> 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)