Act on the result
Move or resize the earliest billing milestone that can reduce the first funding shortfall.
Educational only: Business decision support, not accounting, tax or legal advice.
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Update policy: Reviewed when formulas or official dependencies change.
Scope: Market-neutral small-business planning using your own assumptions.
What this planner helps you decide
Best for
Project businesses aligning milestone collections with cost timing and retained cash.
Outputs
Dated billings and costs, closing cash, first shortfall and peak funding gap.
Start here
Enter milestone dates, billed amounts, collections, costs and retention on one consistent cash timeline.
Use a different tool when: Do not use this to model retained amounts and release timing against project cash needs; use Construction Retention Cash-flow Planner for that decision. Use this tool to align milestone billing with cost timing and retention.
Quote & capacity
Progress Billing Cash: dated billings and costs
Dated billings and costs, closing cash, first shortfall and peak funding gap.
Amounts use the same currency as your inputs. No currency conversion is performed.
Progress Billing Cash
Align earned work, billed value, receipts, retention and project cost outflows across two ordered project stages against the entered contract value and opening cash.
Your numbers stay in this browser
Enter the total ex-tax contract value. Use one consistent ex-tax basis.
Enter cash available immediately before the first ordered billing stage; this may be negative.
Enter the first stage date as eight digits in YYYYMMDD format.
Enter work earned at the first stage. Use one consistent ex-tax basis.
Enter the first-stage amount billed, bounded by earned work. Use one consistent ex-tax basis.
Enter collectible first-stage cash received. Use one consistent ex-tax basis.
Enter the contract retention rate applied to first-stage billing.
Enter retention released during the first ordered stage. Use one consistent ex-tax basis.
Enter project costs paid during the first ordered stage. Use one consistent ex-tax basis.
Enter the second, later stage date as eight digits in YYYYMMDD format.
Enter work earned at the second stage. Use one consistent ex-tax basis.
Enter the second-stage amount billed, bounded by earned work. Use one consistent ex-tax basis.
Enter collectible second-stage cash received. Use one consistent ex-tax basis.
Enter the contract retention rate applied to second-stage billing.
Enter retention released during the second ordered stage. Use one consistent ex-tax basis.
Enter project costs paid during the second ordered stage. Use one consistent ex-tax basis.
Decision result
Use the cost and recovery rows to identify the component changing the exact reconciliation.
PDF and CSV exports stay on this device. Clean page links contain no inputs.
- Total earned work
- 60,000.00
- Total billed value
- 55,000.00
- Total cash received
- 40,000.00
- Retention held
- 5,500.00
- Net collectible billed value
- 49,500.00
- Unbilled earned work
- 5,000.00
- Collectible receivable
- 9,500.00
- Remaining contract value
- 40,000.00
- Retention released
- 0.00
- Project cost outflow
- 48,000.00
- Closing cash after stage 1
- 3,000.00
- Closing cash after stage 2
- -3,000.00
- Closing project cash
- -3,000.00
- First cash shortfall date
- 2026-02-28
- Peak funding gap
- 3,000.00
Scenario comparison
Each row names the assumption axis changed from the baseline.
ScenarioResultDifference
Entered scenario3,000.00Baseline
Lower Stage 2 project cost outflow1,400.00-1,600.00
Higher Stage 2 project cost outflow4,600.001,600.00
Save these results, change an input, then compare the updated figures with this baseline.
The baseline is temporary in this tab and is not added to shared scenario links or generated reports.
Calculation details
View calculation detailsView the formulas and inputs used for these results.
Total earned work
Total earned work
stage 1 earned work + stage 2 earned work60,000.00Result60,000.00
Uses only the entered market-neutral commercial records and assumptions. Raw engine precision is retained until display.
Progress Billing Cash Planner formulas →Inputs used by these formula steps
- Total earned workContract Value Ex Tax
- 100,000
- Total earned workOpening Cash Ex Tax
- 5,000
- Total earned workStage One Date Code
- 20,260,131
- Total earned workStage One Earned Ex Tax
- 40,000
- Total earned workStage One Billed Ex Tax
- 35,000
- Total earned workStage One Cash Received Ex Tax
- 30,000
- Total earned workStage One Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Total earned workStage One Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Total earned workStage One Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 32,000
- Total earned workStage Two Date Code
- 20,260,228
- Total earned workStage Two Earned Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Total earned workStage Two Billed Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Total earned workStage Two Cash Received Ex Tax
- 10,000
- Total earned workStage Two Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Total earned workStage Two Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Total earned workStage Two Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 16,000
Total billed value
Total billed value
stage 1 billed value + stage 2 billed value55,000.00Result55,000.00
Uses only the entered market-neutral commercial records and assumptions. Raw engine precision is retained until display.
