The SaaS Academy
Review

Advanced SaaS Finance and Metrics Training for Operators, CFOs, and Founders

Hard
  • Last updated 03/06/2025
by Ben Murray

What you'll learn ? Overview

We spent considerable time analyzing The SaaS Metrics Foundation Live, Ben Murray's flagship finance training for SaaS professionals. What caught our attention immediately was the instructor's credentials, over 25 years in finance and accounting, including 9 years specifically as a SaaS CFO, backed by degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder and an MBA from the University of Iowa.

The course runs as a 5-week live cohort with sessions twice per week, focusing exclusively on the financial metrics that matter most in SaaS businesses. We found the curriculum centers around Murray's "5 Pillar SaaS Metrics Framework," which promises to help participants avoid costly financial mistakes while making data-driven growth decisions.

What sets this apart from typical online courses is its laser focus on real-world application. The program covers forecasting, understanding key SaaS metrics like ARR, churn, CAC, and LTV, operational reporting, and how to present these numbers to both internal teams and investors. Participants don't just learn theory, they receive templates and frameworks they can immediately implement in their businesses.

We noticed the course targets a specific audience: SaaS operators, finance professionals, and founders who need to master financial metrics for scaling. It's not a general business course or a basic accounting primer, it's advanced training for those already working in or running SaaS companies who need to level up their financial acumen.

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Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Intermediate (Some Foundational Knowledge Recommended)

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Time commitment

moderate Moderate (5–10 Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Live (Engaging Sessions With Instructors Or Peers)

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Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Ideal for SaaS professionals ready to master financial metrics, including CFOs, finance managers, operators, and founders who need to understand their numbers at a deeper level. Not suitable for complete beginners to SaaS or those seeking general business training.

Instructor

Ben Murray

The SaaS CFO and Financial Planning & Analysis Expert Legitimacy Score: 9/10
Ben Murray, known as 'The SaaS CFO,' is a seasoned finance professional with over 25 years of experience running finance teams. He specializes in SaaS (Software as a Service) finance, providing valuable insights, courses, and templates to his 40,000 dedicated subscribers. Murray's expertise spans Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), strategic finance, and SaaS metrics, making him a sought-after consultant for both small private technology firms and global multi-billion dollar public companies.
Murray's career journey includes pivotal roles such as Manager of FP&A at A.D.A.M., Inc., a fitness company, and Director of Financial Planning & Analysis at Pinnacle Airlines Corp. His transition to the SaaS sector has been marked by significant contributions to the field, including the creation of comprehensive resources for SaaS finance professionals. Murray's background in FP&A, which he considers 'the key to strategic finance,' has been instrumental in shaping his approach to SaaS financial management.
• Developed the number one website for SaaS finance (thesaascfo.com)
• Amassed a following of 40,000 dedicated subscribers
• Recognized as a leading authority in SaaS financial management
• Created widely-used SaaS finance courses and templates
• Consulted for a range of companies, from startups to multi-billion dollar public firms
• Featured guest on FP&A Today podcast, Episode 26
• Regularly contributes expert insights to SaaS finance webinars and online events
• Participates in industry conferences focused on SaaS metrics and financial strategies
Ben Murray cultivates a robust digital footprint, regularly sharing SaaS finance insights across various platforms. He frequently publishes in-depth articles and analysis on his website, thesaascfo.com, covering topics such as SaaS metrics, financial modeling, and strategic planning. His content resonates strongly with finance professionals in the tech industry.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration35
  • 📶 DifficultyHard
  • ⌛ Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

Working knowledge of SaaS business models and basic financial concepts strongly recommended


💻 Requirements

Laptop/desktop computer, reliable internet connection, spreadsheet software


💸 Hidden Costs

Excel or Google Sheets required for exercises and templates (most professionals already have these)


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Live Q&A during cohort sessions, email support, access to course materials and recordings

Course content

  • Module 1: Foundations of SaaS Metrics – Key Definitions, Why Metrics Matter, Building Your Metrics Dictionary
  • Module 2: The 5 Pillar SaaS Metrics Framework – Deep dive into ARR, Churn, CAC, LTV, Unit Economics
  • Module 3: Forecasting and Modeling – Building robust SaaS forecasts, scenario planning, sustainable growth models
  • Module 4: Financial Operations – Daily, monthly, and quarterly reporting best practices, dashboard creation
  • Module 5: Board and Investor Reporting – Presenting metrics to stakeholders, creating compelling financial narratives
  • Module 6: SaaS Benchmarks and Case Studies – Real-world analysis, industry comparisons, practical applications
  • Module 7: Implementation Workshop – Templates, tools, and step-by-step guides for immediate use

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Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

Reviews from verified participants show strong satisfaction with the depth of content and Ben Murray's teaching style, though the course has limited mainstream awareness outside SaaS finance circles.

