Workiva Inc. Announces First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

  • Increased Q1 2025 subscription & support revenue by 20% over Q1 2024
  • Total revenue of $206 million in Q1 2025, representing 17% year-over-year growth
  • Repurchased $40 million of Class A common stock under the 2024 share repurchase plan
  • Customers with annual contract value over $500,000 grew 32% year-over-year

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2025-- Workiva Inc. (NYSE:WK), the platform that powers transparency, accountability, and trust, today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

"We kicked off the year with solid revenue growth as we continue to see broad-based demand across our solution portfolio. CFOs trust Workiva to be the platform that drives performance and productivity," said Julie Iskow, President & Chief Executive Officer. "We remain focused on the execution of our growth strategy and productivity initiatives. We believe that we have the competitive differentiation and focused execution to continue to deliver on our 2025 and longer-term targets."

"Workiva delivered better than expected top and bottom line first quarter results," said Jill Klindt, Chief Financial Officer. "Subscription revenue grew by 20%, and contracts valued over $500 thousand dollars were up 32% year-over-year. We are holding our 2025 revenue outlook unchanged, and remain confident in our long-term market opportunity."

First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

  • Revenue: Total revenue for the first quarter of 2025 reached $206 million, an increase of 17% from $176 million in the first quarter of 2024. Subscription and support revenue contributed $186 million, up 20% versus the first quarter of 2024. Professional services revenue was $21 million, flat from the first quarter of 2024.
  • Gross Margin: GAAP gross margin was 76.6% versus 76.4% in the first quarter of 2024. Non-GAAP gross margin was 78.7% compared to 77.7% in the first quarter of 2024.
  • Operating Margin: GAAP operating margin for the first quarter of 2025 was (12.0)% compared to (10.3)% in the prior year's first quarter. Non-GAAP operating margin was 2.4% compared to 3.4% in the first quarter of 2024.
  • GAAP Net Loss: GAAP net loss for the first quarter of 2025 was $(21) million compared with a net loss of $(12) million for the prior year's first quarter. GAAP net loss per basic and diluted share was $(0.38) compared with a net loss per basic and diluted share of $(0.21) in the first quarter of 2024.
  • Non-GAAP Net Income: Non-GAAP net income for the first quarter of 2025 was $8 million compared with non-GAAP net income of $13 million in the prior year's first quarter. Non-GAAP net income per basic share and diluted share in the first quarter of 2025 was $0.15 and $0.14, respectively, compared with non-GAAP net income per basic share and diluted share of $0.23 and $0.22, respectively, in the first quarter of 2024.
  • Liquidity: As of March 31, 2025, Workiva had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling $767 million, compared with $816 million as of December 31, 2024. Workiva had $71 million aggregate principal amount of 1.125% convertible senior notes due in 2026, $702 million aggregate principal amount of 1.250% convertible senior notes due in 2028, and $14 million of finance lease obligations outstanding as of March 31, 2025.

Key Metrics and Recent Business Highlights

  • Customers: Workiva had 6,385 customers as of March 31, 2025, a net increase of 311 customers from March 31, 2024.
  • Retention Rate: As of March 31, 2025, Workiva's gross retention rate was 97%, and the net retention rate was 110%. Net retention includes changes in both solutions and pricing for existing customers.
  • Large Contracts: As of March 31, 2025, Workiva had 2,079 customers with an annual contract value (“ACV”) of more than $100,000, up 23% from 1,696 customers at March 31, 2024. Workiva had 439 customers with an ACV of more than $300,000, up 32% from 332 customers in the first quarter of 2024. Workiva had 191 customers with an ACV of more than $500,000, up 32% from 145 customers in the first quarter of 2024.
  • Share Repurchase Plan: On July 30, 2024, our board of directors authorized a share repurchase plan for up to $100 million of our outstanding Class A common stock. During the first quarter of 2025, Workiva purchased approximately 462,000 shares for $40.1 million under the plan. As of March 31, 2025, $59.9 million remains available under the plan for future share repurchases.

Financial Outlook

While the prevailing environment provides elevated levels of uncertainty, as of May 1, 2025, Workiva is providing guidance as follows:

Second Quarter 2025 Guidance:

  • Total revenue is expected to be in the range of $208 million to $210 million.
  • GAAP operating margin is expected to be approximately (14.8)%.
  • Non-GAAP operating margin is expected to be approximately break-even.
  • GAAP net loss per basic share is expected to be approximately $(0.50) using 56.1 million shares.
  • Non-GAAP net income per diluted share is expected to be approximately $0.05 using 57.6 million shares.

