Budgeting principles and practices are guiding concepts or standards used to ensure the effective and efficient use of government resources. It includes various aspects such as accountability, transparency, flexibility, and sustainability.
Introduction to budgeting: This topic introduces the concept of budgeting and its importance in public administration.
Budgeting process: This topic covers the steps involved in the budgeting process, including setting objectives, forecasting revenues and expenses, developing a budget plan, and monitoring and evaluating the budget.
Budgetary systems: This topic explores various budgetary systems used by governments and public administrations, such as line-item budgeting, performance budgeting, program budgeting, and zero-based budgeting.
Budgeting principles: This topic covers the principles that guide budgeting in public administration, such as budgetary control, budgetary transparency, budgetary participation, budgetary accountability, and budgetary flexibility.
Budgetary framework: This topic focuses on the legal and institutional framework within which budgeting operates, including the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders, such as lawmakers, managers, and citizens.
Budgetary sources: This topic explores the different sources of revenue available to public administrations and governments, including taxes, fees, grants, and loans.
Budgetary planning: This topic covers the process of developing a budget plan, including setting targets, estimating costs, prioritizing expenditures, and aligning resources with priorities.
Budgetary management: This topic focuses on the management of the budget, including the allocation of resources, monitoring actual versus planned spending, and making adjustments as necessary.
Budget reporting and analysis: This topic covers the reporting and analysis of the budget, including generating reports, presenting financial information to stakeholders, and assessing the effectiveness of the budget.
Budgetary reform: This topic explores the need for and process of budgetary reform, including the identification of problems, developing solutions, and implementing change.
Incremental budgeting: This is the most common budgeting method in which previous year’s budget is used as a base for determining the present year’s budget.
Zero-based budgeting: In this budgeting method, each department of an organization starts with a zero budget, and all the expenses are justified for the budget to be approved.
Performance-based budgeting: This budgeting method is based on the performance of the organization, which means funds are allocated to departments based on how well they perform in achieving their goals.
Activity-based budgeting: Under this budgeting method, the organization’s budget is based on the activities performed by the departments or units.
Priority-based budgeting: In this budgeting method, priorities are set for different departments, and funds are allocated accordingly.
Program budgeting: This budgeting method focuses on the costs and benefits of different programs carried out by the organization.
Capital budgeting: This budgeting method is used to allocate funds for long-term capital projects.
Hybrid budgeting: This budgeting method involves a combination of several budgeting principles to create a more effective budgeting process.
Participatory budgeting: In this budgeting method, the public is involved in the budget decision-making process.