Introducing subscription management

In an increasingly consumer-centric world, subscription services and billing have become popular across all industries. The use of pricing strategies, traditionally associated with the software industry, has spread to every sector, from healthcare to transport and beyond.

This guide will shed light on subscription pricing strategies, what to look for in subscription management software, and share resources that will help you better manage or implement recurring billing.

The complete guide to subscription management

Who should read this guide?

Anyone interested in improving subscription management, implementing best practices for recurring billing, remaining compliant with ASC 606, or reaping the benefits of flexible pricing strategies.

What exactly is subscription management?

Subscription management is often used interchangeably with subscription billing or recurring billing. However, it's important to make a distinction as billing simply refers to the managing of payments. In contrast, subscription management is much broader concerning payments and renewals, best practices, revenue and expense recognition, and accounting compliance.


Recurring billing guide

Subscription billing models VS traditional billing models

Some companies still rely on a more traditional approach to billing models, which is perhaps more suited to bricks and mortar transactions. Today, it makes sense to take a more flexible approach to billing. In the table below, we explore the most common pros and cons of subscription management compared to more traditional models.

Subscription billing models

Pros

  • Attract a wider range of customers
  • Predictable recurring revenue
  • Increases return on Customer acquisition costs
  • Easier to make data-based decisions

Cons

  • Tricky to choose the right model
  • Complying with ASC 606/IFRS 15
  • May initially require a lot of trial and error
  • Need to invest in tools or software to run smoothly

Traditional billing models

Pros

  • Customers pay upfront
  • Transactions are straightforward
  • Homogenous customer base
  • Few opportunities to inspire customer loyalty

Cons

  • Data can be hard to interpret
  • Inaccurate forecasting of future revenue
  • Customer acquisition can be expensive
  • Hard to accurately report on customers

Subscription billing metrics

Your churn metrics are a good litmus test for business health and viability. Happy customers will continue their subscriptions, but there may be elements of your service that need tweaking if you have a high churn rate.

A couple of additional resources:

  1. Check out our blog on subscriber churn metrics for a complete guide with examples.
  2. Use our blog on acquisition and retention metrics to get a clearer picture of other key figures to keep an eye on for company growth.


Revenue recognition, deferrals and compliance with ASC 606

What is revenue recognition?

It is a generally accepted accounting principle (GAAP) referring to how you recognize revenue. Regardless of when money lands in an account, the revenue only counts when the product or service is delivered and accepted. It helps companies identify what is actual revenue and what is a liability and should be deferred revenue.

What is deferred revenue?

Deferred revenue refers to payments that are recognized later. You should only ever recognize revenue when the entire revenue-generating process is complete, i.e. you must not recognize revenue until the contract's performance obligation has been met and accepted.


Other resources for rev rec, deferrals and ASC 606 compliance
Everything you need to know about ASC 606 for SaaS companies →
Understanding revenue recognition for subscription billing →
BT Conferencing effortlessly manage over 10,000 deferral accounts →

What to look for in subscription management software

If you're in the market for subscription management software, you may be overwhelmed by your options. The easiest way to differentiate between solutions is to use a checklist of features. Many cheaper options will only handle the billing side of subscription management, and most companies will require something more comprehensive.

Features can vary widely across platforms. It's essential to fully understand which features your company needs if you intend to scale operations. Check out our blog on the necessary features you should look for in your recurring billing software.

Recommended read: Understanding the difference between accounting software and subscription billing software

Subscription Billing Suite

Subscription management software for pricing, billing, invoicing, revenue recognitions and beyond. Take your data from unknown to actionable with real-time reports that cover all of your revenue streams. Powered by a robust engine for managing complex pricing and billing models, Subscription Billing Suite is a sure-fire way to making better-informed business decisions.

Actionable insights in a centralized system
  • Purpose-built recurring revenue and forecasting reports.
  • Audit-friendly reporting for revenue and expense deferrals.
  • Handle complex billing scenarios as you scale across new markets and channels.
  • Scale with confidence knowing you’re always ahead of changing tax rules and compliance requirements.


Subscription management solutions for Microsoft Dynamics

Subscription management case studies

OTC saves 15 days per month on financial statements
QTS save 11 days on end-of-month close cycles
BT Conferencing effortlessly manage over 10,000 deferral accounts
Ibexa modernizes its offerings with streamlined subscription management
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