A note before you read: ABFI is on this list, and we wrote it. We've used the same criteria for every option, said who each one fits better than us, and linked to each provider's own site.
Agencies don't usually have messy books. They have books that are tidy and still can't answer the one question that matters: which clients actually make us money? That's the test for any service on this list.
What an agency needs from a bookkeeping service
| Need | Why it matters | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Profit by client | Your biggest client might be your least profitable | "Show me a client profitability report you produce." |
| Retainer handling | Advance billing shouldn't inflate this month's revenue | "How do you record retainers billed in advance?" |
| Pass-through costs | Media spend can double revenue on paper | "How do you treat client ad spend?" |
| Delivery vs overhead | Gross margin is meaningless if salaries aren't split | "How do you split salaries in the P&L?" |
| Freelancer tracking | Freelancers are a delivery cost and need their records kept straight | "How do you track contractors?" |
| Monthly close with review | Mistakes caught before you make hiring decisions | "Who reviews the books?" |
Background reading: agency profit by client, a chart of accounts for agencies and contribution margin vs gross margin for agencies.
The shortlist
1. ABFI Accounting: best for growing agencies that want profit by client every month
- What it is: an outsourced accounting department with a dedicated agencies and consultancies playbook: client profitability, retainer and pass-through handling, a locked monthly close and controller review.
- Pricing: starting points from $850 a month, with a planning range from the pricing estimator [1].
- Better fit elsewhere if: you're a solo consultant or a two-person studio with a handful of clients. A lower-cost service will do. ABFI doesn't prepare taxes.
2. Pilot: best for venture-backed agencies and startups
- What it is: a US bookkeeping, tax and CFO services company focused on startups and growing businesses [2].
- Pricing: tiered by monthly expenses; reviewers describe annual billing [3]. Check Pilot's pricing page for current numbers.
- Watch for: ask how they handle client profitability and pass-through media. See Pilot alternatives.
3. Bookkeeper360: best for small agencies wanting bookkeeping plus add-ons
- What it is: an online bookkeeping firm working in QuickBooks Online and Xero, with add-ons such as payroll and advisory [4].
- Pricing: published monthly plans plus add-ons [4][5].
- Watch for: confirm they'll split delivery and admin salaries and track client profitability. See Bookkeeper360 alternatives.
4. Supporting Strategies: best for agencies that want a local office
- What it is: outsourced bookkeeping and controller services through franchised local offices [6].
- Pricing: monthly packages quoted by the local office [6].
- Watch for: agency experience varies by office. Ask about retainers and pass-through costs.
5. A bookkeeper who specializes in agencies: best for owners who want a niche specialist
- What it is: independent bookkeepers and small firms that only serve agencies.
- Strengths: they speak your language: utilization, retainers, scopes.
- Watch for: capacity and review. See freelance bookkeeper vs accounting firm.
Side by side
| Option | Profit by client | Retainers and pass-through | Reviewed monthly close | Pricing model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABFI Accounting | Yes | Yes | Yes, controller review | Flat monthly, from $850 |
| Pilot | Ask | Ask | Ask | Tiered by monthly expenses |
| Bookkeeper360 | Ask | Ask | Ask | Published plans plus add-ons |
| Supporting Strategies | Ask your office | Ask your office | Controller services offered | Monthly packages |
| Agency-specialist bookkeeper | Usually | Usually | Depends | Hourly or flat |
"Ask" means the provider's public pages didn't confirm it, not that they can't do it.
How to choose
- Count your clients and your people. Under five clients and no employees? A simple service is fine. More clients, staff and freelancers? You need client profitability.
- Ask the six questions in the table above.
- Ask for a sample client profitability report, with names removed.
- Check who reviews the books.
More questions: questions to ask an outsourced accountant.
Running the books yourself? See the best accounting software for agencies. Solo consultants should also read accounting for consultants.
Keep reading
- Agency accounting: profit by client
- Chart of accounts for marketing agencies
- Best accounting software for agencies
Sources
- ABFI Accounting, Pricing, www.abfiaccounting.com/pricing. Checked November 6, 2026.
- Pilot, company website, pilot.com. Checked November 6, 2026.
- NerdWallet, "Pilot Bookkeeping Review: Pricing, Features, Alternatives", www.nerdwallet.com/business/software/learn/pilot-bookkeeping. Checked November 6, 2026.
- Bookkeeper360, company website and pricing page, www.bookkeeper360.com. Checked November 6, 2026.
- NerdWallet, "Bookkeeper360 Review: Pricing, Features, and Top Alternatives", www.nerdwallet.com/business/software/learn/bookkeeper360. Checked November 6, 2026.
- Supporting Strategies, company website, www.supportingstrategies.com. Checked November 6, 2026.
Questions owners ask
What's different about agency bookkeeping?
Agencies need profit by client, correct handling of retainers billed in advance, pass-through costs kept out of real revenue, and salaries split between delivery and overhead.
How much does bookkeeping cost for a marketing agency?
From a few hundred dollars a month for basic online services to well over a thousand for a service with client profitability and a reviewed close. Number of clients, staff and transactions drive the price.
Should client ad spend count as agency revenue?
It's usually best to keep it separate, either as pass-through revenue and cost or through the balance sheet, depending on your contracts. Your real revenue is what you keep.
Can a bookkeeping service show profit by client?
Yes, if they track time or allocate delivery costs to clients and use projects or classes in your accounting software. Ask to see a sample report.
Do I need a separate CPA?
Yes, for taxes. ABFI does the books and hands them to your CPA.
Want to know which clients actually pay?
ABFI's complimentary Business Accounting Diagnostic shows what your books can and can't tell you about client profitability today.