12-Month Cash-Flow Forecast: A Practical UAE SME Guide

Running a company in the UAE often feels like a sprint from payroll to supplier dues. A rolling 12-month cash-flow forecast replaces guesswork with visibility and helps you see trouble at least a quarter ahead.

Step-by-Step Walk-Through

1. Pull the raw data
   Export the last six months of bank transactions into a spreadsheet. Sort every line into “money in” or “money out.”
2. Group inflows and outflows
   • Inflows: sales receipts, VAT refunds, rebates.
   • Outflows: salaries, rent, inventory, utilities, loan instalments.
3. Add UAE seasonality layers
   • Ramadan spikes for F&B and gifting brands.
   • Back-to-School lifts book, uniform, and electronics sales.
   • Year-end bonuses push January cash demand up.
4. Build three scenarios
   • Base: repeat last quarter’s run-rate.
   • Stretch: add 20 % sales growth but also higher marketing spend.
   • Downside: shave 15 % sales and tighten payables.
5. Refresh every month
   Lock the “actual” column that just ended, insert a fresh month at the right, and keep your view a full year into the future.

Founder Checklist

• Highlight any month that shows a negative closing balance.
• Match the funding gap to a product that fits its duration (e.g., 45-day inventory line for one bad month, not a three-year term loan).
• Update the sheet before large commitments—new hire, major PO, or expansion plan.

Keywords: cash-flow forecast UAE, SME budgeting tool, rolling forecast, working-capital planning
Hashtags: #KlubAI #CashFlowForecast #UAESME #BusinessPlanning #WorkingCapital

Disclaimer: This article is marketing material for educational purposes only. Figures are illustrative, not financial advice.