[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”sheetgo-post” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”54px|0px|1px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Budget vs Actual analysis is a bit like a financial reality check for your business. Essentially, it involves comparing your budget with what you’ve actually earned and spent.<\/p>\n
Taking the time to carry out budget vs actual analysis will give you a better understanding of your company’s current performance. In addition, it will help you to create better forecasts in the future.<\/p>\n
If there are significant differences between the budgeted figures and actual figures (termed “favorable” or “unfavorable variance”) this can flag up potential problems. A favorable variance means that income was higher than expected, or outgoings were lower. In contrast, an unfavorable variance means that income was lower than forecast, or outgoings were higher.<\/p>\n
An unfavorable variance is often the result of a one-off issue. This may be due to external factors. For example, supply chain disruption might force the company to spend more on an expensive alternative. On other occasions, variances can signify deeper problems in the company. A significant disparity between budgeted income and actual income could indicate a weakness in your sales department, for instance.<\/p>\n
The greatest challenge when creating a variance report (and a reason why many SMEs don’t do it well \u2014 or do it at all!) is collecting all the necessary data.<\/p>\n
Firstly, pulling together information from different departments is time-consuming. Secondly, someone has the tricky task of analyzing it all. For this system to work effectively, you need each department to record their data accurately in a compatible, accessible format.<\/p>\n
There’s plenty of specialist FP&A<\/a> (financial planning and analysis) software out there for budgeting, forecasting, and analysis. However, if you’re running a startup or SME there\u2019s no need to invest in expensive new tools.<\/p>\n It\u2019s likely that you already manage your sales, income, and expenses data in spreadsheets. A budget vs actual spreadsheet template in Google Sheets can help you transform that data into an automated budget tracker.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F6F8F9″ custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px|true|true” border_radii=”on|12px|12px|12px|12px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” text_font_size_tablet=”17px” text_font_size_phone=”17px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_font_tablet=”” header_4_font_phone=”” header_4_font_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_orientation_tablet=”center” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/app.sheetgo.com\/templates\/budget-actual” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”INSTALL FREE TEMPLATE” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#2979ff” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”6px” button_font=”|700|||||||” button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” custom_margin_tablet=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”15px|16px|15px|16px|true|true” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_bg_color__hover=”rgba(41,121,255,0.7)” button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Budget-vs-actuals-1.png” alt=”budget-vs-actual-budget-analysis-tab” title_text=”Budget vs actuals 1″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n The Budget vs Actual Spreadsheet Template from Sheetgo is a connected spreadsheet system. Unlike a standard template, Sheetgo’s template is a workflow of connected files that consolidates data automatically. This tool enables you to compare your budget with what you’ve actually earned and spent, thereby facilitating efficient financial management.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It’s suitable for companies of all shapes and sizes, providing teams with a user-friendly way to collect and share income and expenses data. At the same time, it generates automated reports for accountants and company directors.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n When you install the Sheetgo Budget vs Actual template, three Google Sheets files with pre-built Sheetgo connections are saved to your Google Drive. These include:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Budget-vs-actual-template_overview.png” alt=”budget vs actual template google sheets” title_text=”Budget vs actual template_overview” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Click on the blue button below to install the template<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/app.sheetgo.com\/templates\/budget-actual\/” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”INSTALL FREE TEMPLATE” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#2979ff” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”6px” button_font=”|700|||||||” button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”30px||30px||true|false” custom_padding=”15px|20px|15px|20px|true|true” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_bg_color__hover=”rgba(41,121,255,0.7)” button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n In the master sheet you’ll find initial instructions on how to use the template. Before filling out the spreadsheet, select the operating year in the dropdown menu.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Budget-vs-actuals-1-1.png” alt=”Budget vs actual template” title_text=”Budget vs actuals 1″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n In the income file, complete the Income Forecast<\/strong> worksheet with your data, entering how much income each category is due to generate each month.