Course Overview
This course equips participants with advanced budgeting and forecasting techniques, emphasizing modern, dynamic, and data-driven decision-making processes.
It focuses on moving beyond traditional, static spreadsheets to create flexible, scenario-based budgets that are fully aligned with the organization’s strategic objectives and performance goals.
Participants will explore integrated planning methods, combining financial, operational, and strategic data into a single, connected workflow. Through practical exercises, they will design rolling forecasts, model “what-if” scenarios, and discover how automation can reduce manual work, save time, and minimize errors.
The program also introduces work ow-driven budgeting, demonstrating how approval cycles, interdepartmental collaboration, and performance monitoring can be structured for transparency and agility.
By the end of the course, participants will have a comprehensive framework to transform budgeting from a compliance-driven exercise into a strategic enabler capable of adapting quickly to changing market conditions and business needs.
KEY THEMES COVERED INCLUDE:
- Building agile, strategy-driven budgets that respond to shifting priorities.
- Designing driver-based models and rolling forecasts for continuous planning.
- Applying analytics and emerging AI techniques for predictive insights.
- Improving collaboration and accountability through work ow-based processes.
- Linking budgets directly to KPIs and organizational performance outcomes.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Budget managers, financial analysts, CFOs, and professionals involved in financial planning and strategy who want to modernize their budgeting practices.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the program, participants will:
- Build adaptive, scenario-based budgets.
- Understand AI concepts applied to forecasting.
- Improve accuracy and speed of nancial planning.
- Align budgets with organizational goals and performance measurement.
5-DAY PROGRAM AGENDA
DAY 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MODERN BUDGETING
Main Topics:
1. The Evolution of Budgeting Practices
- Traditional vs. modern budgeting methods.
- Challenges of static, Excel-based budgeting.
- Role of budgeting in organizational strategy.
2. Strategic Alignment and Budgeting Objectives
- Linking budgets to corporate strategy and KPIs.
- Understanding stakeholder expectations and cross-department alignment.
- How budgets guide resource allocation and performance monitoring.
Subtopics:
- The shift from historical reporting to forward-looking planning.
- Best practices for dening budget goals and assumptions.
- Real-world case examples of budgeting failures and successes.
DAY 2: BUDGET STRUCTURES AND DATA
FOUNDATIONS
Main Topics:
1. Designing the Budget Framework
- Types of budgets: operating, capital, cash ow, and exible budgets.
- Building a chart of accounts and cost centers for clarity.
- Rolling forecasts vs. annual static budgets.
2. Building Reliable Data Foundations
- Ensuring data accuracy and consistency.
- Establishing internal data governance for budgeting systems.
- Integrating data from nance, HR, and operations.
Subtopics:
- How to prepare a clean baseline for forecasting models.
- Discussion: challenges with fragmented systems and siloed data.
- Group exercise: map the ow of budget data across departments.
DAY 3: FORECASTING AND SCENARIO PLANNING
Main Topics:
1. Introduction to Forecasting Techniques
- Time-series forecasting (trend, seasonality, growth).
- Driver-based forecasting: linking assumptions to business outcomes.
- When to use simple vs. advanced forecasting methods.
2. Scenario Planning for Uncertainty
- Developing optimistic, baseline, and pessimistic scenarios.
- Modeling external factors like in ation, interest rates, and FX rates.
- Linking scenarios to risk management and contingency planning.
Subtopics:
- Practical forecasting example using sample data.
- Group activity: create a basic three-scenario model for a retail business.
- How scenario planning supports board-level decision-making.
DAY 4: AI AND DIGITAL TOOLS IN BUDGETING
Main Topics:
1. The Role of AI in Budgeting and Forecasting
- How AI improves accuracy and speed.
- Predictive analytics for identifying trends and anomalies.
- Examples of AI use cases: expense prediction, revenue modeling.
2. Work ow Automation for Budgeting Processes
- Streamlining approvals and data collection.
- Using work ow tools for collaboration and accountability.
- Free or low-cost tools for rapid implementation (e.g., collaborative platforms).
Subtopics:
- Introduction to machine learning concepts in nance.
- Discussion: the role of humans vs. algorithms in decision-making.
- Mini-demo using preloaded data to show work ow e ciency gains.
DAY 5: INTEGRATION, PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT, AND IMPLEMENTATION ROADMAP
Main Topics:
1. Integrating Budgeting with Performance Management
- Linking budgets to key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Ongoing monitoring with dashboards and reports.
- Driving a continuous improvement culture.
Developing the Budget Transformation Roadmap
- Step-by-step roadmap for modernizing budgeting practices.
- Governance structures for sustainable success.
- Managing change and training teams for adoption.
Subtopics:
- Case study discussion: successful budgeting transformation in a mid-sized organization.
- Wrap-up workshop: participants outline a roadmap for their own organizations.
- Final Q&A and action planning.
TRAINER’S PROFILE
With over 45 years of experience at the intersection of international Treasury and Investment Banking Consulting, Peter has developed a comprehensive and nuanced expertise across both conventional and Islamic treasury environ ments. His career has been marked by the development of advanced trading models that have become foundational to innovative trading strategies. Through detailed portfolio analysis, he has enhanced asset performance and brought precision to asset allocations.