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The SaaS industry is known for its rapid growth and high-profit potential, but balancing these goals can be challenging. To help navigate this complex landscape, the Rule of 40 has emerged as a critical metric for evaluating SaaS companies’ financial health. This rule combines revenue growth rate and profit margin into a single, easy-to-understand percentage, providing a clear benchmark for success. In this article, we will delve into what the Rule of 40 is, how to calculate it, and why it is essential for SaaS businesses aiming to thrive in a competitive market.
\n\n\n\nIn SaaS (Software as a Service) companies, the Rule of 40 is crucial to balancing growth and profitability. It suggests a SaaS company’s combined revenue growth rate and profit margin should be at least 40%. With this metric, companies can determine whether they are financially healthy and sustainable by balancing rapid growth with profitability. It provides a quick glimpse into a company’s financial health and investment potential.
\n\n\n\nBy understanding and applying the Rule of 40, SaaS businesses can make more informed decisions to optimize their performance and appeal to investors.
\n\n\n\nThe Rule of 40 is vital because it provides a holistic view of a business’s financial health. A company that meets or exceeds this threshold is considered attractive for investors, as it balances aggressive growth and efficient operations. For SaaS companies, it acts as a strategic checkpoint to ensure they are not growing at the expense of profitability.
\n\n\n\nFirst, determine your revenue growth rate over a specific period, typically year-over-year.
\n\n\n\nFormula: Revenue Growth Rate (%) = (Current Period Revenue − Previous Period Revenue / Previous Period Revenue) × 100
\n\n\n\nNext, calculate your profit margin as a percentage.
\n\n\n\nFormula: Profit Margin (%) = (Net Profit / Total Revenue) × 100
\n\n\n\nAdd the two percentages together to get the Rule of 40 score.
\n\n\n\nFormula: Rule of 40 Score = Revenue Growth Rate + Profit Margin
\n\n\n\nLet’s say your SaaS company has the following financial metrics for the current year:
\n\n\n\nStep 1: Calculate Revenue Growth Rate
\n\n\n\nRevenue Growth Rate (%) = (10,000,000 − 8,000,000 / 8,000,000) × 100 = 25%
\n\n\n\nStep 2: Calculate Profit Margin
\n\n\n\nProfit Margin (%) = (1,000,000 / 10,000,000) × 100 = 10%
\n\n\n\nStep 3: Combine the Metrics
\n\n\n\nRule of 40 Score = 25% + 10% = 35%
\n\n\n\nWith a Rule of 40 score of 35%, your company is slightly below the desired 40% threshold, indicating room for improvement.
\n\n\n\nFor a more nuanced view, you can use the Weighted Rule of 40, which assigns different weights to revenue growth and profit margin.
\n\n\n\nStep 1: Assign Weights
\n\n\n\nDecide the weights for Revenue Growth Rate and Profit Margin. These should sum up to 100%. For example, you might assign 70% to growth and 30% to profit.
\n\n\n\nStep 2: Calculate Weighted Contributions
\n\n\n\nWeighted Revenue Growth Rate = Revenue Growth Rate × Weight
\n\n\n\nWeighted Profit Margin = Profit Margin × Weight
\n\n\n\nStep 3: Sum the Weighted Contributions
\n\n\n\nWeighted Rule of 40 Score = Weighted Revenue Growth Rate + Weighted Profit Margin
\n\n\n\nUsing the previous example and assigning a weight of 70% to revenue growth and 30% to profit margin:
\n\n\n\nStep 1: Calculate Revenue Growth Rate
\n\n\n\nRevenue Growth Rate (%) = 25%
\n\n\n\nStep 2: Calculate Profit Margin
\n\n\n\nProfit Margin (%) = 10%
\n\n\n\nStep 3: Assign Weights
\n\n\n\nRevenue Growth Rate Weight = 70% (0.70)
\n\n\n\nStep 4: Calculate Weighted Contributions Weighted Revenue Growth Rate = 25% × 0.70 = 17.5%
\n\n\n\nWeighted Profit Margin = 10% × 0.30 = 3%
\n\n\n\nStep 5: Sum the Weighted Contributions Weighted Rule of 40 Score = 17.5% + 3% = 20.5%
\n\n\n\nWith a Weighted Rule of 40 score of 20.5%, your company might need to adjust its strategy to improve either growth or profitability to reach a healthy balance.