Progress Billing Cash Planner formulas →Inputs used by these formula steps
- Total billed valueContract Value Ex Tax
- 100,000
- Total billed valueOpening Cash Ex Tax
- 5,000
- Total billed valueStage One Date Code
- 20,260,131
- Total billed valueStage One Earned Ex Tax
- 40,000
- Total billed valueStage One Billed Ex Tax
- 35,000
- Total billed valueStage One Cash Received Ex Tax
- 30,000
- Total billed valueStage One Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Total billed valueStage One Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Total billed valueStage One Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 32,000
- Total billed valueStage Two Date Code
- 20,260,228
- Total billed valueStage Two Earned Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Total billed valueStage Two Billed Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Total billed valueStage Two Cash Received Ex Tax
- 10,000
- Total billed valueStage Two Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Total billed valueStage Two Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Total billed valueStage Two Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 16,000
Total cash received
Total cash received
stage 1 cash received + stage 2 cash received40,000.00Result40,000.00
Uses only the entered market-neutral commercial records and assumptions. Raw engine precision is retained until display.
Progress Billing Cash Planner formulas →Inputs used by these formula steps
- Total cash receivedContract Value Ex Tax
- 100,000
- Total cash receivedOpening Cash Ex Tax
- 5,000
- Total cash receivedStage One Date Code
- 20,260,131
- Total cash receivedStage One Earned Ex Tax
- 40,000
- Total cash receivedStage One Billed Ex Tax
- 35,000
- Total cash receivedStage One Cash Received Ex Tax
- 30,000
- Total cash receivedStage One Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Total cash receivedStage One Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Total cash receivedStage One Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 32,000
- Total cash receivedStage Two Date Code
- 20,260,228
- Total cash receivedStage Two Earned Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Total cash receivedStage Two Billed Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Total cash receivedStage Two Cash Received Ex Tax
- 10,000
- Total cash receivedStage Two Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Total cash receivedStage Two Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Total cash receivedStage Two Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 16,000
Retention held
Retention held
sum of each stage billed value × its retention rate5,500.00Result5,500.00
Uses only the entered market-neutral commercial records and assumptions. Raw engine precision is retained until display.
Progress Billing Cash Planner formulas →Inputs used by these formula steps
- Retention heldContract Value Ex Tax
- 100,000
- Retention heldOpening Cash Ex Tax
- 5,000
- Retention heldStage One Date Code
- 20,260,131
- Retention heldStage One Earned Ex Tax
- 40,000
- Retention heldStage One Billed Ex Tax
- 35,000
- Retention heldStage One Cash Received Ex Tax
- 30,000
- Retention heldStage One Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Retention heldStage One Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Retention heldStage One Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 32,000
- Retention heldStage Two Date Code
- 20,260,228
- Retention heldStage Two Earned Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Retention heldStage Two Billed Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Retention heldStage Two Cash Received Ex Tax
- 10,000
- Retention heldStage Two Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Retention heldStage Two Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Retention heldStage Two Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 16,000
Net collectible billed value
Net collectible billed value
total billed value − retention held49,500.00Result49,500.00
Uses only the entered market-neutral commercial records and assumptions. Raw engine precision is retained until display.
Progress Billing Cash Planner formulas →Inputs used by these formula steps
- Net collectible billed valueContract Value Ex Tax
- 100,000
- Net collectible billed valueOpening Cash Ex Tax
- 5,000
- Net collectible billed valueStage One Date Code
- 20,260,131
- Net collectible billed valueStage One Earned Ex Tax
- 40,000
- Net collectible billed valueStage One Billed Ex Tax
- 35,000
- Net collectible billed valueStage One Cash Received Ex Tax
- 30,000
- Net collectible billed valueStage One Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Net collectible billed valueStage One Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Net collectible billed valueStage One Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 32,000
- Net collectible billed valueStage Two Date Code
- 20,260,228
- Net collectible billed valueStage Two Earned Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Net collectible billed valueStage Two Billed Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Net collectible billed valueStage Two Cash Received Ex Tax
- 10,000
- Net collectible billed valueStage Two Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Net collectible billed valueStage Two Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Net collectible billed valueStage Two Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 16,000
Unbilled earned work
Unbilled earned work
total earned work − total billed value5,000.00Result5,000.00
Uses only the entered market-neutral commercial records and assumptions. Raw engine precision is retained until display.