Full Year 2025 Guidance:

  • Total revenue is expected to be in the range of $864 million to $868 million.
  • GAAP operating margin is expected to be in the range of (9.1)% to (8.6)%.
  • Non-GAAP operating margin is expected to be in the range of 5.0% to 5.5%.
  • GAAP net loss per basic share is expected to be in the range of $(1.07) to $(1.00) using 56.4 million shares.
  • Non-GAAP net income per diluted share is expected to be in the range of $1.02 to $1.09 using 59.7 million shares.
  • Free cash flow margin is expected to be approximately 10%.

Quarterly Conference Call

Workiva will host a webcast today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to review the Company’s financial results for the first quarter 2025, in addition to discussing the Company’s outlook for the second quarter and full year 2025. The call can be accessed by dialing 1-833-630-1956 (U.S. domestic) or 1-412-317-1837 (international). Additionally, a live webcast and replay will be available at https://investor.workiva.com/news-events/events.

About Workiva

Workiva Inc. (NYSE: WK) powers transparency, accountability, and trust. Finance, accounting, sustainability, risk and audit teams from more than 6,000 organizations worldwide rely on Workiva for their mission-critical work. We transform how customers connect data, unify processes, and empower teams in a secure, audit-ready, AI-powered collaborative platform. Learn more at workiva.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The non-GAAP adjustments referenced herein relate to the exclusion of stock-based compensation and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP historical financial measures has been provided in Table I at the end of this press release. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP guidance has been provided in Table II at the end of this press release.

Workiva believes that the use of non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin, non-GAAP income (loss) from operations, non-GAAP net income (loss), non-GAAP net income (loss) per share, free cash flow and free cash flow margin is helpful to its investors. These measures, which are referred to as non-GAAP financial measures, are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. Workiva’s management uses these non-GAAP financial measures as tools for financial and operational decision making and for evaluating Workiva’s own operating results over different periods of time.

Non-GAAP gross margin is the ratio calculated by dividing non-GAAP gross profit by revenues. Non-GAAP gross profit is calculated by excluding stock-based compensation expense attributable to cost of revenues from gross profit. Non-GAAP income (loss) from operations is calculated by excluding stock-based compensation expense and amortization expense for acquisition-related intangible assets from loss from operations. Non-GAAP net income (loss) is calculated by excluding stock-based compensation expense, net of tax and amortization expense for acquisition-related intangible assets from net loss. Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing non-GAAP net income (loss) by the weighted- average shares outstanding as presented in the calculation of GAAP net loss per share. Because of varying available valuation methodologies, subjective assumptions and the variety of equity instruments that can impact a company’s non-cash expenses, Workiva believes that providing non-GAAP financial measures that exclude stock-based compensation expense allows for more meaningful comparisons between its operating results from period to period. For business combinations, we generally allocate a portion of the purchase price to intangible assets. The amount of the allocation is based on estimates and assumptions made by management and is subject to amortization. The amount of purchase price allocated to intangible assets and the term of its related amortization can vary significantly and are unique to each acquisition and thus we do not believe they are reflective of ongoing operations.

Free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure, represents cash flow from operating activities less purchase of property and equipment. Free cash flow margin is calculated by dividing free cash flow by total revenue. We consider free cash flow and free cash flow margin to be liquidity measures that provide useful information to investors about the amount of cash generated or used by the business.

Non-GAAP financial measures may not provide information that is directly comparable to that provided by other companies in Workiva’s industry, as other companies in the industry may calculate non-GAAP financial results differently. In addition, there are limitations in using non-GAAP financial measures because the non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies and exclude expenses that may have a material impact on Workiva’s reported financial results. Further, stock-based compensation expense has been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant recurring expense in Workiva’s business and an important part of the compensation provided to its employees. The presentation of non-GAAP financial information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Investors should review the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures included below, and not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate Workiva’s business.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbor created thereby. These statements relate to future events or the Company’s future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of the Company or its industry to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. In particular, statements about the Company’s expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, future events or future performance contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "outlook," "guidance," "target," "goal," "project," "continue to," "confident," or the negative of those terms or other comparable terminology.

