Introduction
In this assignment, you will continue to use the organization you selected from the Week 4 assignment to present an overview of the annual budget cycle, including a timeline chart or graph of the cycle and stages of the planning process.
To successfully complete this assignment, you will demonstrate your academic writing and literature review skills to address the following competencies:
Analyze the complexities and unique methods involved in providing financial aid to human service organizations.
Apply institutional budget planning and implementation strategies and techniques to financial decision making.
Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and respectful of the diversity, dignity, and integrity of others, consistent with expectations for members of the human services profession.
Instructions
To complete this assignment, use the u07a1 Template ‒ The Budget Cycle, linked in the Resources. This template will provide guidance for covering the key points required in this assignment. The template also provides headings that align with APA formatting standards and includes recommendations for supporting references.
This assignment has four components to discuss the stages of a budget cycle for your identified organization. Complete the following:
Budget preparation. The budget preparation process is different for a nonprofit organization, a (health care) for-profit organization, or a government organization. In this section of the assignment, discuss the unique components of budget preparation for your selected organization specifically, and for the type of organization in general. How do factors such as taxes, grants, donations, capital funding campaigns, and other revenue sources shape budget preparation? Define the timeline used within your identified organization for budget preparation.
Budget review and adoption. Identify the individuals or the decision-making body that must review the budget before it is adopted. Discuss the decision-making process that takes place for prioritizing organizational goals and objectives and for defining unfunded requirements. Discuss the steps that must be taken before an approval is made to adopt the budget. Create a timeline that reflects the elements of this phase.
Budget implementation or execution. Discuss whether the organization’s budget is implemented in stages, by quarter, or by revenue source cycles. Does the organization have encumbered or unencumbered expenditures, or funding sources or streams that impact implementation at different time periods? Create a timeline that reflects the elements of this phase.
Evaluation of results. Discuss the reporting requirements and how these elements of the budget cycle are executed. Explain any audit procedures required by the agency, the board, or revenue agencies.
Submission Requirements
Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
Writing style: Present the content of this assignment in a paragraph format and include transitional phrases, headings to define document sections, appropriate subheadings, and references.
APA formatting: Use proper APA format for headings. In-text citations and references at the end of the paper must be in proper APA (current edition) style and formatting.
Resources: Include a minimum of 6 scholarly, peer-reviewed resources (such as textbooks or academic journal articles).
Length of paper: 6–8 typed, double-spaced pages.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
Review The Budget Cycle rubric to verify you are meeting the required components of the assignment.
