When you’re running a business, your numbers aren’t just numbers — they’re signals.
And if you’re not reading those signals right, you’re basically driving blind.
That’s where your CFO comes in — especially a virtual CFO who’s tuned into your goals, growth stage, and risks. But what exactly should they be tracking every month?
At 21DEGREES, we work with fast-moving startups and scale-ups, and these are the financial metrics we never lose sight of.
1. Cash Flow
It sounds obvious, but cash is still king — especially for early-stage companies.
We track cash inflows, outflows, and net position every month to ensure you’re not spending faster than you’re earning.
Cash flow is the difference between thriving and surviving.
2. Gross Margin
Are you actually making money on each sale?
We calculate gross margin to ensure your product or service pricing supports your growth and sustainability — especially if you’re scaling.
3. Burn Rate
How much money are you burning monthly, and how long can you keep going at this pace?
Burn rate is the metric for startups — one that defines urgency and funding timelines.
4. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
Every rupee spent on marketing or sales must be accounted for.
Is your CAC rising or falling? Are your channels working? Tracking this helps refine your growth strategy — fast.
5. Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR)
Especially relevant for SaaS or subscription-based models, MRR is your baseline.
It helps in forecasting, investor conversations, and understanding core revenue health.
6. Runway
Based on your current cash and burn rate — how many months do you have before you need to raise money or turn profitable?
This is a must-have in your dashboard. No surprises allowed.
7. Debt Ratios
We don’t ignore liabilities.
Monthly tracking of your debt-to-equity and interest coverage ratios gives a clear picture of financial stability and long-term health.
Make Your Numbers Work for You
Tracking these financial metrics monthly ensures your business decisions are informed, timely, and backed by real data.
At 21DEGREES, we build custom dashboards for our clients to visualize all this and more — making it easy for founders to act fast and act smart.
🚀 Want a free downloadable CFO dashboard template?
Visit 21degrees.in and see how we help founders stay one step ahead, every month.