{"id":18934,"date":"2018-04-27T13:53:13","date_gmt":"2018-04-27T13:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/?p=18934"},"modified":"2023-07-27T09:47:00","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T09:47:00","slug":"cash-flow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/articles\/cash-flow\/","title":{"rendered":"Cash Flow: Keep your business healthy through better cash management"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-18935\" src=\"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/cash-flow-1.png\" alt=\"cash flow\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/cash-flow-1.png 720w, https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/cash-flow-1-300x169.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW136642535\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW136642535\">Cash is king! Cash is the lifeline of any businesses without it the business will fail. Given that most businesses which startup actually fail predominantly due to the shortage of cash, this becomes an essential topic for business people to master.\u202f<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW136642535\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW146804249\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW146804249\">All professionals that have a role to maintain a healthy financial position of their companies including: business managers, entrepreneurs, finance managers and product managers should learn\u00a0<span class=\"TextRun SCXW37811342\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW37811342\">how to better manage their cash flow and maintain a healthy business.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW141451962\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW141451962\">Tips for Getting Paid Quickly<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW141451962\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW264983013\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW264983013\">Cash in hand is essential for running of a business, so the more you are able to get paid quickly the more you can have your cash working for you. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/articles\/tips-getting-paid-quickly\/\">Explore how to get paid quickly<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW190938399\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW190938399\">Steps for Managing your Cash Flow<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Cash flow is the flow of money in and out of your company. Cash is what keeps your business alive and knowing if you\u00a0will\u00a0be able to pay your bills and handle seasonal fluctuations through a cash flow statement is one of your most important tools.\u00a0<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Here are\u00a0<b>5 Steps for Managing Your Cash Flow<\/b>:<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b>Categories\u2019<\/b><b>\u00a0Your Expenditures\u00a0<\/b>based on your businesses\u2019\u00a0periodical payments<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fylehq.com\/expense-management-software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Track your Expenditures<\/a>\u00a0<\/b>by ensuring that you capture each payment and documenting it during the period it occurs.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Get Paid Quickly\u00a0<\/b>by invoicing as soon as possible, require\u00a0down payments, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.refrens.com\/free-online-invoice-generator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">send invoices<\/a> by email or courier, offer discount for early payments, accept credit card payments<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Hold on to Your Cash\u00a0<\/b>as long as possible by requesting longer payment terms, paying as late as you can, paying by credit card to get an extended grace period<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Monitor Regularly\u00a0<\/b>by using short-term and long-term forecasting to help you identify any possible shortages before they happen\u00a0<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The saying says: Cash is King, so treat your cash like one.\u00a0<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW206346034\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW206346034\">5\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW206346034\" lang=\"EN-AU\" xml:lang=\"EN-AU\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW206346034\">Ways in which Business Cards offer better advantages than checks<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW206346034\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>As more and more financial transactions in business are migrating from traditional use of checks to the modern use of business cards, Small and Medium businesses are finding much more convenience and efficiency.\u00a0<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Here are\u00a0<b>5\u00a0<\/b><b>advantages of using cards instead of checks in your business<\/b>:<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Improved\u00a0<b>payment flexibility\u00a0<\/b>with also financing option<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Rewards<\/b>\u00a0for business spending<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Online reporting\u00a0<\/b>to reduce record-keeping time<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>S<\/b>pecial\u00a0<b>business discounts<\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Ability to\u00a0<b>pay online\u00a0<\/b>\u202f<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Businesses can make use of these advantages and be able to pass them on to the employees of the business for added convenience.\u00a0It is easy and secure to provide business cards to your key team members, whereas providing them with\u00a0check books\u00a0might not be the wisest thing to do \ud83d\ude42\u00a0<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW6409134\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW6409134\">Reasons why you should prepare a Cash Flow Projections<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW6409134\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Cash budget is an important tool in the hands of financial management for the planning and control of the working capital to ensure the solvency of the firm, and thus, ensure that you have enough cash on hand. A business should have\u00a0at least\u00a090 days of cash on hand to ensure they remain healthy financially<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Here are 7 Reasons why you should prepare a Cash Flow Projections:<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>It is\u00a0<b>Helpful in Planning.\u202f<\/b>Cash budget helps planning for the most efficient use of cash when there is\u00a0a\u00a0oversupply and what to do when it is low\u00a0<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Forecasting the Future needs.\u202f<\/b>Cash budget forecasts the future needs of funds, its time and the amount well in advance.\u00a0<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Maintenance of sufficient cash Balance.\u202f<\/b>Cash is the basis of liquidity of the enterprise and a Cash budget helps in maintaining the liquidity.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Controlling Cash Expenditure.\u202f<\/b>Cash budget acts as a controlling device of various departments expenses\u00a0<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Evaluation of Performance.\u202f<\/b>Cash budget acts as a standard for evaluating the financial performance.\u202f<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Testing the Influence of proposed Expansion\u00a0<\/b><b>Programme<\/b><b>.\u202f<\/b>Cash budget forecasts the inflows from a proposed expansion or investment\u00a0programme\u00a0and testify its impact on cash position.<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Basis of finance Co-ordination.\u202f<\/b>Cash budget helps in\u00a0coordinating\u00a0the various finance functions, such as sales, credit, investment, working capital etc.\u00a0<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:276,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW1361315\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW1361315\">Essential Sections of a cash flow statement<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW1361315\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Cash is king as the saying goes, so documenting cash inflows and outflows in the form of a cash flow statement is essential in any business. No matter how well the business is doing, if cash in the company\u00a0isn\u2019t managed well, it could go bankrupt.\u00a0<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Here are\u00a0<b>3 sections\u00a0<\/b>that should be included\u00a0<b>in a cash flow statement:<\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b>Operating Activities\u00a0<\/b>covers all cash inflows or outflows related to the running of the business including sales, interest revenue, dividend revenue representing cash in and stock purchases, payroll, Taxes, rent, utilities etc..<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Investing Activities\u00a0<\/b>covers all transactions involving the purchase or sale of assets, securities, mergers and acquisitions, in essence items that are not directly linked to the day to day operation of your business<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Financing Activities\u00a0<\/b>include flow of cash to and from investors \u2013equity financing or creditors \u2013debt financing<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>So as a summary Operating, Investing and Financing activities should be clearly present in the cash flow statement that a finance manager prepares on at least a monthly basis.\u00a0\u00a0<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Good management manages cash well!<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Cash is king! Cash is the lifeline of any businesses without it the business will fail. Given that most businesses which startup actually fail predominantly due to the shortage of cash, this becomes an essential topic for business people to master.\u202f\u00a0 All professionals that have a role to maintain a healthy financial position of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":18935,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,99],"tags":[3018,3026,47,3021,3016,3025,3024,3014,3015,3019,3020,3023,3022,3017],"class_list":["post-18934","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-finance-accounting","tag-business-cash-flow","tag-business-cash-flow-analysis","tag-cash-flow","tag-cash-flow-accounting","tag-cash-flow-analysis","tag-cash-flow-budget","tag-cash-flow-problems","tag-cash-flow-statement","tag-cash-flow-statement-format","tag-cashflow-finance","tag-cashflow-manager","tag-importance-of-cash-flow","tag-managing-cash-flow","tag-operating-cash-flow"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18934","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18934"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18934\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23152,"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18934\/revisions\/23152"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18934"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18934"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.potential.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18934"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}