Managing cash flow is one of the biggest challenges for sole traders and businesses in their early stages. When you are juggling jobs, invoices and bills on your own, it is easy to lose track of what money is coming in and going out. This free Cash Flow Forecast Tool gives you a clear picture of your financial position so you can plan ahead with confidence.
Download the Excel template, enter your expected income and expenses for each week and the tool will automatically calculate your cash position over the month. It shows when you might dip into the red, when you have extra capacity and how small adjustments can improve your financial stability. For new businesses, this visibility is essential. It helps you avoid shortfalls, make informed decisions and build better habits from day one.
The tool has been designed to be simple, practical and accessible for sole traders, tradies, contractors and freelancers who do not have a finance team behind them. Whether you are quoting jobs, managing seasonal work or tracking your regular expenses, this forecast gives you a straightforward snapshot of where your business stands.
If you want an easier way to manage your cash flow on the go, Sole can help.
Sole is the accounting app built for Australian sole traders that lets you track income, expenses, invoices and budgets in one place so you always know where your business stands.
Download the Cash Flow Forecast Tool and sign up to Sole today to take control of your business with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main purpose of a Cash Flow Forecast?
Think of it as a “financial early warning system.” It maps out when money is expected to arrive (from sent invoices) and when it’s expected to leave (for bills, rent, and supplies). This allows you to spot “red zones”—weeks where your expenses might outweigh your available cash—so you can chase up payments or delay purchases before it becomes a problem.
How is a forecast different from a Profit & Loss (P&L) statement?
A P&L shows you how much you earned over a period, but it doesn’t care about timing. A Cash Flow Forecast is all about timing. For example, if you finish a $5,000 job in June but the client doesn’t pay until August, your P&L shows a $5,000 profit in June, but your Cash Flow shows $0 until August.
How often should I update my Cash Flow Forecast?
For most sole traders and freelancers, a weekly update is ideal. By spending 10 minutes every Monday morning updating your forecast with the latest invoices sent and bills received, you ensure you’re always making decisions based on reality, not guesswork.
What should I do if my forecast shows I’m going “into the red”?
Don’t panic—this is why you forecast! Seeing a shortfall in advance gives you several “levers” to pull:
- Accelerate Income: Contact clients with outstanding invoices to request early payment.
- Delay Expenses: Ask a supplier for a one-week extension on a bill.
- Reduce Spending: Cut back on non-essential business purchases for that specific period.
Why use the Sole App instead of just an Excel spreadsheet?
The free Excel tool is a great starting point for manual planning. However, the Sole App automates the process by tracking your actual income and expenses as they happen. This means you get a “live” view of your cash position on your phone without having to sit down and manually type numbers into a spreadsheet every week.
What are the biggest “cash flow killers” for Australian sole traders?
In our experience, the three biggest issues are:
- Long payment terms: Waiting 30+ days for clients to pay.
- Seasonal dips: Forgetting to save during busy months for the quiet ones (like January).
- Lump-sum tax bills: Not setting aside money for quarterly BAS or annual tax.