{"id":68668,"date":"2020-04-17T10:47:47","date_gmt":"2020-04-17T08:47:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/?p=68668"},"modified":"2026-01-29T15:53:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T13:53:30","slug":"keep-the-cash-flowing-during-uncertain-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/keep-the-cash-flowing-during-uncertain-times\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep the cash flowing during uncertain times"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\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-za\/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\tKeep the cash flowing during uncertain times\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\t\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=\"2020-04-17T10:47:47+02:00\">April 17, 2020<\/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=\"Keep the cash flowing during uncertain times\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/keep-the-cash-flowing-during-uncertain-times\/\"\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-za\/blog\/author\/vireshharduth\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/04\/Viresh-Harduth-Sage-2-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Viresh Harduth<\/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\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/covid-19-relief-options-for-south-african-businesses-eti-measures-explained\/\">The government has initiated relief measures to support small and medium businesses impacted by the effects of the novel coronavirus,<\/a> but the reality is that many are still struggling to manage cash flow in these trying times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cashflow is an essential &nbsp;for business survival. <mark class=\"highlight-and-share\">A healthy flow of cash into and out of the business means you can pay employees and suppliers as well as rent, rates, taxes and other operating costs on time.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The difficulty even at the best of times is to manage the money coming in (accounts receivable) with the money going out (accounts payable).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ideally, you should be aiming for a consistent positive cash situation \u2013 in other words, more money coming into the business than is being paid out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So how can you ensure that you manage your finances properly, particularly in this exceptionally difficult trading situation?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><br><h3><strong>Create and manage a cash flow forecast<\/strong><\/h3><br><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You need to be able to make decisions based on sound forecasting and estimates, so establishing a cash flow forecast is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start by making a list of assumptions on which to base your forecast. This should include a prediction of price increases for your raw materials and a look at what you\u2019ll, therefore, charge your customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There should be a projection of the growth or reduction of your sales, considering issues such as the seasons and the current trading environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll also have to factor in rainy day funds such as salary increases and the growth of other costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><em>Revenue: <\/em><\/strong>Once you\u2019ve got a reasonable idea of how your sales are going to do, you\u2019ll need to think about how much revenue this will bring in.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take into account when you\u2019ll realistically get paid for these sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You might, for instance, have a regular customer who gives you a lot of business, but you\u2019ll need to factor into your forecast that they usually take 60 days to pay or that they offer you a down payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><em>Expenses: <\/em><\/strong>Then identify your expenses. These typically include wages and salaries, suppliers\u2019 costs, rent and rates, directors\u2019 remuneration, and the purchase of new assets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You might need to add interest payments and insurance premiums. Use the last year\u2019s bank statements as a checklist while anticipating any new incomings and outgoings for the next 12 months, based on internal and external factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><em>A clear view of your finances: <\/em><\/strong>This will give you a reasonably accurate view of your opening and closing financial position for a month, six months and 12 months.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s often said that a cash flow forecast is never finished \u2013 for it to be effective, you should constantly review and update it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use what\u2019s currently happening in the business to correct any assumptions and forward views you made when producing the forecast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s also important \u2013 but especially so in these uncertain times \u2013 to stress test your projections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If sales suddenly fall by a quarter, for instance, will you still be able to pay your essential bills? What will be the impact if you find that you must repair or buy a new piece of equipment?<\/p>\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\">COVID-19 Business Advice<\/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>We are here to support you during this time.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve gathered information and resources to help navigate this situation.\u00a0You can also find out about support for Sage solutions, including enabling home working.<\/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=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/coronavirus\/\"\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\tid=\"cta-id-68659\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-button-location=\"cta_box\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Find out more<\/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=\"1064\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723514223-1064x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Woman holding tablet\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723514223-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><br><h3><strong>Review finance options<\/strong><\/h3><br><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><mark class=\"highlight-and-share\">Reviewing your finance options and sources of extra investment and cash injection is essential<\/mark>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The government, as well as the corporate sector, has made billions of Rands available to businesses, such as the COVID-19 Debt Relief fund and the<a href=\"https:\/\/finance.businesspartners.co.za\/financial-aid-for-formal-small-and-medium-enterprises\/\"> Sakuma fund<\/a>, to assist entities in distress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, major banks in South Africa are offering various options to assist impacted businesses. Standard Bank, for example, was the first to announce assistance, offering all its business clients with a turnover of less than R20 million a year, a three-month debt holiday until the end of June.