Business worksheet
Cash flow forecast template
Estimate monthly sales and costs, calculate your closing balance and plan for cash shortages. Fill in, download or print the worksheet.
Dzaleka Online Services
Before you start
Useful for: Small businesses handling stock, transport, rent, data, airtime, or other regular monthly costs.
- Collect your recent sales records, notebook entries, or phone money records if you have them.
- Estimate your normal monthly costs as honestly as possible, including small costs like airtime or transport.
- Separate business money from personal household spending as much as you can.
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Your worksheet
Type your notes below, then download or print a copy. Notes stay on this page and are not saved when you leave.
Opening balance and income
Start with how much cash the business has at the beginning of the month and where income should come from.
How much cash is available at the start of the month?
How much do you expect to earn from normal sales?
Will there be any extra income such as contracts, support, or side services?
Stock and operating costs
List the main costs that reduce your cash during the month.
How much will you spend on stock, ingredients, materials, or supplies?
How much will travel, shipping, or collection cost?
What regular monthly operating costs do you expect?
People and business support costs
Include wages or informal support payments when they are part of the business.
Will you pay anyone to help this month?
Any expected fixing, replacement, or servicing costs?
How much do you want to keep untouched if possible?
Monthly balance
Use this section to see whether the month ends positive or negative.
Add opening balance, sales, and other income.
Add all expected costs.
Cash in minus cash out. What will remain at month end?
Warning signs and action points
Decide early what you will do if cash drops too low.
What number tells you cash is becoming unsafe?
What will you do if that warning sign appears?
Who can advise or help if cash pressure continues?
Keep a copy of your notes
The text file opens in a text editor. You can also choose “Save as PDF” in your browser’s print menu.
Worked example
A fictional business, shown to help you fill in the worksheet.
Tiyende Fresh Bites: Cooked food stall
A food stall owner wants to forecast cash before increasing meal production during a busy period.
Income and costs
- Opening balance: MWK 180,000.
- Expected sales: MWK 950,000 from weekday meals and weekend catering trays.
- Stock costs: MWK 430,000 for flour, oil, vegetables, charcoal, and packaging.
Operating costs
- Transport and delivery: MWK 75,000.
- Phone/data and airtime: MWK 18,000.
- Part-time helper: MWK 120,000.
Balance and warning sign
- Estimated closing balance: MWK 487,000.
- Warning sign: if available cash drops below MWK 80,000 before week 3.
- Response: reduce low-profit menu items and delay non-essential purchases.