Please see the Company’s documents filed or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s annual reports filed on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and any amendments thereto for a discussion of certain important risk factors that relate to forward-looking statements contained in this report. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While the Company believes these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. These and other important factors may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

WORKIVA INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 Three months ended March 31,
  2025   2024 
 (unaudited)
Revenue   
Subscription and support$185,512  $154,979 
Professional services 20,768   20,688 
Total revenue 206,280   175,667 
Cost of revenue   
Subscription and support (1) 34,062   27,927 
Professional services (1) 14,280   13,596 
Total cost of revenue 48,342   41,523 
Gross profit 157,938   134,144 
Operating expenses   
Research and development (1) 53,780   45,495 
Sales and marketing (1) 101,671   82,633 
General and administrative (1) 27,237   24,299 
Total operating expenses 182,688   152,427 
Loss from operations (24,750)  (18,283)
Interest income 8,747   10,455 
Interest expense (3,195)  (3,232)
Other (expense) income, net (233)  86 
Loss before provision for income taxes (19,431)  (10,974)
Provision for income taxes 1,940   713 
Net loss$(21,371) $(11,687)
Net loss per common share:   
Basic and diluted$(0.38) $(0.21)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted 56,157,533   54,915,852 
        
(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows:
 Three months ended March 31,
 2025 2024
 (unaudited)
Cost of revenue   
Subscription and support$2,433 $1,601
Professional services 996  727
Operating expenses   
Research and development 6,050  4,641
Sales and marketing 9,751  8,038
General and administrative 8,658  8,000
WORKIVA INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
 March 31, 2025 December 31, 2024
 (unaudited)  
Assets   
Current assets   
Cash and cash equivalents$242,024  $301,835 
Marketable securities 525,000   514,585 
Accounts receivable, net 118,620   148,433 
Deferred costs 51,184   50,914 
Other receivables 9,308   10,276 
Prepaid expenses and other 28,161   22,199 
Total current assets 974,297   1,048,242 
Property and equipment, net 21,485   21,825 
Operating lease right-of-use assets 12,341   11,786 
Deferred costs, non-current 51,456   54,858 
Goodwill 199,724   196,844 
Intangible assets, net 26,031   27,389 
Other assets 8,300   7,525 
Total assets$1,293,634  $1,368,469 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit   
Current liabilities   
Accounts payable$14,761  $7,747 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 93,495   126,508 
Deferred revenue 438,513   457,608 
Finance lease obligations 570   562 
Total current liabilities 547,339   592,425 
Convertible senior notes, non-current 765,501   764,891 
Deferred revenue, non-current 33,104   29,681 
Other long-term liabilities 238   227 
Operating lease liabilities, non-current 9,845   9,441 
Finance lease obligations, non-current 13,342   13,488 
Total liabilities 1,369,369   1,410,153 
Stockholders’ deficit   
Common stock 56   56 
Additional paid-in-capital 655,377   672,363 
Accumulated deficit (729,054)  (707,683)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (2,114)  (6,420)
Total stockholders’ deficit (75,735)  (41,684)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit$1,293,634  $1,368,469 
WORKIVA INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
 Three months ended March 31,
  2025   2024 
 (unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities   
Net loss$(21,371) $(11,687)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities   
Depreciation and amortization 2,893   2,522 
Stock-based compensation expense 27,888   23,007 
Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts 12   (123)
Accretion of premiums and discounts on marketable securities, net (1,695)  (3,749)
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs 610   608 
Deferred income tax (64)  (295)
Changes in assets and liabilities:   
Accounts receivable 30,636   36,947 
Deferred costs 4,093   1,405 
Operating lease right-of-use assets 1,329   1,426 
Other receivables 994   194 
Prepaid expenses and other (5,653)  (2,273)
Other assets (648)  (1,090)
Accounts payable 6,651   4,726 
Deferred revenue (18,438)  (17,526)
Operating lease liabilities (831)  (987)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (33,764)  (8,261)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (7,358)  24,844 
Cash flows from investing activities   
Purchase of property and equipment (763)  (203)
Purchase of marketable securities (102,965)  (116,567)
Maturities of marketable securities 94,614   129,640 
Sale of marketable securities    4,609 
Purchase of intangible assets (19)  (31)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (9,133)  17,448 
    