\n\n\n\nThe Rule of 40 helps SaaS companies evaluate their financial health and identify areas needing attention. A score below 40% suggests the need to improve either growth or profitability.
\n\n\n\nFor investors, a Rule of 40 score of 40% or higher indicates a company with balanced growth and profitability, making it a more attractive investment opportunity.
\n\n\n\nSaaS companies can use the Rule of 40 to make strategic adjustments. If the score is low, companies might need to focus on cost reduction, process optimization, or revenue stream improvement.
\n\n\n\nThe Rule of 40 is also a valuable tool for long-term planning. It helps companies decide when to focus on growth and when to shift towards profitability, ensuring sustainable development over time.
\n\n\n\nThe Rule of 40 is an essential metric for SaaS companies, providing a clear and straightforward way to balance growth and profitability. By regularly calculating and analyzing this metric, SaaS businesses can make informed decisions, optimize their operations, and enhance their attractiveness to investors.
\n\n\n\nReady to optimize your SaaS business strategy? Start tracking your financial metrics and making data-driven decisions with Modeliks. Sign up today for a free trial and take your SaaS company to the next level.
\n","slug":"rule-of-40-saas","date":"2024-07-02T10:35:34","categories":{"nodes":[{"id":"dGVybToxNA==","name":"Financial Forecast"}]},"mainCategory":{"mainCategory":["financial-forecast"],"videoHeader":null},"tags":{"nodes":[{"name":"business planning"},{"name":"financial reporting"}]},"featuredImage":{"node":{"id":"cG9zdDoyNDM3","sourceUrl":"/images/cms/Rule-of-40-SaaS-What-Is-It-and-How-to-Calculate-It.jpg","altText":"Modeliks Guide to calculating the Rule of 40 SaaS, ensuring your company meets key financial benchmarks."}},"seo":{"metaDesc":"Rule of 40 SaaS, master it to balance growth and profitability in your company. Learn how to calculate it effectively with Modeliks."},"modified":"2024-07-02T10:35:35","related":[{"id":"cG9zdDoxMTU0MQ==","title":"How Accountants Can Offer High-Margin Advisory Services","content":"\nThe accounting profession is shifting. Compliance and bookkeeping remain essential, but today’s clients expect more. They want guidance on how to run their business smarter, manage cash flow, and plan for the future.
\n\n\n\nAccording to a CPA.com survey:
\n\n\n\nThis means the demand is already there. The opportunity for accounting firms is clear: move beyond bookkeeping into high-margin advisory services.
\n\n\n\nFor most small and mid-sized firms, the hesitation is simple:
❌ Limited staff time
❌ No standardized tools for forecasting & reporting
❌ Concern about overcomplicating workflows
The good news? Advisory can be delivered at scale, without adding headcount or creating inefficiencies — if you have the right system.
\n\n\n\nModeliks helps accountants transform their existing relationships into advisory partnerships by automating the heavy lifting.
\n\n\n\nHere’s how it works in practice:
\n\n\n\n1️⃣ Connect QuickBooks in Minutes
Sync client actuals directly — no messy spreadsheets or manual imports.
2️⃣ Build Budgets & Automated Financials
Instantly generate a forward-looking P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow statement, tailored to each client.
3️⃣ Deliver Dashboards & Variance Analysis
Clients see Actual vs. Plan vs. Previous Periods. You provide insight into why numbers moved — without building reports from scratch each month.
