This document summarizes the results of a survey of over 300 senior finance professionals in the UK public sector. It finds that while Excel is still the most commonly used budgeting software, many respondents feel it is significantly challenging and impacts staff time/resources. The top improvements desired are reducing reliance on spreadsheets, improving data accuracy, and providing greater budget visibility and control for departments. It concludes that more sophisticated budget management systems may help public sector organizations work smarter with inevitable funding cuts.

1. Managing budgets in the
public sector survey
Current challenges and future improvements
We asked over 300 senior finance professionals from across the Public Sector
7% 43% 18%
%
29
NHS
Emergency
Services
Local Government
Further & Higher
Education
of people surveyed
have a devolved
budgeting process
What software they use for budget preparation monitoring and forecasting?
Excel
42%
Business Objects
8%
Advanced Collaborative Planning
3%
SAP
5%
Agresso
7%
Oracle
13%
In-house systems
6%
Other
16%
Total 100%
What challenges they face with their current system?
Significantly challenging
Not very challenging
0%
100%
42%
34%
Ability to access data in real time
Conflicting data
£
66%
61%
Impact on staff time and resources
Difficulties of managing ever changing budgets
How important are the following improvements to
your organisations budgeting process?
Very important
Least important
0%
100%
62%
Reducing reliance on spreadsheets
Reduce human error and inaccurate data input
Move towards greater emphasis on user driven reports
72%
77%
88%
84%
90%
87%
More productive use of staff time
Greater visibility of budgets over time
Ability to provide real support to departments
Ability to allow budget holders greater control
Time for a new approach?
Collaborative Planning
The Next Generation Approach to Budget Management
It’s surprising that Excel spreadsheet working remains the
preferred choice, especially when there are more sophisticated
systems out there which offer access to real time information, and
offer greater visibility and control over budgets. The reality for
the public sector is that the full force of the last few years’ cuts are
starting to bite, and that more cuts are inevitable. The need to work
smarter and manage finances more accurately is therefore greater
than ever.
Dean Dickinson, Managing Director,
Advanced Business Solutions
www.advancedcomputersoftware.com/abs