What is the purpose of a budget in accounting?

A budget in accounting serves the crucial role of estimating future revenues and expenses. This forward-looking approach allows businesses to plan for financial stability, allocate resources effectively, and set operational goals. By forecasting income and expenditure, a budget provides a financial roadmap that helps organizations make informed decisions about investments, staffing, and other operational needs.

Estimating future revenues helps in understanding the potential financial resources available, while estimating expenses ensures that the organization is prepared for the costs it will incur. This proactive planning aids in setting realistic financial targets and supports strategic decision-making throughout the organization.

While tracking daily transactions is essential for maintaining accurate accounting records, it does not encompass the strategic planning aspect that a budget provides. Similarly, assessing past financial performance focuses on historical data rather than future projections, and controlling purchasing decisions is more about implementing policies and procedures based on budget guidelines rather than the purpose of the budget itself. Therefore, the primary purpose of a budget is fundamentally tied to estimating future financial scenarios, leading to better decision-making within the business.