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Budget-vs-actuals-2.png” alt=”Budget vs actuals 2″ title_text=”Budget vs actuals 2″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Next, you should fill out the Income Actual<\/strong> tab.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Budget-vs-actuals-3.png” alt=”Budget vs actuals 3″ title_text=”Budget vs actuals 3″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F6F8F9″ custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px|true|true” border_radii=”on|12px|12px|12px|12px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” text_font_size_tablet=”17px” text_font_size_phone=”17px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_font_tablet=”” header_4_font_phone=”” header_4_font_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_orientation_tablet=”center” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/app.sheetgo.com\/templates\/budget-actual” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”INSTALL FREE TEMPLATE” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#2979ff” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”6px” button_font=”|700|||||||” button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” custom_margin_tablet=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”15px|16px|15px|16px|true|true” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_bg_color__hover=”rgba(41,121,255,0.7)” button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Once you start entering data into the Income Forecast<\/strong> and the Income Actual<\/strong> tabs, the template automatically generates a report in the Income Analysis<\/b> tab.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Budget-vs-actuals-6.png” alt=”Budget vs actuals 6″ title_text=”Budget vs actuals 6″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n In the Expenses file, you should record the budgeted expenses and the actual amount spent.<\/p>\n In the Expenses Forecast<\/strong> tab, you should enter the monthly budget for expenses.<\/p>\n In the Expenses Actual<\/strong> tab, you should enter the actual amount spent, every time a bill or invoice is paid.<\/p>\n The template automatically combines the budget and actual data to generate Expenses Analysis<\/strong> report.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Budget-vs-actuals-7.png” alt=”Budget vs actuals 7″ title_text=”Budget vs actuals 7″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n go back to the\u00a0<\/span>Workflow<\/strong>\u00a0by clicking on the sidebar to the left of the screen Afterwards, click on\u00a0<\/span>Run<\/strong>\u00a0located in the left bottom corner. You can also automate the process so that it runs on its own.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Budget-vs-actual_automate.webp” alt=”budget vs actual template automation” title_text=”Budget vs actual_automate” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n After running the workflow, the master file will automatically combine the data from all the files to generate the Budget Analysis<\/strong> report.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Budget-vs-actuals-8.png” alt=”Budget vs actuals 8″ title_text=”Budget vs actuals 8″ _builder_version=”4.21.2″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F6F8F9″ custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px|true|true” border_radii=”on|12px|12px|12px|12px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” text_orientation=”center” text_font_size_tablet=”17px” text_font_size_phone=”17px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_font_tablet=”” header_4_font_phone=”” header_4_font_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_orientation_tablet=”center” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/app.sheetgo.com\/templates\/budget-actual\/” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”INSTALL FREE TEMPLATE” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#2979ff” button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”6px” button_font=”|700|||||||” button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” custom_margin_tablet=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”10px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”15px|16px|15px|16px|true|true” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_bg_color__hover=”rgba(41,121,255,0.7)” button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Budget vs Actual analysis is a bit like a financial reality check for your business. Essentially, it involves comparing your budget with what you’ve actually earned and spent. Taking the time to carry out budget vs actual analysis will give you a better understanding of your company’s current performance. In addition, it will help you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":27394,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[57],"tags":[50],"class_list":["post-15312","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-finance-templates","tag-finance"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15312","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15312"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15312\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15312"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15312"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Sign up for Sheetgo and s<\/span>tart tracking your budget vs actual<\/span><\/h4>\n
Why use Google Sheets for budget vs actual analysis?<\/h3>\n
\n
How to get started<\/h3>\n
What you get with this template:<\/h3>\n
\n
How to use the Budget vs Actual spreadsheet template<\/b><\/h3>\n
How the template works<\/h3>\n
Fill out the Income tabs<\/h3>\n
Start tracking your budget vs actual<\/span><\/h4>\n
Check out the automated Income report<\/h4>\n
Fill out the Expenses tabs<\/h4>\n
Transfer the data<\/h4>\n
Check out the Budget Analysis<\/h4>\n
Start tracking your budget vs actual<\/span><\/h3>\n