Praised points

  • Exceptional depth of knowledge on SaaS-specific financial metrics
  • Clear, concise explanations of complex financial concepts
  • Immediately applicable templates and frameworks for real business use

Criticisms

  • High price point may exclude early-stage founders on tight budgets
  • Narrow focus on finance won't help with product or marketing challenges
  • Limited interaction opportunities outside the 5-week cohort window

Testimonials

"Very impressed with the detail, quality of answers and depth of knowledge!" – Karen L.

"Ben was fantastic at explaining the concepts in a clear and concise manner." – Direct Feedback

"This is the first place I have seen such depth and quality in SaaS metrics." – Karen L.

"Awesome job, Ben. The course is very relevant to SaaS CFO's, controllers and owners." – Peter

"I gained the depth of how to develop the key metrics and the understanding of how to use them." – Student Feedback

Social insights

We found minimal discussion on Reddit or Quora about this specific course, which suggests it serves a niche professional audience rather than the broader startup community. The few mentions we discovered were from SaaS finance professionals who spoke positively about Murray's expertise.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The promise of "advanced SaaS finance training" aligns perfectly with the delivered content. We verified Murray's credentials and found his 25+ years of experience and SaaS CFO background support the expertise claimed.

Price History

No evidence of frequent discounts or price manipulation. The course maintains consistent pricing at $1,950.

Upsell Practices

Refreshingly, we found no aggressive upselling. Other courses exist on the platform but aren't pushed as required additions.

Student Success

Verified testimonials from Karen L., Peter, and others describe tangible improvements in understanding and applying SaaS metrics. These aren't wild income claims but realistic professional development outcomes.

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

The SaaS Academy's portal provides stable access to live sessions and recorded content. While not cutting-edge, it serves its purpose effectively.

Content Accessibility

Live sessions include recordings for later review. Templates and frameworks are downloadable for ongoing use.

Mobile Compatibility

Portal accessible via mobile browsers, though spreadsheet work naturally favors desktop use.

Technical Requirements

Standard internet connection sufficient for video sessions. Excel/Google Sheets proficiency helps maximize value.

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

We found no significant complaints about course quality or instructor credibility during our research. The primary concern raised by prospective students centers on the price point relative to other finance courses.

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Refund policy issues

The refund policy isn't explicitly detailed on the course website. Prospective students need to contact support for specific terms, which we consider a minor transparency issue for a course at this price point.

😬

Marketing practices

The marketing focuses on realistic outcomes ("better financial decision-making," "understand your metrics") rather than get-rich-quick promises. We appreciate this honest approach.

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Community feedback

No evidence of unethical behavior or student exploitation. Murray maintains a solid reputation in SaaS finance circles.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $1,950, this course sits in the mid-ticket range but delivers high-ticket value for its specific audience. We found the combination of Murray's expertise, practical frameworks, and lifetime access to materials justifies the investment for SaaS professionals who will apply these skills regularly. The ROI becomes clear when you consider how improved financial understanding can prevent costly mistakes or improve fundraising outcomes.

Conclusion

After thorough analysis, we can confidently say The SaaS Metrics Foundation Live is a legitimate, high-quality course that delivers on its promises. Ben Murray brings genuine expertise backed by decades of experience, and the course content specifically addresses real challenges faced by SaaS finance professionals and founders. While the $1,950 price point isn't trivial, it's reasonable for specialized professional development that can directly impact business performance. The lack of public refund policy details is our only real concern, but this doesn't overshadow the course's strong fundamentals. If you're a SaaS professional who needs to master financial metrics, this course offers substantial value. Just ensure you have the foundational knowledge and time commitment to maximize your investment.

FAQs about this course

No, it's designed for those already working in SaaS who need to deepen their financial metrics expertise. Basic understanding of SaaS business models is essential.

You receive lifetime access to all recordings and downloadable templates after completing the cohort.

Yes, all sessions are recorded. However, attending live provides the best experience for Q&A and interaction with Ben Murray.

This course focuses exclusively on SaaS-specific metrics like ARR, churn, CAC, and LTV, not general accounting or finance.

Excel or Google Sheets is required for working with the provided templates and completing exercises.

Refund policy details aren't publicly listed. Contact their support team to discuss specific terms before enrolling.

Plan for 5-10 hours per week including live sessions, reviewing materials, and applying concepts to your business.

Yes, the course includes specific modules on investor reporting and presenting metrics to stakeholders effectively.

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The SaaS Academy Review
$ 1 950
Total score: 8,2/10 ⭐
  • Duration35
  • DifficultyHard
  • Release Date01/2024
  • Format Enum.course_Format.cohort or Workshop
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
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The SaaS Academy Review