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s important to talk to your bank and your accountant if you have one, as well as your industry body and others in your sector about accessing this support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><br><h3><strong>Invoice finance and asset-based lending<\/strong><\/h3><br><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><mark class=\"highlight-and-share\">When looking to manage your cash flow, one option already used by some small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is invoice finance and asset-based lending.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is especially useful if customers are slow in paying their bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Essentially, invoice or accounts receivable financing enables you to use your unpaid invoices as security for a loan. You simply pay a percentage of the invoice amount to the lender as a fee for borrowing the money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><br><h3><strong>Invoice factoring<\/strong><\/h3><br><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then there is invoice factoring. Here, you sell your unpaid invoices rather than waiting for the client to pay, usually for around 70% to 90% of their total value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once the client has paid the factoring company the full amount, the factoring company then pays you. They\u2019ll charge you a service fee, which is usually around 1% to 5% of the total invoice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><br><h3><strong>Business line of credit<\/strong><\/h3><br><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another option is a business line of credit, also known as <em>revolving credit<\/em>. Here, you borrow money either in one lump sum or as several smaller amounts until you reach the agreed limit of credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each drawdown becomes a separate loan to be repaid according to a repayment schedule. As with any loan, you pay interest. In this case, you repay each of the loans with interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike an overdraft, you don\u2019t have to go into the red on your bank account to access a line of credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"6\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><br><h3><strong>Importance of financial reporting<\/strong><\/h3><br><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the coronavirus throws so many businesses \u2013 including smaller ones where resources are more thinly spread more than most \u2013 into confusion, it\u2019s easy to let financial reporting slip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reassuring customers, handling suppliers and managing employees working from home while keeping others safe is essential but so is ensuring that your financial reporting is up to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll need to do this so you have all the information required to apply for loans and investments.&nbsp; This will also enable you to continuously keep an eye on the financial health of your business \u2013 especially during times of uncertainty and volatility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chatbots, like Sage\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/hellopegg.io\/\">Pegg<\/a>, are becoming popular in accounting as consumers get more comfortable asking computers questions. By simply asking Pegg who still owes them money, for example, businesses can get an instant overview about where they stand with debtors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep an eye, too, on your cash flow statement as this shows your viability in the short term and helps you to manage your bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check that your cash inflow and cash outflow are accurate and up to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Similarly, you should pay regular attention to your profit and loss (P&amp;L) account so you can check that you\u2019ve made a decent profit over a set period. Ensure your sales and other income, on the one hand, and your costs, on the other, are both correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alongside these key reports are others such as a stock overview report, an asset register, aged creditor and debtor reports, and VAT reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll be able to see who you need to pursue most actively for payment and which of your creditors you\u2019ll need to pay first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"7\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><br><h3><strong>Stay on top of inventory management<\/strong><\/h3><br><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ensuring you can meet clients\u2019 needs while also avoiding cash being tied up in stock and paying out for storage is a delicate balance, especially when so much is uncertain in every sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Effective inventory management is vital. As with financial management, regular forecasting is useful. This involves frequent communication with customers and suppliers, as well as regular checks on market trends and analysis of past sales. Supermarkets, for instance, are keen weather watchers as they want to know when to stock up on barbecue food and accessories \u2013 or hot chocolate and comfort foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cloud-based inventory management software with real-time analytics is beneficial as is any system that can utilise data to help generate actionable insights. Adopt a \u2018first in, first out\u2019 approach to minimise the chances of perishable stock going off or other items losing their seasonal relevance. Keep a closer eye on higher value items than those that have less capital tied up in them. Anticipate reordering requirements even if you\u2019re not placing an order at this point so you can give suppliers some notice for when you do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check that your receiving process is fast and efficient. This avoids newly arrived stock getting damaged, going off or being sent to the wrong place for storage. At the other end of the process, as well making sure that orders are dispatched promptly and carefully, ensure you\u2019re ready to dispose of dead stock. This can free up new storage space more quickly and improve the opportunities for maximising any income potential for products that you can\u2019t sell in the usual way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-words\"><strong>Final words <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Managing cash flow effectively is vital for every business at any time but for SMEs during times of uncertainty and volatility, it\u2019s particularly important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By scheduling an hour or two each week specifically to focus on forecasts and look at incoming and outgoing cash, assets and liabilities, and by accessing professional help and advice, your business will be well placed to weather the current storm and benefit in the longer term.