Cash Flow Health Check | Dorset Finance Partners

Free Tool

Cash Flow Health Check

For UK owner-managed businesses | Takes 3–4 minutes

Answer 12 short questions about your cash position, visibility, and pressure — no financial data or bank access required.

You will receive an instant RAG-rated result with a breakdown of where your cash health is strong and where there are gaps to address.

Who this is for:

UK owner-managed businesses with turnover of £500k–£10m
Owners who want to understand their cash position more clearly
Businesses considering a finance review or forward planning

⚠ This health check is based on your answers only. It is not a review of your accounts, bank data, tax position, or solvency. Results are intended to frame a practical conversation — not to provide financial advice.

Part A

Business Context

These questions help us interpret your results correctly. They do not affect your score.

🛈 Answer honestly — this context adjusts how your result is framed, not how it is scored.

A1. Is your business income seasonal or project-based?

e.g. construction, events, agriculture, professional services with lumpy billing

Yes — our income is highly seasonal or project-based Partly — some seasonality or project variation No — income is fairly regular and predictable

A2. Are you currently in a planned growth or investment phase?

e.g. hiring ahead of revenue, new equipment, entering a new market

Yes — actively investing ahead of revenue Partly — some planned investment underway No — stable operating phase

A3. If cash is currently tight due to growth or seasonality, is the shortfall covered?

By committed funding, signed contracts, or confirmed receipts

Yes — fully covered by committed funding or contracts Partly — some coverage but not fully secured No — not covered N/A — cash is not currently tight

Please answer all three questions before continuing.

Part B

Cash Position

Your cash buffer and ability to meet short-term obligations.

B1. How many weeks of operating costs does your current cash balance cover?

Operating costs = wages, rent, suppliers, overheads — exclude tax reserves

Less than 2 weeks 2–4 weeks 4–8 weeks More than 8 weeks

B2. Can you meet your next payroll, VAT, PAYE, and essential supplier payments?

From current cash and confirmed receipts due before those payments fall due

No — I cannot meet these obligations from current resources Not sure — it is going to be very tight Yes, but it will be close Yes, comfortably

B3. Are VAT, PAYE, and Corporation Tax liabilities being reserved from current income?

Or are you relying on future sales to fund them when they fall due?

No — relying on future sales to fund tax obligations Partly — some reserved but not consistently Mostly — reserving regularly but not always in full Yes — fully reserved as income arrives

Please answer all three questions before continuing.

Part C

Cash Visibility

How clearly you can see what is coming in and going out.

C1. How far ahead can you reliably forecast your cash position?

I cannot forecast ahead — no real visibility Up to 2 weeks ahead 2–6 weeks ahead 6 weeks or more ahead

C2. How predictable is your income over the next 4 weeks?

Very unpredictable — I have little idea what is coming in Mostly unpredictable Fairly predictable Very predictable — I know what is coming in

C3. How well do you manage debtor collection?

Chasing invoices, payment terms, overdue accounts

Poor — invoices regularly go unpaid for too long Below average — I chase but not systematically Reasonable — most clients pay on time Strong — tight terms, proactive chasing, low overdue balance

Please answer all three questions before continuing.

Part D

Cash Pressure

What is pulling cash out and the overall direction of your position.

D1. Over the next 4 weeks, what is the overall direction of your cash position?

Declining significantly Declining slightly Broadly stable Improving

D2. Do you have loan repayments, director loans, or finance agreements creating regular cash obligations?

Yes — significant obligations creating real pressure Yes — manageable regular obligations Minor finance obligations only No finance obligations at all

D3. How would you describe overall cash pressure right now?

Very high — I am genuinely worried about the business High — there are real pressures to manage Moderate — some pressure but manageable Low — cash feels well under control

Please answer all three questions before continuing.

Almost done

One last step

Optional — helps us personalise your result.

Your name (optional)

Business name (optional)

Score Breakdown

Cash Position (×2 weight)

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Cash Visibility

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Cash Pressure

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Your 3-Step Pathway

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Cash Flow Health Check

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2

30-Minute Cash Flow Review

A focused conversation about your results and your business — no data required in advance

3

13-Week Cash Flow Model & Plan

Forward cash plan covering growth, tax, dividends, and investment decisions

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