Profit on paper won’t pay Friday’s wages — cash will. Project your balance month by month and see the low point coming while you still have time to act.
traqR shows what’s invoiced, what’s overdue and what’s still to bill — the live numbers a cash flow forecast depends on.
Start free trial| Month | Cash in | Cash out | Net | Balance | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | $28,000 | $24,000 | +$4,000 | $19,000 | |
| Month 2 | $28,840 | $24,240 | +$4,600 | $23,600 | |
| Month 3 | $29,705 | $24,482 | +$5,223 | $28,823 | |
| Month 4 | $30,596 | $24,727 | +$5,869 | $34,692 | |
| Month 5 | $31,514 | $24,974 | +$6,540 | $41,232 | |
| Month 6 | $32,460 | $25,224 | +$7,235 | $48,467 |
Bars show the size of each month’s closing balance; red means the account is in the red.
Begin with the money actually in the bank — not what you’re owed. Cash flow is about timing, and unpaid invoices don’t pay wages.
Add the cash you expect in, take out what you expect to pay, and carry the balance to the next month. Growth rates let the forecast build over time.
The lowest balance across the forecast — not the closing figure — is what matters. If it dips below zero, you have a problem to solve before you get there.
Profit is revenue minus costs over a period; cash flow is money actually moving in and out of your account. A profitable business can still run out of cash if customers pay slowly, you buy materials up front, or tax and loan repayments fall due. That’s why plenty of busy, profitable trades businesses hit cash crunches — and why forecasting cash matters.
Only money you realistically expect to receive that month — invoices you’ll actually be paid for, deposits, and any other income. If customers typically pay 30–45 days after invoicing, base the timing on when cash lands, not when you do the work.
Everything that leaves the account: wages and super, materials, subbies, rent, vehicle and tool costs, insurance, software, loan repayments, and money set aside for GST and tax. It’s the tax and loan payments people forget that cause the surprises.
Bring cash in sooner (deposits, progress claims, faster invoicing and follow-up), push non-urgent spending back, arrange an overdraft or finance before you need it, or trim costs. Spotting the dip months ahead is what gives you time to act calmly instead of scrambling.
This calculator is a general planning guide, not financial advice. It uses steady average figures and simple growth rates; real cash flow is lumpy and seasonal. Use it to spot risks early, and talk to your accountant or bookkeeper for a detailed forecast.
traqR shows what’s invoiced, overdue and still to bill, so your cash flow forecast reflects reality. Try it free for 14 days.