How is mesha different from other Accounting and Bookkeeping Software?

mesha is an all-in-one automated solution for your business. Be it Catchup Bookkeeping, Consulting an Accountant or just day to day Business Accounting, mesha aims to make everything related to Accounting as well as Bookkeeping easy for businesses and Accountants.

Can I sign-up for a Free Trial?

You can definitely Book a Demo or Start for Free. We also offer different Pricing starting at $49 a month that includes Accounting Software as well as Invoicing. You can choose to include extra add-ons such as Bookkeeping, Payroll and Tax. Take a look at mesha’s Pricing.

Can I change my subscription plan?

Yes! You can modify your subscription anytime. Contact your mesha specialist for assistance, and they'll guide you, ensuring a service tailored to your preferences.

What support options do I have with mesha?

You can contact mesha via chat (click on the icon in the bottom right of the page) or via email at info@mesha.club.

How do I know which package is right for my business?

After our in-depth free consultation, where we assess your business's unique needs and objectives, we'll suggest the best package. For a comprehensive understanding, our website offers a detailed package comparison.

Burn Rate Calculator

Burn Rate Calculator

Monthly Income

Monthly Expenses

Your results

Burn rate: $0.00

Breakdown

Income	$0.00
Expenses	$0.00

Want to cut it down?

Free tool by

Share this article

What is the cash burn?

Cash burn refers to the rate at which a business consumes its available cash reserves to cover its operating expenses, investments, and debt repayments. It's a crucial metric for assessing a company's financial health and sustainability. Understanding your cash burn rate is essential for effective financial management, as it helps businesses plan for the future, secure funding, and make informed decisions. By calculating this rate, entrepreneurs and investors can gauge how long a company can operate before running out of cash, allowing them to take necessary actions to ensure the business remains solvent and on a path to profitability.

How do you calculate the cash burn rate?

Calculating the cash burn rate is relatively straightforward and involves a few simple steps. Here's a basic formula to help you calculate it:

Cash Burn Rate = Starting Cash Balance - Ending Cash Balance / Time Period

Starting Cash Balance:This is the amount of money a business earns after deducting all expenses, including cost of goods sold (COGS), operating expenses, interest, taxes, and any other relevant costs. Net profit is sometimes referred to as "bottom-line profit" because it represents the income that remains at the bottom line of the income statement.

Ending Cash Balance:This is the total income generated by a business from its sales of goods or services. Revenue is also known as sales or turnover.

Time Period:This represents the duration for which you want to calculate the cash burn rate, usually a month or a quarter.

Once you have these numbers, plug them into the formula, and you'll get your cash burn rate. The result will tell you how much cash your business is using up in a given period.

It's important to note that a negative cash burn rate indicates that your business is consuming more cash than it's generating, which might require you to secure additional funding or adjust your spending to maintain financial stability. Conversely, a positive cash burn rate means your business is generating more cash than it's using, which is generally a positive sign for financial health.

Find write-offs.
File taxes.

Mesha helps independent contractors and freelancers get connected with the best CPAs and file taxes.

Get started

Why is it important for businesses to track cash burn rate?

Tracking the cash burn rate is crucial for businesses for several reasons:

Financial Health Assessment: It provides a clear picture of a company's financial health, helping owners and investors gauge its sustainability.
Budgeting and Planning: Allows for accurate budgeting and financial planning, ensuring that the business can cover its operating expenses and investments.
Resource Allocation: Helps in making informed decisions about resource allocation, allowing businesses to prioritize spending and investments effectively.
Investor Confidence: Demonstrates fiscal responsibility to potential investors, increasing their confidence in the business and its ability to manage finances.
Funding Needs: Assists in determining when additional funding may be required to sustain operations or pursue growth opportunities.
Strategic Adjustments: Allows for timely adjustments in business strategies if the burn rate is unsustainable, preventing financial crises.
Profitability Timeline: Helps estimate how long it will take for the business to become profitable, aiding in long-term planning.
Risk Mitigation: Identifies financial risks early on, enabling proactive measures to mitigate these risks and ensure business continuity.
Operational Efficiency: Encourages a focus on operational efficiency and cost control to maintain a healthy cash position.

Frequently asked questions

What is a healthy cash burn rate?

A healthy cash burn rate varies depending on a company's growth stage and industry. For startups in the technology sector, where rapid growth is the norm, a higher burn rate might be acceptable, as long as it aligns with their strategy of capturing market share. Conversely, mature businesses or industries with longer product development cycles, like biotech, often maintain lower burn rates to ensure long-term sustainability and weather economic fluctuations without depleting their cash reserves.

What factors can impact my cash burn rate?

Your cash burn rate can be influenced by various factors.

Expenses: Higher operational or R&D costs can increase burn.
Revenue Fluctuations: Decreases in revenue affect cash flow.
Capital Investments: Large investments can spike cash outflows.
Financing Changes: Raising funds or paying off debt alters cash flow dynamics.

Managing these factors is crucial for maintaining a sustainable cash burn rate.

What should I do if my cash burn rate is unsustainable?

Consider securing additional funding, cutting costs, or adjusting your business strategy to ensure sustainability.

How often should I calculate my cash burn rate?

It's typically calculated monthly or quarterly, but the frequency may vary based on your business's needs.

What does a negative cash burn rate mean?

It indicates that the business is spending more cash than it's generating, which may require additional funding or cost-cutting.

Can cash burn rate vary for different industries?

Indeed, the cash burn rate can vary significantly across industries. Sectors like tech startups may prioritize rapid expansion, resulting in higher burn rates, while industries like pharmaceuticals or energy may have extended development timelines and require substantial capital, leading to lower burn rates. Understanding industry norms is vital for setting realistic financial expectations and strategies.

Get connected to vetted CPAs

Get a quote now

In this article