The Public Budget Cycle

Improved Essays
The Public Budget Cycle
The public budget cycle is applicable to organizations that operate based on a budget. There are four phases related to a budget cycle and each step is valuable. For example, with preparation, approval, execution, and evaluation of each step involved becomes a living document towards better understanding and helping to achieve the organization goals. The preparing of a budget is the first step, approving of the budget is the second step, executing the budget is the third step and lastly, the evaluation of the budget.

Preparing of the budget is a process that generates the budget. It must be done correctly in order to identify what is needed and what are the new initiatives that should be implemented. Leadership
…show more content…
Chief executives for the organization, if chosen, can impound funds to prevent any wasteful spending. However, the department can reprogram in order to provide them with additional funding if there is a need. Oftentimes, monies are spent in accordance of the budget therefore, a good budget is a financial embodiment of the organization’s strategy and tactics for that year. Lastly, evaluating the budget ensures that funds are being spent in accordance in the law. With auditing and evaluating of the budget primarily focuses on how effective the funding is being spent. Thus, the importance o f the government and organization is where the funding will generate a return.

The U.S. Department of Education budget process begins in May, no later than the first Monday in February and by law, the President is responsible for submitting a budget to Congress. According to Lee & Johnson (2008), “For instance, the president may have recommended a major increase in educational programs that would significantly increase funds flowing to the states, but considerable doubt will exist as to whether congress will accept the recommendation” (p. 65). Thus, Congress reviews over the President’s plan and adopts a budget resolution and sets forth its own
…show more content…
In essence, the reprogramming action shifts the funds within an appropriation account in order to be used for a different purpose. Reprogramming should be requested if the funds are excessive of 10 percent or up to $500,000 whichever, is less. In addition, reprogramming request that comes from Congress must be prepared by the Department’s Budget Service and then submitted in a letter signed by the Secretary to the House. Overall, when dealing with the reprogramming process, the request must include where the funds would be taken, what would be use of those funds, and thorough discussion of the reasons for the request.
Lastly, when supplemental are involved, it responds to change in the law or economic conditions within the fiscal year. According to Pitsvada (1983), “Notwithstanding Congressional efforts to reform the budgetary system, one continuing source of tension remains between the executive and Congress and that is the extent to which agencies should have flexibility or discretion in executing public programs funded by Congress (p. 83). Congress usually takes on Supplementals and the supplemental bill is considered in September whereas, it generally is the one that include any necessary emergency

Related Documents

  • Decent Essays

    Mat 540 Final Paper

    • 252 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The board of directors have to approve the budget. Issue the budget. Create a bound version of the budget and distribute it to all authorized recipients. Load the budget. Load the budget information into the financial software, so that you can generate budget versus actual reports.…

    • 252 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Decent Essays

    In order to apply a goal or plan, the organization must develop a budget. It takes strategic planning within an organization such as Cape Fear Valley Health System (CFVHS) to help recognize their goals, activities, and resources necessary to fulfill their overall vision. Fritze states that a budget is the gathering of data for the preparation of anticipated cost and revenue for a future period (2001). Budgeting for CFVHC is crucial for overall supplies and services along with the many different departments that must plan individual budgets because it will raise awareness to reduce economic risks, therefore ensuring survival of an organization (Fritze, 2001). In order to become profitable, it is important to monitor incoming money, but limiting the amount of money being spent will help maintain the stability of the organization.…

    • 556 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    There are countless legal issues that may impact the school operations, in which the principal must be aware of. He/she will also have to prepare for anticipated revenues and expenses that may come throughout the year; in the same way, he/she will have the final say in anything dealing with the school’s budget. In order to develop a budget, the principal must have knowledge of the availability of funds for the year, have an idea of the operational costs, and be willing to take risks in the best interest of the school.…

    • 1773 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Florida Budget Essay

    • 1851 Words
    • 8 Pages

    The Florida’s legislature has a central role in the budgeting process since it has the final power in adopting a budget. The budget preparation starts in July of the year before the commencement of a new fiscal year, with the governor sending budget instructions to the state agencies. The agencies, in response, send their budget requests in October, to the governor, before budget hearings with the state agencies are held in September. Public hearings follow in September and January and in February the governor presents the proposed budget to the legislature. Following debates, the legislature adopts the budget in April or May through a simple majority vote.…

