The Medium-Term Cash Forecast
The medium-term cash forecast extends from the end of the short-term forecast
through whatever time period the CFO needs to develop investment and funding
strategies. Typically, this means that the medium-term forecast begins one month
into the future.
The components of the medium-term forecast are largely comprised of formulas,
rather than the specific data inputs used for a short-term forecast. For example, if the
sales manager were to contribute estimated revenue figures for each forecasting
period, then the model could derive the following additional information:
• Cash paid for cost of goods sold items. Can be estimated as a percentage of
sales, with a time lag based on the average supplier payment terms.
• Cash paid for payroll. Sales activity can be used to estimate changes in
production headcount, which in turn can be used to derive payroll payments.
• Cash receipts from customers. A standard time lag between the billing date
and payment date can be incorporated into the estimation of when cash will
be received from customers.
The concept of a formula-filled cash forecast that automatically generates cash
balance information breaks down in some parts of the forecast. In the following
areas, manual updates to the forecast should be made:
• Fixed costs. Some costs are entirely fixed, such as rent, and so will not vary
with sales volume. Be aware of any contractually-mandated changes in these
costs, and incorporate them into the forecast.
• Step costs. If revenues change significantly, the fixed costs just described
may have to be altered by substantial amounts. For example, a certain sales
level may mandate opening a new production facility. A more common step
cost is having to hire an overhead staff position when certain sales levels are
reached. Thus, it is useful to be aware of the activity levels at which these
step costs will occur.
• Seasonal / infrequent costs. There may be expenditures that only arise at
long intervals, such as for the company Christmas party. These amounts are
manually added to the forecast.
• Contractual items. Both cash inflows and outflows may be linked to
contract payments, as may be the case with service contracts. If so, the exact
amount and timing of each periodic payment can be transferred from the
contract directly into the cash forecast.
The methods used to construct a medium-term cash forecast are inherently less
accurate than the much more precise information used to derive a short-term
forecast. The problem is that much of the information is derived from the estimated
revenue figure, which rapidly declines in accuracy just a few months into the future.
Because of this inherent level of inaccuracy, do not extend the forecast over too long
a time period. Instead, settle upon a time range that provides useful information for
4. Monitoring and reporting. There can be a system in place that tracks
identified risks and reports them to management, along with the identification
of newly-discovered risks and their ramifications.
5. Risk planning. A number of steps can be taken to either mitigate risks, or
shift them to or share them with another party. It is also entirely possible
that management will deliberately accept certain risks.