What is a budget?

A budget is fundamentally a financial plan that estimates income and expenses over a specific period, typically covering a month, a quarter, or a year. It serves as a roadmap for managing an organization’s finances, allowing businesses to allocate resources effectively, plan for future expenses, and set financial goals. By forecasting income and expenses, a budget helps ensure that a business can meet its financial obligations, invest in growth opportunities, and maintain profitability.

Tracking business performance is essential but is a separate function that might utilize budgeting data. Hiring new employees is a human resources function that may involve budget considerations, but it is not defined as a budget itself. As for strategies to increase market competition, these involve strategic planning rather than financial planning and budgeting. Therefore, the option highlighting a budget as a financial plan is the most accurate representation of its purpose.