Profitable businesses run out of cash. This is one of the most counterintuitive facts in small business finance, and one of the most common causes of avoidable financial distress in Australia.

The business is winning contracts. Revenue is growing. The pipeline looks strong. And the bank account is empty every fortnight when payroll runs.

What is happening is a cash flow timing problem, not a profitability problem. Understanding the difference between the two is the first step toward selecting the right solution.