Understanding Cash Flow
Cash flow is the movement of money into and out of a business's bank account. It's crucial to understand that cash flow is not the same as profit. While some incoming cash may become profit, it's also used to cover daily operational costs.
Definition: Cash flow refers to the inflows and outflows of money in a business, including sales revenue, capital, loans, grants, and all expenses.
Cash flow forecasts are essential tools for businesses. They predict monthly sales revenue and when customers will pay, taking into account:
- Operating costs
- Timing of other payments
- Other cash flows
Highlight: Without sufficient funds, a business can become insolvent, unable to pay suppliers, repay loans, pay wages, buy materials, or promote the business.
The page presents a cash flow forecast example in the form of a table, showing inflows, outflows, net monthly cash, and opening and closing balances for several months.
Example: The cash flow forecast table demonstrates how to calculate net monthly cash (inflows minus outflows) and track the closing balance from month to month.