{"id":14941,"date":"2026-09-01T06:25:27","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T10:25:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/?p=14941"},"modified":"2026-09-01T11:29:36","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T15:29:36","slug":"how-to-create-a-cash-flow-forecast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/how-to-create-a-cash-flow-forecast\/","title":{"rendered":"How to create a cash flow forecast"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--standard entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--standard\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/category\/money-matters\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Money Matters<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to create a cash flow forecast\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCash flow forecasting is like having a crystal ball. It helps you plan incoming and outgoing cash so you can make an educated guess on your cash position each month. Let\u2019s see how it\u2019s done.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \">Published <time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-01T06:25:27-04:00\">September 1, 2026<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"How to create a cash flow forecast\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/how-to-create-a-cash-flow-forecast\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/author\/joechurchwoods\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/05\/Joe-Yard-2-crop-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"Joe Church Woods\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Joe Church Woods<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An important skill to master early in your business journey is how to create an effective cash flow forecast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This tells you whether you can afford to reinvest surplus cash into projects or growth, or whether you should prepare for cash shortages.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article will break down cash flow forecasting in a clear, straightforward way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You&#8217;ll&nbsp;find practical steps, helpful examples, and guidance to help you confidently manage your business&#8217;s financial future from day one.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<section id=\"key-takeaways\" class=\"wp-block-sage-key-takeaways\"><div class=\"sage-key-takeaways__inner\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-h-3-font-size\">Key takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>A cash flow forecast<\/strong> estimates expected cash inflows and outflows over a set period, helping you avoid shortfalls, plan for growth, and secure financing. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Building a forecast involves<\/strong> defining your objectives, choosing a time frame, selecting a method (direct or indirect), and calculating net cash flow for each period. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Two core forecasting methods exist<\/strong>: direct, for short-term operational clarity, and indirect, which adjusts net income for non-cash items and suits longer-term planning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accuracy improves with good habits<\/strong>: use realistic assumptions, update forecasts regularly, compare projections to actual results, and plan for unexpected events.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n<h4 id=\"h-here-s-what-we-ll-cover\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Here\u2019s what we\u2019ll cover:<\/h4>\n\n\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><ul><li><a href=\"#h-what-is-cash-flow-forecasting\" data-level=\"2\">What is cash flow forecasting?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-why-is-cash-flow-forecasting-important\" data-level=\"2\">Why is cash flow forecasting important?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-how-to-do-a-cash-flow-forecast\" data-level=\"2\">How to do a cash flow forecast<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-cash-flow-forecast-template\" data-level=\"2\">Cash flow forecast template<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-cash-flow-forecast-example\" data-level=\"2\">Cash flow forecast example<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-different-cash-flow-forecasting-methods\" data-level=\"2\">Different cash flow forecasting methods<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-different-approaches-to-cash-flow-forecast-calculation\" data-level=\"2\">Different approaches to cash flow forecast calculation<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-how-to-prepare-a-cash-flow-forecast\" data-level=\"2\">How to prepare a cash flow forecast<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-cash-flow-forecasting-best-practices\" data-level=\"2\">Cash flow forecasting best practices<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-final-thoughts-on-cash-flow-forecasting\" data-level=\"2\">Final thoughts on cash flow forecasting<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-cash-flow-farecasting-faqs\" data-level=\"2\">Cash flow farecasting FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-is-cash-flow-forecasting\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is cash flow forecasting?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cash flow forecasting is the process of  estimating the money you can expect your business to generate (cash inflow), and how much&nbsp;it&#8217;s&nbsp;likely to consume (cash outflow), over a certain period.&nbsp;A cash flow forecast gives you an easy way to compare those two figures so that you can estimate your expected cash balance at the end of the period.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, a bakery owner might forecast daily sales during the month and subtract the cost of ingredients and other expenses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This helps them know if&nbsp;they&#8217;ll&nbsp;have enough cash to pay rent, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-why-is-cash-flow-forecasting-important\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why is cash flow forecasting important?