Which of the following is NOT a factor in the budget variables?

In the context of budgeting for a diving operation, the budget variables typically encompass direct financial factors that impact the overall financial structure, such as expenses, profits, and the number of students. Expenses are incurred for various operations and contribute to the total cost, while profits represent the income remaining after all expenses have been deducted. The number of students directly influences revenue generation and thus plays a critical role in budgeting considerations.

Marketing strategies, while essential for promoting and attracting students, are not directly classified as a budget variable. Instead, they serve as a tactic to increase the number of students or enhance revenue. Though marketing strategies can affect other budget variables indirectly by increasing student enrollment, they themselves do not constitute an expense or income and do not fall within the traditional budgeting scope. Thus, they are excluded from the direct budget variables that are analyzed in a financial plan.