Economic control for association projects: how to prepare a budget.
Since the origins of history, human beings have tried to be part of the Nature’s balance by building sculptures with natural elements and without any biding material.
If we talk about association projects, the search of balance also applies when it comes to incomes and expenses to try to accomplish the goal with the available resources. The only unbalanced result that would be valid would be a profit balance!
A simple way to carry out the economic control of our project is with an Excel file to collect the expected income and to help us to adapt the expenses to be incurred. In short, the expenses cannot exceed income.
All the projects of the associations managed by RABUSO in which there is money, need to have a budget first of all. A project should not start without a clear scope, objectives, and economic control.
Where does our income come from?
In the income section, we will identify the different resources. In the association projects, they usually are from allocated funds, registrations, sponsorships, or a combination of these three options.
There can be different rates depending on some criteria. For example, registration for member or no-member companies.
The marketing opportunities can have several options with different benefits and rates, or it can be only one type to make it simpler.
What costs are foreseen?
When it comes to expenses, we need to analyse the type of project and identify the needs. For instance, it is an event, we may need to rent the venue, catering services, or the production of the promotional materials.
Some tips that can help to estimate the expenses of a project are to look at:
- The economic control of the same project from previous editions
- Similar projects from other associations
- The price list of RABUSO’s services, which organised by area
When it is a new project without previous references, we should:
- Ask for offers from at least 2 or 3 suppliers
- Estimate the cost of the service/product
- Have a reserve fund for unforeseen circumstances
Control, monitoring and financial project closure
As the project progresses, the Project Manager will record in the ‘Update’ column, next to the ‘Budget’ column, the actual amounts of both income and expenses.
The Accounting department will be responsible for recording them as invoices are issued and payments are received into the association’s account. If the project runs for two different years, it is necessary to register each invoice and payment in the year in which it occurred.
Teamwork and communication between team members is especially important.
Before closing the project, the Project Manager must verify that all the tasks have been accomplished and invoices from suppliers have been received.
The accounting department will inform the financial closure of the project to the team when all revenues and payments have been recorded.
It might seem complicated to draw up a budget for a project, but with some tips and experience, nothing is impossible!