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cash flow forecasting is important because it helps you avoid running out of&nbsp;money&nbsp;so you know your day-to-day operations are always covered. Having sufficient financial visibility allows you to make better decisions, and the predictability you get from forecasting can be&nbsp;very helpful&nbsp;when you need to secure loans and credit from lenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If daily costs like supplies and payroll are consistent and predictable you can&nbsp;anticipate&nbsp;potential shortfalls and plan accordingly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you know your business is thriving financially, you can plan for growth and make smart investments.&nbsp;In that way it can contribute to the long-term success of your business.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-how-to-do-a-cash-flow-forecast\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to do a cash flow <strong>forecast<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To properly&nbsp;anticipate&nbsp;potential challenges and opportunities you need to predict future inflows and outflows in a consistent manner.&nbsp;This involves defining your cash flow forecasting objectives, choosing a time frame and method, and structuring your forecast with the right components.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s&nbsp;a step-by-step rundown to make sure you cover all aspects every time:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-1-define-your-cash-flow-forecasting-objectives-nbsp\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Define your cash flow forecasting objectives<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you start,&nbsp;determine&nbsp;what you want to achieve with your forecast. Are you looking to manage short-term liquidity, plan for investments, or secure funding? These&nbsp;objectives&nbsp;will influence the&nbsp;time frame&nbsp;and level of detail&nbsp;required.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-2-choose-a-time-frame-for-your-cash-flow-forecast-nbsp\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. <strong>Choose a time frame for your cash flow forecast<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How far into the future do you need to model performance? Common time frames include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Short term<\/strong>\u2014typically weekly or monthly, used for managing immediate cash needs.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Medium term<\/strong>\u2014usually quarterly or annually, helpful for budgeting and operational planning.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Long term<\/strong>\u2014spanning several years, essential for strategic planning and major investments.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mixed period<\/strong>\u2014combine multiple time frames if you need to address various objectives. For example, daily for the next two weeks (to manage immediate cash needs), then weekly for the following two months (operational planning), and finally extend to monthly for the rest of the year for a broader strategic view.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-3-select-a-forecasting-method-and-techniques-nbsp\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Select a forecasting method and techniques<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Think about the approach that best suits your business needs and the chosen&nbsp;time frame. This is covered in detail about the options (such as &#8220;direct&#8221; and &#8220;indirect&#8221; forecasting) later in this article.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-4-structure-your-forecast-with-key-components-nbsp\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. <strong>Structure your forecast with key components<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Organize your forecast to clearly show where money is expected to come in and go out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Identify cash inflows\u2014<\/strong>list all&nbsp;anticipated&nbsp;sources of cash, such as sales revenue, pending customer payments, and any loans or investments you expect to receive.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Estimate cash outflows\u2014<\/strong>detail all&nbsp;anticipated&nbsp;expenses that will drain cash from your accounts. This includes regular costs like payroll and operating expenses, as well as less frequent but predictable expenses like loan repayments and repairs.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Calculate net cash flow \u2014<\/strong>for each period in your forecast, subtract your total estimated cash outflows from your total projected cash inflows. A positive figure&nbsp;indicates&nbsp;a net inflow, which can potentially be reinvested in the business.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Consider unexpected factors<\/strong>\u2014before&nbsp;finalizing&nbsp;your forecast, think about potential unforeseen events that could&nbsp;impact&nbsp;cash flow. For instance, seasonal fluctuations might lead to decreased demand and lower sales revenue during certain periods. Factoring in such possibilities will make your forecast more credible.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-cash-flow-forecast-template\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cash flow forecast template<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We&#8217;ve outlined out a basic cash flow forecast template below, that you can use to get started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td colspan=\"2\"><strong>Period (e.g., specific month)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Expected<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Actual<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"3\"><strong>Receipts <\/strong>(Cash inflows)&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sales&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>$<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>$<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Interest&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>$<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>$<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Loans&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>$<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>$<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Total receipts<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>$<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>$<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"3\">&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"3\"><strong>Payments <\/strong>(Cash outflows)&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Salaries&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Supplies&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Overheads (rent, utilities etc)&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Stock&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Loan payments&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Marketing&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tax&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Total payments<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>$<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>$<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"3\"><strong><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Net cash flow&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;(total receipts \u2013 total payments)&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>$<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>$<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Cash position<\/strong>&nbsp;(Bank balance at start + net cash flow)&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>$<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>$<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"3\"><strong><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-cash-flow-forecast-example\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cash flow forecast example<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following on from the above, here&#8217;s what a one-month cash flow forecast might look like for a small bakery forecasting for the month of July, comparing expected figures against what actually happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-cash-inflows\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cash inflows<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, the bakery estimates the cash it expects to receive during July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Receipts<\/th><th>Expected<\/th><th>Actual<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Sales<\/td><td>$18,000<\/td><td>$17,400<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Interest<\/td><td>$50<\/td><td>$45<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Loans<\/td><td>$0<\/td><td>$0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Total receipts<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>$18,050<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>$17,445<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-cash-outflows\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cash outflows<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next, it estimates the cash it expects to pay out over the same period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Payments<\/th><th>Expected<\/th><th>Actual<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Salaries<\/td><td>$6,500<\/td><td>$6,500<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Supplies<\/td><td>$4,200<\/td><td>$4,650<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Overheads (rent, utilities, etc.)<\/td><td>$2,800<\/td><td>$2,800<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Stock<\/td><td>$2,500<\/td><td>$2,900<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Loan payments<\/td><td>$1,200<\/td><td>$1,200<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Marketing<\/td><td>$600<\/td><td>$600<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tax<\/td><td>$900<\/td><td>$900<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Total payments<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>$18,700<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>$19,550<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-net-cash-flow-and-cash-position\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Net cash flow and cash position<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Subtracting total payments from total receipts gives the net cash flow for the month. Adding that to the starting bank balance yields the resulting cash position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><\/th><th>Expected<\/th><th>Actual<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Net cash flow (receipts \u2212 payments)<\/td><td>\u2212$650<\/td><td>\u2212$2,105<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Cash position (starting balance + net cash flow)<\/td><td>$9,350<\/td><td>$7,895<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bakery expected a small shortfall of $650 for the month, but higher-than-forecast supply and stock costs widened that to $2,105 in reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Comparing expected to actual figures like this is exactly how you&#8217;d spot that supplier costs ne<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-different-cash-flow-forecasting-methods\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Different cash flow forecasting methods<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Companies forecast cash flow for&nbsp;different reasons.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, your startup might need a detailed monthly forecast to manage its&nbsp;initial&nbsp;expenses, while as an established business, you could use a longer-term annual forecast for strategic planning.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This means the timing and scope of each forecast could vary. Short-term forecasts help manage daily money needs, while highly detailed forecasts could show the overall financial health needed for&nbsp;future plans.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are two techniques for cash flow forecasting that stand out\u2014direct forecasting and indirect forecasting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-direct-cash-flow-forecasting-nbsp\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Direct cash flow forecasting<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This method looks at actual cash inflows and outflows that occur when cash changes hands, as reported in your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/glossary\/cash-flow-statement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cash flow statement<\/a>. It tracks the real movement of money, as opposed to implicit results like profit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use it for short-term, detailed forecasts that provide&nbsp;a very clear&nbsp;picture of cash movements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-indirect-cash-flow-forecasting-nbsp\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Indirect cash flow forecasting<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This method begins with your average net income from previous months and adjusts it for non-cash items, such as depreciation and amortization.