Some commentators argue that: ‘With continuing pressure to control costs and maintain effi

ciency, the time has come for all public sector organisations to embrace zero-based budgeting. There is no longer a place for incremental budgeting in any organisation, particularly public sector ones, where zero-based budgeting is far more suitable anyway.’

Required:

(a) Discuss the particular difficulties encountered when budgeting in public sector organisations compared with budgeting in private sector organisations, drawing comparisons between the two types of organisations. (5 marks)

(b) Explain the terms ‘incremental budgeting’ and ‘zero-based budgeting’. (4 marks)

(c) State the main stages involved in preparing zero-based budgets. (3 marks)

(d) Discuss the view that ‘there is no longer a place for incremental budgeting in any organisation, particularly public sector ones,’ highlighting any drawbacks of zero-based budgeting that need to be considered. (8 marks)