Many owner-managed businesses discover a cash problem only when the bank balance is already tight. Profit on the management accounts can look healthy while receivables stretch, suppliers tighten terms, or VAT and payroll dates cluster in the same week.
What good cash visibility looks like
- A rolling 13-week cash forecast updated weekly, not once a quarter
- Clear ownership of debtor chase and payment run timing
- VAT, PAYE, rent and loan commitments marked on the same calendar
- A short list of decisions that move cash this month — not a 40-page pack
If your reporting tells you where you have been but not what you can pay in four weeks, the next step is usually process and rhythm — not another spreadsheet template.