Budget Entry (Maximize this screen before viewing)

General Ledger – File – Budget Entry

This screen is a lot more than just budget entry. From here you may view history, forecast, budget, budget with components, or use the menus to print reports, display graphs, summarize accounts, and even export information to Excel.

Right click to browse transactions.

If using Forecast option - enter forecasts for the current year in the shaded area by typing in the new forecast numbers. Record your changes by hitting Post.			To enter budgets for next year, place your cursor on the annual budget column for next year. Right click to get budget calculations. Record changes by posting. You may also enter/change budgets for individual months.
	When using the budget calculations, Worksheet displays the various budget calculations that you have tried.
		Components is an option to record more detail about a month’s budget.

To calculate monthly budgets for next year:

Click on the annual budget box so it turns black, then right click (or click on the Calc menu) to get the calculation options.

Use the budget worksheet to see the various calculations that you have made.

Click Worksheet to display the calculations that you have made. Example shows a 3%, and 5% and 7% increase calculation.

Click on the column you wish to select and click Replace Budget. These figures will now be placed into the next year budget column.

Use arrow keys to move up/down in the budget column. Click Post or press Enter to advance to the next account.

Annual Budgets vs. Monthly Budgets:

If you elect not to use monthly budgeting, you may opt to enter one amount representing the annual budget for this account by clicking on the box for January (or first month of your fiscal year) and enter the annual budget amount. Press Enter to advance to the next account number.

Budget Components: May be used to budget at a more detailed level.

With the cursor on the next year budget column click Components.

Enter the breakdown of budget components and the amount for each.

Select the number of components you wish to use. (Additional components may be added later.)

Graph: To create a graph of information, click on the column or row you wish to graph a comparison. For example, to graph a comparison of annual figures for this account, highlight the annual row, click on Graph, and select Actuals for Annual.

The resulting graph is shown below.

Graph options are based on what you have highlighted. If you have highlighted the annual row, you will have options of various graphs with annual actual/budget figures. If a monthly column is highlighted, you will be able to compare monthly figures from year to year.