13-week cash flow forecast

This forecast starts with today’s bank balance. It ignores profit from the P&L. Each week, starting cash plus cash in minus cash out equals ending cash. That ending cash becomes next week’s starting point.

Cash in includes open invoices placed in the week customers are expected to pay, using invoice due dates, payment history, and current collection expectations. Cash out lists payroll, rent, loan payments, insurance, taxes, supplier bills, and owner draws on the dates they are paid. This shows your lowest projected cash week and when it falls.

It is typically updated weekly by replacing week one with actual results and adding a new week 13. Lenders may ask for this in a loan file. Many businesses build one in a spreadsheet.