Using the Forecast Alongside Your Cost Configuration
See how updating your Fixed or Variable Cost Configuration in AskBiz immediately shifts the Rolling Cash Forecast, giving you a real-time view of the impact.
Key Takeaways
- Any change to your Fixed or Variable Cost Configuration is reflected in the Rolling Cash Forecast within seconds.
- This live feedback loop lets you test cost changes before committing to them — a powerful what-if tool.
- Reducing a cost category in configuration immediately shows the improvement in net cash and runway.
The Live Connection Between Costs and the Forecast
The Rolling Cash Forecast and your Cost Configuration are directly linked in AskBiz. When you add, edit, or remove a cost in the configuration panel, the forecast table recalculates instantly. This means you can use the forecast as a live what-if sandbox: add a potential new cost, see what it does to your runway, then remove it if the impact is unacceptable. Most business owners find this the most immediately practical feature of the CFO dashboard once they understand how it works.
How to Access Cost Configuration
Step 1 — Open the Intelligence tab and navigate to the Cash Flow view. Step 2 — Look for the Cost Configuration button near the top of the CFO section — it may appear as a gear icon or a labelled button depending on your screen size. Step 3 — The configuration drawer opens on the right side of the screen (or as a modal on mobile). You will see two sections: Fixed Costs and Variable Costs. Step 4 — Fixed Costs are recurring monthly amounts (rent, salaries, subscriptions). Variable Costs are amounts that change with activity (shipping, packaging, ad spend). Step 5 — Click any existing cost to edit it, or click Add Cost to enter a new one.
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Start for free →Watching the Forecast Shift in Real Time
After making a change in Cost Configuration, close the drawer and look at the Rolling Cash Forecast table. The Projected Outflows row will have updated to reflect your change across all future weeks. The Net Cash row and running cash balance will also have recalculated. If you increased a cost, expect to see lower net figures and a reduced runway. If you reduced a cost, you will see an improvement. The cash runway card at the top of the dashboard will also have updated its headline number. This real-time feedback is what makes cost configuration a planning tool rather than just a record-keeping exercise.
Practical Examples of the Feedback Loop
Here are three common ways business owners use this tool. Scenario A — Lease renewal: Your landlord has increased rent by 15 percent. Open Cost Configuration, update your rent figure, and immediately see the new runway. If the runway drops below six months, that is your signal to negotiate harder or find savings elsewhere. Scenario B — Cancelling a subscription: You are considering cancelling a $400 per month SaaS tool. Remove it from Variable Costs and check whether the forecast improvement justifies the operational disruption. Scenario C — Seasonal cost reduction: Each January you reduce your ad spend by 40 percent. Update the variable cost for January in configuration and confirm the forecast shows the expected cash improvement.
Keeping Configuration Accurate Over Time
The forecast is only as good as the cost data behind it. Make a habit of reviewing your Cost Configuration at least monthly. Check whether any fixed costs have changed — subscription prices creep up, utility bills vary with the seasons, and staff costs change when you hire or lose someone. When you review, compare your configured costs against your actual expense tab to check for discrepancies. If costs in the expense tab consistently exceed the configuration, update the configuration upward so the forecast reflects reality. The Ask AI button on the forecast card can highlight if your projected outflows appear to be consistently underestimating actuals.