When would a budget primarily reflect money on hand?

The budget most accurately reflects money on hand at the end of the accounting period. This is because the end of the accounting period provides a clear snapshot of the financial status, including actual cash balances, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. It summarizes the financial transactions over that period and indicates the actual cash that is available, which can differ from projections made at the start of the fiscal year or throughout the year due to various expenditures and income fluctuations.

During the monthly closing reports, the budget might show trends and interim cash positions, but it may not fully capture the final amounts validated at the period's conclusion. Similarly, the start of the fiscal year is just the beginning of that period and is based on prior period figures, while a yearly review is more about strategic adjustments rather than reflecting the immediate cash status. Therefore, the end of the accounting period is the moment when the budget reflects the most accurate representation of money on hand.