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/net-income-formula\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Net income<\/a> shows your profitability, but it includes accounting figures that&nbsp;don&#8217;t&nbsp;represent&nbsp;actual cash movement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To get a clearer picture of your real cash position, the indirect method removes these non-cash items and accounts for changes in working capital\u2014like accounts receivable, accounts payable, and inventory\u2014that affect your cash flow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The indirect method is especially useful for reconciling net income with actual cash generated from operations.&nbsp;It&#8217;s&nbsp;commonly used for longer-term financial planning and helps you project cash flow based on your historical profitability.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-different-approaches-to-cash-flow-forecast-calculation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Different approaches to cash flow forecast calculation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the direct and indirect methods&nbsp;represent&nbsp;overarching strategies for preparing a cash flow forecast, there are specific techniques and practices you will use to generate the numbers within each method.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In other words, the methods dictate &#8220;how&#8221; to structure each forecast, while different techniques apply to &#8220;what&#8221;&nbsp;you&#8217;re&nbsp;actually calculating&nbsp;and projecting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each technique has its own purpose and advantages.&nbsp;So&nbsp;use each one according to the specific needs you are forecasting and the level of detail&nbsp;required.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some common examples:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-receipts-and-disbursements-nbsp\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Receipts and disbursements<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This technique centres on two key components: expected cash receipts and planned cash payments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Expected cash receipts are the cash amounts you&nbsp;anticipate&nbsp;receiving,&nbsp;from sources like customer sales, interest income, or the collection of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/glossary\/what-is-accounts-receivable\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">accounts receivable<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Planned cash payments, on the other hand, are the cash amounts you intend to pay out. These include expenses such as supplier payments, salaries, rent, and loan repayments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A careful analysis of when&nbsp;you&#8217;ll&nbsp;receive cash and when&nbsp;you&#8217;ll&nbsp;make payments gives you a basic view of your short-term cash inflows and outflows.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s&nbsp;straightforward and focuses on actual transactions\u2014ideal for short-term operational forecasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-adjusted-net-income-nbsp\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Adjusted net income<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This technique&nbsp;modifies&nbsp;net income to reflect that it includes non-cash items. It adjusts for non-cash expenses like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/glossary\/what-is-depreciation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">depreciation<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/glossary\/what-is-amortization\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">amortization<\/a>, as well as non-cash revenues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These figures&nbsp;impact&nbsp;profit but&nbsp;don&#8217;t&nbsp;represent&nbsp;actual cash movement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By removing these non-cash components, you can better estimate your operating cash flow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This method helps translate expected profitability into projected cash flow, offering insight into the cash impact of your earnings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-pro-forma-balance-sheet-nbsp\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pro forma balance sheet<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This projects future <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/what-why-balance-sheets-important\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">balance sheet accounts<\/a>, such as assets, liabilities, and equity, which themselves have an impact on cash flow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, an increase in accounts receivable (money owed by customers) means cash&nbsp;hasn&#8217;t&nbsp;yet come in. Similarly, a rise in accounts payable (money you owe to suppliers) means cash&nbsp;hasn&#8217;t&nbsp;yet gone out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By projecting these balance sheet changes, you can indirectly forecast the timing and amount of future cash inflows and outflows.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This&nbsp;provides&nbsp;a longer-term view of your financial health and the cash implications of your strategic decisions. Use it for long-term strategic planning, showing the impact macro decisions will have on your cash position.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-cash-flow-budgeting-nbsp\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cash flow budgeting<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a highly detailed plan, outlining the cash inflows and outflows you can expect from specific categories and time periods, such as weekly or even daily.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, instead of just listing &#8220;operating expenses,&#8221; a cash flow budget might detail individual costs like office supplies, utilities, and marketing spend, along with their exact due dates.