Finance
Agency finance: the numbers that decide the year, from margin and utilization to unbilled work, in practical guides and notes written by operators.
Guides
When to hire at a marketing agency (and when to let someone go)
When to hire at a marketing agency: the utilization, retainer load and pipeline triggers, the payback math on a new seat, and the signs pointing the other way.
Oct 2, 2026GrowthMarketing agency KPIs and benchmarks: the 10 numbers that run the business
The marketing agency KPIs that run the business: ten numbers with formulas, healthy ranges, warning thresholds, a worked scorecard and the fix when one slips.
Oct 2, 2026GrowthHow to scale a marketing agency past the seven figure plateau
How to scale a marketing agency from under $1M to $10M+: what breaks at each revenue stage, the hires that free the founder and the numbers to review monthly.
Oct 2, 2026GrowthHow marketing agencies are valued, and how to build one worth buying
Marketing agency valuation explained: SDE vs EBITDA, add-backs, multiples by size, earnouts and the drivers that move the price, with a two-year worked example.
Oct 2, 2026GrowthClient concentration risk: when one client is too much of your agency
Client concentration risk for agencies: measure top client share and a simple index, know the 20% and 50% flags, and dilute a big account over 18 months.
Oct 2, 2026GrowthCash flow management for marketing agencies: profitable on paper, short on payroll
Cash flow management for agencies: why a profitable shop runs short before payroll, how to read DSO, build a 13-week forecast and size a cash reserve.
Sep 3, 2026ProfitabilityClient profitability for marketing agencies
How to measure client profitability from contracted revenue and absorbed labor cost, with worked tables, benchmarks and what to do with a loss-making account.
Blog posts
Project accounting for marketing agencies: see margin per client, not per company
Project accounting for marketing agencies: the five numbers to track per client, a worked example, software options and a monthly review routine.
Sep 14, 2026ProfitabilityAgency profitability: hours × rate is lying to you
Hours times rate books free work as revenue and hides idle. How agencies calculate real retainer margin, and what Agency Management Software must show.
Aug 25, 2026InvoicingInvoicing for marketing agencies: the four billing models
Retainers in advance, pre-paid overages, hourly in arrears and media pass-through on one invoice, with a sample invoice, terms and dunning schedule.