> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.encoreos.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Budget Creation Wizard - User Guide

> Version: 1.0.0 Last Updated: 2026-01-28

**Version:** 1.0.0\
**Last Updated:** 2026-01-28

## Overview

The Budget Creation Wizard guides you through creating an annual budget in 4 simple steps. You can create budgets from scratch or copy from prior approved budgets with automatic growth adjustments.

## Prerequisites

Before using the wizard, ensure:

* **Permission**: You have the `fa.budget.create` permission
* **Fiscal Year**: A fiscal year is configured in FA-01 Settings
* **Chart of Accounts**: Accounts are set up in FA-01

## Accessing the Wizard

1. Navigate to **Finance & Accounting → Budgets**
2. Click **Create Budget** or navigate directly to `/fa/budgets/wizard`

***

## Step-by-Step Workflow

### Step 1: Budget Header

Enter the basic budget information:

| Field            | Description                                                           | Required |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- |
| **Fiscal Year**  | Select the fiscal year for this budget                                | ✅ Yes    |
| **Version Name** | Unique name (e.g., "FY2026 Baseline", "Q2 Revised")                   | ✅ Yes    |
| **Version Type** | Budget category - Baseline, Revised, Worst Case, Best Case, or Custom | ✅ Yes    |
| **Description**  | Optional notes about this budget version                              | No       |

**Tips:**

* Use descriptive version names that include the fiscal year
* Choose "Baseline" for initial budgets, "Revised" for updates
* Use "Worst Case" and "Best Case" for scenario planning

### Step 2: Copy Template (Optional)

Optionally copy budget lines from a prior approved budget:

1. **Check "Copy from prior budget"** to enable template copying
2. **Select Source Budget** from the dropdown (only approved budgets appear)
3. **Apply Growth Percentage** (-50% to +100%):
   * Positive values increase all amounts (e.g., 5% for inflation)
   * Negative values decrease all amounts (e.g., -10% for cost reduction)
   * Leave at 0 to copy amounts unchanged

**When to use:**

* Annual budget planning where costs increase predictably
* Creating scenario variations from a base budget
* Rolling forward prior year budgets

**Skipping this step:**

* Leave the checkbox unchecked to enter lines manually in Step 3

### Step 3: Enter Budget Lines

Add, edit, and remove budget line items:

| Column           | Description                            | Required |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------------- | -------- |
| **Account**      | GL account to budget against           | ✅ Yes    |
| **Fund**         | Fund restriction (for fund accounting) | No       |
| **Department**   | Department allocation                  | No       |
| **Period Start** | Budget period start date               | ✅ Yes    |
| **Period End**   | Budget period end date                 | ✅ Yes    |
| **Amount**       | Budgeted amount in dollars             | ✅ Yes    |

**Actions:**

* Click **Add Line** to add a new budget line
* Click the **trash icon** to remove a line
* The running total displays at the top

**Tips:**

* Period dates should fall within the selected fiscal year
* Use funds and departments for segment-level budget tracking
* Group similar expenses under the same account

### Step 4: Review & Submit

Review your budget before submission:

1. **Verify Header Information**
   * Check version name and type are correct
   * Confirm fiscal year selection

2. **Check Totals**
   * Review total budget amount
   * Verify line count matches expectations

3. **Submission Options**
   * **Submit for approval immediately**: Budget goes directly to approval workflow
   * **Save as draft**: Budget is saved but not submitted (default)

4. Click **Create Budget** to complete the wizard

***

## Common Tasks

### Creating a Budget from Scratch

1. In Step 2, **leave the template checkbox unchecked**
2. In Step 3, manually add all budget lines
3. Review and submit

### Copying a Prior Year Budget with Growth

1. In Step 2, **check "Copy from prior budget"**
2. Select the source budget
3. Enter growth percentage (e.g., 5% for 5% increase)
4. In Step 3, review copied lines and adjust as needed
5. Submit

### Saving Progress for Later

1. Complete any steps you can
2. Click **Save and Exit**
3. Return to `/fa/budgets/wizard` to resume
4. Your draft will be preserved for 30 days

### Creating Multiple Budget Scenarios

1. Create your baseline budget first
2. Copy the baseline using different growth percentages:
   * "FY2026 Best Case" with +10% growth
   * "FY2026 Worst Case" with -15% growth
3. Submit each scenario for comparison

***

## Troubleshooting

### Budget Not Saving

**Symptoms:** Changes aren't persisted after refresh

**Solutions:**

1. Check your internet connection
2. Verify you have `fa.budget.create` permission
3. Try clicking "Save and Exit" explicitly

### Template Not Available

**Symptoms:** No budgets appear in the template dropdown

**Causes:**

* Only **approved** budgets can be used as templates
* Budgets in draft or pending status don't appear

**Solution:** Contact your finance admin to approve the needed budget

### Validation Errors

**Symptoms:** Red error messages appear

**Common errors:**

* "At least one budget line required" → Add lines in Step 3
* "Account is required" → Select an account for each line
* "Amount must be greater than 0" → Enter a positive budget amount

### Growth Percentage Not Applied

**Symptoms:** Copied lines have original amounts

**Solution:**

1. Return to Step 2
2. Verify growth percentage is entered
3. Re-advance to Step 3

***

## FAQ

**Q: Can I edit a budget after creation?**
A: Yes, navigate to the budget detail page and click "Edit" (if the budget is not locked).

**Q: What happens if I submit for approval?**
A: The budget enters the FW-03 approval workflow. Approvers will receive notifications.

**Q: Can I delete a submitted budget?**
A: Only draft budgets can be deleted. Submitted budgets must be rejected or withdrawn first.

**Q: How long are drafts saved?**
A: Wizard drafts are saved for 30 days in the PF-41 wizard infrastructure.

***

## Related Documentation

* [Chart of Accounts Guide](./chart-of-accounts-guide.md)
* Budget Management (FA-08)
* [Fiscal Period Management](./chart-of-accounts-guide.md#fiscal-periods)