Businesses that forecast cash flow monthly are 3x more likely to survive their first five years, according to U.S. Bank research. This Profit And Loss makes monthly forecasting a 20-minute habit instead of a day-long spreadsheet exercise.

What’s inside this Profit And Loss template

• Revenue timing split — separate recurring revenue from one-off payments for cleaner forecasting
• Seasonal adjustment notes — flag months where cash flow is historically tighter
• Buffer target calculator — automatically shows how many months of runway you currently have
• Variance analysis — compare forecast to actual each month and adjust future predictions accordingly

How to use this Profit And Loss template

1. Click above to get your free cash flow template.
2. Save a copy via File → Make a copy.
3. Enter your current bank balance as the opening position.
4. Add all expected income for the next 90 days — invoices due, recurring revenue, one-offs.
5. Add all expected outgoings — supplier payments, wages, rent, subscriptions — by due date.
6. Review the forward forecast each Friday and update any changes to expected dates or amounts.

Why Google Sheets for Profit And Loss?

Google Sheets gives you a cash flow forecast that updates the moment you change a number — no software refresh, no export required. Share it with your accountant and they see the same live view you do, which makes every finance conversation more productive.

Frequently asked questions

How far ahead can I forecast with this template?

The template is set up for a 90-day rolling forecast. You can extend it to 12 months by adding columns — the formulas carry across automatically.

Can my accountant access this?

Yes. Share the Google Sheets link with view access and your accountant sees the same live forecast you do. No file sending, no version confusion.

What is the difference between cash flow and profit?

Profit is revenue minus costs on paper. Cash flow is the actual money in your account. A business can be profitable but cash-flow negative if customers pay late — this template tracks the cash, not the paper profit.