> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.modelreef.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.modelreef.io/syntax/timing-syntax/entering-delays.md).

# Entering Delays

This article explains how to **enter delays** in Model Reef.

You will learn:

* How to specify delays using days and months.
* How delays relate to payment terms.
* How the timing engine uses delays to position cashflows.

Delays are the core input for shifting cash relative to accrual.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Delay fields in the Timing modal

Delay inputs appear in the **Payment terms or delay** section of the Timing modal.

You can usually specify delays as:

* A number of days.
* A number of months.
* In some cases, using a small set of quick presets (for example 0 days, 30 days, 60 days).

Internally, the engine converts these into offsets against the model's period structure.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Day based delays

When you enter a day based delay, for example `30` days:

* In a monthly model, the engine typically assigns the cashflow to the following month.
* In a weekly or daily model, it positions the cashflow on the correct date and then into the appropriate period.

Longer delays that cross multiple periods are allocated accordingly, for example a 75 day delay in a monthly model may affect two different months.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Month based delays

When you enter a month based delay, for example `1` month:

* Cash occurs exactly the specified number of periods after the accrual period.
* This is easier to reason about when contracts explicitly define terms in months.

Month based delays are directly mapped to model periods.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Delays and receivables or payables

Delays automatically create timing differences:

* For revenue, a delay creates **Accounts Receivable**.
* For costs, a delay creates **Accounts Payable** or staff or tax payables.

As cash is received or paid, those balances unwind.

The Cash Waterfall bridges P\&L and cashflows via the change in working capital driven by these delays.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Validating delay settings

To validate delay entries:

* Use the **Timing preview** to see how cash is shifted relative to accrual.
* Look at working capital lines in the Cashflow Waterfall.
* Check that receivable and payable balances look realistic for the business.

If working capital feels too large or too small, revisit delays and payment terms.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

***

## Related articles

* [Entering Accruals & Delays](/syntax/how-input-fields-work/entering-accruals-and-delays.md)
* [Entering Schedules](/syntax/how-input-fields-work/entering-schedules.md)
* [Cash Waterfall Overview](/help/financial-outputs-and-valuation/cash-waterfall-overview.md)
* [Build an M\&A Consolidation Model](/how-tos/investment-and-transactions/build-an-m-and-a-consolidation-model.md)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.modelreef.io/syntax/timing-syntax/entering-delays.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.