13-Week Cash Flow Forecast Builder
Use this prompt to
Generate a week-by-week 13-week cash flow forecast template from your current bank balance, expected receivables, and fixed/variable expenses.
Pro tip
Even a rough estimate is better than nothing. Update weekly for compounding accuracy. Ask the AI to flag any week where projected balance drops below your 2-week operating expense threshold.
Prompt Variants by Model
Claude
Claude 4.x
FRESH APR 2026
You are a fractional CFO for small businesses. Build a 13-week cash flow forecast for my business.
<financial_context>
Business type: [INDUSTRY]
Current bank balance: $[AMOUNT]
Weekly revenue...You are a fractional CFO for small businesses. Build a 13-week cash flow forecast for my business.
<financial_context>
Business type: [INDUSTRY]
Current bank balance: $[AMOUNT]
Weekly revenue (average): $[AMOUNT]
Revenue pattern: [STEADY / SEASONAL / LUMPY — describe]
Fixed weekly expenses: $[AMOUNT] (rent, payroll, subscriptions, etc.)
Variable expenses: $[AMOUNT] average (COGS, commissions, etc.)
Outstanding receivables: $[AMOUNT] expected over next [X] weeks
Upcoming large expenses: [LIST ANY ONE-TIME COSTS WITH DATES]
Credit line available: $[AMOUNT]
</financial_context>
Generate:
1. A week-by-week cash flow table (13 rows) with columns: Week | Starting Balance | Cash In | Cash Out | Net Flow | Ending Balance
2. Flag any week where ending balance drops below [X]-week operating expenses (danger zone)
3. Highlight the lowest cash point and when it occurs
4. Provide 3 actionable recommendations to improve cash position
5. Create a "stress test" scenario: what happens if revenue drops 20% for 4 weeks?
Show your calculations. Use conservative estimates where uncertain.
Notes: Claude handles financial reasoning well. Ask it to show calculations for transparency. Update weekly by pasting new actuals.
ChatGPT
GPT-5
FRESH APR 2026
Act as a fractional CFO. Build me a 13-week cash flow forecast.
**My financials:**
- Business: [INDUSTRY]
- Cash on hand: $[AMOUNT]
- Average weekly...Act as a fractional CFO. Build me a 13-week cash flow forecast.
**My financials:**
- Business: [INDUSTRY]
- Cash on hand: $[AMOUNT]
- Average weekly revenue: $[AMOUNT]
- Revenue pattern: [STEADY/SEASONAL/LUMPY]
- Fixed weekly costs: $[AMOUNT]
- Variable weekly costs: $[AMOUNT]
- Receivables coming in: $[AMOUNT] over [X] weeks
- Big upcoming expenses: [LIST WITH DATES]
- Credit line: $[AMOUNT]
**Build a table:** Week | Starting Balance | Cash In | Cash Out | Net Cash Flow | Ending Balance (13 weeks)
Then:
1. Flag any week where cash drops below [X] weeks of expenses
2. Tell me the lowest cash point and when
3. Give me 3 things I can do to improve cash position
4. Run a stress test: what if revenue drops 20% for a month?
Use Code Interpreter to build the table and any charts.
Notes: Use Code Interpreter for automated table generation and stress-test charts. Can export directly to Excel.
Gemini
Gemini 3 Pro
FRESH APR 2026
Help me create a 13-week cash flow forecast for my [INDUSTRY] business.
**Starting position:**
- Cash on hand: $[AMOUNT]
- Average weekly...Help me create a 13-week cash flow forecast for my [INDUSTRY] business.
**Starting position:**
- Cash on hand: $[AMOUNT]
- Average weekly revenue: $[AMOUNT]
- Revenue pattern: [DESCRIBE]
- Fixed weekly expenses: $[AMOUNT]
- Variable weekly expenses: $[AMOUNT]
- Receivables expected: $[AMOUNT] over [X] weeks
- Large upcoming costs: [LIST WITH DATES]
- Available credit: $[AMOUNT]
**Please create:**
1. A 13-week table: Week, Starting Balance, Cash In, Cash Out, Net Flow, Ending Balance
2. Flag weeks where cash falls below a safe threshold
3. Identify the lowest cash point
4. 3 recommendations to improve cash flow
5. A stress test: revenue drops 20% for 4 weeks — what happens?
Show the math and use conservative assumptions.
Notes: Export to Google Sheets for a live tracker. Gemini can update the forecast weekly as you paste in actual figures.
Copilot
Copilot (Microsoft 365)
FRESH APR 2026
I need a 13-week cash flow forecast for my [INDUSTRY] business. Help me see where my cash is going.
**My numbers:**
- Cash in the bank right now:...I need a 13-week cash flow forecast for my [INDUSTRY] business. Help me see where my cash is going.
**My numbers:**
- Cash in the bank right now: $[AMOUNT]
- Average weekly income: $[AMOUNT]
- Is income steady or seasonal? [DESCRIBE]
- Fixed costs per week (rent, payroll, etc.): $[AMOUNT]
- Variable costs per week: $[AMOUNT]
- Money owed to me coming in: $[AMOUNT] over [X] weeks
- Any big expenses coming up: [LIST]
- Credit line available: $[AMOUNT]
**Please give me:**
1. A week-by-week table for 13 weeks showing: starting cash, money in, money out, what is left
2. Warn me about any week where I might be in trouble
3. Tell me when cash will be at its lowest
4. 3 practical things I can do to improve my cash situation
5. What happens if my revenue drops 20% for a month?
Notes: Copilot in Excel is ideal here — builds the forecast directly in a spreadsheet with formulas.
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