Nobody wants their business to fail. Although it’s impossible to predict the future with 100% accuracy, a cash flow forecast is a tool that will help you prepare for different possible scenarios in the future.
In a nutshell, cash flow forecasting involves estimating how much cash will be coming in and out of your business within a certain period and gives you a clearer picture of your business's financial health.
Cash flow forecasting is the process of estimating how much cash you’ll have and ensuring you have the sufficient amount to meet your obligations. By focusing on the revenue you expect to generate and the expenses you need to pay, cash flow forecasting can help you better manage your working capital and plan for various positive or difficult scenarios.
A cash flow forecast is composed of three key elements: beginning cash balance, cash inflows (e.g., cash sales, receivables collections), and cash outflows (e.g., expenses for utilities, rent, loan payments, payroll).
It’s always good to create best-case, worst-case, and moderate financial scenarios. Through cash flow forecasting, you’ll be able to see the impact of these three scenarios and implement a suitable course of action. You can use the models to predict what needs to happen especially during difficult and uncertain times.
In situations where variables shift quickly such as during a recession, it is highly recommended to review and update your cash flow forecasts regularly on a monthly or even weekly basis. By monitoring your cash flow forecast closely, you’ll be able to identify warning signs such as declining revenue or increasing expenses.
In cash flow forecasting, your estimates are based on historical data. This means having accurate historical data is critical. Below are some tips for improving its accuracy:
At the end of the week or the month, input your actual results or the cash that was received and cash spent. This will allow you to identify which items you got wrong in your estimates and evaluate why you got them wrong. This analysis may lead you to identify bigger issues and help you make adjustments to your assumptions.
Carefully evaluate all of your assumptions. Take note that just because it’s correct now does it mean that you’ll get it right in the future as well. Go through everything, especially when it comes to sales, and validate it.
Don’t forget to include annual payments, loan payments, credit card debt payments, and estimated taxes.
It’s almost impossible to forecast where your business is going to be in longer than one year out. You’ll introduce more risk and greater uncertainty the further out your financial scenario models go.
Whether your business is growing, fighting for survival, or you simply want to run your business better, a cash flow forecast can help you make business-critical decisions that impact the financial health of your business.
To get expert assistance with your cash flow, chat with our team. Get in touch to book a one-on-one consultation with our advisors and we’ll work out a plan to help you keep more money in your pocket.