Cash flow and working capital planning for small businesses
A profitable business can still face a cash shortage when collections arrive after payroll, suppliers or delivery costs. Operational cash-flow planning makes those timing differences visible before a commitment becomes urgent.
Map cash dates rather than invoice totals
A short-term forecast starts with available cash and expected receipts and payments by date. Separate confirmed amounts from uncertain sales, and include committed expenses. Review forecast versus actual so the team can improve assumptions rather than simply replacing last week's numbers.
Find the operating source of pressure
Late collections, stock purchases, long projects and rapid hiring can each create different funding gaps. Review billing acceptance, dispute ownership and payment milestones. Growth plans should include the cash required to deliver additional work, not just the projected revenue.
Use scenarios to support decisions
Test slower collections, delayed sales or higher delivery cost. Identify which commitments can be staged and which obligations remain fixed. This is business planning support, not a lending offer, investment recommendation, tax opinion or substitute for an accountant's advice.
Bring useful context
- Recent bank-based cash movements and current commitments
- Expected receipts with due dates and uncertainty
- Receivables ageing and reasons for disputed invoices
- Planned hiring, purchases or expansion commitments
Possible outputs to agree in scope
- A practical short-term cash forecast structure
- Collection and payment-process improvement priorities
- Scenario triggers and an accountable review rhythm
These are examples for a scoping discussion, not deliverables automatically included with an enquiry.
Conxn currently collects business assessment enquiries for follow-up. Adviser matching and bookings are still being developed. Any engagement depends on suitable expertise and availability, with scope, fees, responsibilities and milestones discussed before it begins. No revenue or profitability result is guaranteed.
Questions before your next step
Does this include arranging business finance?
This page describes operational advisory planning. Financing, legal and accounting decisions require their own suitable assessment and professional support.
Can I use turnover as available cash?
No. Collections, operating payments and other commitments determine cash availability. Sales and cash are related but different measures.
Guides for this decision
Updated 2 November 2026 · Editorial approach. Do not enter passwords, customer records or unnecessary sensitive information in the assessment.