Which budget involves forecasting capital investments?

The capital expenditure budget is specifically designed to forecast capital investments. This budget outlines the anticipated expenditures for long-term asset acquisitions, such as property, buildings, equipment, and technology. It plays a crucial role in financial planning, as it helps organizations assess which investments are necessary for sustaining and growing the business. By estimating future capital needs, the capital expenditure budget ensures that resources are appropriately allocated and helps management make informed decisions about large-scale investments that will benefit the company in the long term.

In contrast, the production budget focuses on the number of units that need to be produced to meet sales demands, while the sales budget estimates expected revenue from sales activities. The cash budget, on the other hand, projects cash inflows and outflows to ensure that the business maintains adequate liquidity. Each of these budgets serves a distinct purpose in financial management, but only the capital expenditure budget is dedicated to planning for significant investments in fixed assets.