You are here:

Advertising/agency retainer billing

Advertisement

Expert: - 11/18/2008


Question

sample BCR image


so I used your VERY helpful info to construct a BCR that I believe will suit our needs. I have attached it as a PDF to see if you agree with it. So basically I will get a contract signed for $36,000 of which $3,000 will be bill on a monthly basis. This will cover the in-between projects and help us stay ahead of the client.  

We will create an estimate for each project that the client will approve. At the end of each month we will provide the BCR report which shows the breakdown of what has bill invoiced and what work has been done on a monthly and annual basis.

is this the right way of doing it?

Answer
Far be it from me to say that there is a right or wrong way of doing it but what I see from your sample it is very much the same as what we do. It is simple clear and concise.

The retainer invoice goes out mid month - (in your example June 1 - I trust to allow for 30 day terms). The retainer is paid by the first of the following month (July 1st). In July another invoice for August retainer is sent - ($3,000. Account activity through the month (in your example July) is invoiced at the end of the month and sent to the client along with the BCR. This demonstrates where the money has been spent with any overages or shortfalls indicated.

We like to maintain a running total at the end of the BCR to indicate what is left in the annual budget.

Please ask for additional clarity if required.

thank you,

Pete

Advertising

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Peter Gabany

Expertise

Strategic planning: Objective based advertising, Ad creative, Writing, Photography - buying and making, Illustration - buying, Print, Outdoor, Event, Media, Media Planning, Broadcast, How to select an agency, What the client must provide, Pitching a client / being pitched

Experience

Over 25 years in the business - 22 years operating an agency. Creative direction and agency management.

Education/Credentials
RGD Ontario - www.rgdontario.com
CAAP - ICA
CPPP - ICA

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.