Zero-Based Budgeting

Advanced 💰 Finance / Accounting

Definition

Starting from zero every budget cycle instead of just tweaking last year's numbers—micromanagement theater.

Example Usage

We're implementing zero-based budgeting to make sure every dollar is justified.

Origin

Management philosophy developed in the 1970s

Fun Fact

Zero-based budgeting sounds good but mostly results in everyone inflating their estimates

Source: Corporate budgeting and financial management terminology

Related Terms

Translate This Term

See “Zero-Based Budgeting” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator