A 13 week cashflow forecast, also known as a "direct cashflow forecast", allows you to see your inflows and outflows at a detailed line item level for the 13 weeks ahead.

As such, this method allows you to predict your closing cash position 13 weeks into the future and have detailed visibility of which receipts and payments are driving this outcome.

Most businesses do not have a direct 13 week cashflow forecast.

Most businesses prepare their cashflow statements using the "indirect" method. In the same way a business prepares a historical cashflow statement using their P&L and Balance Sheet to determine their cashflows, they will also use this same method to determine their cashflows in the future using their P&L and Balance Sheet budget/forecast.

However, cashflow forecasts prepared under the indirect method lack the granularity needed to drive the business. Whilst it's helpful to have a high level view of future cashflows under this method, there is no visibility of the individual receipts & payments driving these future cashflows. Furthermore, these estimates are made off the back of the P&L and Balance Sheet rather than detailed ERP data and latest company forecasts, therefore reducing accuracy.

A 13-week cashflow forecast is a vital tool for any business, regardless of its size or financial health.

While these forecasts are typically built during times of stress to map out a company’s 'liquidity runway,' they do more than just manage a crisis. They provide the clarity needed for advisors, lenders, and investors to make informed decisions and drive immediate cash improvements.

But even profitable companies benefit from this level of detail. We’ve seen high-margin businesses struggle with seasonal 'pinch-points' that require precise monitoring to avoid unnecessary financing. Ultimately, whether you're managing a turnaround or planning a major dividend payment, a short-term forecast ensures you can spend with confidence today without creating a liquidity gap tomorrow.

Software can be a great tool, but it’s often a heavy investment in both time and money. Because every business is unique, a 'one-size-fits-all' platform rarely works out of the box. We suggest a simpler start. We help you develop the skills to build your own custom forecast effectively. Once your process is established, you’ll know exactly what you need—and whether a software solution is the right next step.

In short? No.

You’ll certainly find standardised templates online - we even offer one ourselves through our CashflowFree offering. But those only take you so far. In our experience, the most effective 13 week forecast is the one built specifically for your business.

We’ve built these for countless companies, and we can guarantee that even two direct competitors would end up with very different models. Here’s why a 'one-size-fits-all' approach rarely works:

• Revenue models vary: Many templates assume you’re 'unwinding' credit ledgers (AR and AP). But if you’re a retail business where customers pay upfront, that logic falls apart immediately.

• Structural complexity: A single-entity business in one currency is a world away from an international group dealing with multiple subsidiaries and fluctuating FX rates.

• Data reality: Some companies have 'clean' automated data ready to go. Others have to work with messy inputs from multiple ERP systems. Your workbook has to be designed around the data you actually have.

• The human process: A forecast run by a small central team looks nothing like a decentralised model where several regional managers need to input their own data.

The best tool isn't the most 'standard' one - it’s the one that matches your specific workflow and reality.

If you’re still weighing your options, why not book a free consultation? The only investment is a bit of your time. It’s a great way for us to learn about your specific needs and see if we’re the right fit to help you move forward.

In the meantime, you can explore our CashflowFree toolkit. It’s completely free - just sign up to get instant access to our 13 week forecast workbook, a step-by-step training video, and a handy PDF user guide.

It’s the perfect way to test-drive our approach. If you find you eventually need more advanced features or support, you can always look into our CashflowPlus+ or CashflowPro services later on.

All of our one-on-one consultations are held online. This allows us to support our clients regardless of their location, making it much easier to find a time that fits your schedule without the need for travel.

Yes, we highly recommend it. All of our workbooks are built specifically for Microsoft Excel, and our training videos are designed around its features.

While you can achieve similar results in Google Sheets or Apple Numbers, we’ve found that those platforms have certain limitations. To get the most out of our tools and ensure everything functions exactly as intended, Excel is definitely the way to go.