KPI: Monthly vs. 12-Month Moving Average

Kpi video 300 x 250
The true picture of your business revenue can be obscured by seasonal variations. This handy tip using Microsoft Excel can help you view your growth over time.
Measuring your revenue month-to-month can be misleading because of seasonal fluctuations. It can be difficult to know if your revenue is growing and by how much. In this KPI (key performance indicator) video, we use a 12-month moving average to show how you can get a clearer picture of how your company is doing.

   

FAQs

Q: What is moving average?

A: Moving average is a management measure that helps a residential cleaning company understand performance, compare periods, and make better operating decisions.

Q: How do you calculate moving average?

A: Use consistent data from the same reporting period, apply the formula described in the article, and document which revenue, clients, jobs, or employees are included so results remain comparable.

Q: Why does moving average matter to a cleaning business?

A: It connects day-to-day activity to profitability, capacity, retention, or growth and can reveal problems before they become visible in the financial statements.

Q: How often should a cleaning company review this KPI?

A: Review it at least monthly. High-velocity measures such as revenue, leads, jobs, labor, and staffing may also need weekly monitoring.

Q: What should owners do when this KPI worsens?

A: Confirm the data first, identify the operational driver behind the change, assign one corrective action to an owner, and monitor the next several reporting periods before drawing conclusions.

Author

  • Tom Stewart headshot

    Tom Stewart is a CEO and industry thought leader focused on scaling residential cleaning businesses through strategy, systems, and leadership development, translating complex concepts into actionable frameworks. With his wife Janice Stewart, he co-owns Castle Keepers, the first company to achieve CIMS certification. Tom is the founder and CEO of MaidCentral Software, the leading business management platform for professional home cleaning companies in North America, and the founding editor and publisher of Cleaning Business Today. Learn more at TomStewart.com.

    Founder and CEO
  • Cleaning business software for success and profits 8 1
  • Modern cleaning skyscraper
  • Gusto skyscraper
  • Issa 26 digital ads cbt april 300x700 1
  • Cleaning business software for success and profits 7
Cleaning Business Today - The magazine for the cleaning industry
  • 300px x 250px sidebar ad medium 1
  • Gusto giftcard ad 1 scaled
  • Pt iaqfilter c3 putdustwhereitbelongs 300x250
  • Cleaning business software for success and profits 5
  • Issa 26 digital ads cbt april 300x250 1
  • Pt iaqfilter c2 keepdustallergensatbay 300x250
  • Cleaning business software for success and profits 6
  • Responsiblock1.2