Build a 12-month cash-flow forecast model in Excel for a cafe

Project overview

We are opening a second cafe and want to understand how much cash we need over the first year. We need a clear and flexible forecasting model that we can adjust as our assumptions change.

What you will deliver

• Monthly cash-flow forecast for 12 months
• Sales, cost of goods, wages and rent inputs
• Break-even analysis
• Best, expected and worst-case scenarios
• Charts showing cash balance over time
• Short guide explaining how to use the model

What we are looking for

• Financial modelling experience
• Advanced Excel formulas and data validation
• Can explain numbers to non-finance people
• Clean, well-labelled spreadsheets

Notes on the deliverables

For 'sales, cost of goods, wages and rent inputs', please send the result in a clearly named file or link so that we can review it easily. If you know a better way to handle 'best, expected and worst-case scenarios', we are open to hearing your suggestion in your proposal. For 'charts showing cash balance over time', please send the result in a clearly named file or link so that we can review it easily. If you know a better way to handle 'break-even analysis', we are open to hearing your suggestion in your proposal.

What you can expect from us

We will share the information, files and examples we already have as soon as you are hired. If something you need is missing, we will try to find it or agree on a sensible alternative. Expect a clear brief, organised feedback and prompt payment after approval.

Confidentiality

Some of the files and business details we share for this model are not public. Please keep them confidential and use them only for this job. We are happy to sign a simple confidentiality agreement if you prefer.

Timeline

The target is to complete the model within about a week. A realistic date is more useful to us than an optimistic one, so please be straightforward. We would like a short progress update every couple of days so we can give feedback early.

Changes after delivery

The price includes up to two rounds of changes to the model. Our feedback will come as one organised list instead of many separate messages. Correcting genuine mistakes against the brief does not count as a revision round.

A note about applications

We like proposals that show you have read the whole description. Mention one detail from our description that shows you understood it. Please do not copy and paste the same message to every job.

Working steps

We suggest starting with a short kickoff conversation to agree on the details and answer your questions. Then we would like to see a first draft, even if it is rough, to make sure we are aligned. Finally, we will review the finished work against the list, request any small changes, approve it and release payment.

Communication

Quick replies make a model job run smoothly, so we answer within a day and hope you will too. All key decisions should be written in the project chat so nothing gets lost. If a voice or video call would be faster, we are happy to arrange one.

Choosing a freelancer

We will shortlist freelancers by relevant experience, quality of past work, clarity of the proposal and availability. The lowest price alone will not decide it, but it must fit within the fixed budget. We might contact two or three people for a short chat before deciding.

What is and is not included

The work listed above is the full scope of this model job. Please point out anything you believe we have forgotten, so we can settle it before work begins. Anything beyond the list will be handled as a separate, clearly priced request.

Price

The fixed budget for this model job is USD $115. The price is firm, so please apply only if it works for you. Once the deliverables are checked and approved, payment is released without delay.

Possible future work

If this first job goes well, there is likely to be more. We are happy to talk about regular work once the first project has been completed successfully. We also reward good work with honest reviews and referrals to other businesses we know.

Quality expectations

A careful, accurate model is more important to us than a rushed one. Please deliver only original work that does not infringe anyone's rights. Freelancers who find and fix their own small mistakes are the ones we want to hire again.

What to include in your proposal

Please keep your proposal short and specific. We would like to see:

• Links or files showing relevant previous work
• Your plan for this model in a few sentences
• Your availability and expected delivery date
• Questions that would help you do a better job

We read every proposal, but we reply first to the ones that show you understood what we need.