Alternative Budget Structure

Modified on Thu, 4 Apr, 2024 at 3:17 PM

To be able to compare Budgets to each other, they must use the same Budget Structure, i.e. have the same Categories and Accounts. However, when quoting a customer, it is sometimes necessary to create the quote using the customer's own Budget Structure. This is possible by creating an 'Alternative Budget Structure' in the Budget Settings window.

The quote can be changed to have the new structure by clicking on the pop-up next to the Budget in the Budgets list. This can only be done when the Budget is empty or is otherwise compatible.

Check with your farmerswife Project Manager before implementing this option.

This feature was created for printing purposes only, and there is an important limitation to consider before creating and using Alternative Budget Structures: Budgets with an alternative structure cannot be set to 'Active Budget'.

Which means you can't attach actuals to a Budget with an Alternative Budget Structure. And you cannot invoice the Budget lines. But you can change back the Alternative to Default Structure. Matching Account Numbers will keep their line items which would then allow you to later attach actuals or invoice them.

The reason for this is to ensure accurate reporting, as it's not possible to run financial reports to compare a Budget Category that's called e.g. '100' in one budget and 'A' in another etc.