Establishing a budget for your business is important, whether you are in the start-up phase or you are currently running your company. The biggest reason that businesses fail is that they run out of money. This can mean that they do not have enough revenue coming in, but it can also mean that they are overspending.
When you have a business budget, you will know how much money you are able to spend without digging yourself into a pile of debt. Cutting back on expenses does not necessarily mean that you provide less value to your customers. Rather, you spend wisely instead of wasting dollars on supplies, salaries or fees that do not add income to your bottom line.
Creating a Business Budget Worksheet:
Setting up a budget can be as simple as drawing out a budget worksheet with columns allocated to start-up costs (if you are launching a business) and monthly operating expenses. Depending on your type of business, expenses include items like business equipment, office supplies, inventory, shipping costs, furniture, licenses and permits, leases, utility costs, insurance, legal and accounting fees, salaries, travel and transportation costs, entertainment, benefits and advertising and marketing costs.
In addition to expenses, your business budget should include income. You can project what you expect your monthly income to be on your budget worksheet. If your company revenue goes up, this of course gives you a larger budget to work with. When you have the numbers documented on paper, it is easier to plan and adjust your business operations accordingly.
When you write out your budgeted start-up and monthly costs, also include a column that will show the “actual” expenditures. This way, you know exactly where your money is going, and where you need to make adjustments.
Figuring Out Your Start-Up Costs:
For entrepreneurs just starting out, it can be difficult to know what monthly expenses will be. To get a general idea,you can view sample business plans online for your field of business. Business plans will include a start-up and projected operating budget, and there are some posted at the Palo Alto Software website.
Contact your local government office for costs of license and permits, research what leases run in your area, shop around for equipment and supply prices, etc. You can get price quotes from professionals on services like insurance and accounting. Sometimes other local business owners who work in your field can provide helpful advice on things like what monthly utility bills run, what wages employees expect and typical advertising costs. Do not be afraid to ask questions.
If you find that start-up costs are higher than what you expected and out of your budget, your best option may be to begin your business part-time or on a smaller scale. Build up some reserve funds for unexpected costs or in case of emergencies.
A projected business budget will not always match your business income and expenses, but it helps your company run at peak performance. Your budget can always be changed, but the first step is to create one.
For a sample business budget and free start-up expenses worksheet, visit Budget Software – How to Create a Small Business Budget.