Chapter 25
Budgetary and Cost Control
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Budgeting
Is a planning process.
Budgetary Control
Is the process of regulating the operating budgets of the organization.
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Purposes of Budgeting Helps ensure the organization’s operations are performed more efficiently. Helps management maintain the costeffectiveness of the organization’s operations. Helps the organization better plan for the future.
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Advantages of Budgeting (1 of 2) 1. It requires adequate management consideration of the organization’s policies. 2. It requires that department-level managers develop practices that facilitate the attainment of budgetary goals. 3. It requires that managers identify the resources necessary for accomplishing the organization’s goals. Administrative Office Management, 8/e by Zane Quible
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Advantages of Budgeting (2 of 2) 4. It helps management make accurate, timely decisions regarding various organizational operations. 5. It helps management determine which functions are not operating efficiently. 6. It helps management determine which functions are experiencing difficulty in achieving goals and objectives. Administrative Office Management, 8/e by Zane Quible
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Limitations of Budgeting 1. Because budgeting is based on estimates, the validity of the budget is, to a large extent, determined by the accuracy with which the estimates are made. 2. The operating effectiveness of an organization is clearly dependent upon how well management is able to motivate employees to operate within the budgeted allowances. 3. The effectiveness of the budget is, to a large extent, dependent upon the accuracy with which budget revisions are made. Administrative Office Management, 8/e by Zane Quible
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Prerequisites for Successful Budgeting Proper Organization Financial Data Commitment of Top Management
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Proper Organization Requires the presence of these characteristics: 1. The proper group of tasks within functions, definitive lines of authority, and areas of responsibility. 2. Definitive lines of authority and areas of responsibility. 3. Lines of communication.
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Financial Data Unless needed data are available, the basis for budget development does not exist. Types of financial data needed: 1. Number of units sold during the previous financial period. 2. The relationship between the number of units sold and the cost incurred in producing these units. 3. Emerging financial trends. Administrative Office Management, 8/e by Zane Quible
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Commitment of Top Management For the process to work well, management must be committed to the use of the budget as a control mechanism.
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Elements of Budget Preparation Determining the Budget Period Developing the Budget Revising the Budget
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Determining the Budget Period
Involves determining the length of the period, which generally coincides with the organization’s fiscal period. Length should be sufficiently long to compensate for any seasonal fluctuations.
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Developing the Budget
Two types of budgets: Departmental Budget
Is a unit budget.
Master Budget
Is a composite of unit budgets.
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Responsibility for Budget Preparation Must Be Assigned In larger organizations, it is often the responsibility of the controller or treasurer. In other organizations, it is often the responsibility of the vice president who is concerned with the organization’s financial areas. A budget committee is also involved in many instances. Administrative Office Management, 8/e by Zane Quible
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Types of Office Costs (1 of 2) Costs that remain constant regardless of the number of Fixed Costs units produced. Rent, insurance, and taxes are examples. Costs vary proportionately in Variable Costs relation to the output levels. Materials and supplies are examples. Administrative Office Management, 8/e by Zane Quible
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Types of Office Costs (2 of 2) Costs increase as production increases but not in a direct Semivariable proportion to production Costs increases. Photocopier charges are an example.
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Guiding Principles of Budget Preparation 1. Employee participation in budget preparation is advantageous. 2. Budget should reflect realistic estimates of operating costs. 3. Budget must provide for unforeseen circumstances. 4. Employees should feel committed to the budget. Administrative Office Management, 8/e by Zane Quible
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Revising the Budget Is generally required because of uncontrolled or unforeseen circumstances that require the expenditure of the organization’s financial resources. Techniques for Revising the Budget Periodic review Progressive review Moving review Administrative Office Management, 8/e by Zane Quible
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Periodic Review
Budget is revised at predetermined times for the remainder of the year. Budget can be reviewed every month, every two months, every quarter, etc.
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Progressive Review
Uses standard time spans, perhaps 6 months. Involves revising the budget at specified times and for a constant length of time.
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Moving Review Budget is revised every month. As one month is completed, the same month for the next year is included in the revision.
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Zero-Based Budgeting (1 of 2) Is a budgeting concept that requires the reevaluation of every program and expenditure each time a year’s budget is prepared.
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Zero-Based Budgeting (2 of 2) Involves these steps: 1. Describe each discrete organizational activity in a decision package. 2. Evaluate and rank these decision packages in terms of a cost-benefit analysis. 3. Allocate resources on the basis of need.
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Preparing the budget report is a frequent part of budgetary control.
Guidelines to Follow When Preparing Budget Reports 1. Exception situations should be pointed out. 2. When presenting figures in a report, a comparison base should be given. 3. To assist the reader, information should be summarized whenever possible. 4. When appropriate, reports should include interpretative information. 5. Reports should be standardized as much as possible. Administrative Office Management, 8/e by Zane Quible
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Common Sections of Budget Reports
Purpose of the Report Presentation of Financial Data Summary Conclusions Recommendations
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Cost Control Is concerned with the expenses incurred in performing various office operations. Is also concerned with keeping expenditures as low as possible.
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Objectives of Cost Control 1. To develop standard costs for various office operations. 2. To develop, within the employees, a desire to be cost conscious. 3. To assist in the development of efficient operating procedures. 4. To allocate the costs of operations to the appropriate functions. 5. To identify inefficient operations. Administrative Office Management, 8/e by Zane Quible
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Techniques for Controlling Office Costs Standard Breakdowns Standard Costs Cost Analysis Studies Taking Corrective Action
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Cost Breakdowns This technique involves determining what percentage of the total cost of an operation is classified as a salary or a labor cost, for example. Includes Several Categories Salaries Supplies and/or Materials Overhead Administrative Office Management, 8/e by Zane Quible
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Standard Costs This technique involves determining the unit costs of various office operations. Once the unit cost is determined, it can be compared with comparable standard costs.
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Cost Analysis Studies
This technique involves comparing the cost of a current period’s operations with those of a prior period.
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Taking Corrective Action
When analysis indicates that corrective action is necessary, those in positions of responsibility must take corrective action.
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Areas for Which Office Costs Can and Should Be Controlled Personnel Supplies and Materials Equipment Work Processes Overhead
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Personnel The cost of personnel is likely to be the largest budget item; therefore, personnel costs provide greater flexibility than do other areas.
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Supplies and Materials Costs This involves keeping supplies and materials costs to a minimum, minimizing the number of different forms used, and using equipment that facilitates the interchange of supplies.
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Equipment Costs This involves purchasing reliable equipment as well as the early trade-off of equipment that has higher-than-average repair charges.
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Work Process Costs Special attention should be devoted to developing efficient work processes.
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Overhead Costs Because some overhead costs are variable, controlling them should be a conscious effort of employees.
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