It's vital to monitor your cash flow in business.

Using a cash flow forecast can help you plan ahead for the good times and bad. For example, if you know a period is coming up
an expansion with an upcoming period of strong cash flow.

Tips for completing your cash flow forecast template:

1. Try to be as accurate as possible with your figures. It's worth putting some time and careful thought into getting these figures right as this forecast is usually the focus for ban
make detailed notes on the assumptions you've made in your forecast.

2. Use solid market research as well as your sales history to inform your sales projections. If you haven’t started your business, thoroughly researching the market to assess real
seasonal periods as cash flow isn’t usually consistent all year round.

3. Once you’ve estimated the sales for each month, you will be able to estimate your costs. Again, you will need to explain in detail how you calculated these amounts. Make su
be draining too much out of the business too soon?

4. Check your capacity. If you estimate your cash flow for a month to be $50,000, consider how feasible this number really is. There are only so many hours in the day and you
even if you invoice $50,000 of sales in a month, you can’t guarantee the full amount will be paid on time. For example, you might estimate 80% of invoices are paid in the mon

5. Find benchmarks for profit in your industry. If yours are very different from the average, people assessing your business will want to know why.

6. Make sure your own salary is realistic - it's a balance between paying yourself too much and not paying enough to meet your expenses. Consider your personal living expen

7. Don't forget one-off items like accounting fees and your tax obligations – many businesses struggle to find the cash to pay taxes when they’re due. Your accountant can help

Handy tip:
It’s always a good idea to run your figures past an accountant before presenting your cash flow forecast to outside readers, such as potential lenders or investors.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited ABN 11 005 357 522 (ANZ). ANZ's colour blue is trade mark of ANZ. This guide contains general information only. Its c
for commercial judgement or professional advice. This material does not take into account your personal and financial needs and/or circumstances, and you should seek approp
before considering any material further. To the extent permitted by law, ANZ disclaims liability or responsibility to any person for any direct or indirect loss or damage that ma
in this guide.

Many businesses make the mistake of coming up with a really good idea to add to their business, only to never work out if they can make a profit.

Often the new idea drains your cash, time, employee time and other resources. Remember that locking in core business should always be a priority.
Read our handy tips before completing your forecast - you can find them on the first tab.

SELECT A MONTH TO START JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

(A) Revenue $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
(B) Direct costs
Materials/Purchases  $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Subcontractor payments $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Freight & Cartage $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Other $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
TOTAL DIRECT COSTS $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
(C) Gross cash flow (A-B) $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
PAYMENTS/OUTFLOWS
Accounting $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Bank Fees $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Cleaning $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Computers and software $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Debt repayments $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Equipment hire/lease $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Freight and postage $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Insurance $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Interest $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Legal fees $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Marketing and advertising $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Motor vehicle expenses $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Power $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Rent and rates $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Repairs and maintenance $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Salaries and employee expenses $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -