cash-flow-forecast

Cash Flow Forecast Skill

When to activate

• You're unsure if you have enough cash to cover next month's payroll
• Planning a major purchase and need to know if the timing works
• Slow season is coming and you want to plan ahead
• You want a simple 30/60/90-day cash projection
• Your accountant asked for a cash flow forecast

When NOT to use

• Formal lender submissions — use your accountant for this
• Audited financial statements
• Multi-year projections for investor decks — needs professional modelling

Instructions

Quick 30-day forecast

Just describe your situation:

Help me build a 30-day cash flow forecast.

Current bank balance: $[X]
Expected income this month:
- [Invoice/client]: $[amount], expected [date]
- [Recurring revenue]: $[amount], arrives [date]
- Other: $[amount]

Fixed expenses this month:
- Rent: $[amount], due [date]
- Payroll: $[amount], due [date]
- Software subscriptions: ~$[amount]

Variable expenses I expect:
- [Supplier payment]: $[amount]
- [Other]: $[amount]

Will I have enough? When is my lowest point?

Payroll runway check

I have $[X] in my business account.
My monthly payroll is $[Y] (paid on the [Nth] of each month).
My average monthly revenue is $[Z] but it's variable.
My fixed monthly costs excluding payroll are $[W].

How many months of runway do I have?
At what bank balance should I start worrying?
What's the minimum I should keep in the account as a buffer?

Spotting cash flow gaps

Here's my forecast for the next 3 months:

Month 1: Revenue expected $[X], expenses $[Y]
Month 2: Revenue expected $[X], expenses $[Y] (includes annual insurance $Z)
Month 3: Revenue expected $[X], expenses $[Y]

Where are the gaps? What should I do before they hit?

Scenario planning

My biggest client ($8,000/month) just told me they're pausing for 3 months.
My current bank balance is $14,000.
My monthly fixed costs are $6,200.

Walk me through:
1. How long can I operate without replacing that revenue?
2. What expenses can I delay or cut?
3. What revenue options should I pursue first?

Seasonal business planning

My business is seasonal:
- Peak months (June–August): ~$25,000/month revenue
- Slow months (Nov–Feb): ~$6,000/month revenue
- Fixed monthly costs: $8,000

I'm currently in peak season with $22,000 in the bank.
How much should I be putting aside each peak month to survive the slow season?

Early warning signals

Ask Claude to help you set up monitoring:

Based on my financials, what are the early warning signals I should watch for 
that indicate a cash flow problem is coming?
What weekly/monthly numbers should I check?

Example

You say:

Bank balance: $18,000
Next 30 days:
- Client retainer: $5,000 arrives 5th
- Project invoice: $3,200, client usually pays in 21 days
- Uncertain: new quote worth $8,000 might close

Fixed costs: Rent $2,800, salaries $9,500, software/tools $400
Variable: supplier payment $1,200 due 15th

Claude responds:

• Confirmed cash: $23,000 (balance + retainer)
• Potential cash: $34,200 (if invoice pays on time + new deal closes)
• Worst case at month end: +$9,100 (if nothing extra comes in)
• Risk flag: payroll falls on the 15th — the day the supplier payment is also due. Confirm the $3,200 invoice will clear first.
• Recommendation: Chase the $3,200 invoice actively. Don't count the $8,000 quote in planning yet.

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