SaaS Metrics School
371 episodes — Page 4 of 8
Should I Code Wages and Benefits to COGS
In episode #221, I address expense coding for tradeshows. This is a great question from a SaaS Metrics School podcast listener. - What departments are in COGS? - COGS vs. OpEx - Fully-burdened cost centers
Where Do I Code Tradeshow Expenses
In episode #220, I address expense coding for tradeshows. This is a great question from a SaaS Metrics School podcast listener. - Scenario: we attend tradeshows for lead gen. Multiple staff attend the tradeshow. - Where do we code tradeshow expenses? - Where do we code staff expenses who attend the tradeshow? - Where do we code everyone else?
9 Legal Strategies for a $100M Exit – Tactics 7 to 9
In episode #219, I address preparing for an exit. You must prepare ahead of time for an exit. I hosted guest expert Omeed Tabiei, an attorney for SaaS companies. His tactics were golden. They must be followed so you don’t have a failed exit. - Have strong vendor contracts - Identify potential legal risks - Learn how to navigate complex deals Grab the replay and slides here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148384654 Omeed's LinkedIn: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148384654 Omeed's website: https://www.optimistlegal.com/
9 Legal Strategies for a $100M Exit – Tactics 4 to 6
In episode #218, I address preparing for an exit. You must prepare ahead of time for an exit. I hosted guest expert Omeed Tabiei, an attorney for SaaS companies. His tactics were golden. They must be followed so you don’t have a failed exit. - Manage your IP - Keep your corporate governance clean - Have strong customer contracts Grab the replay and slides here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148384654 Omeed's LinkedIn: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148384654 Omeed's website: https://www.optimistlegal.com/
9 Legal Strategies for a $100M Exit – Tactics 1 to 3
In episode #217, I address preparing for an exit. You must prepare ahead of time for an exit. I hosted guest expert Omeed Tabiei, an attorney for SaaS companies. His tactics were golden. They must be followed so you don’t have a failed exit. - The right deal structure - Manage your equity - Manage your employees Grab the replay and slides here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148384654 Omeed's LinkedIn: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148384654 Omeed's website: https://www.optimistlegal.com/
Ignore Your Accounting Pay the Price Later
In episode #216, I address poor accounting data. This is SO common in early-stage SaaS, even later stage. But it can easily be avoided. - The pillars of your accounting foundation - Revenue categories - Department structure - COGS vs. OpEx - Non-operating - Client example Sample chart of accounts: https://www.thesaascfo.com/sample-chart-of-accounts-saas/
I’m Struggling with Your Bookings Data
In episode #215, I address bookings data from our CRM. This is one of the four key finance data sources. And one that we get wrong. - What is a booking? - How do we use bookings data? - What are the key fields that I need to capture? - Tips Grab my bookings template here: https://www.thesaascfo.com/the-saas-bookings-report/
What to Do When Your Accounts Receivable and Aging Are Out of Control
In episode #214, I address cash flow. Plain and simple. Don’t collect on your open invoices and you’ll soon be out of business. - What is AR? - What is AR aging? - My plan of attack to collect on invoices Check out TryExtend.com to automate your cash collections. Better yet, set up a quick demo call with here: https://book.thesaascfo.com/tryextend if you use QBO or Xero.
How Late is Late for a Late Payment?