Progress Billing Cash Planner formulas →Inputs used by these formula steps
- Unbilled earned workContract Value Ex Tax
- 100,000
- Unbilled earned workOpening Cash Ex Tax
- 5,000
- Unbilled earned workStage One Date Code
- 20,260,131
- Unbilled earned workStage One Earned Ex Tax
- 40,000
- Unbilled earned workStage One Billed Ex Tax
- 35,000
- Unbilled earned workStage One Cash Received Ex Tax
- 30,000
- Unbilled earned workStage One Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Unbilled earned workStage One Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Unbilled earned workStage One Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 32,000
- Unbilled earned workStage Two Date Code
- 20,260,228
- Unbilled earned workStage Two Earned Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Unbilled earned workStage Two Billed Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Unbilled earned workStage Two Cash Received Ex Tax
- 10,000
- Unbilled earned workStage Two Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Unbilled earned workStage Two Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Unbilled earned workStage Two Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 16,000
Collectible receivable
Collectible receivable
net collectible billed value − cash received9,500.00Result9,500.00
Uses only the entered market-neutral commercial records and assumptions. Raw engine precision is retained until display.
Progress Billing Cash Planner formulas →Inputs used by these formula steps
- Collectible receivableContract Value Ex Tax
- 100,000
- Collectible receivableOpening Cash Ex Tax
- 5,000
- Collectible receivableStage One Date Code
- 20,260,131
- Collectible receivableStage One Earned Ex Tax
- 40,000
- Collectible receivableStage One Billed Ex Tax
- 35,000
- Collectible receivableStage One Cash Received Ex Tax
- 30,000
- Collectible receivableStage One Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Collectible receivableStage One Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Collectible receivableStage One Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 32,000
- Collectible receivableStage Two Date Code
- 20,260,228
- Collectible receivableStage Two Earned Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Collectible receivableStage Two Billed Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Collectible receivableStage Two Cash Received Ex Tax
- 10,000
- Collectible receivableStage Two Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Collectible receivableStage Two Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Collectible receivableStage Two Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 16,000
Remaining contract value
Remaining contract value
contract value − total earned work40,000.00Result40,000.00
Uses only the entered market-neutral commercial records and assumptions. Raw engine precision is retained until display.
Progress Billing Cash Planner formulas →Inputs used by these formula steps
- Remaining contract valueContract Value Ex Tax
- 100,000
- Remaining contract valueOpening Cash Ex Tax
- 5,000
- Remaining contract valueStage One Date Code
- 20,260,131
- Remaining contract valueStage One Earned Ex Tax
- 40,000
- Remaining contract valueStage One Billed Ex Tax
- 35,000
- Remaining contract valueStage One Cash Received Ex Tax
- 30,000
- Remaining contract valueStage One Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Remaining contract valueStage One Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Remaining contract valueStage One Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 32,000
- Remaining contract valueStage Two Date Code
- 20,260,228
- Remaining contract valueStage Two Earned Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Remaining contract valueStage Two Billed Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Remaining contract valueStage Two Cash Received Ex Tax
- 10,000
- Remaining contract valueStage Two Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Remaining contract valueStage Two Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Remaining contract valueStage Two Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 16,000
Retention released
Retention released
sum of retention released across both ordered stages0.00Result0.00
Uses only the entered market-neutral commercial records and assumptions. Raw engine precision is retained until display.
Progress Billing Cash Planner formulas →Inputs used by these formula steps
- Retention releasedContract Value Ex Tax
- 100,000
- Retention releasedOpening Cash Ex Tax
- 5,000
- Retention releasedStage One Date Code
- 20,260,131
- Retention releasedStage One Earned Ex Tax
- 40,000
- Retention releasedStage One Billed Ex Tax
- 35,000
- Retention releasedStage One Cash Received Ex Tax
- 30,000
- Retention releasedStage One Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Retention releasedStage One Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Retention releasedStage One Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 32,000
- Retention releasedStage Two Date Code
- 20,260,228
- Retention releasedStage Two Earned Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Retention releasedStage Two Billed Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Retention releasedStage Two Cash Received Ex Tax
- 10,000
- Retention releasedStage Two Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Retention releasedStage Two Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Retention releasedStage Two Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 16,000
Project cost outflow
Project cost outflow
sum of project cost outflows across both ordered stages48,000.00Result48,000.00
Uses only the entered market-neutral commercial records and assumptions. Raw engine precision is retained until display.
