Budget Preparation Skills for Budget Holders
Prepare a realistic, well-motivated departmental budget, track spending against it and explain variances with confidence.
- 3 days
- Classroom · Live virtual · In-house
- Afriskora Certificate of Completion
Course overview
Budget holders are often handed a spreadsheet and a deadline with little guidance on how to build a credible budget. This course teaches managers outside finance how to cost activities, estimate staff and operating expenses, justify requests and monitor spending through the year. It covers both private-sector budgeting and the MTEF processes used by public institutions.
Who should attend
- Departmental and cost-centre managers
- Programme and project managers
- Public-sector budget holders and planners
- Finance officers who support budget holders
What you will be able to do
- Translate plans and activities into a costed budget
- Estimate staff, operating and capital costs realistically
- Motivate budget requests that withstand scrutiny
- Monitor monthly spending and forecast year-end outcomes
- Explain variances and take corrective action
Course outline
Module 1Building the budget
- • The budget cycle and your role in it
- • Activity-based costing of plans
- • Staff cost and headcount budgeting
- • Capital versus operating expenditure
Module 2Justifying and approving
- • Writing a budget motivation
- • Prioritising when funds are short
- • Public-sector MTEF and PFMA requirements
- • Presenting to a budget committee
Module 3Managing through the year
- • Monthly monitoring and accruals
- • Variance analysis and explanations
- • Reforecasting and virement
- • Budget exercise in Excel
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Budget Preparation Skills for Budget Holders course?
The course runs for 3 days. Daily start and finish times are confirmed in your joining instructions. Live virtual sessions cover the same programme.
Do I receive a certificate?
Yes. Every participant who completes the course receives an Afriskora Certificate of Completion with a unique code that employers can verify online.
Can this course be delivered in-house for our team?
Yes. We can run it at your premises or online for your team, on dates that suit you, and adapt examples and case studies to your sector.
How do I book and pay?
Request dates and we'll send available sessions and a quote. Bookings are confirmed by invoice and paid by EFT. South African clients can include the course in their Workplace Skills Plan.
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