Traditional Budgeting vs Zero Based Budgeting

Differences Between Traditional and Zero-Based Budgeting

Traditional budgeting is a very simple method and it is computed on the basis of historical data and it can be used for all the departments of an organization whereas zero based budgeting is a complicated method which is computed on the basis of estimated data and this can be only be used in the case of profit center.

The most crucial difference between traditional and zero-based budgeting is that in traditional budgeting, the costs aren’t minimal since we consider the previous year’s expenditure. However, in zero-based budgeting, the costs can be minimal as we take the starting point to be zero.

Companies budget the costs/expenses to make sense of what may happen in the future. Setting a budget ensures that the businesses are allocating their capital right and are allowing the costs to be minimal.

One of the most common budgeting methods is traditional budgeting. As per traditional budgeting, a company sets forth its forecast of expenses based on the previous year’s expenditure.

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On the other hand, zero-based budgeting, which happens to be a popular budgeting method, assumes nothing; instead, they base their assumptions on budgeting as zero.

Traditional Budgeting vs. Zero Based Budgeting Infographics

Key Differences Between Traditional and Zero-Based Budgeting

• Traditional budgeting needs a reference point; zero-based budgeting, on the other hand, always starts from zero.
• Traditional budgeting takes the preceding year’s expenses as base data points; zero-based budgeting takes the strategic approach to assign budgets to each unit/department.
• Traditional budgeting is simplistic since it is done regularly with a similar approach; zero-based budgeting is quite complicated since it encourages re-evaluation every time during usage.
• Traditional budgeting, base on historic information, that why it revolves around accounting. Zero-based budgeting base on estimated data, and that’s why it revolves around decision making.
• Traditional budgeting encourages similar costing of the previous year. Zero-based budgeting supports cost-effectiveness.

Comparative Table

Conclusion

Traditional budgeting is truly out-dated. And other than becoming a simplistic process, it doesn’t serve the company, a business, or even an individual.

Not only traditional budgeting is simplistic, but it’s also very time consuming because it involves a lot of spread-sheets. And chances of errors are even more in using this method. On the other hand, zero-based budgeting ensures cost-effectiveness and detailed-orientation, which help a business generate more profits and an individual save and invest more money.

Without a tinge of doubt, zero-based budgeting is a far superior approach than traditional budgeting.

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