Agencies can be flat out and still not profitable. Between retainers, projects, contractors and pass-through ad spend, it’s easy to lose track of what actually makes money. We help you see it – and handle the contractor, GST and tax questions that come with the model.
Book a Chat Call (07) 5593 6060What we take care of for marketing and creative agencies:
Marketing and creative agencies look healthy when they’re busy – and busy is exactly when the numbers can hide a problem. Revenue comes from a mix of monthly retainers and one-off projects, the work is delivered by a blend of employees and contractors, and a big chunk of what passes through the bank is client ad spend that was never really yours. Add it all together and “we’re flat out” and “we’re profitable” turn out to be two completely different statements.
The model also creates two specific risks the ATO cares about. The line between a contractor and an employee – and the super, PAYG and payroll tax that follow – is blurrier in agencies than almost anywhere, and getting it wrong is expensive. And pass-through ad spend raises GST and agent-versus-principal questions that change how your BAS should look. Neither is hard once it’s set up right; both are costly if they’re not.
Margin tracked by client and project, with simple reports that show where the money actually comes from.
Contractor-vs-employee advice, payroll, STP and super set up so you’re on the right side of the rules.
Clean books with pass-through ad spend and GST handled correctly, and BAS lodged on time.
Tax planning, R&D incentive guidance where you qualify, and structuring for growth.
We set up your books so you can see profitability by client and project – not just total revenue – so the decisions about what to chase and what to drop are made on numbers, not gut feel.
Misclassifying a contractor who’s really an employee creates back-dated super, PAYG and payroll-tax exposure. We help you get it right up front, which is far cheaper than fixing it after an audit.
Between retainers and project milestones, agency cashflow is lumpier than it looks. We forecast it so the gaps between big projects are planned for, not survived.
Digital marketing agencies. SEO, paid media, social and performance agencies juggling retainers, contractors and pass-through ad spend.
Creative and design studios. Project-based work where job profitability and contractor management are the whole game.
Web and software-adjacent agencies. Builds and platforms where R&D, WIP and structure come into play.
Freelancers scaling into agencies. Sole operators taking on contractors and staff, where structure and payroll suddenly matter.
A free chat about the agency, your numbers and where you want to be.
We look at your project and retainer profitability, your contractors and your books, and tell you what we find.
A clear scope and a fixed fee, agreed up front.
Books, BAS, payroll and tax handled, with profitability you can actually see by client and project.
Plain-English help, written by our team.
General information only – not financial or legal advice. Licensing rules, awards, thresholds and tax rules change; confirm current requirements or speak to us before acting on anything you read here.
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