Cash-Flow Forecasting: A Spreadsheet Template You Can Use Today

A 13-week rolling cash forecast lists expected cash inflows and outflows for each of the next 13 weeks. Update it weekly by replacing the furthest-out week with a new one. Columns: opening cash balance, expected receivables (with collection probability), expected payables, payroll, taxes, capex, and closing cash balance. Highlight weeks where the closing balance goes negative. Profit is not cash — a profitable business can run out of cash if receivables are slow and payables are aggressive. The forecast makes this visible 13 weeks in advance.