Free tool
Budget variance calculator
Overview
Compare what you planned with what happened, for a revenue or an expense line.
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Excel workbook · $24
Budget vs Actual Workbook
Set a budget for each income and expense line, enter your actuals as the months close, and see what is over, what is under and where the year is heading.
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How it works
How it works
Variance = actual minus budget. For revenue, above budget is favorable. For an expense, below budget is favorable. The percent is the variance divided by the budget.
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FAQ
About this calculator
What is a budget variance?
The difference between what you planned to earn or spend and what you actually did.
Is a variance always bad?
No. A favorable variance can come from selling more or spending less, but check the cause, such as delayed spending that comes due next month.
How often should I review variances?
Monthly is common for small businesses, so you can adjust before the year ends.
Is anything saved?
No. The math runs in your browser and nothing you enter is sent to us.
Is this tax or financial advice?
No. It is a calculator for general information. Check the numbers against your own records, and ask an accountant before you act on them.
Read the guide: Zero-Based Budgeting: Give Every Dollar a Job. Related: cash flow and burn rate calculator, operating margin calculator. See all free tools. More free tools: Simple interest calculator, Time card calculator, Cash conversion cycle calculator, or see all free tools.
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General information, not tax or legal advice. How we write and check our tools.
Excel workbook
Budget vs Actual Workbook
Set a budget for each income and expense line, enter your actuals as the months close, and see what is over, what is under and where the year is heading.
See what is inside ($24) Try the free starter
Also in the Business Planning Bundle: 4 products for $79 instead of $106 separately.
Tallyfinch
Books you keep on your own computer
Tallyfinch does invoices, bills, bank import, reconciliation and the main reports, in a file you own. $99 once, then $5 a month for updates; the app keeps working if you stop the plan. It does not do payroll or sales tax filing. The free download records up to 60 entries.
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