What is cash flow?

what is cash flow

What is cash flow?

Understanding Cash Flow in Your Small Business

Running a small business comes with its own unique set of challenges, and understanding your cash flow is one of them. Knowing what cash flow means and how it affects your business can help you make informed decisions about the future of your business.



What is Cash Flow?

Cash flow is simply the movement of money in and out of your business. It tracks how much money you bring in from sales, as well as how much you spend on expenses such as salaries, rent, and other bills. It's important to pay attention to this because it will determine whether or not you have enough money on hand to pay for all of these expenses each month.


Managing Cash Flow

The key to managing is understanding that it’s cyclical—you may have more money coming in during certain months than others. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead for slower months so that you don’t run out of money when times are tough. This can be done by having a cushion in place (like saving up extra money or taking out an emergency loan) or by cutting back on expenses when needed.


It’s also smart to keep track of customer payments so that you know when customers are paying their invoices late—or not at all. This can help protect your company from any nasty surprises down the road, like unpaid invoices or unexpected costs due to late payments. You can also use software tools such as accounting software or budgeting apps to get a better handle on your finances and ensure you're staying on top of all incoming and outgoing payments. 



Understanding cash flow is essential for any small business owner in the UK who wants to stay ahead financially. By keeping track of customer payments, budgeting ahead for slow months, and using various software tools to manage finances, small businesses owners will be able to stay afloat during times of financial stress while still being able to invest in their growth and success down the road. With some careful planning and management, understanding cash flow can be a breeze!


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About the Author

Annette Ferguson 

Owner of Annette & Co. - Chartered Accountants & Certified Profit First Professionals. Helping online service-based entrepreneurs find clarity in their numbers, increase wealth and have more money in their pockets.

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