Budgeting and Forecasting
Course ID: 260119 0101 872Proj
Course Dates : 19/01/2026 Course Duration : 5 Studying Day/s Course Location: London, United Kingdom
Language: Bilingual
Course Category: Professional and CPD Training Programs
Course Subcategories:
Business Analytics & Insight Business Decision Making Financial Analysis Financial Planning & Control Performance Management
Course Certified By: Projacs Academy & LondonUni - Executive Management Training
* Professional Training and CPD Programs
Leading to:
Executive Diploma Certificate
Leading to:
Executive Mini Masters Certificate
Leading to
Executive Masters Certificate
Certification Will Be Issued:
From London, United Kingdom
Course Fees:
VAT varies by course location and participant nationality.
Date has passed please contact us Sales@e-s-hub.com
Introduction
This five-day course teaches practical budgeting and forecasting skills you can use immediately. You will learn how to build driver-based budgets, maintain rolling forecasts, run variance analysis, and test scenarios. The focus is on reliable numbers, clear assumptions, and workflows that reduce rework. By the end you will have templates and a repeatable process to improve forecast accuracy and reporting timeliness.
Objectives
- Build a driver-based operating budget that links primary revenue and cost drivers to forecasts.
- Create a rolling forecast model in a spreadsheet that updates with monthly actuals and flags key variances.
- Perform variance analysis and produce concise explanations and action items for business leaders.
- Construct scenario and sensitivity analyses to quantify the financial impact of major risks and decisions.
- Design a budget-to-forecast workflow, including controls and deliverables, to shorten cycle time and improve accountability.
- Create a rolling forecast model in a spreadsheet that updates with monthly actuals and flags key variances.
- Perform variance analysis and produce concise explanations and action items for business leaders.
- Construct scenario and sensitivity analyses to quantify the financial impact of major risks and decisions.
- Design a budget-to-forecast workflow, including controls and deliverables, to shorten cycle time and improve accountability.
Who Should Attend
- FP&A Analyst
- Finance Manager responsible for budgeting or forecasting
- Budget Analyst or Budget Officer
- Financial Controller involved in planning and reporting
- Business Unit or Operations Manager with P&L responsibility
Training Method
• Pre-assessment
• Live group instruction
• Use of real-world examples, case studies and exercises
• Interactive participation and discussion
• Power point presentation, LCD and flip chart
• Group activities and tests
• Post-assessment
If Applicable:
• Each participant receives a 7” Tablet containing a copy of the presentation, slides and handouts
Program Support
This program is supported by:
* Interactive discussions
* Role-play
* Case studies and highlight the techniques available to the participants.
Course Agenda
Daily Schedule (Monday to Friday)
- 09:00 AM – 10:30 AM Technical Session 1
- 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Technical Session 2
- 12:00 PM – 01:00 PM Technical Session 3
- 01:00 PM – 02:00 PM Lunch Break (If Applicable)
- Participants are expected to engage in guided self-study, reading, or personal reflection on the day’s content. This contributes toward the CPD accreditation and deepens conceptual understanding.
- 02:00 PM – 04:00 PM Self-Study & Reflection
Please Note:
- All training sessions are conducted from Monday to Friday, following the standard working week observed in the United Kingdom and European Union. Saturday and Sunday are official weekends and are not counted as part of the course duration.
- Coffee and refreshments are available on a floating basis throughout the morning. Participants may help themselves at their convenience to ensure an uninterrupted learning experience Provided if applicable and subject to course delivery arrangements.
- Lunch Provided if applicable and subject to course delivery arrangements.
Week 1
Day 1 – Budgeting Fundamentals
1. Principles of Budgeting
- Purpose of budgeting
- Types of budgets
- Budgeting cycle and planning process
2. Business Drivers
- Identifying revenue drivers
- Identifying cost drivers
- Linking operational activities to financial results
3. Budget Planning
- Setting financial objectives
- Establishing budget assumptions
- Developing budget timelines
Day 2 – Building Budgets
1. Operating Budget Development
- Revenue budgeting
- Operating expense budgeting
- Capital expenditure planning
2. Driver-Based Budgeting
- Building driver-based models
- Linking assumptions to calculations
- Updating budget models efficiently
3. Spreadsheet Budget Models
- Structuring budget templates
- Formula and data validation
- Best practices for financial models
Day 3 – Forecasting Techniques
1. Forecasting Fundamentals
- Budget versus forecast
- Rolling forecasts
- Forecasting methods
2. Updating Forecasts
- Incorporating actual results
- Revising assumptions
- Monitoring forecast accuracy
3. Variance Analysis
- Budget versus actual analysis
- Identifying significant variances
- Explaining financial performance
Day 4 – Scenario Planning and Financial Analysis
1. Scenario Analysis
- Best-case scenarios
- Expected-case scenarios
- Worst-case scenarios
2. Sensitivity Analysis
- Testing key assumptions
- Measuring financial impact
- Supporting business decisions
3. Financial Decision Support
- Risk assessment
- Prioritising investment options
- Financial planning recommendations
Day 5 – Budget Control and Performance Management
1. Budget Governance
- Budget approval process
- Financial controls
- Accountability and ownership
2. Reporting and Communication
- Preparing management reports
- Presenting financial results
- Communicating recommendations
3. Practical Budgeting Workshop
- Building a complete budget and forecast model
- Analysing financial scenarios
- Developing an action plan for continuous improvement
