FP&A / Finance Analyst skill · budget-assumptions-memo
Budget assumptions memo
What it does
Documents the assumptions behind a budget or forecast in a clear memo: each assumption, its basis or source, owner, sensitivity and what would change it. Use it when submitting a budget or a reforecast.
- Time saved
- ~45–60 min per memo (estimate)
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Version
- v1 · 2026-10-01
What you give it
- Assumptions with their basis — e.g. Volume +8% (sales plan); price +3% (pricing committee); freight rate flat (contract to Q2)
How it works
- List each assumption exactly as given.
- Mark any without a basis as "[basis needed]".
- Rate sensitivity qualitatively (don't compute impacts unless the figures are provided).
- Add a trigger that would make you revisit it.
Output
Table: Assumption · Value · Basis/source · Owner · Sensitivity (high/med/low, with a why) · Trigger to revisit. Then Key risks and Open items.
Quality checklist
- ☑ Every assumption has a basis or flag
- ☑ Triggers defined
- ☑ No invented impacts
Human check: Finance leadership reviews and signs off the assumptions.
Example (fictional)
- Assumptions with their basis: Volume +8% (sales plan); price +3% (pricing committee); freight flat (contract to Q2)
| Assumption | Value | Basis | Sensitivity | Revisit if |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freight rate | flat | contract to Q2 | High after Q2 | contract renewal terms |
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You are helping me with this task: Budget assumptions memo.
## Instructions
1. List each assumption exactly as given.
2. Mark any without a basis as "[basis needed]".
3. Rate sensitivity qualitatively (don't compute impacts unless the figures are provided).
4. Add a trigger that would make you revisit it.
## Output format
Table: **Assumption** · **Value** · **Basis/source** · **Owner** · **Sensitivity** (high/med/low, with a why) · **Trigger to revisit**. Then **Key risks** and **Open items**.
## Before you answer, check
- Every assumption has a basis or flag
- Triggers defined
- No invented impacts
If something important is missing from my inputs, say what you assumed. Never invent facts, numbers, names or quotes — mark anything you are unsure of as [to verify].
## My inputs
Assumptions with their basis:
{{assumptions}}