)

Balance(A‐
B)

Working Note:

1. Manufacturing Expense:

Particular August September October

July (4000/2) 2000 ‐‐‐ ‐‐‐

August (3000/2) 1500 1500 ‐‐‐

September (4500/2) ‐‐‐ 2250 2250

October (5000/2) ‐‐‐ ‐‐‐‐ 2500

Total 3500 3750 4750

BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

2. Sales

Particular August September October

June (180000/2) 90000 ‐‐‐ ‐‐‐

July (192000/2) 96000 96000 ‐‐‐

August (108000/2) ‐‐‐ 54000 54000

September ‐‐‐ ‐‐‐‐ 87000

(174000/2)
Total 186000 150000 141000

(2) S. K. Brothers wish to approach the bankers for temporary overdraft facility for the period
from October 2019 to December 2019. During the period of this period of these three
months, the firm will be manufacturing mostly for stock. You are required to prepare a
cash budget for the above period.

Month Sales (Rs.) Purchases (Rs.) Wages (Rs.)

August 3,60,000 2,49,600 24,000

September 3,84,000 2,88,000 28,000

October 2,16,000 4,86,000 22,000

November 3,48,000 4,92,000 20,000

December 2,52,000 5,36,000 30,000

(a) 50% of credit sales are realized in the month following the sales and
remaining 50% in the second following.

(b) Creditors are paid in the month following the month of purchase

(c) Estimated cash as on 1‐10‐2019 is Rs.50,000.

BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

CASH BUDGET

For 3 months from October to December 2019

Particulars October (Rs.) November(Rs.) December(Rs.)

Receipts:
Opening balance 50,000 1,12,000 (94,000)

Collection from 3,72,000 3,00,000 2,82,000

Debtors

Total Receipts(A) 4,22,000 4,12,000 1,88,000

Payments:
Payments to 2,88,000 4,86,000 4,92,000
Creditors
Wages 22,000 20,000 30,000

Total payments(B) 3,10,000 5,06000 5,22,000

Closing 1,12,000 (94,000) ‐3,34,000

Balance(A‐B)

Working Note: Collection from debtors

Particulars October (Rs.) November(Rs.) December(Rs.)

Sales
August 1,80,000 ‐

September 1,92,000 1,92,000 ‐

October ‐ 1,08,000 1,08,000

November ‐ 1,74,000

3,72,000 3,00,000 2,82,000

BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

(3) TATA Co. Ltd. is to start production on 1st January 2019. The prime cost of a unit is
expected to be Rs. 40 (Rs. 16 per materials and Rs. 24 for labour). In addition, variable
expenses per unit are expected to be Rs. 8 and fixed expenses per month Rs. 30,000.
Payment for materials is to be made in the month following the purchase. One‐third of
sales will be for cash and the rest on credit for settlement in the following month.
Expenses are payable in the month in which they are incurred. The selling price is
fixed at Rs. 80 per unit. The number of units to be produced and sold is expected to
be: January 900; February 1200; March 1800; April 2000; May 2,100; June 2400
Draw a Cash Budget indicating cash requirements from month to month.

CASH BUDGET of TATA LTD.

For 6 months from January to June 2011
Month Jan. Feb. March April May June

Receipts
Opening Balance (34,800) (37,600) (32,400) (5,867) (27,600)

Cash sales 24,000 32,000 48,000 53,333 56,000 64,000

Collection from 48,000 64,000 96,000 1,06,667 1,12,000

Debtors

Total receipts(A) 24,000 45,200 74,400 1,16,933 1,56,800 1,48,400

Payments
Creditors 14,400 19,200 288,00 32,000 33,600

Wages 21,600 28,800 43,200 48,000 50,400 57,600

Variable Exp. 7,200 9,600 14,400 16,000 16,800 19,200

Fixed Exp. 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000

Total 58,800 82,800 1,06,800 1,22,800 1,29,200 1,40,400

Payment(B)
Closing Balance ‐34,800 ‐37600 ‐32400 ‐5867 ‐27,600 8,000
BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

(4) Prepare a Cash Budget from the data given below for a period of six months (July to December)

(1) Month Sales Raw Materials

May 75,000 37,500

June 75,000 37,500

July 1,50,000 52,500

August 2,25,000 3,67,500

September 3,00,000 1,27,500

October 1,50,000 97,500

November 1,50,000 67,500

December 1,37,500
(2) Collection estimates:
 Within the month of sale: 5%
 During the month following the sale: 80%
 During the second month following the sale: 15%

(3) Payment for raw materials is made in the next month.

(4) Salary Rs. 11,250, Lease payment Rs. 3750, Misc. Exp. Rs. 1150, are paid each month
(5) Monthly Depreciation Rs. 15,000
(6) Income tax Rs. 26,250 each in September and December.
(7) Payment for research in October Rs.75,000
(8) Opening Balance on 1st July Rs.55,000.
BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

CASH BUDGET
For the six months from July to December
Particulars July Aug. Sep. October Nov. December

Receipts
Opening Balance 55,000 80,100 1,53,950 ‐38450 24150 83000

Collection from 78,750 1,42,500 2,17,500 2,81,250 1,725,00 1,49,375

Debtors

Total receipts(A) 1,33,750 2,22,600 3,71,450 2,42,800 1,96,650 2,32,375

Payments
Payment to 37,500 52,500 3,67,500 1,27,500 97,500 67,500
suppliers
Salary 11,250 11,250 11,250 11,250 11,250 11,250

Lease payment 3750 3750 3750 3750 3750 3750

Misc. expense 1,150 1,150 1,150 1,150 1,150 1,150

Income tax 26,250 26,250

Payment for 75,000

Research

Total 53,650 68,650 4,09,900 2,18,650 1,13,650 1,09,900

Payment(B)
Closing Balance 80,100 1,53,950 ‐38,450 24,150 83,000 1,22,475

Note: Depreciation is a non‐cash item. It does not involve cash flow. Hence, depreciation will
not be considered as payment through cash.
BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

(5) Prepare a cash Budget of R.M.C. LTD. for April, May and June 2019:

Months Sales(Rs.) Purchases(Rs.) Wages(Rs.) Expenses(Rs.)

Jan.(Actual) 80,000 45,000 20,000 5,000

Feb.(Actual) 80,000 40,000 18,000 6,000

March (Actual) 75,000 42,000 22,000 6,000

April (Budget) 90,000 50,000 24,000 7,000

May(Budget) 85,000 45,000 20,000 6,000

June(Budget) 80,000 35,000 18,000 5,000

Additional Information:

(i) 10% of the purchases and 20% of sales are for cash.

(ii) The average collection period of the company is ½ month and the credit
purchases are paid regularly after one month.

(iii) Wages are paid half monthly and the rent of Rs. 500 included in expenses is
paid monthly and other expenses are paid after one month lag.

(iv) Cash balance on April 1,2019 may be assumed to be Rs.15,000

 BUDGET AND BUDGETARY CONTROL

CASH BUDGET

(For the months ending April, May & June 2019)

Particulars April (Rs.) May (Rs.) June (Rs.)

Receipts
Opening Balance 27,200 35,700
15,000
Cash Sales 17,000 16,000
18,000
Collection from Debtors 70,000 66,000
66,000
Total Receipts(A) 99,000 1,14,200 1,17,700

Payments

Cash Purchases 5,000 4,500 3,500

Payment to creditors 37,800 45,000 40,500

Wages 23,000 22,000 19,000

Rent 500 500 500

Other Exp. 5,500 6,500 5,500

Total Payments(B) 71,800 78,500 69,000

Closing balance 27,200 35,700 48,700