Cash Flow Forecast Tool
Project your 12-month cash flow with customizable monthly inflows, outflows, and one-time events.
| Month | Inflow | Outflow | Events | Net | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -- | $10,000 | $110,000 | ||
| Feb | -- | $10,000 | $120,000 | ||
| Mar | -- | $10,000 | $130,000 | ||
| Apr | -- | $10,000 | $140,000 | ||
| May | -- | $10,000 | $150,000 | ||
| Jun | -- | $10,000 | $160,000 | ||
| Jul | -- | $10,000 | $170,000 | ||
| Aug | -- | $10,000 | $180,000 | ||
| Sep | -- | $10,000 | $190,000 | ||
| Oct | -- | $10,000 | $200,000 | ||
| Nov | -- | $10,000 | $210,000 | ||
| Dec | -- | $10,000 | $220,000 |
One-Time Events
Ending Cash
$220,000
Lowest Point
$110,000
In Jan
Positive Cash Flow Months
12 of 12
Negative Balance Months
None
Running Cash Balance
Monthly Net Cash Flow
How it works
Cash flow forecasting projects your future cash position by modeling expected inflows (revenue, collections, investments) against outflows (expenses, payroll, loan payments) month by month. Unlike a profit and loss statement, cash flow accounts for the timing of when money actually moves -- you can be profitable on paper but still run out of cash if customers pay late or large expenses hit at the wrong time.
The formula
Why it matters for your business
Cash flow is the leading cause of small business failure -- not lack of profitability. A business can show healthy profits while simultaneously running out of cash due to timing mismatches between when revenue is earned and when it is collected. Forecasting helps you identify potential cash crunches weeks or months in advance, giving you time to arrange financing, accelerate collections, or delay non-essential spending.
Pro tip
Your accounts receivable days (how long customers take to pay) can make or break your cash flow even when the business is profitable. If you invoice Net 30 but customers actually pay in 45-60 days, you may need 2 months of expenses as a cash buffer. Track your actual collection times and build that delay into your forecast for a realistic picture.
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