Will you have enough cash in 13 weeks? Find out today.

Start with the week that will fail first

Cash trouble usually starts quietly. One week, wages, suppliers or tax leave before customer money lands, and the bank balance looks fine right up until it does not. business.gov.au says a cash flow statement helps you forecast shortages, predict surpluses and make sure you have money to cover payments. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/finance/cash-flow/set-up-a-cash-flow-statement?utm_source=openai))

That matters because a busy business can still be close to the edge. business.gov.au says signs of financial trouble include not knowing what is coming in or going out, late-paying customers, difficulty paying suppliers or tax, and relying on credit. If you can see the weak week early, you can deal with it while there is still room to move. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/finance/financial-trouble/warning-signs-your-business-is-in-financial-trouble?utm_source=openai))

List the money coming in, week by week

Start with real cash, not hoped-for cash. Put every expected receipt into the next 13 weeks, including progress claims, invoices due, loan funds and anything else that is genuinely likely to land. business.gov.au says a cash flow forecast is an estimate of future sales and costs, and you can build it by entering estimated figures for each future period. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/finance/cash-flow/set-up-a-cash-flow-statement?utm_source=openai))

Use bank history, not memory. If clients usually pay later than the contract says, put in the actual timing you see in your account. business.gov.au recommends understanding your payment cycles and reviewing financial records regularly so you can spot cash issues early and make better decisions. A forecast that flatters the numbers is worse than no forecast at all. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/guide/guide-to-managing-cash-flow?utm_source=openai))

Source: Official guidance

List the money going out, with no soft edges

Now do the same for cash out. Include wages, super, subcontractors, materials, fuel, rent, tax, insurance and loan repayments. business.gov.au says cash flow tracking is about the money moving in and out of the business, and that regular checks help you identify problems early and revise your budget. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/finance/cash-flow/set-up-a-cash-flow-statement?utm_source=openai))

Do not hide the lumpy costs. BAS, quarterly tax, annual insurance and finance repayments can all sit quietly until the week they bite. business.gov.au says firms under pressure often struggle to pay debts and operating costs, so the point of this step is to expose the pressure before it becomes a missed payment. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/finance/financial-trouble/warning-signs-your-business-is-in-financial-trouble?utm_source=openai))

Find the shortfall weeks and rank them

Once both sides are in the sheet, compare them week by week. Mark the weeks where cash goes negative or gets too thin to absorb a delay. business.gov.au says comparing estimated and actual income and costs helps you quickly identify shortfalls, then reduce costs, follow up overdue payments and revise your budget. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/guide/guide-to-managing-cash-flow?utm_source=openai))

Do not treat every weak week as equal. The first shortfall is usually the one that drives the next problem, because it forces a choice about who gets paid and who waits. business.gov.au says acting early gives you the best chance of getting back on track, and getting professional help early is recommended when concerns are building. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/finance/financial-trouble/warning-signs-your-business-is-in-financial-trouble?utm_source=openai))

Act on the weak weeks today

For each shortfall, choose one concrete move now. Chase an overdue debtor, invoice faster, ask for a part payment, delay a non-essential buy or renegotiate a due date before it becomes a problem. business.gov.au specifically points to reducing cash out, following up overdue invoice payments and revising your budget as practical steps to improve cash flow. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/guide/guide-to-managing-cash-flow?utm_source=openai))

If the forecast still does not work, do not wait for the bank balance to prove it. Print the next 13 weeks, circle the first weak week and deal with it today. If you want help stress-testing the numbers and planning the turnaround, call CRP today about turnaround support. CRP coordinates independent qualified professionals. This article is general information only and not legal or financial advice. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/finance/get-help-with-your-finances?utm_source=openai))