Creating a cash flow plan for your business

Get ready for the New Financial Year

If you’re a business owner, one of the most important things you can do is to create a cash flow plan for your business. With this plan, you’ll be able to see how much money is coming in and going out of your business on a regular basis.

While it may seem intimidating at first, creating a cash flow plan doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s simply a matter of keeping track of your income and expenses and making adjustments as needed.

First, you’ll want to gather all of your financial documents, such as bank statements, invoices, and receipts. This will give you an accurate picture of your business’s cash flow.

Next, take a look at your income sources. This may include sales revenue, loans, or investments. Make note of the amount and frequency of these inflows.

Then, examine your expenses. These can include rent, salaries, supplies, marketing costs, and any other expenses related to running your business.

Note the amounts and how often they occur. Once you have a clear understanding of your income and expenses, it’s time to create a budget for your business.

This will help you determine where your money is going and where you may need to make cuts or adjustments.

Don’t forget to also include a contingency plan in case of unexpected expenses or fluctuations in income. This can help you stay prepared and avoid any major financial setbacks.

By regularly updating and reviewing your cash flow plan, you’ll be able to make informed decisions about your business’s finances

Another way to bolster your cash flow is by creating a cash flow forecast. It’s like peering into a crystal ball, but instead of vague predictions, you get a clear vision of your business’s financial future. This forecast will help you predict your cash inflows and outflows for a particular period – usually a year.

To create this financial prophecy, just extend the figures you’ve gathered for your cash flow plan forward, considering any business expansions, new products, or market changes on the horizon.

A well-prepared forecast can help you catch any cash crunch before it becomes a crisis or spot a surplus ripe for reinvestment. Just remember, like a weather forecast, it might not always be 100% accurate, but it sure beats getting caught in a financial downpour without an umbrella!

Click here to access business.govt.nz for a free Cash Flow forecaster tool to help understand your business health.