Why 13 Weeks?
Thirteen weeks covers one fiscal quarter, making it an ideal period for aligning cash planning with reporting cycles, debt service, and board reviews.
It’s also short enough to maintain accuracy while still giving organizations time to react to changing conditions.
Steps to Build a 13 Week Cash Flow Forecast:
- Establish Your Starting Cash Balance
Begin with the actual cash on hand at the start of Week 1. - Forecast Weekly Inflows
Include expected receipts such as:- Constituent payments
- Grants, reimbursements, or tax revenues
- Transfers from investment accounts or other funds
- Forecast Weekly Outflows
Estimate upcoming disbursements like:- Payroll and benefits
- Vendor invoices and contracts
- Loan or bond payments
- Utilities, insurance, and other overhead costs
- Calculate Net Cash Flow Each Week
Subtract total outflows from inflows to get the weekly net change. - Update the Ending Balance
Add the net cash flow to your beginning balance to find the ending balance for each week, then carry that forward as the starting balance for the next. - Review and Refine Regularly
Update your forecast weekly with actuals and refine future weeks based on new information.
Tools You Can Use
While many organizations use spreadsheets, software solutions like DebtBook’s Cash Management solution can automate forecasts, pull in real-time bank data, and improve accuracy, saving time and reducing risk.
What’s important here?
A 13-week cash flow forecast gives you a practical, rolling view of your organization's financial future. It helps ensure you have enough cash to meet obligations, avoid surprises, and make informed decisions.
When treasurers build and maintain this forecast, they gain greater control over liquidity and confidence in their ability to support the organization’s mission, even in uncertain times.