In episode #213, I address a student question from my SaaS metrics community. As a CFO, this question is near and dear to my finance heart. - What is considered late? - Does invoice size amount matter? - My maximum late grace period - Automating your cash collections Put your cash collections on autopilot at TryExtend.com
Not All CARR is Created Equally
In episode #212, I address Contracted Annual Recurring Revenue (CARR). This can get really tricky when everyone is defining ARR differently. And CARR is often used in SaaS valuation discussions. - What is CARR? - SaaS valuations - Not created equally - Attach retention to CARR CARR blog post: https://www.thesaascfo.com/committed-monthly-recurring-revenue/
Your Accounting Team Needs a Close Calendar Checklist
In episode #211, I address your accounting foundation. Like it or not, accounting data is so important and feeds the SaaS finance process. - SaaS accounting foundation - SaaSify your chart of accounts - Clean close process Close checklist: https://www.thesaascfo.com/downloads/monthly-close-calendar/
Parent Child Relationships Can Cause a Big Metrics Mess
In episode #210, I address the parent-child relationship—and I’m not talking about the relationship with your teenager. If not done right, it can wreak havoc on your financial analysis and metrics. - What is the parent-child relationship? - Tracking retention at each level - Create a cross-walk
Founder / Investor Fit is Critical for Fundraising Success
In episode #209, I address fundraising tips and tricks. This tip is one that is always mentioned when I interview SaaS founders about their fundraising experience. - What is founder / investor fit - Vet your investors - Be courteous
Is LTV to CAC Dead as a Metric?
In episode #208, I address social media posts that attack LTV to CAC. Don’t believe the blanket statements that you read about SaaS metrics. - What is LTV to CAC? - When does Ben use LTV to CAC? CAC Class: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148384654
How Do We Track Retention When We Offer Multi-year Contracts
In episode #207, I address retention in a multi-year contract environment. Should we use only classic retention analysis? - The 3 retention metrics - When to apply the renewal rate? - What is renewal rate?
I Rarely See This Metric Tracked in SaaS Companies
In episode #206, I address a non-financial metric that I love. That is NPS or CSAT. But you see a lot of folks who would rather pass on NPS. - Any feedback is good feedback - NPS - Try my NPS tool Join my SaaS community: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout
How to Tackle Your Retention Problem
In episode #205, I address the must-have retention metrics and how to zero in on retention problems. - The 3 retention metrics - Where’s my retention problem? - Cohort vs. aggregate retention Grab my retention templates: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148292708
Do Your VC’s Not Care Anymore?
In episode #204, I address a post by SaaStr about VC’s checking out on current investments. What now? - Set your own financial roadmap - Forecasting - 5 Pillar SaaS Metrics Framework Grab my framework here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148255133
Improving Your DSO and Cash Flow
In episode #203, I address invoicing, cash collections, and cash flow. Cash flow starts with timely and accurate invoicing. - Timely and accurate invoicing - Days Sales Outstanding - Cash collections Grab my DSO guide here: https://www.thesaascfo.com/downloads/dso-guide/ Need help with cash collections automation, book time with me here: https://book.thesaascfo.com/tryextend
Do I Really Have to Code All Expenses to a Department?
In episode #202, I address a reader question about coding expenses. They attended my CAC webinar and had a great question about how far you go with expense coding. - Coding expenses to the department level - Allocating invoices to multiple departments Catch my CAC training replay and templates: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148384654 Some great SaaS events coming up: https://www.thesaascfo.com/saas-events/
How to Segment Your CAC
In episode #201, I address the foundation of CAC and segmentation. It takes a lot of good expense detail to get fancy with our CAC calculations. - New vs. existing allocation - CAC segmentation CAC webinar on May 29th: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148321309
The Ultimate SaaS Metrics Checklist for Your Business
Episode 200 – The Ultimate SaaS Metrics Checklist for Your Business In episode #200, it’s fitting for episode 200 that I share my 5 Pillar SaaS Metrics Framework. It acs as your guide and roadmap to calculating the correct SaaS metrics for the right stage of your business. - Pillar 1 – growth - Pillar 2 – retention - Pillar 3 – margins - Pillar 4 – financial profile - Pillar 5 - efficiency Grab my framework here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148255133 Join my SaaS metrics training here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/SMF-live-just-the-facts
My ARR when Switching from Long-term Contracts to Consumption Model
In episode #199, I address the tricky question of what is ARR. There are many revenue streams in SaaS and we have to be careful how add up our ARR. - SaaS revenue streams - What is ARR? - Subscription to consumption SaaS metrics course begins July 9th: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/SMF-live-just-the-facts
You Are Less Than 2M ARR and Want to Exit
In episode #198, I address what you need if you are early-stage and want to exit. I just gave a coaching call on this to someone prepping a smaller SaaS company for sale. - Accounting - SaaS P&L - MRR schedule SaaS metrics course launches July 9th SaaS CFO templates course
Your MRR Schedule is Worth its Weight in Gold
Episode 197 – Your MRR Schedule is Worth its Weight in Gold In episode #197, I address due diligence and your MRR schedule. Your MRR schedule will ALWAYS be requested in due diligence. - What is an MRR schedule? - How do you create an MRR schedule? - MRR schedules are gold - SaaS metrics course SaaS Metrics course launches July 9th SaaS CFO templates course
The Foundation of CAC Part 4
In episode #196, I address the foundation of CAC in this four-part series. Today, let’s talk PLG and SLG. And segmenting your CAC. - SLG and PLG impact on CAC - Don’t forget to segment your CAC The foundation of CAC blog post.
