Business Budget Essentials
Running a business without a solid budget is like sailing without a compass. You might keep moving, but you won't know if you're heading in the right direction. Our program cuts through the confusion and gives Australian business owners practical tools they can use immediately. Over six months, you'll build confidence in financial decision-making and learn to spot problems before they become crises.
Register Your InterestWhy Budget Mastery Matters
Most small business owners didn't start their ventures to become accountants. But here's the thing — understanding your numbers doesn't mean you need an accounting degree. It means knowing where your money goes and having enough runway to weather the quiet months.
We've worked with tradies, cafe owners, consultants, and online retailers across Western Australia. The challenges are surprisingly similar. Cash flow gets tight during slow periods. Unexpected expenses pop up. Growth opportunities appear at inconvenient times.
This program addresses those real situations. You'll work with actual numbers from your business, not theoretical examples. By July 2026, when the next cohort wraps up, participants typically report feeling more in control of their business finances and better prepared for planning conversations with accountants or partners.
What You'll Actually Learn
Foundation: Understanding Your Current Position
Before you can improve anything, you need to know where you stand. We start by helping you map your existing cash flow patterns and identify your actual costs — not what you think they are, but what the numbers show.
This phase often surprises people. One participant discovered they were undercharging by nearly 30% once we factored in all their real costs.
Building a Working Budget
Generic budget templates rarely work because every business has unique rhythms. A landscaper's income looks nothing like a consultant's. We'll help you create a budget structure that reflects how your business actually operates, including seasonal variations and typical payment delays.
You'll leave this module with a customized spreadsheet you can actually use — one that doesn't require constant maintenance.
Cash Flow Forecasting
This is where things get practical. You'll learn to predict tight months before they arrive and identify when you have surplus to invest or save. We cover realistic scenarios like late-paying clients, equipment breakdowns, and growth expenses.
Past participants mention this module most often when they describe what helped them avoid financial stress.
Making Informed Decisions
Should you hire someone? Can you afford new equipment? Is it time to raise prices? These questions become easier when you have solid budget data. We'll work through decision frameworks that consider both immediate impact and longer-term implications.
This isn't about complex financial modeling — it's about having enough information to make choices you feel confident about.
Ongoing Budget Management
A budget isn't something you create once and forget. The final module focuses on building sustainable habits for regular financial check-ins and adjustments. You'll establish a rhythm that works with your schedule, not against it.
We recommend monthly reviews at minimum, but the specific approach depends on your business type and how you prefer to work.
Who You'll Learn From
Fergus Abernathy
Lead Instructor
Fergus spent fifteen years helping small businesses navigate financial challenges before joining our team. He translates accounting concepts into plain language and has a particular knack for spotting patterns in cash flow problems.
Linnea Vesterling
Systems Specialist
Linnea builds budget frameworks that actually work in daily business life. She's worked with over 200 Australian businesses to create sustainable financial management systems that don't require hours of weekly maintenance.
Siobhan Dunleavy
Finance Advisor
Siobhan brings real-world perspective from running three businesses of her own. She understands the gap between textbook advice and what's actually achievable when you're juggling multiple priorities.
Next Program Starts August 2026
Express Interest
Fill out a brief form so we can understand your business situation and confirm the program suits your needs. No obligation at this stage.
Initial Conversation
We'll schedule a 20-minute call to discuss your specific challenges and answer questions about format, timing, and expectations. This helps ensure you get value from the program.
Enrollment
If it feels like the right fit, we'll send enrollment details. The August cohort is limited to 18 participants to maintain quality interaction and personalized guidance.
Pre-Program Preparation
You'll receive prep materials in July to gather relevant financial information and set personal learning objectives before the first session.