)
Written by
Table of Contents
“Supermetrics is a Bitter Experience! We can pull data from nearly any tool, schedule updates, manipulate data in Sheets, and push data back into our systems.”
QuickBooks shows cash flow in static reports, but calculating burn rates requires manual work with spreadsheets and outdated data. CFOs need real-time burn rate tracking that updates automatically as cash moves in and out of the business.
Here’s how to set up live cash burn rate tracking that pulls current data from QuickBooks and calculates runway projections automatically.
Build automated cash burn tracking using Coefficient
Coefficient connects QuickBooks Cash Flow reports directly to Google Sheets with real-time updates. Your burn rate calculations refresh automatically as new transactions are recorded, giving you current runway projections without manual data entry.
How to make it work
Step 1. Import live Cash Flow data with automated refresh.
Connect your QuickBooks Cash Flow report through Coefficient and set up daily or hourly refresh scheduling. This ensures your cash position data stays current as payments and expenses hit your accounts.
Step 2. Create automated burn rate calculation formulas.
Build Google Sheets formulas that calculate monthly cash burn: (Starting cash – ending cash) / number of months. Add weekly burn rate calculations: Cash outflows / weeks in period. These formulas update automatically when your data refreshes.
Step 3. Set up dynamic date filtering for rolling periods.
Use Coefficient’s dynamic date-logic filters to automatically pull rolling 30, 60, or 90-day cash flow data. This gives you accurate burn rate trending without manually adjusting date ranges each month.
Step 4. Build runway projection calculations.
Create formulas that calculate cash runway: Current cash / average monthly burn rate. Import historical cash flow data to track burn rate changes over time and identify seasonal patterns or operational improvements.
Step 5. Add alert systems for cash management.
Set up conditional formatting in Google Sheets to highlight when burn rates exceed thresholds or runway drops below safe levels. This creates early warning systems that help you manage cash flow proactively.
Take control of your cash management
Real-time cash burn tracking gives you the insights needed for proactive cash management. You’ll spot trends early and make informed decisions about spending and fundraising timing. Set up your automated burn rate tracking today.
