Cash Inflow

What is cash inflow?

Cash inflow is money entering your business. The most common source is client payments for your services, but cash can also come from loans, asset sales, owner investments, or interest earned. Tracking inflows helps you understand where your money comes from and predict when you'll have cash available.

Common sources of cash inflow

For contractors and small businesses, typical cash inflows include:

• Customer payments — Payments for completed work (the primary source)
• Deposits — Upfront payments before work begins
• Loan proceeds — Money received from business loans
• Asset sales — Selling equipment or vehicles
• Owner contributions — Personal money invested in the business
• Interest and dividends — Earnings from business savings or investments

Timing matters

Knowing when cash will arrive is as important as knowing how much. A $10,000 payment expected next month doesn't help you pay this week's bills. Track expected inflows by date to plan your cash needs accurately.