Progress Billing Cash Planner formulas →Inputs used by these formula steps
- Project cost outflowContract Value Ex Tax
- 100,000
- Project cost outflowOpening Cash Ex Tax
- 5,000
- Project cost outflowStage One Date Code
- 20,260,131
- Project cost outflowStage One Earned Ex Tax
- 40,000
- Project cost outflowStage One Billed Ex Tax
- 35,000
- Project cost outflowStage One Cash Received Ex Tax
- 30,000
- Project cost outflowStage One Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Project cost outflowStage One Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Project cost outflowStage One Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 32,000
- Project cost outflowStage Two Date Code
- 20,260,228
- Project cost outflowStage Two Earned Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Project cost outflowStage Two Billed Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Project cost outflowStage Two Cash Received Ex Tax
- 10,000
- Project cost outflowStage Two Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Project cost outflowStage Two Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Project cost outflowStage Two Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 16,000
Closing cash after stage 1
Closing cash after stage 1
opening cash + stage 1 receipts + releases − stage 1 cost outflow3,000.00Result3,000.00
Uses only the entered market-neutral commercial records and assumptions. Raw engine precision is retained until display.
Progress Billing Cash Planner formulas →Inputs used by these formula steps
- Closing cash after stage 1Contract Value Ex Tax
- 100,000
- Closing cash after stage 1Opening Cash Ex Tax
- 5,000
- Closing cash after stage 1Stage One Date Code
- 20,260,131
- Closing cash after stage 1Stage One Earned Ex Tax
- 40,000
- Closing cash after stage 1Stage One Billed Ex Tax
- 35,000
- Closing cash after stage 1Stage One Cash Received Ex Tax
- 30,000
- Closing cash after stage 1Stage One Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Closing cash after stage 1Stage One Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Closing cash after stage 1Stage One Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 32,000
- Closing cash after stage 1Stage Two Date Code
- 20,260,228
- Closing cash after stage 1Stage Two Earned Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Closing cash after stage 1Stage Two Billed Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Closing cash after stage 1Stage Two Cash Received Ex Tax
- 10,000
- Closing cash after stage 1Stage Two Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Closing cash after stage 1Stage Two Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Closing cash after stage 1Stage Two Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 16,000
Closing cash after stage 2
Closing cash after stage 2
stage 1 closing cash + stage 2 receipts + releases − stage 2 cost outflow-3,000.00Result-3,000.00
Uses only the entered market-neutral commercial records and assumptions. Raw engine precision is retained until display.
Progress Billing Cash Planner formulas →Inputs used by these formula steps
- Closing cash after stage 2Contract Value Ex Tax
- 100,000
- Closing cash after stage 2Opening Cash Ex Tax
- 5,000
- Closing cash after stage 2Stage One Date Code
- 20,260,131
- Closing cash after stage 2Stage One Earned Ex Tax
- 40,000
- Closing cash after stage 2Stage One Billed Ex Tax
- 35,000
- Closing cash after stage 2Stage One Cash Received Ex Tax
- 30,000
- Closing cash after stage 2Stage One Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Closing cash after stage 2Stage One Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Closing cash after stage 2Stage One Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 32,000
- Closing cash after stage 2Stage Two Date Code
- 20,260,228
- Closing cash after stage 2Stage Two Earned Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Closing cash after stage 2Stage Two Billed Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Closing cash after stage 2Stage Two Cash Received Ex Tax
- 10,000
- Closing cash after stage 2Stage Two Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Closing cash after stage 2Stage Two Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Closing cash after stage 2Stage Two Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 16,000
Closing project cash
Closing project cash
opening cash + receipts + retention releases − project cost outflows-3,000.00Result-3,000.00
Uses only the entered market-neutral commercial records and assumptions. Raw engine precision is retained until display.