Cash flows from financing activities   
Proceeds from option exercises 631   302 
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards (12,922)  (8,611)
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan 7,535   7,113 
Repurchases of Class A common stock (40,118)   
Principal payments on finance lease obligations (138)  (129)
Net cash used in financing activities (45,012)  (1,325)
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash 1,889   (1,107)
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (59,614)  39,860 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 302,350   256,721 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period$242,736  $296,581 
 Three months ended March 31,
 2025 2024
 (unaudited)
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash to the consolidated balance sheets   
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$242,024 $296,066
Restricted cash included within prepaid expenses and other at end of period 712  515
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows$242,736 $296,581
TABLE I
WORKIVA INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP INFORMATION
(in thousands, except share and per share)
 Three months ended March 31,
 2025 2024
Gross profit, subscription and support$151,450  $127,052 
Add back: Stock-based compensation 2,433   1,601 
Add back: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles 909    
Gross profit, subscription and support, non-GAAP$154,792  $128,653 
    
Gross profit, professional services$6,488  $7,092 
Add back: Stock-based compensation 996   727 
Gross profit, professional services, non-GAAP$7,484  $7,819 
    
Gross profit$157,938  $134,144 
Add back: Stock-based compensation 3,429   2,328 
Add back: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles 909    
Gross profit, non-GAAP$162,276  $136,472 
    
Cost of revenue, subscription and support$34,062  $27,927 
Less: Stock-based compensation 2,433   1,601 
Less: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles 909    
Cost of revenue, subscription and support, non-GAAP$30,720  $26,326 
    
Cost of revenue, professional services$14,280  $13,596 
Less: Stock-based compensation 996   727 
Cost of revenue, professional services, non-GAAP$13,284  $12,869 
    
Research and development$53,780  $45,495 
Less: Stock-based compensation 6,050   4,641 
Less: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles 495   890 
Research and development, non-GAAP$47,235  $39,964 
    
Sales and marketing$101,671  $82,633 
Less: Stock-based compensation 9,751   8,038 
Less: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles 447   412 
Sales and marketing, non-GAAP$91,473  $74,183 
    
General and administrative$27,237  $24,299 
Less: Stock-based compensation 8,658   8,000 
General and administrative, non-GAAP$18,579  $16,299 
    
Loss from operations$(24,750) $(18,283)
Add back: Stock-based compensation 27,888   23,007 
Add back: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles 1,851   1,302 
Income from operations, non-GAAP$4,989  $6,026 
GAAP operating margin (12.0)%  (10.3)%
Non-GAAP operating margin 2.4%  3.4%
    
Net loss$(21,371) $(11,687)
Add back: Stock-based compensation 27,888   23,007 
Add back: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles 1,851   1,302 
Net income, non-GAAP$8,368  $12,622 
    
Net loss per basic and diluted share:$(0.38) $(0.21)
Add back: Stock-based compensation 0.50   0.42 
Add back: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles 0.03   0.02 
Net income per basic share, non-GAAP$0.15  $0.23 
Net income per diluted share, non-GAAP$0.14  $0.22 
    
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic, non-GAAP 56,157,533   54,915,852 
Effect of potentially dilutive securities 2,322,617   1,436,720 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted, non-GAAP 58,480,150   56,352,572 
    
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities$(7,358)  24,844 
Purchase of property and equipment (763)  (203)
Free cash flow$(8,121) $24,641 
Free cash flow margin (3.9)%  14.0%

TABLE II

WORKIVA INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP GUIDANCE

 Three months ending June 30, 2025 Year ending December 31, 2025
      
GAAP operating margin (14.8)%  (9.1)%  (8.6)%
Add back: Stock-based compensation 13.9%  13.3%  13.3%
Add back: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles 0.9%  0.8%  0.8%
Non-GAAP operating margin %  5.0%  5.5%
      
Net loss per basic share, GAAP range$(0.50) $(1.07)-$(1.00)
Add back: Stock-based compensation 0.52   2.03   2.03 
Add back: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles 0.03   0.12   0.12 
Effect of potentially dilutive securities    (0.06)  (0.06)
Net income per diluted share, non-GAAP range$0.05  $1.02 -$1.09 
      
Weighted-average common shares used in calculating GAAP earnings per share, basic 56,100,000   56,400,000   56,400,000 
Weighted-average common shares used in calculating non-GAAP earnings per share, diluted 57,600,000   59,700,000   59,700,000 

 

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Investor Contact:
Katie White
Workiva Inc.
investor@workiva.com

Media Contact:
Mandi McReynolds
Workiva Inc.
press@workiva.com