Let’s face it: budgeting shouldn’t feel like a maze.
Yet, 60% of CFOs say their budgets are outdated the moment they’re done.
Why? Too much complexity, not enough structure.
That’s why I created this one-page budgeting template, so you can get clarity, flexibility, and insights without spending days in Excel.
Here’s how it works, step-by-step:
✅ 1. Export Your Trial Balance
Start with your YTD trial balance — August is a great checkpoint. This becomes your clean starting point.
✅ 2. Match Your P&L
Group GL accounts to match your profit & loss structure. One list, one logic. No mismatches later.
✅ 3. Forecast the Rest of the Year
Use actuals + assumptions to build your current year forecast, which becomes the baseline for next year.
✅ 4. Define Budgeting Assumptions
Apply growth rates, % of revenue, or manual logic per line item. Be flexible, but grounded in reality.
✅ 5. Apply Assumptions by GL Account
Automatically calculate budget figures by GL code using structured formulas.
✅ 6. Import to Your P&L Template
Drop it into a ready-made format that reflects your core P&L lines and structure.
✅ 7. Use SUMIF to Roll It All Up
Use SUMIF to pull GL-level budgets into the main P&L, ready for reporting and comparison.
✅ 8. Add Ratios & Visuals
Build quick visualizations—EBITDA margin, net profit margin, cost-to-revenue. Show the budget story at a glance.
📊 With this approach, budgeting becomes fast, structured, and most importantly, useful.
No more bloated spreadsheets. No more guessing games. Just a clean, repeatable process that gives leadership the clarity they need.
What do you think, would this simplify your next budgeting round?
📥 Want the full editable version?
P.S. If your company needs support in finance, my team of 20 top-tier consultants is ready. This is what we do:
- Financial automation with full implementation of Microsoft Business Central and Power Platform
- Building powerful management reports, forecasts, budgets, and models
- Business valuations, support in M&A transactions, due diligence, and more
- Developing transfer pricing policies and local or master files
Contact our WTS experts to optimize your finance
