Cash Flow Forecasting
Overview
A business can be profitable on paper yet still run out of cash to pay wages next Friday. Cash flow forecasting is the tool that stops this from happening. It maps out when money is expected to arrive and when it needs to leave, month by month, so owners and managers can spot shortfalls before they become crises.
In this lesson you will learn how to construct and interpret a cash flow forecast, calculate net cash flow and closing balances, identify the causes of cash flow problems, and evaluate the strategies a business can use to keep the cash flowing.
Objectives
- Understand the importance of cash to a business: to pay suppliers, overheads and employees, to prevent business failure (insolvency), the difference between cash and profit
- Calculate and interpret cash-flow forecasts: cash inflows, cash outflows, net cash flow, opening and closing balances
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Cash Flow Forecasting. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- What is the formula for net cash flow? A) Total inflows + Total outflows B) Total inflows - Total outflows C) Closing balance - Opening balance D) Revenue - Costs Answer: B
- A business has an opening balance of 5,000, total inflows of 12,000, and total outflows of 14,000. What is the closing balance? A) 7,000 B) 3,000 C) -2,000 D) 2,000 Answer: B
- Which of the following is a cash inflow? A) Payment of wages B) Purchase of raw materials C) Receipt of a bank loan D) Payment of rent Answer: C
- Overtrading is most likely to cause cash flow problems because: A) The business is growing too slowly B) The business is expanding faster than its cash reserves can support C) The business has too few customers D) The business is making a loss Answer: B
- Which of the following best explains why a profitable business might have negative cash flow? A) It has too many employees B) Its customers are paying on credit and cash has not yet been received C) It is selling too many products D) It has reduced its prices Answer: B
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Recommended Books
Practice Mock Questions
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