    • 1851 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This would help aid them in future decisions such as budget cuts and the future plans for…

    • 1345 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Once I received the budget, the service plan will be reviewed. Some services may need to be adjusted. For example, home visits by a nurse may need to be scaled down in some area to ensure a more efficient use of this resource. Some positions may not be filled and some staff will be utilized in different positions. Next, the existing programmes and services will be reviewed, so certain service may be altered.…

    • 108 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    There are growing needs that will require additional funding like Border patrols. Basically an across the board blanket budget could actually do more harm than good. Cuts in various sectors could bring lawsuits and delay budgets and funding. An example is Texas’ move to cut Therapy programs last year.…

    • 816 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Finance Case Study

    • 870 Words
    • 4 Pages

    (TCO F) Answer completely all of the following questions: Why do state and local governments go into debt? What is a municipal bond? How does a municipal bond differ from a corporate bond? What is Net Interest Cost (NIC) and how does it differ from True Interest Cost (TIC)?…

    • 870 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Virginia Budgeting

    • 1431 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The biennial budget is enacted into law during every even numbered year. The amendments are enacted into law every odd numbered year (Example, the budget for the current biennium was adopted by the 2012 General Assembly and the 2013 General Assembly will consider needed adjustments based on the current revenue forecasts and spending priorities.) Developing the Commonwealth of Virginia budget is a process which takes many months. There are five district phases 1. The Agency Budget preparation phase in which the state agencies analyze the programs and need of the agency.…

    • 1431 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Appropriations Committee: A congressional committee that works with federal spending. So What: The appropriations committee holds the power of the purse, and controls all the senate's spending. Bicameralism: A lawmaking body made up of two houses.…

    • 1359 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    In the case of a clash between the legislative branch and the executive branch over the budget of the United States there are many ways in which the legislative branch can influence the executive branch. The legislative branch, and primary the Senate can choose to eliminate any and all funding for the decision. They can…

    • 1882 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    It is far easier to reduce or postpone direct program expenses than statutory spending programs , as the latter are under formal multi-year agreements or would create significant political repercussions. J. Poterba examined several categories of the U.S. federal government over the seven years following the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990. His findings revealed a sharp decline in discretionary spending from 9.2% of GDP to 6.6%, while statutory programs grew from 10.3% to 11.2%. A balanced budget requirement could also lead to investment bias, sending spending away from the allocation between operating expenses and capital expenditure that would be chosen based on financial fundamentals. Cameron also notes that in cases where obly operating expenses are restricted, it can form a preference for physical capital, such as purchasing more military equipment rather than hiring and training personnel.…

    • 2630 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Billions in federal dollars are committed each year to support education, infrastructure, and research. The role of the federal government in these investments is often greatly debated due to the varying congressional perspectives. Federal funding is often aligned with federal regulatory requirements ensuring proper resourcing for mandates to the states in areas of federal interest. Funding for investments is provided directly or through state or local government grants with the 2017 budget at $94.6 billion (Blauhous, 2017). Critical to debate on cuts to any program is an agreement on priorities and the federal value of each investment.…

    • 424 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Budget Memo

    • 577 Words
    • 3 Pages

    All budget managers fear a reduction in their budget if their allocated amount is not consumed. The problem is these investments are generally not in the essential areas of our business. I understand and hear your concerns and effective immediately we are changing the way we budget to eliminate inefficient spending. We are moving to a revolving fund budget.…

    • 577 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This book Red Ink: Inside the High-Stakes Politics of the Federal Budget, written by David Wessel, provides a readable format for readers with or without specific financial background to briefly understand the whole picture of the federal budget. The book consists of five chapters. In the first chapter, Wessel began with, as a reporter, a scene that the president was about to give a speech on federal budget for next fiscal year, guiding readers to understanding the real issues about federal budget the U.S. government was facing. These serious issues came with bond face, including the fact that the amount of defense and healthcare spending was great, that the Americans are actually paying less portion of their income in tax than other…

    • 829 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays