Skip to main content
Version: Current

Troubleshooting: Issues with Rolling vs. Current Budget Evaluation

Problem​

Budget calculations (especially Remaining Amount or Over Budget exceptions) seem incorrect for budgets configured with multiple intervals (e.g., Monthly, Quarterly). You suspect the issue relates to the Evaluate Budget As setting (Current vs. Rolling vs. Total).

Understanding the Evaluation Methods​

Recall the key difference (See Configure Budget Dimensions & Evaluation):

  • Current: Compares transaction impact against only the budget amount for the specific interval the transaction date falls into. Ignores previous period over/under spending.
  • Rolling: Compares transaction impact against the cumulative budget amount from the start of the budget period up to the transaction's interval. Effectively carries forward remaining balances.
  • Total: Compares transaction impact against the total budget amount across all intervals for the budget line.

(Note: If the Budget Interval is "Total", all three methods behave identically).

Common Causes of Issues​

  1. Incorrect Evaluation Method Selected: The primary cause. The Evaluate Budget As setting on the Budget record does not match how the business intends to track spending against intervals.
    • Set to Current when Rolling is expected (e.g., annual budget tracked monthly, expecting underspend to carry forward).
    • Set to Rolling when Current is expected (e.g., strict monthly limits, not wanting previous underspend to allow current overspend).
  2. Misunderstanding Calculation Logic: Users expect "Current" logic when "Rolling" is configured, or vice-versa, leading to perceived discrepancies in Remaining Amount or exception triggering.
  3. Incorrect Transaction Dates: Transactions assigned to the wrong interval period due to incorrect date_issued.
  4. Incorrect Budget Interval Amounts: The amounts entered for specific intervals on the Budget Line are incorrect.
  5. Data Not Refreshed: Changes were made to the evaluation method or budget amounts, but calculations haven't updated.

Troubleshooting Steps​

  1. Verify Configured Evaluation Method:
    • Navigate to Budgets > Budgets.
    • Open the relevant Budget record.
    • Check the Evaluate Budget As setting. Is it set to Current, Rolling, or Total?
    • Confirm with the budget owner or finance team if this setting aligns with the intended tracking method (strict intervals vs. cumulative tracking).
  2. Manually Calculate Expected Values: Based on the configured evaluation method:
    • If Current: What is the budget amount for just the interval the transaction falls into? How much has already been allocated within that specific interval? Does the current transaction exceed the interval's remaining amount?
    • If Rolling: What is the cumulative budget amount from the start date up to the end of the transaction's interval? What is the cumulative allocated amount across those same intervals? Does the current transaction exceed the cumulative remaining amount?
    • If Total: What is the total budget amount for the entire budget line across all intervals? What is the total allocated amount across all intervals? Does the current transaction exceed the total remaining amount?
  3. Compare with Budget Card View: Open the Budget Card View on the transaction. Do the displayed "Budget Amount", "Allocated Amount", and "Remaining Amount" match your manual calculation based on the configured method?
  4. Correct Configuration (Admin Task): If the Evaluate Budget As setting is incorrect, an administrator needs to edit the Budget record, select the correct method, and Update. Note: This will change how the budget is evaluated going forward and may impact historical reporting if not handled carefully.
  5. Verify Transaction Dates: Ensure the date_issued on relevant transactions places them in the correct interval periods.
  6. Verify Budget Interval Amounts: Check the amounts entered for each interval on the Budget Line record.
  7. Refresh/Recalculate: After correcting configuration or data, Save changes, refresh the UI, and potentially use Apply Trained Rules on affected transactions.

Need Help?​

Understanding the nuances between Current, Rolling, and Total evaluation can be tricky. If you're unsure why calculations differ from expectations, contact Zudello support. Provide:

  • The Budget Name/UUID.
  • The configured Evaluation Method.
  • Document UUIDs of example transactions.
  • Screenshots of the Budget Card View.
  • Details of your expected calculation vs. the system's calculation.