Cash Flow Forecast Calculator for SMEs 2026
This cash flow forecast calculator projects your SME's bank balance month by month for the next 12 months in 2026. Enter starting cash, expected monthly revenue, monthly costs and an optional growth rate; the tool shows when you run out of cash, the minimum balance during the period, and your runway in months. Example: a CHF 50,000 starting balance with CHF 30,000 monthly revenue, CHF 35,000 monthly costs and 3% revenue growth turns positive after month 4 and ends the year at CHF 78,000. A negative trajectory tells you exactly when to raise capital, cut costs or accelerate collections. Last updated June 2026.
How to use this calculator
- 01Enter your current bank balance (starting cash).
- 02Enter expected monthly revenue and average monthly costs.
- 03Add a monthly growth rate for revenue (0% for flat).
- 04Add one-off cash events (capital raise, equipment purchase) if any.
- 05Read the runway in months and the lowest projected balance.
- •Runway = current cash ÷ monthly burn — the most quoted SME metric.
- •Aim for at least 6 months of runway; 12 months is investor-comfortable.
- •Growth that exceeds cash availability is the #1 cause of SME failure.
- •Forecast monthly, not annually — quarterly granularity hides crises.
- •Update the forecast every month with actuals to stay on track.
Frequently asked questions
What is a healthy cash runway?
6 months is the minimum, 12 months gives you negotiating power with investors and banks. Under 3 months means raising capital is no longer optional.
How is runway calculated?
Runway (months) = current cash balance ÷ average monthly net burn. If you burn CHF 20,000/month and have CHF 200,000 in the bank, your runway is 10 months.
Should I include accounts receivable as cash?
Only if you are sure of collection within the month. Conservative forecasts only count cash actually in the bank account today.
What about VAT collected from customers?
VAT is not yours — it's owed to the tax authority. Exclude it from revenue or track it as a separate liability outflow each quarter.
Profitable but no cash — how is that possible?
Common cause: long client payment terms (60–90 days) while you pay suppliers and staff immediately. Solution: invoice faster, negotiate longer payment terms with suppliers, or factor receivables.
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