How to monitor cash flow in your business

Do you want to manage the cash flow in your business better?It is really important to monitor the cash flow so that you can close any "cash flow gap" that may be created in your business.A cash flow gap essentially happens when the cash outflows and the cash inflows don't match up with each other, which eventually leaves a business to be short on their cash.The best to way close this cash flow gap is to monitor and watch the cash flow in your business.This way, you will be aware of any potential problems with your cash flow, and you will be able to stop any shortages of cash from happening.Here are some ways to monitor cash flow in your business:

- Monthly evaluation:One of the easiest and most common ways to monitor cash flow in your business is through a monthly evaluation of the total unpaid purchases.You should compare this number of the unpaid purchases to the total sales that are due at the end of the month.For example, If you have a higher amount of unpaid purchases than the total sales that are due, you will need to spend more cash than your receive in the upcoming month.Needing to spend more cash indicates that you will probably have a cash flow problem.

- Set up a budget: Another way that you can monitor the cash flow in your business is by setting up a type of budget for your cash flow.Set up different categories and write down how much cash will be allotted to each category, in anticipation of not going over.Whenever you take money out of your cash flow kitty, you should subtract that monetary number from the budget category and also include what the money is being used for.This way, you will be able to keep better track of your cash flow and where it is going.
- Daily cash flow monitor form:Another way that you can monitor the cash flow in your business is to use a daily cash flow monitor form.You can create your own cash flow monitor form yourself.You might find it helpful to create your own cash flow monitor form in an Excel spreadsheet.Or, you can download a daily cash flow monitor form off of the internet.Many people have found it helpful to keep tabs on their cash flow by simply writing down the information of where the cash is going on a daily basis.By writing the money down daily, you also will be better aware of how much cash is available and if you are going to run into any potential problems.
- Weekly cash flow monitor form:Another way that you can monitor your business cash flow is by having a weekly cash flow monitor form.This is quite similar to the daily cash flow monitor form, but on a weekly basis.There are some businesses and companies which do not have time to sit down and fill out a daily cash flow form, but they do find time to sit down once a week and complete a weekly form.If you think that you have more time to monitor your cash flow on a weekly basis, then you should create your own weekly cash flow monitor form in an Excel spreadsheet.

These are some ways to help you monitor the cash flow in your business.If you have problems with cash flow conversion and shortages, then you should look into monitoring your customers' credit accounts or establishing a deposit policy for works that are in progress.In addition, you also could work hard to collect from overdue accounts or offer a discount to customers who pay for their services early.Hopefully following these hints for monitoring your cash flow and fixing cash flow shortages will help your business to be consistently on its feet!