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Similarly, cash inflows might be broken down by specific product lines or services and their&nbsp;anticipated&nbsp;payment schedules. This level of detail allows for a much closer look at the timing of cash movements.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It helps you to precisely manage day-to-day finances and&nbsp;identify&nbsp;potential shortfalls or surpluses in the&nbsp;very near&nbsp;term.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-rolling-forecasts-nbsp\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Rolling forecasts<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rolling forecasts are continuously updated projections that&nbsp;maintain&nbsp;a consistent time horizon. As each period ends, the forecast automatically rolls forward to a new period, keeping the start and end dates aligned with the current timeline.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use them for ongoing&nbsp;financial management, as they&nbsp;provide&nbsp;a real-time view of future cash flow. This dynamic approach helps ensure your forecasts remain relevant and responsive to current conditions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-scenario-and-sensitivity-analysis-nbsp\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Scenario and sensitivity analysis<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This a mix of different cash flow forecasts, each one based on various assumptions about key business drivers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, you might create a best-case scenario with high sales projections and low expenses, a worst-case scenario with low sales and&nbsp;high costs, and a&nbsp;most-likely scenario&nbsp;based on your current expectations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sensitivity analysis then examines how changes in a single variable\u2014like a 5% drop in sales or a 10% increase in supplier costs\u2014would&nbsp;impact&nbsp;your cash flow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use it to assess risks and opportunities, so you can understand the impact of changes and prepare&nbsp;appropriate contingency&nbsp;plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-how-to-prepare-a-cash-flow-forecast\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to prepare a cash flow forecast<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-using-spreadsheets-nbsp\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Using spreadsheets<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spreadsheets are a common and affordable starting point for creating a cash flow forecast. They offer flexibility for customization, allowing you to tailor each model to your specific needs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, they also require a solid understanding of spreadsheet functions and formatting to use effectively.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are steps to prepare a forecast using a spreadsheet:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Gather your historical data:&nbsp;<\/strong>this includes sales invoices, expense reports, and bank statements. Look at trends in your cash inflows and outflows over previous months or years.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Project your cash inflows:<\/strong>&nbsp;estimate your future sales revenue, considering factors like seasonality, marketing campaigns, and economic conditions. List other expected income sources, such as loan disbursements or investment returns, and their&nbsp;anticipated&nbsp;dates.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Project your cash outflows:<\/strong>&nbsp;categorize your&nbsp;anticipated&nbsp;expenses (e.g., payroll, rent, utilities, supplies, marketing) and estimate the amount and payment date for each one. Be thorough and include both fixed and variable costs.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Calculate your net cash flow:<\/strong>&nbsp;use the spreadsheet&#8217;s formula functions to sum up total projected cash outflows and total projected cash inflows for the period&nbsp;you&#8217;ve&nbsp;chosen to analyse. Subtract total outflows from total inflows. The result is your net cash flow for that period\u2014positive if inflows exceed outflows, and negative if the opposite is true.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Determine&nbsp;your ending cash balance:<\/strong>&nbsp;start with your&nbsp;initial&nbsp;cash balance at the beginning of the forecast period. Add the net cash flow you just calculated to get the ending balance for that period. This ending balance becomes the starting balance for the next period. Repeat this calculation for any other periods you wish to forecast.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When using spreadsheets, always double-check that your formulas are correct and regularly update your forecasts with the latest data.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While you&nbsp;can&#8217;t&nbsp;predict the unpredictable, you can plan for it. Running multiple scenarios\u2014best case, worst case, and&nbsp;most likely\u2014helps you estimate a realistic range of potential outcomes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-using-cash-flow-forecasting-software-nbsp\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Using cash flow forecasting software<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are advanced software tools on the market that automate many aspects of cash flow forecasting and provide built-in analysis features. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, these too are only as good as the data you enter. If you want to take the manual admin out of spreadsheet use, consider choosing a system built specifically to turn your data into insights.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As with spreadsheets, effective <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/scenario-planning\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">scenario planning<\/a> is essential to generate a reliable range of forecast results. Make sure your data stays current to get the most out of these tools.