Cash Flow Clarity: Practical Forecasting for Design Firms

Understanding Timing, Planning Ahead, and Avoiding Financial Surprises

In most firms, cash flow becomes urgent only when it becomes stressful. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Cash flow forecasting is not just a finance exercise — it’s a practical discipline that brings visibility to how money truly moves through your firm. When you understand the timing of collections, payroll, and expenses, decisions become calmer, planning becomes steadier, and surprises become far less disruptive.

In this experience-grounded session, Stephanie Kirschner will walk through the fundamentals of cash flow forecasting specifically for design firm professionals. Drawing from decades of financial leadership within A/E firms, she will explain the difference between profit and cash, demonstrate how to realistically forecast collections and payroll timing, and show how to identify “dip months” before they create unnecessary stress.

Participants will walk through a simple, customizable spreadsheet tool that can be implemented immediately — no complex systems required.

This session is designed for anyone who influences billing, staffing, contracts, or operational timing decisions — not just those with a CFO title. You will leave with:

• A clearer understanding of how cash truly flows through your firm

• A practical forecasting framework you can apply right away

• Greater confidence in supporting firm leadership during both strong and uncertain cycles

As a bonus, you’ll also see how the same forecasting principles can be applied personally to reduce financial stress and improve long-range planning.

Financial clarity does not eliminate challenges — but it does eliminate unnecessary surprises. And that clarity strengthens leadership at every level of the firm.

Speaker Bio: Stephanie Kirschner, FSDA

Stephanie Kirschner brings more than three decades of financial and operational leadership experience within architecture, engineering, and professional services firms. Prior to serving as National Executive Director of the Society for Design Administration, she held senior finance and administrative roles including Vice President of Finance & Administration and Controller, where she led budgeting, forecasting, cash management, banking relationships, and strategic planning initiatives

Throughout her career, Stephanie has worked closely with firm principals and project managers to strengthen financial visibility and guide firms through both growth periods and economic downturns. She is known for translating complex financial concepts into practical tools that reduce uncertainty and support steady, confident leadership.

Having served in every national leadership role within SDA — including National Treasurer and President — and recognized as an SDA Fellow and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Stephanie remains passionate about equipping operations professionals with the insight and clarity needed to lead well behind the scenes.

In this session, she shares not just a spreadsheet, but the perspective that comes from decades of helping firms build financial stability and resilience.