This CPE course, presented by Larry Pon, offers a thorough exploration of the intricacies of corporate budgeting, essential for the financial health of small to medium-sized businesses. It features a detailed analysis of various budgeting techniques, including capital, flexible, and zero-base budgeting, as well as insights into the billing, pricing, and credit evaluation process. Participants will benefit from understanding how to manage accounts receivable, implement effective credit practices, and utilize non-traditional methods to secure customer payments. The course also provides valuable knowledge on the best practices for collections and account reconciliation. By focusing on these critical elements, the course equips professionals with the skills to optimize their organization's budgeting processes, enhancing cash flow management and overall financial stability.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Chapter 1
Identify the purpose of budgeting, citing advantages and disadvantages
Specify the areas within an organization where there is a bureaucracy supporting the use of budgeting
Chapter 2
Identify the components of cost-volume-profit analysis, noting the relationship between costs, unit volumes, and profitability as well as ways that this type of analysis can be used
Determine the number of units sold as well as the sales mix variance given a set of circumstances
Chapter 3
Identify the types of budgets that are included in the system of budgets, noting key elements as well as their intended purpose
Recognize the operating decisions that can impact the system of budgets as well as reasons for budget iterations
Chapter 4
Recognize the possible formats for the revenue budget, noting who is responsible for this type of budget, how it is used, and potential reporting issues
Cite sources of information for the revenue budget, the impact of pacing, and the inherent variability of this type of budget
Chapter 5
Identify the components of the ending finished goods inventory budget, noting the impact of different decisions on the amount of finished goods inventory on hand
Chapter 6
Recognize the mechanics of the production model, noting process of compiling the production budget as well as issues to consider during construction that can impede its realization
Chapter 7
Define direct materials and a bill of materials, noting the calculation for direct material purchases
Identify ways to compile a direct materials budget, noting several anomalies to be aware of when creating this budget
Chapter 8
Define direct labor and identify the components of the direct labor budget
Recognize the different methods available for compiling a direct labor budget, noting when these methods are used and their impact on efficiency levels
Chapter 9
Specify the line items used in the manufacturing overhead budget, noting the classification and nature of these costs
Chapter 10
Identify the source budgets from which a cost of goods sold budget is derived from, noting additional line items to include as well as reasons for changes in the expense
Chapter 11
Identify sales and marketing activities that can affect revenue, as well as the methods used to compile and present the sales and marketing budget
Note when a sales and marketing budget is the most useful and cite an example of how pacing applies to the sales function
Chapter 12
Note the structure and components of the research and development budget as well as its its impact on funding decisions and project selection
Recognize the causes of product stagnation, noting the importance of reviewing budget effectiveness
Chapter 13
Recognize the layout and contents of an administration budget, identifying line items typically found in this budget and ways that administration costs may vary in response to certain activities
Chapter 14
Identify the methods to review capital budgeting proposals, noting the proper use for each analysis or strategy as well as its impact on purchase of a fixed asset
Chapter 15
Recognize the components that comprise a compensation budget, a benefits budget, a headcount budget, noting the relationship between budgets and bonus compensation and whether bonuses should be included or not
Chapter 16
Recognize the components that comprise a master budget, noting factors that impact budgeted asset and liability levels
Chapter 17
Identify the unique components and line items found in revenue budgets, management and administration budgets, fundraising, and program and grant budgets for nonprofits
Chapter 18
Recognize the function of a flexible budget, citing its advantages and disadvantages
Chapter 19
Recognize situations in which costs can vary and when these costs are more likely to be fixed
Chapter 20
Recognize the function and components of incremental budgeting and zero-base budgeting, noting the developmental processes for each and applicable advantages or problems
Specify the nature and function of conditional budgeting
Chapter 21
Identify the reporting systems, goal setting, management roles, compensation issues, and other changes needed to operate without a budget
Chapter 22
Recognize the focus and function of a rolling forecast, noting the components of a continuous budget variation
Chapter 23
Identify the procedural steps needed to create a budget, including those steps needed to prevent budget slippage and calculation errors
Chapter 24
Identify techniques to help with error reduction, data verification, and both model and process simplification to increase the level of efficiency in the budgeting process, noting the impact of simplification over time, process efficiencies, and participative budgeting
Chapter 25
Identify variances that can be used to compare a budget to actual results
Chapter 26
Identify the controls that can accompany a budgeting process, noting the intended purpose for the controls
Major Topics
Cost-Volum-Profit Analysis
The Revenue Budget
The Production Budget
The Direct Labor Budget
The Cost of Goods Sold Budget
The Research and Development Budget
The Capital Budget
The Master Budget
Flexible Budgeting