Business Budget Essentials Programme
Running a business means dealing with numbers whether you love them or not. And I've noticed most people fall into two camps — they either avoid budgets completely or they create spreadsheets so complex they never actually use them.
This programme sits somewhere in the middle. We'll show you how to build a budget that actually works for your business, track what matters, and make decisions based on real data instead of guesswork.
Starting September 2025, we're running sessions in Nerang designed for Australian small business owners who want practical financial skills without the accounting degree.
Duration
12 weeks (3 hours/week)
Format
In-person + online resources
Start Date
September 15, 2025
Location
Nerang, QLD
What You'll Actually Learn
Each module builds on the last, so by the end you'll have a complete budget system tailored to your business. No fluff, just the skills that matter.
Foundation & Assessment
Weeks 1-2
Before we build anything new, we need to understand where your money's actually going right now. Most business owners are surprised when they see their real spending patterns mapped out.
- Map current cash flow and identify hidden costs
- Categorize expenses in ways that reveal spending patterns
- Calculate your real monthly operating baseline
- Spot seasonal trends that affect your business
Budget Construction
Weeks 3-5
Now we build your actual budget framework. You'll leave these sessions with a working system, not just theory. We'll use spreadsheet templates that you can actually maintain yourself.
- Create realistic revenue projections based on your history
- Build expense categories that match your business reality
- Set up tracking systems you'll actually use daily
- Design buffer zones for unexpected costs
Cash Flow Management
Weeks 6-8
Having money and having cash available are two different things. This is where many businesses get stuck — you're profitable on paper but can't pay suppliers on time.
- Forecast cash positions for the next quarter
- Manage payment timing without damaging relationships
- Create early warning systems for cash crunches
- Build emergency reserves that match your risk level
Analysis & Decision Making
Weeks 9-10
Numbers only matter if they help you make better decisions. We'll practice using your budget data to answer real business questions you're facing.
- Calculate break-even points for new products or services
- Assess whether expenses are helping or hurting growth
- Run scenarios before making major purchases
- Identify your most profitable activities
Implementation & Review
Weeks 11-12
The final weeks are about making this stick. You'll set up monthly review routines and learn how to adjust your budget as your business changes — because it will.
- Create monthly review checklists you can complete in 30 minutes
- Adjust budgets when reality doesn't match projections
- Communicate financial status to partners or stakeholders
- Plan quarterly budget updates that keep you on track
Who's Teaching This
Freya Blackwood
Financial Planning
Former business advisor who spent eight years helping Queensland SMEs sort out their finances before burning out on consultancy work.
Isolde Veldman
Cash Flow Systems
Ran a retail business for twelve years and learned cash flow management the hard way — now teaches what she wished she'd known earlier.
Thora Øvergaard
Budget Analysis
Accountant who got tired of clients ignoring her reports, so she started teaching business owners how to read their own numbers.
Sienna Driscoll
Practical Implementation
Small business owner and spreadsheet enthusiast who designs the templates we use — everything tested in real businesses first.
Ready to Get Started?
Next intake begins September 2025. Sessions run Monday evenings at our Nerang location, with all materials provided digitally so you can access them whenever you need a refresher.
Class Size
Limited to 16 participants
Prerequisites
Active business only
Materials Included
Templates & workbooks
Support Period
3 months post-programme