Effective budgeting can mean the difference between an organization's success or failure.

The budgeting process can seem overwhelming, and some employees may feel it is a waste of time. However, when leaders take the time to develop budgets that are aligned with their organization's mission and values, the budgeting process can unlock value and help the company maximize its effectiveness and profitability. What is needed is a way forward.

In this informative how-to book, Geary Reid draws from over 20 years of experience in business to explain different types of budgets, why they are important, and how they are structured. According to Reid, budgeting is not a top-down process but requires the input of all the members of the organization. Beginning with the master budget at high level, Reid examines the supporting budgets that flow into it, such as those for sales, marketing, depreciation and amortization, and capital expenditures, and he provides a step-by-step process for putting it all together. Each step in the budgeting cycle-from budget preparation to approval, execution, and evaluation-is explained in easy-to-follow detail.

Reid then goes on to lay out a systematic process for evaluating the performance of employees and managers, covering such topics as integrated information systems, key performance indicators (KPIs), and auditing and quality controls. By applying repeatable, standardized methods using the right data, leaders will have the tools they need to create a durable pathway to organizational success.