When would a company use zero-based budgeting?
This is typically done by department leads to provide the accounting team with more granular numbers. Companies use zero-based budgeting when outflows need to be carefully monitored. That could be in cases where funding is limited, and costs are weighed carefully, or simply to get spending under control.
- Auto manufacturer General Motors Co.
- Industrial firm Honeywell International Inc.
- Cosmetics business Coty Inc.
- Chocolate maker Hershey Co.
- Alcoholic-beverage company Diageo PLC.
Managers need to account for all elements of the budget and identify cost-effective, relevant, and cost-saving areas. ZBB can be applied to any type of cost: capital expenditures, operating expenses, research and development (R&D) expenses, or even cost of goods sold (COGS).
A zero-based budget, sometimes called a zero-sum budget, is when your total income, minus your expenses, equals zero.
The money you spend should always equal the money you earn. That is "income minus expenses equals zero" - that's what makes it zero-based. What are some reasons why the balance in your checkbook registry might not match the balance on your bank statement?
Zero-Based Budget. A cash flow plan that assigns an expense to every dollar of your income, where in he total income minus the total expense equals zero.
- Identify your goal. ...
- Reflect on your needs. ...
- Review past expenses. ...
- Evaluate and justify costs and expenses. ...
- Implement your budget. ...
- Evaluate your success.
Zero-based budgeting means budgeting by justifying and approving all expenses for each accounting period, rather than basing it on your past spending. By starting from a 'zero base' at the beginning of each budget, you can create a really effective process for analysing and deciding where to allocate your funds.
Using a zero-based budget is an ideal way to shake up a stale environment. This approach is a longer process than the incremental method, but it is an effective way to scrutinize expenditures and identify outgrown needs. A zero-based budget starts with the strategic goals of the organization.
ZBB has many advantages over traditional budgeting. It has a bad reputation for being a complete cost cutting exercise, but ZBB an help you align spend to more revenue generating opportunities. ZBB offers a number of advantages, including lower costs, budget flexibility, and strategic execution.
Why is the zero-based budget the most effective type of budget quizlet?
The zero-based budget is the best method of budgeting because: The zero-based budget ensures that every dollar you make is assigned a specific purpose.
Instead of spending $10,000 in this example of zero-based budgeting, you only need to spend $3,000. You would mark $3,000 for advertisements. And, you find out you can get a better rate from a different office supplier, saving you $500. Instead of $1,500, your supplies will now only cost you $1,000.

A zero-based approach seeks to link organizational designs to strategic priorities (for example, areas for investment compared with efficiency optimization) instead of a “one-size-fits-all” solution across the business.
Zero-based budgeting (ZBB) is a budgeting process that allocates funding based on program efficiency and necessity rather than budget history. 1 As opposed to traditional budgeting, no item is automatically included in the next budget.
Zero-based budgeting is an approach to budgeting where all expenses must be justified at the start of each new budgeting period. This process starts at a 'zero-base,' and every organisational function is analysed for their needs and costs before an item is included in the budget.
In zero-based budgeting every function is analyzed for its needs and costs. Hence statement 2 is correct. In a zero-based Budget, no balances are carried forward, or there are no pre-committed expenses.
Zero-based budget compensates the weakness of incremental budgeting of budget inflation. Coordination and Communication: Zero-based budgeting provides better coordination and communication within the department and motivation to employees by involving them in decision-making.
- Create your budget before the month begins. To stay on top of your budget, plan ahead. ...
- Practice budgeting to zero. ...
- Use the right tools. ...
- Establish needs versus wants. ...
- Keep bills and receipts organized. ...
- Prioritize debt repayment. ...
- Don't forget to factor in fun. ...
- Save first, then spend.
This means that, rather than carrying over line items from the previous year's budget and modifying the totals by a certain percentage, a zero-based budget starts out with $0 listed in revenue and $0 listed in expenses.
Generally, “pay yourself first” means what it says—set aside money for savings before paying bills and making other purchases. But it's still important to keep up with debt obligations. Automatic transfers can make it easier to pay yourself first.
What is the conclusion of zero-based budgeting?
Conclusion: Zero-based budgeting aims at reflecting true expenses to be incurred by a department or a state [in the case of budget making by the government]. Although time-consuming, this is a more appropriate way of budgeting.
In the 50/20/30 budget, 50% of your net income should go to your needs, 20% should go to savings, and 30% should go to your wants. If you've read the Essentials of Budgeting, you're already familiar with the idea of wants and needs. This budget recommends a specific balance for your spending on wants and needs.
Budgeting method | Best for… |
---|---|
1. The zero-based budget | Tracking consistent income and expenses |
2. The pay-yourself-first budget | Prioritizing savings and debt repayment |
3. The envelope system budget | Making your spending more disciplined |
4. The 50/30/20 budget | Categorizing “needs” over “wants” |
Budget inflation: Since every line item is to be justified, a zero-based budget overcomes the weakness of incremental budgeting of budget inflation.
Advantages and disadvantages
Zero-based budgeting encourages companies to evaluate every department's funding, and their current needs rather than the momentum of the previous year's budget or previous expenditure.
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