--- title: "Remote controller review for marketing agencies & consultancies" description: "Remote controller review for marketing agencies & consultancies: senior controller review of the close, policies and controls — without a full-time hire." url: https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/agencies/controller-services/ updated: 2026-09-11 publisher: LedgerBPO (SS Support Network LLC) language: en-US --- # Remote controller review for marketing agencies & consultancies An outsourced controller for marketing agencies & consultancies reviews what the bookkeeper posts and turns the numbers into decisions: whether a retainer is priced below its delivery cost, when to draw on the credit line before a media-heavy month, and how the deferred revenue and WIP balances should be presented to a lender or acquirer. - Since 2020 - US · UK · CA · AU - Named accountant plus backup - Your software, no lock-in [Get a custom quote](https://ledgerbpo.com/get-a-quote/) [Book a 20-minute call](https://ledgerbpo.com/book-a-call/) Updated September 2026 ## How it runs for marketing agencies and consultancies Our controller review sits above the dedicated accountant, owns the CloseTrack sign-off, sets accounting policy for pass-throughs under ASC 606 or IFRS 15, and joins your monthly management call. You get controller-level judgment inside your QuickBooks Online or Xero file without a controller salary. ## What are outsourced controller services? Outsourced controller services provide the review layer that sits between bookkeeping and the owner: a senior accountant who checks the close, owns the accounting policies, tests the controls around cash and spending, and explains the financial statements. The controller does not do daily posting. They make sure what was posted is right and documented before anyone relies on it. ## What we handle for marketing agencies and consultancies - Review and sign off every month-end close under Two-Tier Review - Set and document gross versus net policy for media pass-throughs - Model cash needs ahead of media-heavy months and retainer renewals - Prepare lender and acquirer packs with deferred revenue and WIP explained - Run the monthly management call on margin by client and pricing ## The KPI that matters here Controller review completed and management call held within 10 business days of month-end. ## Agencies compliance notes ### 1099 contractor reporting Agencies rely on freelancers, and the IRS requires Form 1099-NEC for nonemployee compensation above the annual threshold, which is $2,000 for payments made in 2026. We collect W-9s at vendor setup, code every contractor payment, and hand your preparer a reconciled 1099 report each January. Your firm reviews and files; we do not sign. ### Retainers and deferred revenue A retainer billed before the service period is a liability until the work is delivered. We keep a deferred revenue schedule that releases each retainer to income as hours are logged or the month ends, so your P&L matches the work actually performed. ### WIP and unbilled revenue Work delivered but not yet invoiced is an asset that lenders and buyers ask about. We reconcile unbilled hours from Harvest or your PM tool against the ledger monthly, so WIP is real, aged and collectible. ### Gross versus net for media ASC 606 and IFRS 15 ask whether the agency is principal or agent for media it buys on a client's behalf. We apply the treatment your CPA or accountant chooses and keep the pass-through account reconciled to platform statements so the answer is documented. ## Agencies software we work in - [QuickBooks Online](https://ledgerbpo.com/software/quickbooks-online/) - [Xero](https://ledgerbpo.com/software/xero/) - [Stripe](https://ledgerbpo.com/software/stripe/) - [Bill.com](https://ledgerbpo.com/software/bill-com/) - [Gusto](https://ledgerbpo.com/software/gusto/) - [Expensify](https://ledgerbpo.com/software/expensify/) - [Dext](https://ledgerbpo.com/software/dext/) - Harvest - [All 50 platforms](https://ledgerbpo.com/software/) ## More for marketing agencies and consultancies Other services for agencies - [Bookkeeping](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/agencies/bookkeeping/) - [Invoicing and billing](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/agencies/invoicing-and-billing/) - [Accounts receivable](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/agencies/accounts-receivable/) - [Accounts payable](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/agencies/accounts-payable/) - [Bank reconciliation](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/agencies/bank-reconciliation/) - [Month-end close](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/agencies/month-end-close/) - [All agencies services](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/agencies/) Controller services in other industries - [Auto repair shops & dealerships](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/auto/controller-services/) - [Behavioral health practices](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/behavioral-health/controller-services/) - [Daycares, schools & education](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/childcare-education/controller-services/) - [Clinical laboratories](https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/clinical-labs/controller-services/) - [The full controller services page](https://ledgerbpo.com/services/controller-services/) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the difference between your bookkeeper and your controller review? The dedicated accountant posts, reconciles and closes; the controller reviews the close, sets policy and interprets the numbers. The controller signs off CloseTrack, decides how retainers and media are presented, prepares lender packs and leads the management conversation. Most agencies between $2M and $15M in fees need a few controller hours a month rather than a full-time hire. ### Can the controller help with agency pricing? Yes, by showing delivery cost per retainer and per project from reconciled payroll, freelancer and time data. The controller does not set your prices, but the monthly review makes clear which accounts fall below your target margin and by how much. Owners typically use that to reprice at renewal or adjust scope. ### Do you prepare financials for an agency sale or investment? We prepare the reconciled financial pack: consistent revenue recognition for retainers and media, normalized margins, deferred revenue and WIP schedules, and a bridge from cash to accrual figures. Your CPA, M&A adviser or the buyer's accountants perform the diligence and any formal quality-of-earnings work; we give them clean numbers to work from. Next step ## Books closed. Invoices paid. Every month. Tell us what is going on with your books or billing. You will hear from a named person within 1 business day, with a custom quote and a plan for the first close. - Reply from a named person within 1 business day - No setup fee, month-to-month - Your software, your data, no lock-in Start with a custom quote [Get a custom quote](https://ledgerbpo.com/get-a-quote/) [Book a 20-minute call](https://ledgerbpo.com/book-a-call/) Or call [+1-657-777-0006](tel:+16577770006) during US, UK or Australian business hours. --- Source: https://ledgerbpo.com/industries/agencies/controller-services/ · Contact: https://ledgerbpo.com/contact/ · Full site map for agents: https://ledgerbpo.com/llms.txt