"I truly believe that we're still alive today because of the cash flow forecast that we did together."
— DTC founder after her first 12-week forecast
Last week you found your real cash number and this week we’re making it a system so you're never guessing again.
Hi again! It’s Candice, your finance chick at FSC. This one's the single most useful spreadsheet I've ever handed a founder. It's not complicated and it's not an accounting exercise. It's 12 columns and real numbers.
My 12-week Cash Flow Forecast Template
The 12-Week Cash Flow Forecast, in 5 rules
Rule | What it Means |
|---|---|
12 columns | One per week. Weekly will get you up close and personal with the numbers (which is what saves you) |
Start with today's real balance | What's in the bank account right now |
Update every Tuesday | The weekend’s transactions haven't cleared on a Monday, so Tuesday gives you the truest number. |
Include GST/tax in every figure | Net-only weekly forecasts mean you're constantly recalculating. Keep it simple and use gross to keep it simple. |
It will never be perfect | What you're trying to do here is just get control (that's the goal) |
Mapping it to your business
Ecomm Founders: map every cost stream separately: inventory production, ads, wholesale, partnerships. If a wholesale order is placed in June on 30-day terms, the cash doesn't land until July. That gap is super important and it’s what this forecast catches. Same thing with production, map out when you need to pay your deposits and final invoices as production takes place.
My 12-week Cash Flow Forecast - Willow & Co (DTC skincare example)
SaaS: map subscription revenue to the date it actually lands (for example around the 20th of the month, not the 1st), and separate it from one-off or annual-paid-monthly revenue. If you lump categories together founders lose visibility.
My 12-week Cash Flow Forecast - Relay HQ (B2B SaaS example)
One tactic that applies to both: paying suppliers immediately because it feels cleaner or easier is costing you cash flexibility. Ask for 45-day terms instead of paying on the spot. Most suppliers will say yes if you simply ask. Even 30 days makes a real difference to your weekly position. (This is exactly how Michael Dell built his first computers with no capital. He collected payment upfront, then used the timing of cash as his growth engine)
Build your first draft in the next 15 minutes
Open a blank spreadsheet. Create 13 columns (first one for descriptions), labelled by week
In week 1, enter today's real cash balance (from last week's exercise)
List every income and cost stream or contact name on its own row, don't lump them. Estimate which week the cash actually lands or leaves, not when it's earned or billed.
💎 Today's gem: you now have the actual method, not just the idea, for seeing 12 weeks into your own cash position. This is the exact forecast I build with my clients and is the single most important spreadsheet you can have in your business.
- Candice, FSC’s Finance Chick
Know Your Numbers is a weekly feature from Founded To Be Counted, helping female founders build real confidence with their business finances.
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PS: If you’ve done your cashflow spreadsheet and you’re feeling proud or worried or have a question for Candice, hit reply and email us a screenshot!
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