Firms using Modeliks see:
✅ New revenue streams by offering planning & reporting as premium packages
✅ Higher client retention thanks to consistent value beyond compliance
✅ No extra headcount required, since processes are automated
✅ Improved positioning as trusted advisors, not just bookkeepers
As one accountant put it:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“Our clients can now make confident decisions. For us it’s a game-changer — we finally sell insight, not just compliance.”
\n
Client expectations are rising. Competitors are moving into advisory. Technology makes it easier than ever to scale.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re an accountant or firm owner, now is the time to position your practice for the next decade. Advisory services are not just an add-on — they’re the future of accounting.
\n\n\n\n📽️ Watch the full video playbook here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlQEwnWOdKQ.
🌐 Explore how Modeliks can help you launch advisory services in under an hour -> HERE.
📩 Or reach out to us directly to explore how Modeliks can be tailored for your firm.
\n\n\n\nEnjoy Modeliks! We know we are!
\n\n\n\nAuthor:
Modeliks Team
Running a professional services business is demanding. Whether you’re a founder, consultant, accountant, or finance leader, the challenges are similar:
\n\n\n\nThe truth? Many services firms outgrow spreadsheets faster than they realize. A project-based business requires a planning and reporting framework that adapts as you grow – not one that breaks every time a new client, project, or team member comes onboard.
\n\n\n\nThat’s where having a structured financial planning and reporting system becomes a game-changer.
\n\n\n\nThis strategic framework is designed for:
\n\n\n\nIf you run a project-based business, use timesheets, or manage multiple clients, this playbook is for you.
\n\n\n\nProfessional services firms often face profitability challenges because margins are tied to capacity, efficiency, and client mix. Here’s where the right planning approach makes a difference:
\n\n\n\nEach project has its own revenue, costs, and resources. Without project-level visibility, it’s impossible to know which work is actually profitable.
\n\n\n\nIt’s not enough to create a yearly budget. Monthly actuals vs. plan reporting helps you quickly see where projects are off track and adjust before problems snowball.
\n\n\n\nWhat happens if a big client leaves? Or if you add two more consultants next quarter? Scenario planning gives you the confidence to make tough decisions with numbers to back them up.
\n\n\n\nEmployee utilization is the heartbeat of a services firm. By linking financial forecasts to billable hours, staffing, and client demand, you can identify bottlenecks and prevent costly underutilization.
\n\n\n\nAt Modeliks, we’ve built a platform that turns these best practices into a structured, repeatable process.
\n\n\n\nWith Modeliks, you can:
\n\n\n\nMost firms wait until they have 100+ employees to rethink planning. But the truth is, dimensional planning and reporting matters at 20 employees, as much as at 200.
\n\n\n\nThe earlier you set up a scalable framework, the faster you can:
\n\n\n\nGrowing a professional services business isn’t just about winning more clients — it’s about building a system that lets you manage projects, measure performance, and grow profitably.
\n\n\n\nThat’s what this playbook is about — and why we built Modeliks.
\n\n\n\n👉 If you want to see how Modeliks can help you manage and grow your services firm, watch the full video walkthrough here.
\n\n\n\n📩 Or reach out to us directly to explore how Modeliks can be tailored for your firm.
\n\n\n\nEnjoy Modeliks! We know we are!
\n\n\n\nAuthor:
Modeliks Team
Today we released a massive new update of Modeliks. A multidimensional Modeliks 2.0. I am both happy and sad to see Modeliks grow up. I liked baby Modeliks. He was cute and a little clumsy. Now, we created a beast.
\n\n\n\nWe listened to your feedback and made Modeliks by far the best financial planning and reporting tool for SMEs. Alright, I might be a bit subjective, but here is what’s new:
\n\n\n\nAnd there is a lot more to come in the next few months. Stay tuned for new features, and in the mean-time, plan, manage and grow your business with Modeliks 2.0.
\n\n\n\nLet’s recap. Now you can:
\n\n\n\nEnjoy Modeliks 2.0! We know we are!
\n\n\n\nAuthor:
Modeliks Team