FINANCIAL LITERACY • 27 JULY 2021 • 3 MIN READ

How to use your cash flow forecast

SECTIONS

Bank balances

What if…?

The future

Compare

Who are Beany?

After making a great effort preparing your cash flow forecast, we don’t just leave it at that. What is it telling you? What do you need to consider? What happens if you change something?

Bank balances

From preparing your forecast, you’ll likely have it showing the bank balance at the end of each month.

Are there any months where you may require a loan or overdraft?
You should arrange it now to avoid costly bank fees.
Are there months with a surplus of cash?
You should pay down loans which don’t have an early-repayment penalty and set money aside for income tax, GST, and PAYE.
Do you end the year with a cash surplus?
You should consider upgrading your assets.

Overdrafts and loans

Showing your bank a reliable forecast may increase your credit limit or make it easier to obtain a loan. Banks like to be shown that businesses can afford the interest and principal repayments.

Even better is showing them the comparison between forecasted and actual figures – you’re providing the bank with reassurance that you’re on top of your numbers, and that future expectations are realistic.

What if…?

Play around with the figures in your forecast (best to make a copy first), regarding timing and amounts.

Could you use a debt collection agency, rather than you spending time chasing your customers?
You may see more invoices being paid
What percentage would you pay the collection agency?
Would changing your payment terms bring money in more quickly?
Charging interest or penalties for late payment
Request that customers pay a deposit in advance
Instead of paying on the 20th of next month, have your customers pay within 14 days
Are you paying your suppliers early, on time, or late?
Paying them later (but still on time) may help your cash flow
If there’s a discount for paying early, take advantage of it
If you’re being charged penalties and interest for late payments, pay on time!
If you’re selling more than one product or service – which has the better margins?
Consider reducing or eliminating the not-so-profitable revenue sources
See the potential impact of your resources being used on the more profitable items
Increasing your prices may decrease your customer numbers but it could result in higher overall revenue
See the results for best and worst-case scenarios

The future

What are your plans going forward?

If you’d like to add an employee to give yourself more time with the family, or focus on specific parts of your business, use your forecast to include the estimated wages of this additional person. Then, you should ask yourself "Can I afford it?"
You may be planning to purchase a new fixed asset
How much will it cost, and when is the best time to buy it?
Can you sell an existing asset or use it as a trade-in?
Would it be best to pay for it upfront, or borrow and make regular monthly payments?

Compare

Xero (and other software providers) make it easy to see your actual cash inflows and outflows each month. Compare your forecast against actual figures.

Were you too optimistic or pessimistic?
What caused large variances?

Remember that you can always revise the forecast. The numbers aren’t fixed, the assumptions aren’t permanent. You’ll find yourself continually updating the forecast – in time, your forecast will more closely reflect actual cash movements.

Who are Beany?

We’re an online accounting firm that is always right here for you, your accounting pain relief. The most advanced technology lets us work way more closely with you than a normal accountant would.

We have a dedicated team of remote accountants to take care of your business no matter where you are, so you can focus on growing your business. We take out the ‘fluff’, break down the barriers and get things done. Looking out for you is what we are all about. Get started for free today.