The Foundation of CAC Part 3
In episode #195, I address the foundation of CAC in this four-part series. Today, about the metrics that use CAC as an input. And what’s your prize? - CAC feeds these metrics - What’s your prize? Very important to define Learn more about CAC here!
The Foundation of CAC Part 2
In episode #194, I address the foundation of CAC in this four-part series. Today, let’s talk data sources. Where do we source CAC data? - SaaS P&L - Bookings data or your MRR schedule Foundation of CAC blog post.
The Foundation of CAC Part 1
In episode #193, I address the foundation of CAC in this four-part series. Today, let’s define CAC. It’s not as obvious as it seems. - Begins with your general ledger and your SaaS P&L - Gross CAC, customer acquisition cost Blog post on CAC: https://www.thesaascfo.com/the-foundation-of-customer-acquisition-costs-cac/
What SaaS Metrics Are Relevant When Passing $10M ARR?
In episode #192, I address the relevant SaaS metrics when hitting the big $10M ARR milestone. If you are a founder who is still far away from 10M, it’s good to understand what you’ll need at that point. - Do SaaS metrics matter? - What financial metrics do I need? - The 4 key finance data sources Grab my 5 Pillar Framework here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148255133
What Metrics and Data Do Acquirors Want to See ASAP?
In episode #191, I address the data that is worth its weight in gold. You will always be asked for this data when buyers are evaluating your SaaS business. - The golden data - Where do you source this data? Grab my resource to create your MRR schedule here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148292708
Do I Really Need to Use SaaS Metrics Benchmarks?
In episode #190, I address SaaS benchmarks and metrics. Benchmarks act as important guideposts for our business. - Do I really need benchmarks? - What benchmarks does Ben use? - Important for due diligence My 5 Pillar Framework: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148255133
How Do I Count Reactivation MRR in My Metrics
In episode #189, I address reactivation MRR and counts. This is a common layer of MRR in self-service SaaS (low price point, high customer volume) business. - impact on revenue retention - impact on logo retention Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray
Calculating CAC When You Have SLG and PLG Motions
In episode #188, I address today’s reality with our go-to-market motion and CAC. You must segment your CAC if you run a PLG and SLG motion. - new vs. existing CAC allocation - SLG vs PLG allocation - what to do with R&D Subscribe to Ben’s short SaaS metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray
Don’t Do This When Allocating Your CAC Expense
In episode #187, I address an important concept when trying to allocate CAC expenses between new and existing business. This came up again on a coaching call so it’s time to address it. - how not to allocate - how to properly allocate CAC - another good way to allocate CAC My 5 Pillar SaaS Metrics Framework: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148255133
Can CAC Be Calculated Per Product Line?
In episode #186, I address an important nuance in calculating your S&M efficiency metrics. CAC by segment. This is often harder than it appears. - Isolating bookings and revenue - Isolating expenses by product line - Expense structure Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray
Should We Include Customer Success Cost in Our CAC?
