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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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