Question
What is a 13-week cash flow forecast?
A 13-week cash flow forecast shows, week by week for the next quarter, the cash expected in, the cash going out and the balance at the end of each week. It is the forecast banks and turnaround specialists ask for first, because it is close enough to be accurate and long enough to act on.
Why thirteen weeks
A quarter covers most payment cycles: monthly wages, quarterly tax, supplier terms of 30 to 60 days. Weekly steps show the low point that a monthly view averages away.
What goes into it
- Your cash today
- Invoices customers owe you, by when they are due
- Bills you owe, by when they are due
- Regular costs: wages, rent, loan repayments
The slower case
A good forecast shows a second line: what happens if customers pay more slowly than expected. The gap between the two lines is the risk.
Have it worked out on your own figures
Big4CFO checks your books to the cent and produces this every month, from your own records. One-time reports cost $49 (one month), $99 (three months) or $199 (twelve months). Monthly plans start at $349 a month (Foundational), with Growth at $599, Leverage at $899 and Capital Stack at $1,999.
Questions
- How often should it be updated?
- At least monthly, and weekly when cash is tight. Big4CFO produces a fresh one with every monthly report.
See it on your own figures
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