Xero Metrics

Accounts Payable (AP) is the total amount a company owes to its suppliers and creditors for goods and services purchased on credit and not yet paid. AP appears on the balance sheet as a current liability, representing short-term obligations due within one year.

Accounts Receivable (AR) is the total value of invoices a company has issued to customers for goods or services delivered but not yet paid. AR appears on the balance sheet as a current asset because payment is expected within one year. It represents a legal obligation from the customer and is recorded when an invoice is issued, not when cash is received. Tracking AR accurately gives finance teams a real-time view of money owed and helps forecast cash flow.

Cash and Cash Equivalents (CCE) is the total value of a company's cash on hand plus short-term liquid assets convertible to cash within three months. CCE appears as the first line item on a company's balance sheet and is a primary indicator of liquidity. A strong CCE balance signals the ability to meet operating obligations, service short-term debt, and fund growth without external financing.

The Cost Of Goods Sold (COGS) is the measure of direct costs incurred by a company to manufacture or deliver their product or service. Costs typically include raw material and direct labour, but this varies from business to business, depending on the products or services that are being sold. COGS is the building block to understanding Gross Margin and Gross Margin Percent.

Current assets are the assets a company expects to convert to cash within one year, as reported on the Balance Sheet or Statement of Financial Position. Finance teams track current assets alongside current liabilities to calculate liquidity ratios such as the Current Ratio, Quick Ratio, and Working Capital. Common current asset accounts include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, inventory, prepaid expenses, short-term investments, and trade receivables.

Current liabilities are the total value of all debts and obligations a company owes to creditors that must be settled within one year. Current liabilities appear on the balance sheet and are evaluated alongside current assets to assess a company's short-term financial solvency. Common accounts include accounts payable, deferred revenue, interest payable, short-term debt, and dividends payable.

Current Ratio measures the ability of your organization to pay all of their financial obligations in the short term, which is generally one year. This ratio accounts for your current assets, such as accounts receivable, and your current liabilities, such as accounts payable, to help you understand the solvency of your business.

Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) is a measure of a company's core operating profit, calculated before the effects of interest expenses and income taxes. EBIT isolates operational performance, independent of capital structure or tax jurisdiction.

Expenses per Employee is a measure of the Operating Expenses for the last twelve months (LTM) divided by the current number of Full-Time Equivalent employees. Just like Revenue per Employee, this ratio is often used to compare companies within the same industry.

Full-Time Employees are permanent staff members who typically work more than 30 hours per week or four days weekly, depending on your organisation's definition and local labour standards. Unlike temporary, seasonal, or contract workers, full-time employees represent your core workforce with ongoing employment relationships. In most jurisdictions, full-time employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits including healthcare coverage, vacation pay, statutory holidays, and other employment standards protections as defined by local labour laws.

Gross Burn is the total cash a company spends on operations each month, including salaries, rent, overhead, interest, and taxes. Unlike Net Burn, Gross Burn does not account for revenue — it reflects the full cost of keeping the business running.

Gross Margin is a profitability ratio that measures Gross Profit as a percentage of total revenue. Typically, it is calculated as Gross Profit divided by Revenue. This metric is a key indicator of a company's financial health and operational efficiency.