Budgeting is an essential part of owning and running a business. Although some business owners think that this is a step they can skip, it isn’t. Managing your finances and maintaining a budget will give you more confidence in investing or spending your money.
With this guide, you can better understand how budgeting works and why it is essential to do so.
1. Define Your Business Goals and Targets
Identifying your business goals and targets is the very first step. It would help if you asked yourself the right questions to have an easier time defining what is necessary and what you find important. For example, you need to ask yourself how much revenue you want to have by next year. Consider how many customers you expect to have or how much profit you want to generate.
After you have defined your specific goals and targets, you need to identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) related to each goal. Suppose you plan to increase your revenue by a particular percentage. In that case, you need to consider relevant KPIs, such as average profit margin, average order value, and more.
2. Set Up Your Revenue Forecast
Although revenue forecasts seem complex at first, they can be simplified. Essentially, these are projections of how your revenue will build up over various client groups, channels, and products.
If you want to estimate how much you will earn in the coming year, you can check historical trends and consider factors that could influence your growth in the coming months, such as holidays and projected industry trends. You must also think of market expansions, current market trends, and upcoming sales campaigns.
3. Plan Your Expenses
In addition to your revenue, you must also do a forecast of your expenses to have an idea of how your business will perform in the upcoming year. Some things that you need to take into account include Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (SG&A), and cost of sales.
Unlike some entrepreneurs who can be a bit too optimistic, you need to be very realistic when it comes to projecting how much money you will have to spend. Consider what costs you will incur and how many employees you will need to meet your demands and goals. Ask yourself if you expect to take on a specific number of new clients with your existing marketing and sales spend. You also need to consider miscellaneous fees often overlooked, such as business license costs, professional fees, and the like.
4. Assess the Budget and Adjust Accordingly
Once your budget is complete, you need to review and discuss it with the rest of your department or team. Again, it’s important to make sure that your plans are realistic and consistent. Remember to ask key members of your team to give their feedback on your numbers.
In this process, you need to consider the perspective of other departments, too, such as the marketing department, sales department, and operations department. Expect your budget plan to be modified a few times until everyone is satisfied. You also need to make sure that your budget plan makes sense, including the key metrics in your calculations.
5. Do Monthly Budget Reviews
When the new year begins, you have to review your monthly budget and identify any gaps between the actual numbers and your projections. If the numbers are off by a significant amount, you need to identify the problem immediately and take action. After all, the best way to make an accurate budget is by learning from your mistakes.
Conclusion
Budgeting is essential to the success of any business. Many take it for granted, but it undoubtedly plays a significant role in any company’s operations. If the concept of budgeting seems too overwhelming or complex for you, it would be best for you to seek help from experienced and well-regarded professionals.
The ECommerce Accountant has a team of business advisors for online stores and influencers. As one of the most reliable eCommerce accountants in the industry, we do our best to ensure that your company grows and prospers through our services. To learn more about our eCommerce accounting firm, contact us today.