Budget in QuickBooks

How to… Create a Budget in QuickBooks

Creating a budget in QuickBooks Online is a simple way to plan ahead, manage spending, and monitor your business performance throughout the year. A budget allows you to set financial targets for your income and expenses, making it easier to identify trends and stay on track.

1. Start the Budget Wizard

  • Click the Gear icon in the top-right corner of your QuickBooks dashboard.
  • Under the Tools column, select Budgeting.
  • Click Add budget to begin creating a new budget.

2. Configure Your Budget

Complete the budget setup by entering the following details:

  • Budget Name: Give your budget a descriptive name, such as 2026 Operating Budget or Marketing Budget 2026.
  • Fiscal Year: Select the financial year the budget applies to.
  • Interval: Choose whether you want to budget by Month, Quarter, or Year.
  • Budget Type: Select:
    • Profit and Loss to budget your income and expenses.
    • Balance Sheet to budget your assets, liabilities, and equity.
  • Prefill Data: Choose how you want to build your budget:
    • Start with a blank budget.
    • Use historical data, such as last year’s actual figures.
    • Copy an existing budget to save time.

Once you’ve completed these settings, click Next.

3. Enter Your Budget Figures

QuickBooks will display a spreadsheet-style view of your Chart of Accounts.

  • Enter your projected income and expenses for each account.
  • Fill in the amounts for each month, quarter, or year depending on the interval you selected.
  • Review your figures carefully to ensure they align with your business goals.

If you’re using QuickBooks Online Pro Plus or Advanced, you can create more detailed budgets by tracking them by:

  • Classes
  • Locations
  • Customers or Projects

This gives you greater visibility into different areas of your business.

When you’re happy with your budget, click Save and Close.

4. Monitor Your Budget Performance

Creating a budget is only the first step. Regularly comparing your actual results against your budget helps you stay in control of your finances.

To view your budget performance:

  • Select Reports from the left-hand navigation menu.
  • Search for Budgets vs. Actuals.
  • Open the report to compare your planned income and expenses against your actual figures.

The report highlights any variances, allowing you to quickly identify where you’re over or under budget. This insight helps you make informed decisions, adjust spending if needed, and keep your business on track throughout the financial year.

Want to get even more from QuickBooks?

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to make better use of QuickBooks, our tailored training sessions can help you work more efficiently and get the most from your software.

Delivered live by a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and qualified accountant, every session is customised to your business and can be delivered one-to-one or for your team via Zoom.

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