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-cash-flow-forecasting-best-practices\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cash flow forecasting best practices<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can conclude from the&nbsp;previous&nbsp;section that forecasting is not an exact science. However, by adopting certain procedures and mindsets you can improve cash flow forecasting accuracy and the reliability of your projections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some ideas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Define the purpose of each forecast:<\/strong>&nbsp;tailor your forecasting approach to specific goals\u2014such as day-to-day cash planning, managing debt obligations, or assessing readiness for capital investment. This ensures each forecast is relevant, focused, and actionable.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Select the&nbsp;appropriate forecasting&nbsp;period:<\/strong>&nbsp;use short-term forecasts (e.g. 2\u20134 weeks) for daily cash management, a medium-term outlook (e.g. 13 weeks) for debt and liquidity planning, and long-term estimates (6\u201312 months) for strategic growth and budgeting.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Realistic assumptions:<\/strong>&nbsp;base your forecasts on well-researched and reasonable assumptions. Avoid overly optimistic or pessimistic projections that are unlikely to reflect actual market conditions.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Review and update your forecasts often:<\/strong>&nbsp;as your business performance and your chosen market evolve so should your forecasts. Regularly revisit and revise your inputs to ensure each forecast&nbsp;remains&nbsp;relevant and actionable.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Compare your forecasts to actual results:<\/strong>&nbsp;track how your projected cash flow compares to actual outcomes. Analysing variances helps you understand where your assumptions held up\u2014and where they&nbsp;didn&#8217;t\u2014so you can fine-tune your forecasting process.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Understand your cash flow drivers:<\/strong>&nbsp;different products, customer segments, and business activities impact cash flow in&nbsp;different ways. Key drivers often include sales volume, customer payment terms, and supplier payment cycles. Knowing what moves the needle helps you focus your efforts where it counts most.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Separate essential and discretionary spending:<\/strong>&nbsp;categorizing your expenses helps you&nbsp;identify&nbsp;where cuts could be made if needed. Fixed costs like rent and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/glossary\/what-is-payroll\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">payroll<\/a> cannot be altered,&nbsp;whereas&nbsp;you may consider marketing or travel less important (discretionary). You can be more flexible with your discretionary costs in tight periods.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Plan for contingencies and unexpected events:<\/strong>&nbsp;consult historical data and expert sources to consider&nbsp;possible risks\u2014such as economic downturns, customer churn, or emergency equipment repairs. This proactive approach allows you to prepare with&nbsp;appropriate buffers&nbsp;against unforeseen costs.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Involve people from different departments:<\/strong>&nbsp;individuals from your company&#8217;s sales, operations, and purchasing areas often have unique insights into upcoming activities and potential financial impacts. Their inclusion in the cash flow forecasting process can lead to more&nbsp;accurate&nbsp;and well-rounded projections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-final-thoughts-on-cash-flow-forecasting\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Final thoughts on cash flow forecasting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Organising and verifying your financial data takes&nbsp;time, but&nbsp;pays dividends in terms of the insights and peace of mind you gain.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can reach those insights faster\u2014and with greater accuracy\u2014by using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/accounting-software\/cash-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cash management software<\/a> to support your financial planning and budgeting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When&nbsp;you&#8217;re&nbsp;confident in your cash flow forecasts,&nbsp;you&#8217;re&nbsp;better equipped to make informed decisions and unlock your company&#8217;s full potential.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-sage-faq\">\n\t\n<h2 id=\"h-cash-flow-farecasting-faqs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cash flow farecasting FAQs<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"faq-items\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-sage-faq-item\" id=\"faq-item-ea0f7667\">\n\t<div class=\"faq-item-question\">\n\t\t\n<h3 id=\"h-can-a-profitable-business-still-run-out-of-cash\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can a profitable business still run out of cash?<\/h3>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"faq-item-answer\">\n\t\t\t\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. Profit and cash are not the same thing. A business can show a profit on paper while still running out of cash if customers pay late, inventory ties up funds, or a large expense falls due before revenue arrives.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cash flow forecasting exists precisely to catch this gap before it becomes a crisis, since it tracks actual cash timing rather than accounting profit.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-sage-faq-item\" id=\"faq-item-52cdd0a4\">\n\t<div class=\"faq-item-question\">\n\t\t\n<h3 id=\"h-what-s-the-difference-between-a-cash-flow-forecast-and-a-cash-flow-budget\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What&#8217;s the difference between a cash flow forecast and a cash flow budget?<\/h3>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"faq-item-answer\">\n\t\t\t\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A cash flow forecast estimates what will happen to your cash position based on realistic expectations, while a budget sets a target for what you want to happen. Forecasts are typically updated often as new information comes in, whereas budgets are usually set for a fixed period and used as a benchmark to measure against.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many businesses use both together: a budget to plan, and a forecast to track reality against that plan.