<\/p>\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\">COVID-19 Business Advice<\/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>We are here to support you during this time.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve gathered information and resources to help navigate this situation.\u00a0You can also find out about support for Sage solutions, including enabling home working.<\/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=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/coronavirus\/\"\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\tid=\"cta-id-68659\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-button-location=\"cta_box\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Find out more<\/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=\"1064\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723514223-1064x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"Woman holding tablet\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/04\/GettyImages-723514223-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\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 enewsletter<\/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>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-84fe79b5-668d-41f8-a0cc-6229018c4ac9\"\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-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1181404518-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1181404518-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\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-za\/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<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\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-75952 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-trends-insights tag-artificial-intelligence tag-audit tag-bookkeeping tag-business-continuity tag-business-intelligence tag-business-management tag-business-strategy tag-staying-competitive tag-tax tag-trending-topics business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business business_type-accountants 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-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1314879006-1215x810.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1314879006-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1314879006-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1314879006-1215x810.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=\"2026-03-06T13:07:12+02:00\">March 6, 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\">15 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-za\/blog\/budget-sme-actions\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSouth Africa Budget 2026: 5 actions all SMEs must take now\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\tSouth Africa&#8217;s 2026 Budget scraps R20bn in tax hikes and raises the VAT threshold to R2.3m. Here are 5 steps to protect and grow your business profit\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-73342 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-business-continuity tag-business-management tag-making-financial-decisions tag-profit-loss tag-saving-money-in-business tag-staying-competitive business_type-small-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-za\/blog\/cash-flow-problems\/\"\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-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1290726539-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1290726539-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1290726539-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1290726539-1440x810.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 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tag-business-strategy 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-za\/blog\/how-to-choose-an-accountant-for-your-business\/\"\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=\"640\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/05\/IT-hero-image-640x640-1-640x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"people in office\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/05\/IT-hero-image-640x640-1-640x384.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/05\/IT-hero-image-640x640-1.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/05\/IT-hero-image-640x640-1.jpg 640w\" 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=\"2023-05-25T15:12:32+02:00\">May 25, 2023<\/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\">8 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\tHow to find the right accountant for your business\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-70447 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-long-term-planning category-money-matters tag-business-continuity tag-entrepreneurship 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-za\/blog\/loadshedding-a-small-business-continuity-plan\/\"\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-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-643644948-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-643644948-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-643644948-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-643644948-1440x810.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=\"2022-12-04T09:46:00+02:00\">December 4, 2022<\/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\">6 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\tLoadshedding: A small business continuity plan\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>At times of economic uncertainty and volatility managing cash flow effectively is more important than ever. Here&#8217;s how to do it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":812,"featured_media":68323,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"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":[25],"tags":[350],"business_type":[2,3],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[],"imagine_tag":[348,353,351],"coauthors":[413],"class_list":["post-68668","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-money-matters","tag-business-continuity","business_type-small-business","business_type-medium-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-za","author_name":"Viresh Harduth","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-39.jpg","imagine_tags":{"348":"Business Continuity","353":"Costs and cash flow","351":"Getting financial help"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice South Africa","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68668","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/812"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68668"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68668\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/68323"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68668"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68668"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68668"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=68668"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=68668"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=68668"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=68668"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=68668"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=68668"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=68668"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}