Launch offer — 25% off with code LAUNCH-25 See plans →
Microlesson · 5-min read

Master Budget

## Master Budget

CIMA Definition: "The summary budget, incorporating its component functional budgets, which is finally approved, adopted and employed."

### What it contains

Once all functional budgets (sales, production, materials, labour, overhead, cash, capital expenditure, etc.) are finalised, the Budget Officer consolidates them into the Master Budget, which typically consists of:

1. Budgeted Profit & Loss Account — shows expected profitability.

2. Budgeted Balance Sheet — shows projected financial position at period end.

### Role in the Budget Hierarchy

```

Functional Budgets (Sales, Production, Materials, Labour, Overhead…)

Master Budget

(Budgeted P&L + Budgeted Balance Sheet)

```

The master budget is the top-level summary and the document formally approved by management before the budget period begins.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Confusing the master budget with individual functional budgets — the master budget is a consolidation, not a separate standalone document built from scratch.
  • Omitting the Budgeted Balance Sheet — both P&L and Balance Sheet together constitute the master budget.
Reference:
Now that you've read this — what's next?
Move from understanding → mastery in 3 clicks. Each option below picks up from this lesson's topic.
Start 15-min diagnostic