Before building a 13 week cash flow forecast, confirm the inputs and the discipline exist. Mark each item Ready, Partly ready, or Not ready, and you will see exactly where the work is.
Can you produce a reliable forecast?
1
Bank balances
Current balances for each account are available and reconciled.
2
A collections view
Expected customer collections and their timing can be estimated with reason.
3
A payment schedule
Supplier payments and terms are known, with defined pay runs.
4
A payroll calendar
Wage dates and institution payment dates are fixed and known in advance.
5
Fixed obligations listed
Loans, interest, rent and tax payment dates are mapped.
6
Goods and inventory plan
For a commerce business, planned purchases and supplier terms are known.
7
Data ownership per domain
Each area has an owner who supplies its numbers on time.
8
Update discipline and a cut off
A weekly update and a clear cut off time are agreed and kept.
9
A reviewer before decisions
Someone checks the forecast before it is used to make decisions.
Read your score
Ready now
Most items are ready. You can typically start the rolling forecast within days and refine as you go.
Ready later
A few inputs or owners are missing. Close those gaps first, then begin within weeks.
Not ready
Core inputs or ownership are absent. Build the foundation before forecasting.
The Bottom Line
Readiness is a choice, not a piece of software. Most gaps are about ownership and discipline, and those can be fixed faster than any system can be bought.
The information in this document is for educational purposes only, based on FinPro's experience. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making decisions.This tool provides indicative guidance only. It is not a substitute for a professional financial review.