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Forecast Cash: Liquidity & Deficits

Forecast Cash: Liquidity & Deficits

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 hour to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 hour to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Understanding cash float and minimum operating cash requirements is fundamental to preventing liquidity crises and maintaining business continuity.

  • Systematic cash flow forecasting using structured models enables proactive identification of potential shortfalls before they threaten operations.

  • Regular application of financial assumptions to forecasting models provides actionable insights that support strategic decision-making.

  • The ability to predict and highlight deficit periods transforms reactive cash management into proactive financial stewardship.

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Recently updated!

January 2026

Assessments

5 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

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This course is part of the Accounting Operations & Automation Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 2 modules in this course

Cash shortfalls can make or break a business overnight. This Short Course was created to help accounting professionals master the foundational skills needed to predict and prevent cash crises before they happen.

By completing this course, you'll be able to confidently define critical cash management terminology and build accurate 7-day cash flow forecasts that identify potential liquidity deficits. You'll master the concepts of cash float and minimum operating cash while learning to systematically apply financial assumptions in Excel and QuickBooks to create actionable forecasts that protect business operations. By the end of this course, you will be able to: Define the concepts of cash float and minimum operating cash Apply financial assumptions to a cash flow model to forecast short-term liquidity and identify deficits This course is unique because it bridges theoretical cash management concepts with hands-on forecasting practice, giving you immediate tools to safeguard your organization's financial stability. To be successful in this course, you should have a background in basic accounting principles and familiarity with Excel or similar spreadsheet software.e.g. This is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in engineering or science, along with high school students and professionals with an interest in programming.

Learners will master essential cash management terminology and understand the critical concepts that form the foundation of effective cash flow management.

What's included

2 videos1 reading2 assignments

2 videos•Total 9 minutes
  • Cash Management Terminology Matters in Accounting•4 minutes
  • Identifying Cash Float and Minimum Operating Cash in QuickBooks •5 minutes
1 reading•Total 8 minutes
  • Essential Cash Management Concepts for Accounting Professionals•8 minutes
2 assignments•Total 18 minutes
  • Cash Management Analysis for Small Business Advisory•15 minutes
  • Cash Management Concepts Knowledge Check •3 minutes

Learners will build functional 7-day cash flow forecasts using structured models and financial assumptions to identify and highlight projected deficit periods.

What's included

2 videos1 reading3 assignments

2 videos•Total 9 minutes
  • Accurate Cash Flow Forecasting Saves Businesses•3 minutes
  • Creating a 7-Day Cash Flow Forecast in Excel•6 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
  • Building Effective Cash Flow Forecasting Models •10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 33 minutes
  • Cash Flow Forecasting Mastery Assessment •12 minutes
  • Build Your Own Cash Flow Forecasting Template •18 minutes
  • Cash Flow Forecasting Application Knowledge Check •3 minutes

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Frequently asked questions

Short-term cash flow forecasting is the practice of estimating when cash will come in and go out over the next several days so you can see your likely cash position. In this course, the focus is on building a structured 7-day view that accounts for cash float, minimum operating cash, and potential deficit periods.

You would use it when the timing of receipts and payments matters, especially if regular obligations can arrive before customer cash is available. The course presents it as a repeatable way to monitor near-term liquidity, apply assumptions, and catch possible shortfalls early.

It sits between understanding how cash moves through the business and making day-to-day decisions about payments, collections, and reserve levels. In this course, the forecast turns cash terms and historical patterns into an organized daily model that can be updated and reviewed regularly.

Profit forecasting shows whether a business may earn money over a period, while cash flow forecasting tracks when cash is actually expected to arrive and leave. This course emphasizes that a business can look profitable on paper and still face a short-term cash deficit if timing is off.

A basic understanding of accounting principles and some familiarity with spreadsheets are helpful before you start. The course is beginner level, but it expects you to follow routine financial information and work comfortably in Excel or similar spreadsheet software.

The course uses Excel and QuickBooks to organize and review short-term cash forecasts. The main method is applying financial assumptions to a structured cash flow model and highlighting projected deficits against minimum operating cash.

You’ll define cash float and minimum operating cash, lay out daily receipts and disbursements, apply collection and expense assumptions, and calculate projected ending cash balances. You’ll also build a 7-day forecast and flag days where cash turns negative or falls below your operating threshold.

Financial aid available,

¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.