Progress Billing Cash Planner formulas →Inputs used by these formula steps
- Closing project cashContract Value Ex Tax
- 100,000
- Closing project cashOpening Cash Ex Tax
- 5,000
- Closing project cashStage One Date Code
- 20,260,131
- Closing project cashStage One Earned Ex Tax
- 40,000
- Closing project cashStage One Billed Ex Tax
- 35,000
- Closing project cashStage One Cash Received Ex Tax
- 30,000
- Closing project cashStage One Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Closing project cashStage One Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Closing project cashStage One Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 32,000
- Closing project cashStage Two Date Code
- 20,260,228
- Closing project cashStage Two Earned Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Closing project cashStage Two Billed Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Closing project cashStage Two Cash Received Ex Tax
- 10,000
- Closing project cashStage Two Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Closing project cashStage Two Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Closing project cashStage Two Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 16,000
First cash shortfall date
First cash shortfall date
first chronological stage with closing cash below zero20,260,228 dateResult2026-02-28
Uses only the entered market-neutral commercial records and assumptions. Raw engine precision is retained until display.
Progress Billing Cash Planner formulas →Inputs used by these formula steps
- First cash shortfall dateContract Value Ex Tax
- 100,000
- First cash shortfall dateOpening Cash Ex Tax
- 5,000
- First cash shortfall dateStage One Date Code
- 20,260,131
- First cash shortfall dateStage One Earned Ex Tax
- 40,000
- First cash shortfall dateStage One Billed Ex Tax
- 35,000
- First cash shortfall dateStage One Cash Received Ex Tax
- 30,000
- First cash shortfall dateStage One Retention Rate
- 0.1
- First cash shortfall dateStage One Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- First cash shortfall dateStage One Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 32,000
- First cash shortfall dateStage Two Date Code
- 20,260,228
- First cash shortfall dateStage Two Earned Ex Tax
- 20,000
- First cash shortfall dateStage Two Billed Ex Tax
- 20,000
- First cash shortfall dateStage Two Cash Received Ex Tax
- 10,000
- First cash shortfall dateStage Two Retention Rate
- 0.1
- First cash shortfall dateStage Two Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- First cash shortfall dateStage Two Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 16,000
Peak funding gap
Peak funding gap
largest cash shortfall after either ordered stage3,000.00Result3,000.00
Uses only the entered market-neutral commercial records and assumptions. Raw engine precision is retained until display.
Progress Billing Cash Planner formulas →Inputs used by these formula steps
- Peak funding gapContract Value Ex Tax
- 100,000
- Peak funding gapOpening Cash Ex Tax
- 5,000
- Peak funding gapStage One Date Code
- 20,260,131
- Peak funding gapStage One Earned Ex Tax
- 40,000
- Peak funding gapStage One Billed Ex Tax
- 35,000
- Peak funding gapStage One Cash Received Ex Tax
- 30,000
- Peak funding gapStage One Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Peak funding gapStage One Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Peak funding gapStage One Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 32,000
- Peak funding gapStage Two Date Code
- 20,260,228
- Peak funding gapStage Two Earned Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Peak funding gapStage Two Billed Ex Tax
- 20,000
- Peak funding gapStage Two Cash Received Ex Tax
- 10,000
- Peak funding gapStage Two Retention Rate
- 0.1
- Peak funding gapStage Two Retention Released Ex Tax
- 0
- Peak funding gapStage Two Project Cost Outflow Ex Tax
- 16,000
Inputs used
- Contract value
- 100,000
- Opening project cash
- 5,000
- Stage 1 date
- 20,260,131
- Stage 1 earned work
- 40,000
- Stage 1 billed value
- 35,000
- Stage 1 cash received
- 30,000
- Stage 1 retention rate
- 0.1
- Stage 1 retention released
- 0
- Stage 1 project cost outflow
- 32,000
- Stage 2 date
- 20,260,228
- Stage 2 earned work
- 20,000
- Stage 2 billed value
- 20,000
- Stage 2 cash received
- 10,000
- Stage 2 retention rate
- 0.1
- Stage 2 retention released
- 0
- Stage 2 project cost outflow
- 16,000
Open this calculator with preset values
This calculator supports documented, shareable scenario URLs. Compatible assistants and applications can construct links using the parameters below.