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-sage-faq-item\" id=\"faq-item-6c242a11\">\n\t<div class=\"faq-item-question\">\n\t\t\n<h3 id=\"h-how-do-you-forecast-cash-flow-with-no-historical-data\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you forecast cash flow with no historical data?<\/h3>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"faq-item-answer\">\n\t\t\t\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New businesses without past financials to draw on typically build a forecast from bottom-up estimates instead: industry benchmarks, signed contracts, confirmed orders, and known fixed costs like rent and salaries.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s worth building best-case, worst-case, and most-likely scenarios from the outset, since assumptions carry more uncertainty without a track record to validate them.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As actual data starts coming in, forecasts can shift to rely more on historical trends and less on estimates.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-sage-faq-item\" id=\"faq-item-0bb405f4\">\n\t<div class=\"faq-item-question\">\n\t\t\n<h3 id=\"h-what-causes-a-cash-flow-forecast-to-be-inaccurate\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What causes a cash flow forecast to be inaccurate?<\/h3>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"faq-item-answer\">\n\t\t\t\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most common causes are overly optimistic sales assumptions, customers paying later than expected, and unplanned expenses like equipment repairs or seasonal dips in demand. Forecasts also lose accuracy quickly if they aren&#8217;t updated as new information comes in.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Comparing forecast to actual results regularly is the most reliable way to catch and correct these gaps over time.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-sage-faq-item\" id=\"faq-item-059b4960\">\n\t<div class=\"faq-item-question\">\n\t\t\n<h3 id=\"h-how-often-should-a-small-business-update-its-cash-flow-forecast\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How often should a small business update its cash flow forecast?<\/h3>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"faq-item-answer\">\n\t\t\t\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most small businesses benefit from updating a short-term forecast weekly and a longer-term forecast monthly, though the right cadence depends on how volatile the business&#8217;s cash flow is. A business with irregular income, like one relying on seasonal sales or large one-off contracts, generally needs more frequent updates than one with stable, predictable revenue. As a rule of thumb, if actual results are regularly diverging from the forecast, that&#8217;s a signal to update more often.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-sage-faq-item\" id=\"faq-item-1452f27d\">\n\t<div class=\"faq-item-question\">\n\t\t\n<h3 id=\"h-is-cash-flow-forecasting-only-useful-for-businesses-in-financial-difficulty\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is cash flow forecasting only useful for businesses in financial difficulty?<\/h3>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"faq-item-answer\">\n\t\t\t\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No; forecasting is just as valuable for healthy, growing businesses. It&#8217;s how a profitable business decides when it has genuine surplus cash to reinvest, rather than guessing, and it&#8217;s often a requirement when applying for financing or a loan, even when a business isn&#8217;t in distress.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Waiting until cash is tight to start forecasting means losing the lead time that makes forecasting useful in the first place.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice Newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"cta-content__title\">Get a roundup of our best business advice in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-8949a954-88b2-43bb-8b8a-77c53eb34350\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/tag\/accounting-101\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAccounting 101\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/tag\/bookkeeping\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbookkeeping\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/tag\/business-continuity\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBusiness continuity\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/tag\/cash-flow\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcash flow\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/tag\/expenses\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\texpenses\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/tag\/profit-and-loss\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tprofit and loss\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/tag\/small-business\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsmall business\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/tag\/staying-competitive\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tstaying competitive\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-14978 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-accounting-101 tag-bookkeeping tag-business-finances tag-business-management tag-profit-and-loss business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1215\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/03\/Sage_BrandShootNC_Feb2024_Accountants_0632-1215x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/03\/Sage_BrandShootNC_Feb2024_Accountants_0632-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/03\/Sage_BrandShootNC_Feb2024_Accountants_0632-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/03\/Sage_BrandShootNC_Feb2024_Accountants_0632-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-02T05:46:57-04:00\">September 2, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">7 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/general-ledger-vs-general-journal\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tGeneral journal vs general ledger: What\u2019s the difference?\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tWhat\u2019s the difference between a general journal and a general ledger? Learn how each works, how they connect, and why both matter for accurate accounting and financial reporting.