The Execution of the Budget

Abstract

There are two aspects or objectives in the execution of the budget, which, in a sense, are contradictory of each other. They are the control aspect of budget execution and maintaining flexibility in the execution of the budget. Professor Burkhead, in this Government Budgeting, points out three objectives for budget execution, samely: (a) preserving legislative intent, (b) observing financial limitations, and (c) maintaining flexibility. However, it may be said that the control aspect of budget execution may embrace both "preserving legislative intent" and observing financial limitations." This paper will be concerned with apportionment and allotment in the control aspect of budget execution, and the examination of transfer, carryover and contingent funds as devices to maintain flexibility in the execution of the budget.