Marketing Agencies
Specialist accountancy, audit & tax support for creative and marketing businesses
Marketing agencies operate in a fast‑moving environment, often with retainer complexities, project‑based revenues and other intricacies that can lead to compliance pitfalls. To stay competitive, you need accountants who understand how agencies actually work, and not just generic compliance.
At Brebners, we’ve supported marketing, digital, advertising and creative agencies for decades. Whether you’re a growing boutique agency or a well‑established group, our specialist team can help you to stay financially organised, compliant with regulations, and tax efficient.
Why Choose Brebners
✔ Industry expertise
As experienced accountants for marketing agencies, we understand the nature of your business, from pitch‑to‑payment cycles, to use of freelancers, sometimes volatile cash flow, and revenue recognition complexities.
✔ Support for all types of business
We work with marketing and related businesses from small agencies to larger well-known names (one with over 40 million Instagram followers!). Clients we support include:
- Digital marketing agencies
- Social media and content agencies
- Creative, branding & design studios
- Advertising & communications agencies
- Influencer and talent‑management agencies
- PR & media agencies
✔ We move with the times
Accountancy is sometimes seen as a tired, stuffy industry. Brebners are forward-looking and in touch with new technologies. We leverage our knowledge of digital industries and use cutting-edge secure technologies in our dealings with you. We can also introduce you to the latest cloud accounting systems and advise on transition between accounting systems.
✔ Dedicated, partner‑led service
We’re large enough to have specialists in all areas - tax, payroll, audit, corporate finance and more - but small enough that you always receive a personal service and quick answers. Our team will speak your language and offer jargon-free advice.
How We Help Marketing Agencies
Accounting & Financial Management
- Monthly or quarterly management accounts
- Cash flow forecasting
- Cloud accounting setup and bookkeeping
- Payroll services
Tax & Compliance
- Corporation tax planning and compliance, including applicable reliefs
- VAT advice including issues around digital services
Audit & Assurance
- Statutory audits where required
- Ad-hoc assurance work and reviews of systems and controls
- Due diligence for agencies preparing to acquire or be acquired
In the words of Alice Regester, Director of social, PR and influencer marketing agency 33Seconds Limited:
“Working with Brebners has been a pleasure from the beginning. Their relaxed, plain speaking, considered approach gave us the confidence we needed to launch our company and their ongoing professional support has allowed us to grow steadily; comfortable in the knowledge that our business affairs are being kept in perfect order”.
For more testimonials, see Testimonials
Ready to Talk?
If you're looking for accountants for marketing agencies who understand your industry, your challenges and your ambitions, our specialist team is here to help.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation discussion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone can call themselves an accountant. Qualified accountants who understand your sector and the nuances and common pitfalls in the associated financial reporting are best placed to offer you constructive advice and often, the best value service. Marketing agencies often have unique challenges, for example with respect to revenue recognition and the value of intellectual property. Specialist insight helps you stay both profitable and compliant.
Work must be recognised in financial statements when it is carried out, or sometimes when it is delivered, depending on the specifics of the arrangements in place with your customers. This rarely corresponds to the dates the services are invoiced. Our team can help you to be compliant with accounting standards and put systems in place to recognise revenue at the appropriate time.
It is crucial for accounting and financial reporting services to determine whether marketing agencies act as principal or agent in the services they provide, under the strict definitions in the relevant accounting framework. We can help you make this distinction as the accounting treatment can be very different. Marketing agencies commonly acquire or develop intellectual property or other intangible assets – how and when the associated costs are recognised and how they are subsequently treated is a complex area that Brebners can advise on. For assistance with these and many more areas that we might identify when we learn about your business, reach out to us today.
Yes. Many of our agency clients began as small teams. We help set up efficient financial systems and support growth.
Yes, Brebners can assist with due diligence, valuation support and improving financial clarity ahead of a transaction.
For more information, please contact: