See what’s coming with a cash flow forecast template
Wondering when money might get tight? Catch shortfalls months in advance and plan your spending calmly. Download the template and map out your cash.
Download the cash flow forecast template
Fill in the form to get a free cash flow forecast template as an editable PDF. We’ll also link you to a guide on how to use it.
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3 ways Xero makes cash flow forecasting easier
Bring your finances together in Xero and plan what's next with a clear view of your cash.
See your numbers come to life
Get up-to-date visual insights and cash flow forecasts that show where your business is heading.
Get clear cash flow insights
See all the money moving in and out. Your latest transactions in Xero help you budget for upcoming expenses.
Know where your business stands
Keep an eye on your latest figures to spot anything unusual and plan your next move.
Map your cash flow forecast month by month
Where do you start? Pop your opening bank balance in the first month. Then add the money you expect in and out, including supplier bills, wages, VAT, and Corporation Tax. Your closing balance shows what's left, and it becomes next month's opening figure.
- Record payments in the month cash moves
- Enter a sale in the month your customer pays the invoice. That way, each month’s balance matches what lands in your bank.
Spot shortfalls early and plan spending
Half (51%) of UK small business owners struggle with cash flow.* When a big bill lands in the same month as a slow payer, your forecast shows the dip well in advance. You get time to chase invoices or rethink a purchase. *Source: Xero's Know Your Numbers UK report, July 2025.
- Back up a loan, overdraft or business plan
- Lenders want to see how you'll repay. Your forecast shows when cash comes in and how repayments fit around your other costs.
Pair a forecast with a cash flow statement
Think of them as two views of the same money. Your forecast predicts what's coming, while a cash flow statement records what's already happened. Use both and you'll see where your cash has been and where it's heading next. That's the full picture, sorted.
- Compare your forecast with actuals each month
- Check last month's forecast against what came in and went out, then adjust the months ahead.
Let Xero build your forecast for you
See the next 7 or 30 days at a glance. Short-term cash flow in Xero draws on the due dates of your approved invoices and bills, with positive periods in green and negative ones in red. For a clearer picture, add expected payment dates to overdue items. Then plan your spending around the bills coming up.
- Look further ahead with Xero Analytics Plus or Analytics
- Xero Analytics Plus (paid add-on) projects up to 90 days. Analytics forecasts up to 180 days and plans scenarios apart from real data.
Disclaimer
Xero does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This template has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business.
FAQs on Xero's cash flow forecast template
A cash flow forecast predicts the money coming in and going out of your business over the next few weeks or months. It shows when your bank balance will rise or dip, and helps you plan your spending.
A cash flow forecast predicts the money coming in and going out of your business over the next few weeks or months. It shows when your bank balance will rise or dip, and helps you plan your spending.
Work through each month in order:
1. Enter your opening bank balance
2. Add the money you expect to receive
3. List expected payments, including wages, rent, supplier bills and VAT
4. Check the closing balance and carry it into the next month
Work through each month in order:
1. Enter your opening bank balance
2. Add the money you expect to receive
3. List expected payments, including wages, rent, supplier bills and VAT
4. Check the closing balance and carry it into the next month
Your closing balance is your opening balance plus cash in, minus cash out, and net cash flow is cash in minus cash out for the period. To test your own figures, try Xero's cash flow calculator.
Your closing balance is your opening balance plus cash in, minus cash out, and net cash flow is cash in minus cash out for the period. To test your own figures, try Xero's cash flow calculator.
Update it monthly, or weekly when cash is tight. Each time, compare the figures with what really came in and went out.
Update it monthly, or weekly when cash is tight. Each time, compare the figures with what really came in and went out.
A forecast estimates the cash you expect in future, while a cash flow statement reports the cash that moved during a past period. Use the forecast to plan, and the statement to check how those plans played out.
A forecast estimates the cash you expect in future, while a cash flow statement reports the cash that moved during a past period. Use the forecast to plan, and the statement to check how those plans played out.
Both work well, so pick the view that matches what you're planning:
- weekly, if cash is tight or you're heading into a busy season
- monthly, for day-to-day budgeting
- 12 months, for a business plan or loan application.
Both work well, so pick the view that matches what you're planning:
- weekly, if cash is tight or you're heading into a busy season
- monthly, for day-to-day budgeting
- 12 months, for a business plan or loan application.
