Cash
Cash Flow Forecasting for Small Businesses
Profit is an opinion about timing. Cash is what pays payroll on Friday.
We build and maintain a rolling cash forecast so you can see the tight weeks before they arrive and make decisions with time to act.
The problem
Why profitable businesses run out of cash
Growth consumes cash. You pay for labor and materials before the customer pays you, inventory ties up capital, and receivables stretch as customers get larger. On paper the year looks good; in the account, it is tight every other week.
Without a forecast, the response is reactive: delay a vendor, draw on a line of credit, or skip an investment that would have paid off.
Signs you may need this
- Payroll weeks are stressful even in profitable months
- You are surprised by tax payments or insurance renewals
- The line of credit never fully pays down
- Customer payment terms have quietly stretched
- You cannot answer whether you can afford a hire or a piece of equipment
What we do
How the work actually runs
01
Build the model
A 13-week rolling cash forecast driven by receivables, payables, payroll, debt service, taxes, and known commitments.
02
Add the longer view
A 12-month outlook for planning hiring, equipment, and seasonality alongside the short-term view.
03
Update on a rhythm
Weekly or biweekly updates comparing forecast to actual so the model gets more accurate over time.
04
Model the decisions
Scenarios for a new hire, a large project, an equipment purchase, or a slow quarter — before you commit.
05
Identify the levers
Collections timing, deposit and billing structure, vendor terms, and debt structure, prioritized by impact.
Deliverables
What you receive
- 13-week rolling cash flow forecast
- 12-month cash outlook
- Forecast-versus-actual variance tracking
- Scenario models for specific decisions
- Receivables and collections review
- Short written cash summary each cycle
Outcome
What changes
You stop managing cash by checking the balance. Tight weeks are visible in advance, so the response is a plan rather than a scramble, and you can say yes or no to opportunities with confidence.
Best suited to
- Businesses growing faster than their cash cycle
- Companies with long payment terms or project billing
- Seasonal businesses
- Owners planning a hire, equipment purchase, or expansion
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Related services
Where clients usually go next
Reporting
Financial Reporting for Small Businesses
Management financial reporting for small businesses: clear statements, margin analysis, and KPI reporting that explains what happened and what to do next.
CFO support
Fractional CFO Services
Fractional and outsourced CFO services for growing U.S. small businesses: forecasting, margin strategy, lender readiness, and financial decision support.
Monthly close
Monthly Accounting and Month-End Close
Outsourced monthly accounting and month-end close for U.S. small businesses: reconciled accounts, accruals, reviewed statements, and a fixed close date.
Next step
Talk Through Your Numbers
If cash feels tighter than profit suggests, let's look at the timing.