Cash Flow Forecasting

Rolling cash flow forecasts for Australian SMEs and growing businesses. From a 13-week cash flow model used week by week, to a 12-month forecast and multi-year projections.

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Overview

Cash is the only number that matters at 5pm on Friday

Profit is an opinion. Cash is a fact. Every business owner knows the feeling of having a profitable month on paper while struggling to make payroll. A cash flow forecast bridges that gap - it tells you not just whether you'll be profitable, but whether you'll have the cash to operate.

We build the forecast around your revenue cycles, payment terms and cost structure. A 13-week rolling cash flow model covers the next quarter week by week, which is the view lenders and advisers ask for when cash is tight or a facility is up for renewal. A 12-month forecast gives the monthly operating view, and multi-year projections support planning and funding applications.

Where profit, tax and balance sheet effects matter as well as cash, the forecast is built inside a three-statement, or 3-way, financial model so the statements reconcile to each other.

What we build

What you get from a cash flow forecast

Scope is agreed up front, so you get the horizon and the detail your decisions need.

13-week rolling cash flow model

A weekly view of receipts and payments for the next quarter, updated as actuals land, showing the closing cash balance and the weeks a shortfall appears.

12-month cash flow forecast

Monthly cash receipts and payments by category, so seasonality, BAS and super timing, and known commitments are all visible in one view.

Multi-year projection

A longer forecast for planning, funding applications and growth decisions, built from the same drivers as the short-term view.

Working capital schedule

Debtor, creditor and inventory days driving the cash conversion cycle, so late payment and stock build-up show up in the numbers before they hit the bank.

Debt, facility and scenario cases

Facility drawdowns, repayments and interest alongside base, upside and downside cases, including a late-payment or lost-customer stress test.

Monthly update routine

A simple process to drop actuals in and roll the forecast forward, so the file stays current instead of becoming last year's spreadsheet.

Why it matters

What a good forecast gives you

Predict Cash Shortfalls

Spot funding gaps 8-13 weeks ahead so you can arrange finance before you need it, not after the bank balance hits zero.

Optimise Working Capital

Time supplier payments, customer collections, and inventory purchases to minimise borrowing costs and maximise cash on hand.

Stress-Test Your Assumptions

Model what happens when a major customer pays late, a supplier raises prices, or revenue dips. Know your buffer before you need it.

Build Stakeholder Confidence

Present a rolling 13-week forecast to banks, investors, or your board that shows you run a tight ship and understand your cash drivers.

Who needs this

Common use cases

Rapid-growth SMEs burning cash faster than revenue catches up
Seasonal businesses needing to plan for lean months in advance
Property developers managing staged payments and milestone draws
E-commerce operators navigating inventory pre-purchase and payment cycles
Businesses preparing for bank loan applications or overdraft renewals

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What is a cash flow forecast?

A cash flow forecast projects when money will come in and go out of the business over a future period. Unlike a budget, it is driven by timing, so it shows the actual cash position at any point rather than accrual-based profit.

What is a 13-week cash flow forecast?

A 13-week cash flow forecast is a short-term, weekly cash projection used to manage liquidity tightly, often through seasonal peaks or turnaround periods. It is the standard tool lenders and advisers use to see exactly when funding gaps will occur.

What is the difference between a cash flow forecast and a budget?

A budget records expected revenue and expenses on an accrual basis, while a cash flow forecast tracks the timing of actual receipts and payments. A business can be profitable on a budget and still run out of cash if payment timing is poor.

Why do profitable businesses run out of cash?

Profit and cash diverge because of timing: customers pay late, suppliers demand early payment, and stock or work in progress absorbs cash before it converts to revenue. A rolling cash flow forecast surfaces these gaps while there is still time to act.

How often should a business update its cash flow forecast?

Businesses with tight liquidity or seasonal cycles should update forecasts weekly or monthly, using actuals to re-baseline each period. A rolling 13-week forecast updated monthly is a practical cadence for most growing Australian SMEs.

Need a cash flow forecast?

We build financial models that give you clear visibility of your cash position - so you can make decisions with confidence, not crossed fingers.