Calculate any budget variance by using this simple formula: Step 1. Budget minus Actual equals Variance. Step 2. Variance divided by Budget multiplied by 100 equals Variance Percentage.
Example: $500 - $365.50 = $134.50 / $500 = .269 x 100 = 26.9% Or, when using the STARS Execution to Spend Plan report, calculate the variance like this: Step 1. Spend Plan (budget) minus Gross Adjusted Direct Obligation (actuals) = Spend Plan Balance (variance). Step 2. Divide Spend Plan Balance (variance) by Spend Plan (budget) and multiply by 100 = GAO Burn Rate (variance percentage).