Key Performance Indicator
Glossary

Decode the KPI terminology, jargon and key terms used by business advisors and financial business leaders

A

Accounts Payable Days
Accounts Receivable Days
Activity Ratio
A measure of the efficiency or effectiveness with which the business manages its resources or assets. This measure indicates the speed with which Net Operating Assets (Total Assets excl. Cash - Total Liabilities excl. Short Term Debt) are converted or turned into sales. This can be improved by optimising balance sheet efficiency, ie. by reducing the investment in working capital, selling-off any unused assets or by seeking ways to maximise the use of assets.

Formula:
Activity Ratio = Annualised Revenue / Total Invested Capital

This is a default KPI in Fathom.
Asset Change
Asset Turnover

B

Breakeven Point (BEP)
Breakeven Margin of Safety

C

Cash Conversion Cycle
Cash Flow Adequacy Ratio
Cash Flow Adequacy Ratio
A measure of the ability of the business to cover total debt with cash flow from operations. A higher result, indicates that the company is in a better position to service its total debt. Total Debt = Short Term Debt + Long Term Debt.

Formula:
Cash Flow Adequacy Ratio = Annualised Operating Cash Flow / Total Debt * 100

This is a default KPI in Fathom.
Cash Flow Coverage
Cash Flow Margin
Cash on Hand
The Cash Ratio
COS Change
Current Ratio

D

Debt Payback
Debt Service Ratio
Debt to Equity
Debt to Total Assets
A measure of the proportion of the business's assets that are financed through debt. Total Debt = Short Term Debt + Long Term Debt.

Formula:
Debt to Total Assets = Total Debt / Total Assets * 100

This is a default KPI in Fathom.

E

EBIT Growth
A measure of the percentage change in EBIT for the period. A combination of growth in revenues and growth in profits presents a balanced measure of growth.

Formula:
EBIT Growth = (Earnings Before Interest & Tax - Prior Earnings Before Interest & Tax) / Prior Earnings Before Interest & Tax * 100

This is a default KPI in Fathom.
Economic Profit
This measure is underpinned by the concept that a business only adds value for its shareholders if it makes a profit in excess of its cost of capital. Economic profit is calculated as the amount by which profits exceed or fall short of the required return for shareholders. A positive economic profit represents that the business is creating shareholder value. A negative economic profit means that the business is destroying shareholder value.

Formula:
Economic Profit = Annualised NOPAT - (Total Invested Capital * WACC / 100)

This is a default KPI in Fathom.
Equity Change
Equity to Assets
Expense Change
Expense-to-Revenue Ratio

F

Fixed Asset Turnover
Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow is the cash generated by the business, after paying its expenses and investing for future growth. It is the cash left after subtracting capital expenditures from operating cash flow. The term “free cash flow” is used because this cash is free to be paid back to the suppliers of capital.

Formula:
Free Cash Flow = Operating Cash Flow - (Total Non - Current Assets - Opening Total Non - Current Assets + Depreciation + Depreciation & Amortisation)

This is a default KPI in Fathom.

G

Gross Margin Return on Inventory
Gross Profit Growth
A measure of the percentage change in gross profit for the period.

Formula:
Gross Profit Growth = (Gross Profit - Prior Gross Profit) / Prior Gross Profit * 100

This is a default KPI in Fathom.
Gross Profit Margin
Growth Equilibrium

I

Interest Cover
Inventory Days

N

Net Debt Change
Net Income Growth
Net Profit After Tax Margin
Net Variable Cash Flow

O

Operating Cash Flow to Current Liabilities
Operating Cash Flow to Net Income
Operating Profit Growth
Operating Profit Margin
A measure of the proportion of revenue that is left after deducting all operating expenses. This reveals the operating efficiency of the business. The operating profit margin can be further improved by improving price, volume, cost of sales and expense management.

Formula:
Operating Profit Margin = Operating Profit / Revenue * 100

This is a default KPI in Fathom.

P

Profitability Ratio

Q

Quick Ratio

R

Return on Assets
Return on Capital Employed
Return on Equity
Revenue Growth

T

Total Revenue
A measure of the total amount of money received by the company for goods sold or services provided. Strategies to improve revenue may include increasing prices, increasing the volume of sales through marketing initiatives or finding alternative sources of income.

Formula:
Total Revenue = Revenue

This is a default KPI in Fathom.

W

Work in Progress Days
Working Capital Absorption
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Looking for more help?
Visit our help centre to find answers to your questions about Fathom.
Help centre