Its really quite simple. When I'm setting up the next years budget I use and average estimate of the last 4 quarters. And as the year goes alone that gets adjusted as the actual budget gets sent down to the ward each month. I have also developed a spread sheet which enables me to adjust the next quarter budget based on the current quarters quarterly report. For the most part I'm usually within $100 - $200 of what my averages were at the beginning of the year, and usually an increase. The only time there is a drastic change (decrease) is if there is a big fluctuation in move outs for a quarter.TinMan wrote:Now if someone can explain how we are supposed to set yearly budgets based on quarterly "estimates" i.e. "guesses," well, chaos can be avoided.
In my ideal world organizations would not just be handed a total amount for the year but would give the bishop a detail budget of what they estimate their activity costs for the year will be. That way a decision can be made at the beginning of the budget process on wither or not a activity can be supported. Wither or not we need to ask participants to help fund long term camp. And wither or not we are going to need to do a fund raiser to help out.TinMan wrote:"Dear Young Women's leader: You will have a yearly budget of $1200.00.
Unless it isn't."
We don't have an administration fund we just don't allocate all of the estimated budget to the organizations. That way if any one quarterly actuals come in lower than the estimate we are covered. For example on 5 June our unassigned annual budget projection was $543.32 however since the third quarters projections came in lower than what was estimated the unassigned annual budget projection on 11 June is now at $334.32.TinMan wrote:Thus the bishops "administration fund," also known in certain circles as "the slush fund."
Using this method we should never have to make an negative adjustment to any of the organization budget.