Profitable companies still run out of cash. Customers pay late, a large supplier invoice lands in the same week as payroll, or a project needs upfront spending before revenue arrives. The 13-week cash flow forecast is one of the simplest and most effective ways to see these pressures coming.
What it is
A 13-week forecast projects cash in and cash out, week by week, for roughly the next quarter. It focuses on actual cash movements rather than accounting profit, which makes it practical for day-to-day decisions.
How to build one
- Start with the opening cash balance for the current week
- List expected receipts by customer and week, based on realistic payment behaviour
- List payments: payroll, rent, suppliers, loan payments, taxes and major one-off items
- Calculate the closing balance for each week
- Compare the lowest point with your minimum safe cash level
Keep it rolling
Each week, replace the forecast for the week just finished with actual figures, add a new week at the end and review the differences. Over time, the forecast gets more accurate and the team learns where its assumptions are weak.
What it tells you
A good forecast shows when cash will be tight, how much headroom you have and which levers matter most, such as collecting a specific invoice, timing a purchase or drawing on a credit line.
Common mistakes
- Assuming customers pay on their terms when history says otherwise
- Forgetting annual or quarterly payments
- Building it once and never updating it
- Mixing accounting accruals with actual cash timing
A 13-week forecast takes a few hours to set up and less than an hour a week to maintain. For most growing businesses, it is time well spent.
This article is general information and not financial, tax or legal advice for your specific situation.
Need help with this? Talk to Creative Contact Consulting Group about your situation.
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