Credit control for marketing agencies means billing retainers in advance, splitting projects into staged payments, never funding client media spend from your own cash, and chasing overdue invoices consistently. Agencies that automate reminders and escalate quickly get paid faster without the account team having awkward money conversations with clients.
Agencies sell time and ideas, and both are spent before the invoice goes out. When a client pays 60 or 90 days late, the agency has already paid salaries, freelancers and often media costs on the client's behalf.
The relationship side makes it harder. Account managers do not want to chase the people they are trying to keep happy. This guide sets out how marketing, creative, PR and digital agencies in the UK can protect cash flow while keeping client relationships strong.
Bill retainers in advance and stage project payments.
Never fund client media spend from agency cash.
Include PO numbers and meet supplier portal rules so invoices are not rejected.
Move chasing away from account managers to a consistent process.
Agency clients are businesses, so statutory interest and compensation apply.