What it is
A firm budget starts with revenue by service line, then adds expenses. This workbook builds both and phases the year by month using seasonal weights.
It shows net income and margin against the prior year, and checks that the weights add to 100%.
When to use it
- At the start of the budget year.
- When adding a service line.
- When planning hiring.
What’s inside
- Revenue tab by service line
- Expenses tab with prior year and budget
- Monthly tab with revenue and expense weights
- Three checks on weights and net income
Standard cited
This template follows Practice management. It is written in our own words, except for phrases the standard requires the document to contain, with [bracketed placeholders] for client details, amounts in USD and dates as MM/DD/YYYY. Check it against the current standard and your firm’s methodology before use.
Questions
Why seasonal weights?
Tax-heavy firms earn most revenue in a few months, so a flat monthly split gives a false picture of cash.
Is owner pay included?
It has a line for it. Remove the line if you budget it as a distribution.
Does it forecast cash?
No. Use the 13-week cash flow forecast for cash.
Related templates
- CPA Firm KPI Dashboard (Excel)
- Rolling Forecast and Annual Budget Workbook (Excel)
- Recurring Revenue and Client Retention Dashboard
- 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast Template
Last updated 11/06/2026. All free templates.