In episode #185, I address an important nuance in calculating your S&M efficiency metrics. Where does customer success belong? - What role does Customer Success play? - Should CS be in both COGS and OpEx? Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray
Sales Cycle Impact on S&M Efficiency Metrics
In episode #184, I address an important nuance in calculating your S&M efficiency metrics. - How do you measure your sales cycle? - Impact on S&M metrics measurement Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray
Bookings Data is Finance Data Source 1
In episode #183, I address the four key sources of SaaS finance data. This data feeds our forecast, SaaS metrics, financial analysis, Board reporting, and more. We must implement a clean monthly data process. - What is a booking? - Data sources for bookings - Feeds our S&M metrics Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray
Contracted MRR vs P&L MRR
In episode #182, I address the nuances of MRR. We could be talking about an accounting number, a CRM number, and a number from who knows where. - What is MRR? - Accounting MRR - Contracted MRR Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray
Please Code Your Expenses to the Department Level
In episode #181, I address an all too frequent accounting problem. Department coding. Save yourself headaches down the road by coding expenses to the department level. - Pure-play SaaS departments - COGS vs. OpEx - Why this matters Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray
Founders You Must Be Profitable on Your Services Revenue
In episode #180, I address professional services revenue. PS revenue required to set up, configure, onboard, and train your customers. And essential department when selling mid-market and enterprise software. - What is professional services? - What are standard margins on services revenue? - The battle between Sales and PS - You must make margin! Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray
How Do I Calculate Retention if I Have Consumption Revenue?
In episode #179, I address revenue retention and variable revenue streams. This can be tricky if our variable revenue offers no consistency. Period of measurement is key. - Variable revenue streams - Period of measurement - Cohort analysis - Month 13 Grab my retention template in this free course: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/pl/2148292708
How I Use the Rule of 40 When You Are Less Than 10M ARR
In episode #178, I address the proper time to use the Rule of 40. There are a lot of opinions here on when to implement this metric. Some say above 25M in ARR. Some say 50M ARR. - What is the Rule of 40? - Your funding environment matters - When to use this metric - When is it a red flag Rule of 40 post: https://www.thesaascfo.com/rule-of-40-saas/
Pass 90% of Your SaaS Peers with These 4 Finance Steps
In episode #177, I address the 4 things you can do to pass 90% of SaaS peers in financial maturity. - Your Chart of Accounts - The Proper SaaS P&L - Department Coding - Revenue Recognition Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray
How I Assess the Setup of Your SaaS P&L
In episode #176, I address the structure of your SaaS P&L. This is my top requested coaching session from founders and finance teams. You must get this right. - Your chart of accounts - Your revenue section - Your COGS section - Your OpEx section - Department coding - Rev rec SaaS P&L template: https://www.thesaascfo.com/saas-pl-explained/
Where Does Customer Success Expense Belong on Your SaaS P&L
In episode #175, I address the hotly debated topic of customer success expense. Where do we code wages and bonuses? To get this right, we must first define the role of CS in your SaaS company. - What is the role of CS? - Code in COGS, OpEx, or potentially both Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray
Does Expansion MRR or ARR Include Renewals?
In episode #174, I address bookings, renewals, and expansion. These data points can get confusing if we don’t define them correctly. - When is a renewal a booking? - When is a renewal NOT a booking? - Does renewal impact expansion MRR? Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray
What is the Impact of Gross Revenue Retention on Valuation?
In episode #173, I address a student question this week in my SaaS Metrics Foundation course. We must understand our GRR, benchmarks, and how third parties will judge our SaaS business. Check out episode #59 on gross revenue retention for more details. - What is GRR? - Valuation impact - Benchmark data sources Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS metrics newsletter: https://saasmetricsschool.beehiiv.com/subscribe Subscribe to Ben’s SaaS monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/df1db6bf8bca/the-saas-cfo-sign-up-landing-page SaaS Metrics courses here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/ Join Ben’s SaaS community here: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/ivNjwYDx/checkout Follow Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benrmurray
What Revenue Streams Should Be Included in Our MRR Schedule?
In episode #172, I address revenue streams and MRR schedules. This is no joking matter. Our metrics and valuation depend on clean data. - Common SaaS revenue streams - MRR schedules - Combining MRR schedules Grab my template to create your MRR schedule in this free course: https://www.thesaasacademy.com/offers/gmbMDsYN/checkout