Budget vs Actual
Guide 33: Budget vs Actual Report
Compare planned spending to reality
Overview
The Budget vs Actual report compares your budgeted amounts against actual spending, showing where you're on track and where adjustments may be needed.
Running the Report
- Go to Reports → Budget vs Actual
- Select budget to compare
- Choose time period
- Click Run
Report Layout
Summary View
| Category | Budgeted | Actual | Variance | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $600 | $540 | +$60 | 90% |
| Dining | $200 | $280 | -$80 | 140% |
| Gas | $150 | $120 | +$30 | 80% |
Visual Indicators
- Green - Under budget
- Yellow - Near budget (90-100%)
- Red - Over budget
Variance Column
- Positive (+) = Under budget (money saved)
- Negative (-) = Over budget (overspent)
Analysis Features
Drill Down
Click any category to see:
- Individual transactions
- Daily spending pattern
- Comparison to previous periods
Trend View
Toggle to see budget performance over multiple months.
Exporting & Printing
Use the Export button to save the report as PDF or CSV. Select Print Preview to review the layout before sending to a printer.
Use Cases
- Monthly review - Are you staying on track?
- Identify problem areas - Which categories need attention?
- Adjust budgets - Use actual data to set realistic goals
- Track improvement - Compare variance trends over time
Tips
- Review weekly, not just monthly
- Use variance data to adjust future budgets
- Focus on categories with largest negative variance
- Celebrate categories where you're under budget
See also: Guide 19: Budgeting