Banks use a forecast to see when cash comes in and how you'll fit loan repayments around your other costs, so it often sits inside your business plan. GOV.UK guidance on writing a business plan explains what to include.
Banks use a forecast to see when cash comes in and how you'll fit loan repayments around your other costs, so it often sits inside your business plan. GOV.UK guidance on writing a business plan explains what to include.
Yes, Xero's short-term cash flow projection shows expected cash in and out over the next 7 or 30 days, based on the due dates of your approved invoices and bills. Xero Central's step-by-step help article shows you how to set it up.
Yes, Xero's short-term cash flow projection shows expected cash in and out over the next 7 or 30 days, based on the due dates of your approved invoices and bills. Xero Central's step-by-step help article shows you how to set it up.
A forecast is an estimate based on your best assumptions, so it becomes more accurate each time you update it with what really happened. Pair it with these ways to manage cash flow to stay in control of your cash.
A forecast is an estimate based on your best assumptions, so it becomes more accurate each time you update it with what really happened. Pair it with these ways to manage cash flow to stay in control of your cash.
Plans to suit your business
Ignite
for the first 6 months
Then £18 per month
An easy financial foundation - track cash flow with the essentials.
- Send quotes and 20 invoices†
- Accept online invoice payments^
- MTD for Income Tax ready
- Reconcile transactions
- Smart document capture
- View real-time reports
- Enter 10 bills
- Submit VAT returns to HMRC
- Automate subcontractor CIS calculations and reports
- Make online bill and payroll payments (domestic) for £0.20 per payment††
- Payroll for £1.50 per person
- 30 day cash flow forecast
- Visualise performance with basic graphs
- Company accounts and tax (optional £120 excl. Vat billed annually)
Grow
for the first 6 months
Then £39 per month
Go beyond the basics - automate tasks and access performance dashboards.
- Send invoices and quotes
- Accept online invoice payments^
- MTD for Income Tax ready
- Reconcile transactions
- Smart document capture
- View real-time reports
- Automate bill entry and track bills
- Submit VAT returns to HMRC
- Automate subcontractor CIS calculations and reports
- Make online bill and payroll payments (domestic) for up to 5 payments
- Payroll for 1 person
- 60 day cash flow forecast
- Visualise performance with graphs
- Customise performance dashboards
- Claim expenses and mileage for 1 user
- Auto-reconcile transactions
- Company accounts and tax (optional £120 excl. Vat billed annually)
Comprehensive
for the first 6 months
Then £55 per month
Optimise profitability - tailor your insights for greater control.
- Send invoices and quotes
- Accept online invoice payments^
- MTD for Income Tax ready
- Reconcile transactions
- Smart document capture
- View real-time reports
- Automate bill entry and track bills
- Submit VAT returns to HMRC
- Automate subcontractor CIS calculations and reports
- Make online bill and payroll payments (domestic) for up to 10 payments
- Payroll for 5 people
- 90 day cash flow forecast
- Visualise performance with graphs
- Customise performance dashboards
- Claim expenses and mileage for 5 users
- Use multiple currencies
- Tailored financial health scorecards
- Make online bill payments (International) - Optional add-on
- Auto-reconcile transactions
- Company accounts and tax (optional £120 excl. Vat billed annually)
- Budget with smart suggestions
Ultimate
for the first 6 months
Then £70 per month
Future proof your scaling business - with advanced tools and analytics.
- Send invoices and quotes
- Accept online invoice payments^
- MTD for Income Tax ready
- Reconcile transactions
- Smart document capture
- View real-time reports
- Automate bill entry and track bills
- Submit VAT returns to HMRC
- Automate subcontractor CIS calculations and reports
- Make online bill and payroll payments (domestic) for up to 15 payments
- Payroll for 10 people
- 180 day cash flow forecast
- Visualise performance with graphs
- Customise performance dashboards
- Claim expenses and mileage for 10 users
- Use multiple currencies
- Tailored financial health scorecards
- Make online bill payments (International) - Optional add-on
- Track time and costs for projects for 10 users
- Analyse KPIs and ratios
- Benchmark against the industry
- Auto-reconcile transactions
- Company accounts and tax (optional £120 excl. Vat billed annually)
- Budget with smart suggestions
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