Cash flow and getting paid: plan the next payment
A healthy profit report doesn't tell you whether next week's payments will clear. Start with the money actually available, then follow the dates attached to customers, suppliers and the commitments you're considering.
Use the forecast guide if you need a starting sheet. If you already have one, choose the question that brought you here: a missed prediction, a large order, a late customer or an annual bill. Each worked example shows its assumptions so you can replace them with your own.
See the gap
Explain the bank balance, build a forecast and test the receipts you are relying on.
Cash Flow Management: How Australian Small Businesses Stay Ahead
Practical cash flow systems for Australian small businesses: 13-week forecasts, faster invoicing, chasing late payers, tax set-asides and seasonal buffers.
9 min readHow to Build a 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast (Free Template)
Build a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast in a simple spreadsheet: opening balance, weekly receipts and payments, BAS and super dates, and spotting the dip.
10 min readProfit Is Up but Cash Is Down: Build a Cash Bridge
Reconcile a profitable month to a falling bank balance. Follow an Australian small business example covering unpaid invoices, stock, assets and repayments.
3 min readCash Forecast vs Actual: Find What Went Wrong
Compare predicted and actual cash, separate timing differences from changed amounts, and roll late receipts forward once with this worked variance table.
3 min readPut Your Sales Pipeline into a Cash Forecast
Separate enquiries, accepted quotes and invoices in your cash forecast. Use a pipeline worksheet to place receipts after delivery and avoid double-counting.
3 min readWhat If Your Biggest Customer Pays Late?
Test the cash impact of a large customer paying two weeks late. Compare weekly balances, measure concentration and set actions before the shortfall arrives.
3 min readCash Conversion Cycle: Stock and Payment Terms
Calculate inventory, debtor and supplier days using one consistent period. See how the cash conversion cycle differs from the dollar value of working capital.
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Plan the payment
Prepare for ordinary bills and bigger commitments. Check the low point before approving a payment or accepting new work.
Set a Business Cash Buffer from Your Actual Risks
Work out a cash reserve from late payments, quiet periods and repair costs. Use three scenarios to separate committed money from the buffer you can use.
3 min readPrepare a Supplier Payment Run You Can Afford
Check supplier invoices, credits, due dates and available cash before approving payments. Use a payment-run worksheet with clear holds and follow-up actions.
3 min readNegotiate Supplier Terms with a Cash Forecast
Use a dated cash forecast to propose supplier payment terms you can keep. Compare a split-payment request with the original bill and record the agreement.
3 min readPlan Annual Business Bills with a Reserve Schedule
Build a monthly reserve for annual insurance, software and other irregular bills. See a 12-month example and calculate catch-up savings when a renewal rises.
2 min readCan You Fund a Large Contract Before It Pays?
Map mobilisation, materials and milestone receipts before accepting a large job. Use a contract cash timeline to calculate the peak funding gap and delay risk.
3 min readBuying Equipment: Test the Cash Timing First
Compare buying equipment now, delaying the purchase or paying in stages. Include setup costs and check the lowest cash balance before committing to a quote.
3 min readTrack Overdraft Headroom and Return to Credit
Monitor an existing business overdraft with a weekly headroom worksheet. Include pending payments, interest and the receipts expected to return it to credit.
3 min readPlan Overseas Supplier Payments as Exchange Rates Move
Calculate an overseas supplier bill under three exchange-rate scenarios. Include fees, deposits and payment dates without relying on a currency forecast.
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Release tied-up cash
Look at what is sitting in stock, what the next order will cost and when customers are expected to pay.
How to Chase Unpaid Invoices (Without Losing the Customer)
How to chase unpaid invoices: reminder templates, phone script, enforceable late fees, letters of demand, debt collectors and small claims by state.
9 min readSeasonal Stock Orders: Check the Cash Gap First
Map deposits, final supplier payments, freight and seasonal sales before ordering stock. Test a delivery delay and find the lowest projected cash balance.
3 min readFind Cash Tied Up in Slow-Moving Inventory
Review stock age, landed cost and realistic cash recovery. Use a practical inventory worksheet to decide what to retain, return, clear or stop reordering.
3 min read