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-14975 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-accounting-101 tag-business-finances tag-business-management tag-financial-insights tag-tax business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/general-ledger-reconciliation\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-643644406-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-643644406-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-643644406-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-643644406-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-02T05:29:06-04:00\">September 2, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">15 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tWhat is general ledger reconciliation? A simple guide\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-14959 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-accounting-101 tag-bookkeeping tag-business-finances tag-cash-flow tag-small-business tag-staying-competitive business_type-small-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/accrued-expenses-vs-accounts-payable\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-939019528-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-939019528-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-939019528-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-939019528-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-01T08:00:15-04:00\">September 1, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">11 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tWhat are\u00a0accrued\u00a0expenses and how do they differ from accounts payable?\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-14929 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-accountants category-money-matters category-people-leadership tag-accounting-101 tag-bookkeeping tag-business-finances tag-business-management tag-cash-flow tag-cfo tag-data-analysis tag-electronic-payments tag-financial-insights business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business business_type-accountants\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/outstanding-cheques-bank-reconciliation\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1271694534-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1271694534-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1271694534-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1271694534-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-08-17T07:00:54-04:00\">August 17, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">10 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tWhat are outstanding cheques in bank reconciliation?\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-14917 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters tag-accounting-101 tag-cash-flow tag-data-analysis tag-financial-insights business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business business_type-accountants industry-financial-services\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/cash-on-cash-return\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0905-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0905-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0905-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/10\/BrandShoot-LND_June2024_Financial-Services_0905-1214x810.jpg 1214w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-08-17T06:19:31-04:00\">August 17, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">13 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tCash on cash return: Definition, formula, and example\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cash flow forecasting is like having a crystal ball. It helps you plan incoming and outgoing cash so you can make an educated guess on your cash position each month. Let\u2019s see how it\u2019s done.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1847,"featured_media":8024,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_page_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_article_type":"","_sage_video":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"[{\"keyword\":\"cash flow forecast template\",\"score\":61},{\"keyword\":\"cash flow forecasting\",\"score\":93},{\"keyword\":\"cash flow forecasting best practices\",\"score\":61},{\"keyword\":\"what is cash flow forecasting\",\"score\":93}]","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"[\"\",\"\",\"\",\"\",\"\"]","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"7","post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"_pwl_sage_podcast_buzzsprout_src":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[162,165,224,271,189,202,267,208],"business_type":[3,99],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[100,75,73,83],"imagine_tag":[35,67],"coauthors":[460],"class_list":["post-14941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-money-matters","tag-accounting-101","tag-bookkeeping","tag-business-continuity","tag-cash-flow","tag-expenses","tag-profit-and-loss","tag-small-business","tag-staying-competitive","business_type-small-business","business_type-medium-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-ca","author_name":"Joe Church Woods","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-960890176.jpg","imagine_tags":{"35":"accounting software","67":"Small business"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice Canada English","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14941","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/1847"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14941"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14941\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14970,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14941\/revisions\/14970"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/8024"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14941"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14941"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=14941"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=14941"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=14941"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=14941"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=14941"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=14941"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=14941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}