# Timing Modal

This article explains the **Timing modal** in Model Reef.

You will learn:

* How to open the Timing modal from a variable.
* How to control when values hit P\&L.
* How payment terms and delays affect cashflow and working capital.
* How to use frequency and seasonality settings.

Timing is a core part of how Model Reef converts variables into full P\&L, Balance Sheet and Cashflow behaviour.

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### Opening the Timing modal

From the Variable Editor you can open the Timing modal for the current variable.

This modal controls all timing behaviour for that variable:

* Accrual timing.
* Cash timing.
* Period frequency and schedules.
* Seasonality.

Changes apply only to the selected variable.
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### Accrual dates and occurrence

The first part of the Timing modal usually controls **occurrence**, that is when the variable hits P\&L.

You can set:

* **Start date**: when the variable first begins to accrue.
* **End date**: when the variable stops.
* **Accrual frequency**: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi annual or annual.
* **Schedules**: for example on a particular day of the month or at fixed intervals.

Accrual timing determines the P\&L pattern irrespective of cash timing.
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### Payment terms and delays

Next you can configure how long it takes for cash to move after accrual.

Options include:

* Immediate cash (no delay).
* Fixed day delays, such as 30, 45 or 60 days.
* Month based delays, such as one or two months after occurrence.
* Custom terms such as end of month or specific rule based dates.

Rules:

* For revenue, a delay creates **Accounts Receivable**, which is then collected when cash arrives.
* For costs, a delay creates **Accounts Payable** or equivalent payables.

The Timing modal shows how delays map accrual periods into cashflow periods.
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### Frequency rules

Frequency rules allow you to describe how often cash events happen relative to accruals:

* One off events.
* Regular schedules such as monthly or quarterly.
* Irregular schedules using explicit date lists or patterns.

Frequency interacts with delays to give detailed control over both P\&L and cash patterns.
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### Seasonality and schedules

Seasonality settings let you vary values within or across years, for example:

* Higher revenues in certain months or quarters.
* Seasonal costs such as marketing bursts or holiday staffing.
* Agricultural or tourism cycles.

You can set seasonal multipliers or explicit schedules that the engine applies to the base values.
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### Preview and validation

The Timing modal normally provides a preview of:

* Accrual profile by period.
* Cash profile by period.
* The implied creation and unwinding of receivables and payables.

Use the preview to verify that the timing behaviour matches your expectation before saving changes.
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***

## Related articles

* [Timing Syntax](/syntax/timing-syntax.md)
* [Payment Terms UI](/syntax/timing-syntax/payment-terms-ui.md)
* [Timing Engine Overview](/help/drivers-variables-and-timing/timing-engine-overview.md)
* [Build an Inventory Timing Model](/how-tos/operations-and-unit-economics/build-an-inventory-timing-model.md)


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