#071 Cash Flow : Les 5 erreurs qui plombent vos finances sans que vous le sachiez

#071 Cash Flow: The 5 Mistakes That Are Ruining Your Finances Without You Knowing It

Christiane Constantineau, DESS, EMBA, CPB

You have good customers, your sales are increasing... but your bank account is looking grim.

Welcome to the real world of corporate treasury, where profit doesn't always mean cash . Poor cash flow management is one of the leading causes of small business failure. The good news is: you can avoid it by avoiding a few simple pitfalls.

1. Neglecting cash flow forecasts

Many entrepreneurs run their businesses “by feel.” But when it comes to cash flow, that can be expensive.

  • Establish a cash flow forecast for 4 to 12 weeks.
  • Anticipates recurring cash inflows and outflows.

Tip: Use a tool like QuickBooks to automate this projection.

2. Confusing profits with cash flow

You made $20,000 in profits… but only $2,000 remains in the account. Why?

Because profits don't mean the money is available now.

Key takeaway: Always analyze your cash flow statement, not just your income statement.

3. Forgetting about tax payments and one-time expenses

Some months are heavier than others:

  • GST/QST
  • End-of-year contributions
  • Annual insurance

Tip: Create a separate account to deposit an amount each week for taxes and charges.

4. Letting customer accounts linger

The longer a customer takes to pay, the more you play banker.

Common mistake: accepting excessively long deadlines without follow-up.

  • Send your invoices quickly.
  • Add automatic reminders.
  • Offers a discount for early payment.

5. Not knowing your biggest expenses

You need to know where your money is going . Rent, salaries, tools, marketing?

Tip: Identify your 3 biggest monthly fixed expenses and see if you can negotiate, reduce, or postpone them.

Conclusion: Keep control of your cash flow

Cash flow management shouldn't be a black box. It's a routine to be implemented every week: check, adjust, decide.

Start now:

  • Create a simple forecast
  • Review your customer accounts
  • Identify your “Top 3” expenses

And if you want to go further, sign up for my cash flow management training – designed for entrepreneurs like you. 🔥

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