Scenario links contain only allowlisted numeric and closed-choice inputs shown in the URL; Margin101 excludes free text and identifying fields. Anyone you share the URL with can read those numbers, so do not include private or identifying data.
| Parameter | Meaning | Unit | Allowed values | Presence | Default |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| contractValueExTax | Enter the total ex-tax contract value. Use one consistent ex-tax basis. | currency units/contract, ex tax | 0 to 10000000 | Required | 100000 |
| openingCashExTax | Enter cash available immediately before the first ordered billing stage; this may be negative. | currency units/contract before stage 1, ex tax | -100000000 to 100000000 | Required | 5000 |
| stageOneBilledExTax | Enter the first-stage amount billed, bounded by earned work. Use one consistent ex-tax basis. | currency units/stage 1, ex tax | 0 to 10000000 | Required | 35000 |
| stageOneCashReceivedExTax | Enter collectible first-stage cash received. Use one consistent ex-tax basis. | currency units/stage 1 event, ex tax | 0 to 10000000 | Required | 30000 |
| stageOneDateCode | Enter the first stage date as eight digits in YYYYMMDD format. | YYYYMMDD date code | 10000101 to 99991231 | Required | 20260131 |
| stageOneEarnedExTax | Enter work earned at the first stage. Use one consistent ex-tax basis. | currency units/stage 1, ex tax | 0 to 10000000 | Required | 40000 |
| stageOneProjectCostOutflowExTax | Enter project costs paid during the first ordered stage. Use one consistent ex-tax basis. | currency units/stage 1 event, ex tax | 0 to 10000000 | Required | 32000 |
| stageOneRetentionRate | Enter the contract retention rate applied to first-stage billing. | decimal fraction of stage 1 billed value withheld | 0 to 1 | Required | 0.1 |
| stageOneRetentionReleasedExTax | Enter retention released during the first ordered stage. Use one consistent ex-tax basis. | currency units/stage 1 event, ex tax | 0 to 10000000 | Required | 0 |
| stageTwoBilledExTax | Enter the second-stage amount billed, bounded by earned work. Use one consistent ex-tax basis. | currency units/stage 2, ex tax | 0 to 10000000 | Required | 20000 |
| stageTwoCashReceivedExTax | Enter collectible second-stage cash received. Use one consistent ex-tax basis. | currency units/stage 2 event, ex tax | 0 to 10000000 | Required | 10000 |
| stageTwoDateCode | Enter the second, later stage date as eight digits in YYYYMMDD format. | YYYYMMDD date code | 10000101 to 99991231 | Required | 20260228 |
| stageTwoEarnedExTax | Enter work earned at the second stage. Use one consistent ex-tax basis. | currency units/stage 2, ex tax | 0 to 10000000 | Required | 20000 |
| stageTwoProjectCostOutflowExTax | Enter project costs paid during the second ordered stage. Use one consistent ex-tax basis. | currency units/stage 2 event, ex tax | 0 to 10000000 | Required | 16000 |
| stageTwoRetentionRate | Enter the contract retention rate applied to second-stage billing. | decimal fraction of stage 2 billed value withheld | 0 to 1 | Required | 0.1 |
| stageTwoRetentionReleasedExTax | Enter retention released during the second ordered stage. Use one consistent ex-tax basis. | currency units/stage 2 event, ex tax | 0 to 10000000 | Required | 0 |
Progress Billing Cash: dated billings and costs
Milestone value and collection timing are different; use the dated cash position to expose the gap.
Formula summary
- Primary formula
- largest cash shortfall after either ordered stage.
Data used here
- The estimate uses your inputs and the general business formula documented in the methodology.
Decision checks
Stress-test the decision
Retest delayed collections, front-loaded costs and higher retention.
When this estimate can be misleading
- Use one consistent ex-tax commercial basis.
- Hours, utilisation, costs, rates and recovery targets are user inputs rather than defaults.
- This is educational business decision support, not accounting, tax, legal or financial advice.
- Milestone value and collection timing are different; use the dated cash position to expose the gap.
Educational estimate, not advice. See all assumptions & limitations →
Related reading
Guides to interpret the decision and its assumptions.
- Progress Billing and Cash Timing for Project Businesses
Design observable billing milestones and model invoice and receipt dates separately from project profit.
Read guide
Frequently asked questions
How do I align milestone billing with cost timing and retention?
Move or resize the earliest billing milestone that can reduce the first funding shortfall.
Which planning assumptions should I stress-test?
Compare a plausible alternative scenario and verify the decision-critical assumption that changes the plan most.