Many CPAs and accounting professionals provide consulting services to companies on helping them with their budgets. However, many professionals this year may find that their clients are behind the eight-ball when it comes to finalizing their 2000 budgets.

A new benchmark study by KPMG reports that among 300 companies who reported budget data, many companies who usually complete their budgets in September are running behind, with some budgets taking as long as 20 weeks to prepare.

The reason is attributed to several factors, according to experts. First, increased mergers and acquisitions can change a company's sructure, thereby delaying budgets for the next fiscal year.

Second, the advent of technology plays a large role in that companies are still preparing budgets the old-fashioned way and not using sophisticated preparation systems now available.

KPMG reports that there is hope, with 10 percent of companies stating they prepare budget in 30 days or less.