Insights

The best software for corporate budgeting in 2024

Corporate budgeting is a critical task for organizations, requiring precise forecasting, monitoring, and reporting. Several software solutions cater to corporate budgeting, offering varying features for financial planning, analysis, and collaboration. The best corporate budgeting software typically provides ease of use, robust forecasting capabilities, integration with other enterprise tools, and strong reporting features. Here are some of the top software options for corporate budgeting.

Spreadym

Spreadym is built to enhance Excel functionality, offering additional tools and capabilities that help users automate and streamline financial planning processes. Here’s a closer look at Spreadym:

Key Features

Excel Integration
Spreadym is tightly integrated with Excel, allowing users to leverage their existing Excel knowledge while benefiting from enhanced automation and collaboration features. This makes it attractive for companies that rely heavily on Excel for financial tasks but need more powerful budgeting, forecasting, and data management capabilities.
Driver-Based Budgeting
The platform supports driver-based budgeting, meaning you can create dynamic financial models where changes to key drivers automatically update related figures. This enables more accurate forecasting and a clearer view of how variables impact financial outcomes.
Multi-Scenario Planning
Spreadym allows users to easily create and compare different financial scenarios. This helps businesses understand the potential impact of various assumptions and decisions, improving strategic planning.
Data Consolidation
Spreadym automates the process of consolidating data from different sources, which is particularly useful for businesses that operate across multiple departments or locations. It reduces the manual effort required to bring together financial data, ensuring faster and more accurate reporting.
Collaboration
While it’s based on Excel, Spreadym adds features to enhance collaboration. Teams can work together on shared models, track changes, and access real-time data, which is critical for corporate budgeting and forecasting across departments.
Custom Reporting and Dashboards
The software offers advanced reporting features, including customizable dashboards, allowing users to create visualizations and reports tailored to specific stakeholders or needs.
Version Control and Audit Trails
Spreadym includes version control, enabling users to track changes over time and revert to previous versions if needed. This is important for maintaining accuracy and transparency in financial models, especially in corporate budgeting where multiple revisions are common.

Benefits

  • Familiarity with Excel: Since Spreadym is built around Excel, users don't have to learn a completely new system. This reduces training time and helps teams get up to speed quickly.
  • Automation: It automates repetitive tasks like data consolidation, budgeting updates, and financial reporting, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.
  • Scalability: Spreadym can be adapted to meet the needs of small businesses, mid-sized companies, and even larger enterprises with complex budgeting requirements.
  • Real-Time Data Access: Access to real-time data allows for better decision-making and more accurate forecasting, especially when businesses need to be agile in response to changing market conditions.

Best For

  • Small to Medium-Sized Businesses that heavily rely on Excel and are looking for a way to enhance their financial modeling, budgeting, and reporting without needing to switch to a completely new system.
  • Teams Already Comfortable with Excel that want to maintain their workflow but require more automation, scenario planning, and collaboration features.

Oracle NetSuite Planning and Budgeting

NetSuite’s Planning and Budgeting solution offers powerful modeling and forecasting tools tailored for larger businesses.

Features

  • Cloud-based platform with financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting features.
  • Ability to handle complex, multi-scenario models and large data sets.
  • Provides real-time data analysis with dashboard reporting.
  • Strong integration with other Oracle and NetSuite ERP systems.

Best For

  • Large enterprises and organizations with complex budgeting needs.

Adaptive Planning by Workday

Workday Adaptive Planning is a popular tool for both corporate budgeting and financial forecasting. It’s known for its flexibility and ease of use.

Features

  • Cloud-based, making it accessible from anywhere.
  • Offers scenario planning, what-if analyses, and driver-based modeling.
  • Excellent for creating rolling forecasts and continuous budgeting.
  • Integrates with popular ERP systems like Workday, Oracle, and NetSuite.
  • Strong collaboration tools, allowing multiple stakeholders to contribute to the budget.

Best For

  • Mid-sized to large organizations needing flexibility and collaboration across departments.

Anaplan

Anaplan is a powerful planning platform that enables comprehensive budgeting, forecasting, and performance management across various industries.

Features

  • A cloud-native platform designed for cross-functional collaboration.
  • Provides detailed financial modeling capabilities.
  • Real-time data updates and scenario analysis.
  • Customizable workflows for approvals and planning processes.
  • Scalable to meet the needs of large enterprises.

Best For

  • Large companies with intricate, cross-functional budgeting requirements.

Vena Solutions

Vena offers an Excel-based platform that blends the familiarity of Excel with robust financial planning, budgeting, and reporting features.

Features

  • Leverages Excel’s interface while offering advanced automation and control.
  • Customizable templates for financial reporting and budget modeling.
  • Strong integration with ERPs and CRM systems.
  • Provides real-time collaboration and data consolidation.

Best For

  • Organizations that prefer using Excel but need enhanced budgeting and reporting capabilities.

Planful

Planful is a cloud-based financial planning and analysis software solution that provides an integrated approach to corporate budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.

Features

  • Real-time financial planning and analysis with multi-scenario forecasting.
  • Intuitive user interface with powerful modeling tools.
  • Automated reporting, consolidation, and workflow approvals.
  • Strong integration with ERP systems, and flexible enough to manage complex budgets.

Best For

  • Mid-sized to large organizations that need a user-friendly platform with extensive integration capabilities.

Prophix

Prophix is a comprehensive corporate performance management (CPM) solution, offering planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting in a single platform.

Features

  • Cloud and on-premises deployment options.
  • Offers workflow automation, budget approvals, and detailed reporting.
  • Supports driver-based budgeting, what-if scenarios, and multi-currency budgeting.
  • Customizable dashboard for key financial metrics and insights.

Best For

  • Mid-sized companies looking for a cost-effective, flexible budgeting solution.

SAP Analytics Cloud

SAP Analytics Cloud offers a single platform for corporate budgeting, planning, forecasting, and analysis, with strong integration into the SAP ecosystem.

Features

  • Cloud-based, highly scalable solution designed for enterprise-level needs.
  • Real-time data visualization and dashboarding for financial insights.
  • Scenario planning and integrated financial analytics.
  • Strong integration with SAP ERP and other SAP products.

Best For

Organizations already using SAP solutions, especially larger enterprises.

Jedox

Jedox is a financial planning and corporate performance management software that enables budgeting, forecasting, and reporting with a focus on ease of use.

Features

  • Offers Excel-like functionality but with enhanced budgeting and analytics tools.
  • Supports complex modeling, collaboration, and version control.
  • Strong integration with existing systems, including ERP and CRM tools.
  • Provides a clear and customizable user interface with detailed reporting.

Best For

Companies looking for a highly customizable solution with a familiar Excel-like interface.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Corporate Budgeting Software:

  • Scalability: Ensure the software can grow with your organization.
  • Integration: Check compatibility with existing ERP, CRM, or HR systems.
  • Collaboration Features: Team members across departments often need access to budgeting tools.
  • Automation Capabilities: Automating workflows and reporting can save time and reduce errors.
  • Cost: Consider both initial setup costs and long-term subscription fees.