Start a conversation ↗

Description

Cash Flow Forecasting: Collecting Data, Building a Rolling Plan and Anticipating

Knowing what the bank balance will be in several weeks' time, not only what it was yesterday

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

Treasury is often managed by looking at the bank statement. Customer collections are estimated by guesswork, tax and payroll payment dates fall due without having been scheduled, and departments give no warning of the commitments they have made. The result: liquidity pressure discovered far too late and funding decisions taken under emergency conditions.

These two days provide a forecasting method. Participants identify the flows to be captured and their internal sources, build a rolling cash flow plan on a weekly and then monthly horizon, simulate the effect of a change in working capital requirements, and analyse variances between forecast and actual figures to make their model more reliable.

Learning objectives

  • Distinguish a rolling cash flow plan from an annual cash budget
  • Collect receipts and disbursements data from internal departments
  • Build a cash flow plan on a weekly and then monthly horizon
  • Simulate the effect of a change in working capital requirements
  • Analyse variances between forecast and actual figures to improve model reliability
  • Prepare short-term funding decisions

What makes this programme different

A rolling cash flow plan is built end to end, from data collection through to reporting
Variances between forecast and actual figures are analysed using a historical data set provided
Each participant redesigns the internal channels used to report cash flow information

Programme

1From Company Flows to the Bank Balance

Understanding what moves cash

  • Difference between profit and cash flow
  • Operating cycle: customer terms, supplier terms and inventory
  • Recurring tax, payroll and financing payment dates
  • Internal data sources and the reliability of each

2Building the Rolling Plan

Setting up the forecasting tool

  • Choosing the horizon and the time increment
  • Structure of the forecast schedule and useful line items
  • Positioning customer collections according to actual payment behaviour
  • Incorporating committed disbursements and known due dates

3Scenarios and Working Capital Requirements

Measuring the effect of decisions

  • Impact of longer customer payment terms
  • Effect of a change in inventory or a peak in activity
  • Simulating an investment or a new hire
  • Building conservative and favourable scenarios

4Variance Monitoring and Funding Decisions

Keeping the forecast alive

  • Comparing forecast with actual figures and interpreting variances
  • Adjusting assumptions and progressively improving reliability
  • Choosing between receivables financing, overdraft facilities and deferring payments
  • Reporting the cash position to senior management

Who is it for

Junior treasury staff as well as accountants, administrative and finance managers, and owners of small and medium-sized businesses who monitor cash flow themselves.

Prerequisites

Ability to read a balance sheet and an income statement.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.