Why a Perfect SaaS P&L Can Still Hide Serious Problems
Failed to add items
Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping cart is already at capacity.
Add to basket failed.
Please try again later
Add to wishlist failed.
Please try again later
Remove from wishlist failed.
Please try again later
Adding to library failed
Please try again
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
-
Narrated by:
-
By:
About this listen
In episode #348 of SaaS Metrics School, Ben Murray responds to a thoughtful LinkedIn comment that challenged a common assumption: that a well-structured SaaS P&L tells the whole story. While a properly built chart of accounts and SaaS P&L are foundational, Ben explains where hidden risks can still exist beneath clean financial statements.
Using real-world examples from SaaS founders and finance teams, this episode explores how revenue commingling, misclassified expenses, role overlap, and customer concentration can quietly distort decision-making—despite an “immaculate” P&L.
Resources Mentioned
- LinkedIn SaaS P&L Post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/benrmurray_saas-activity-7418308514533552128-l2eG/
- SaaS P&L Blog Post:
- SaaS Metrics Course:
What You’ll Learn
- Why a clean SaaS P&L can still hide structural business risk
- How revenue commingling and miscoding undermine financial clarity
- When and how to reclass employee costs across departments
- Why materiality matters more than perfection in early-stage accounting
- How customer concentration risk often surfaces late in due diligence
Why It Matters
- A SaaS P&L is only as useful as the assumptions behind it
- Poor expense classification can distort margins and unit economics
- Misunderstanding departmental cost ownership leads to flawed decisions
- Customer concentration can materially impact valuation and investor confidence
- Strong financial systems require both structure and experienced oversight
No reviews yet