Start by finding out why. Negative cash flow caused by a one-off timing gap is a different problem from negative cash flow caused by unprofitable trading, and they need different responses. Build a short-term forecast covering the next few weeks so you know exactly when money is due in and out, then prioritise from there.
Practical first steps usually include chasing overdue invoices, tightening credit control, deferring non-essential spending, and talking to suppliers early about payment terms rather than simply paying late. If a tax payment is the pressure point, HMRC’s Time to Pay arrangements exist for businesses that cannot pay on time and are worth exploring before you take on debt.
Funding can help where the shortfall is a timing issue and the underlying business is sound — for example, refinancing an asset you already own to release capital, or a facility that spreads a tax bill over several months. Borrowing adds a fixed monthly commitment, so it should be a solution to a gap you can see closing, not a way of postponing a structural problem.
If the shortfall is ongoing and you are struggling to see how it resolves, get professional help early. Your accountant, or a licensed insolvency practitioner, can review the position properly. Directors have legal duties once a company is in financial difficulty, and taking on more borrowing at that stage can make matters worse. CWAF is a credit broker, not an accountant or an insolvency adviser.