Uncertainty over incoming payments makes financial planning harder than it needs to be. Even with accurate records of invoices due today, finance teams are often left guessing about when payments will actually arrive, or which customers may delay beyond terms. That lack of clarity not only disrupts day-to-day collections but also holds back longer-term planning.
Receivables forecasting in Chaser changes that. The new feature gives a forward-looking view of expected payments, built from real-time receivables data. It highlights what is due, what is overdue, what may be at risk, and when payments are most likely to be received. With this clarity, finance teams can move from reactive chasing to proactive planning.
Why receivables forecasting matters
Late payments remain one of the biggest obstacles to healthy cash flow. U.S. Bank has found that 82% of business failures are linked to poor cash flow management, much of which comes back to uncertainty on cash in-flows such as receivables. On average, businesses write off around 8% of annual revenue as bad debt (Hilton Baird). And research by QuickBooks shows that midsized organizations in North America are each owed around $300,000 USD in overdue invoices at any one time.
Traditional forecasting methods don’t make the problem easier. Spreadsheets need constant manual updating, reports can be overly broad, and forecasts rarely account for complexities such as disputed invoices, partial payments, or payment plans. As a result, finance teams often have an incomplete picture of what to expect.
Receivables forecasting addresses these challenges by drawing directly on receivables data, with the option to include or exclude disputed amounts, installment schedules, or overdue invoices. It gives a live, accurate forecast that reflects the reality of collections today, not just an idealised version of it.
What receivables forecasting is
Receivables forecasting in Chaser predicts incoming payments by combining invoice data from connected accounting systems or ERPs with behavioural insights already captured in Chaser. Average days-to-pay figures, past payment patterns, and expected payment dates are all factored in to give a realistic forecast of when revenue is likely to be received.
Forecasts can be viewed weekly, monthly, or over fully custom timeframes. They can also be filtered by currency, invoice type, or status, making the tool flexible enough to suit the needs of multi-entity businesses as well as single-entity operations.
By moving beyond static lists of overdue invoices, receivables forecasting provides a forward-looking perspective that allows finance leaders to anticipate challenges before they escalate.
The benefits of receivables forecasting
Receivables forecasting delivers tangible advantages for finance teams. The most important include:
- Improve financial planning
By showing when payments are expected to arrive, forecasts make it easier to align budgets, plan investments, and manage resources. This visibility turns receivables into something predictable instead of uncertain. - Understand future cash inflows
Instead of relying on end-of-month reconciliations, forecasts show how receivables will flow in real time. This keeps leadership informed and supports faster, more confident decision-making. - Prioritize at-risk invoices
The tool highlights overdue and high-risk invoices, allowing teams to focus efforts on the areas most likely to impact cash flow. Resources are directed to the customers and invoices where timely action matters most. - Multi-currency support
For organisations operating across borders, receivables forecasting handles multiple currencies seamlessly. Teams gain clarity in their local currency while finance leaders see consolidated figures. - Flexible to business processes
Filters make it easy to include or exclude disputed invoices, overdue balances, or instalment plans. Each organisation can shape forecasts to match how receivables are managed internally. - Real-time accuracy
Because data is pulled from Chaser and the connected accounting system, forecasts always reflect the latest information. This eliminates the risk of outdated spreadsheets or duplicate reporting.
Taken together, these benefits help finance teams reduce uncertainty, plan more effectively, and take action earlier on at-risk amounts. Receivables forecasting doesn’t just save time - it directly supports better financial health and resilience.
How receivables forecasting works
Receivables forecasting is powered by live data from Chaser and connected accounting systems. It automatically incorporates invoice statuses, expected payment dates, disputes, instalment schedules, and behavioural insights such as average days to pay.
Key capabilities include:
- Custom timeframes – view forecasts weekly, monthly, or across chosen periods.
- Smart filters – adjust forecasts to exclude disputed invoices, overdue amounts, or instalment schedules.
- Multi-currency support – view and consolidate forecasts across currencies.
- CSV export – share forecasts with stakeholders or import them into existing reports.
- Behavior-based predictions – factor in customer payment history for more accurate projections.
This flexibility ensures forecasts can be adapted for leadership reporting, team planning, or operational chasing.
How to start using receivables forecasting
Accessing the feature is straightforward:
- Start a free trial - Try Chaser for free for 10 days to get started.
- Connect your accounting system – Chaser integrates with leading accounting platforms, making data sync seamless.
- Open the receivables forecast dashboard – find the new tool in the Chaser platform once connected.
- Adjust the view – choose timeframes, apply filters, and set currency preferences to match business needs.
- Apply the insights – use the forecast to shape chasing strategies, prioritise overdue invoices, and guide budgeting conversations.
Full setup instructions are available in the help centre guide. A more detailed breakdown of benefits and functionality is available in the downloadable fact sheet.
Learn more and get started
Ready to get visibility over your expected payments? Existing users can begin exploring forecasts right away in their Chaser account. New users Chaser can start a free trial to see the feature in action, or book in to speak with an expert for a full walkthrough of how receivables forecasting can transform collections.
