How Much Should Agencies Expect to Pay for Clean Books, Clear Reports and Financial Control?

More Than Just Bookkeeping

If you're running a creative or digital agency, you've probably asked: "How much should I actually be paying for financial support?" But the real question is:

What are you paying for?

Are you paying someone to tick compliance boxes? Or are you investing in a financial system that helps you grow with clarity and confidence?

This article breaks down the typical pricing landscape from bare-bones bookkeeping to strategic financial partnerships and helps you understand what’s right for your agency’s stage.

The Three Levels of Financial Support (And What They Cost)

1. Basic Compliance & Bookkeeping
✔️ Transaction entry
✔️ Bank reconciliations
✔️ VAT returns
✔️ Year-end accounts for Companies House

💸 Typical Cost: £300–£700/month
🛠️ Tools: Xero or QuickBooks + manual categorisation
📊 What’s missing: Forward-looking data, reporting you understand, proactive advice

Perfect for: Solopreneurs or micro-agencies (<£250k turnover)

2. Management Reporting & Cashflow Clarity
✔️ Monthly management accounts
✔️ 12-week rolling cashflow forecasts
✔️ KPI dashboards and trend analysis
✔️ Support interpreting your numbers

💸 Typical Cost: £800–£1,800/month
🛠️ Tools: Xero + Dext + Fathom/Float/Syft
📊 What’s missing: Strategic financial planning, board-level input, pricing/margin advice

Perfect for: Growing agencies (£250k–£1.5m) wanting to get a handle on performance

3. Strategic Financial Control & Advisory Support
✔️ Board-ready reports and reviews
✔️ Scenario planning and margin analysis
✔️ Pricing strategy and hiring runway analysis
✔️ Profit improvement support + strategic reviews

💸 Typical Cost: £1,800–£3,500/month
🛠️ Full financial stack, proactive partnership
📊 What you get: A virtual CFO-level presence without hiring one

Perfect for: Scaling agencies (£1.5m+) or growth-focused founders who want strategic control

What Drives the Cost Up (or Down)?

Costs vary, but here’s what affects your monthly fee:

• Cleanliness of your data - Messy books cost more to maintain

• Speed of reporting - Do you want books closed by the 5th of the month?

• Number of bank accounts, platforms, currencies

• Frequency of support - Weekly vs monthly check-ins

• Level of insight - Bookkeeping vs advisory vs CFO-level input

It’s not about overpaying, it’s about getting what you need for where you are now (and where you’re headed).

Why Agencies Overpay for Underwhelming Support

Many agencies pay £500–£700/month and think they’re “sorted” but they:

• Don’t understand their reports

• Still feel in the dark on cashflow

• Have no idea if they’re pricing profitably

Meanwhile, founders spend hours interpreting vague reports or second-guessing decisions.

💡 Here’s the truth: Cheap finance support often costs more in missed profit, wasted time, and risky decisions.

What High-Value Support Feels Like

When you invest in proper financial control:

• You stop chasing your accountant for answers

• You get reports that make sense and lead to action

• You know what’s coming, not just what happened

• You finally feel in control of your agency’s financial future

It’s not just about numbers. It’s about confidence.

Final Thoughts: What Should You Be Paying?

Here’s a quick gut-check:

• <£250k turnover? Basic bookkeeping with quarterly reviews is fine

• £250k–£1.5m? You need cashflow forecasting and monthly insights

• £1.5m+? It’s time for real financial strategy and board-level reviews

The right level of support isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about freeing you up to focus on growth, knowing your financial engine is solid.

Not sure where your agency fits or what level of support you need? Book a discovery call — we’ll help you map it out with no pressure.