finance-metrics-quickref

name	finance-metrics-quickref
argument-hint	[metric name]
description	Look up SaaS finance metrics, formulas, and benchmarks fast. Use when you need a quick metric definition, formula, or benchmark during analysis.
intent	Quick reference for any SaaS finance metric without deep teaching. Use this when you need a fast formula lookup, benchmark check, or decision framework reminder. For detailed explanations, calculations, and examples, see the related deep-dive skills.
type	component
best_for	["Quick metric lookups during product or finance reviews","Checking formulas and benchmarks without reading a long explainer","Refreshing decision rules for common SaaS metrics"]
scenarios	["What is the formula for NRR and what is a good benchmark?","Give me a quick reference for CAC payback and Rule of 40","I need a fast SaaS metrics cheat sheet for a business review"]
theme	finance-metrics
estimated_time	5-10 min

Purpose

Quick reference for any SaaS finance metric without deep teaching. Use this when you need a fast formula lookup, benchmark check, or decision framework reminder. For detailed explanations, calculations, and examples, see the related deep-dive skills.

This is not a teaching tool—it's a cheat sheet optimized for speed. Scan, find, apply.

Input

Works best with: The metric you need — name it and get the formula, benchmark, and decision context. Also useful: Your numbers, if you want the formula applied on the spot.

Anything supplied with the invocation itself — text after the skill name, a pasted context dump, or an appended ARGUMENTS: line — counts as answers already given. Use it and skip whatever it covers; don't re-ask.

Arriving empty-handed? That works too. Ask for the metric family you're working in (revenue, retention, efficiency, capital) and scan from there.

Example invocation: Quick ref: burn multiple — formula, benchmark, and whether 1.7 is bad for Series B.

Key Concepts

Metric Categories

Metrics are organized into four families:

1. Revenue & Growth — Top-line money (revenue, ARPU, ARPA, MRR/ARR, churn, NRR, expansion)
2. Unit Economics — Customer-level profitability (CAC, LTV, payback, margins)
3. Capital Efficiency — Cash management (burn rate, runway, OpEx, net income)
4. Efficiency Ratios — Growth vs. profitability balance (Rule of 40, magic number)

When to Use This Skill

Use this when:

• You need a quick formula or benchmark
• You're preparing for a board meeting or investor call
• You're evaluating a decision and need to check which metrics matter
• You want to identify red flags quickly

Don't use this when:

• You need detailed calculation guidance (use saas-revenue-growth-metrics or saas-economics-efficiency-metrics)
• You're learning these metrics for the first time (start with deep-dive skills)
• You need examples and common pitfalls (covered in related skills)

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Application

All Metrics Reference Table