Marketing Agency Invoice Example
A retainer plus ad-spend invoice for a monthly programme.
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| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategy and account management retainer | 1 | $3,500.00 | $3,500.00 |
| Paid social management (12 percent of spend) | 1 | $1,440.00 | $1,440.00 |
| Creative production, 6 ad sets | 6 | $180.00 | $1,080.00 |
| Ad spend, reimbursed at cost | 1 | $12,000.00 | $12,000.00 |
Ad spend is passed through at cost and shown separately. Management fee is 12 percent of managed spend. Net 15.
A marketing agency invoice bills for a monthly programme: strategy and account management, channel work, creative production, and often ad spend passed through at cost. The pass-through is the part clients scrutinise, so it belongs on its own line, clearly separated from the agency's fees.
What a marketing agency invoice should include
- Your agency name and contact details
- The client and the billing period
- The retainer or management fee
- Channel work, such as paid social management
- Creative production as its own line
- Ad spend, shown separately at cost
- Payment terms and details
How to itemise the work
Keep three things distinct: your fees, your creative production, and any ad spend you pass through. If your management fee is a percentage of managed spend, state the percentage. Showing ad spend at cost on its own line builds trust, because the client can see exactly what went to the platforms versus what came to you.
Typical rates by region
| Region | Typical billing |
|---|---|
| United States | $2,000 to $10,000 per month retainer |
| United Kingdom | £1,500 to £8,000 per month |
| Eurozone | €1,800 to €9,000 per month |
| Canada | C$2,500 to C$12,000 per month |
| Australia | A$3,000 to A$14,000 per month |
Indicative ranges for guidance. Your rate depends on experience, location and the job.
Tax and compliance
Agency services are taxed like other professional services, with VAT in the UK and EU for registered firms. Ad spend that you pass through at cost is a recharge, and how tax applies to a recharge depends on your local rules and how the platform billed you, so confirm the treatment with your accountant.
Payment terms
Retainers are usually billed at the start of the month. Ad spend may be billed in advance or reconciled in arrears depending on the arrangement. Net 15 is common. Separating fees from pass-through spend keeps the relationship transparent and the invoice easy to approve.
Frequently asked questions
How should I show ad spend on the invoice?+
Put ad spend on its own line at cost, clearly labelled as a pass-through, and keep your management fee separate. Clients accept a management fee readily when they can see it is calculated on the spend rather than hidden inside it.
Percentage of spend or flat retainer?+
A flat retainer gives the client a predictable cost and suits steady programmes. A percentage of managed spend scales with the account and suits clients whose budgets move up and down. Many agencies combine a base retainer with a percentage on the spend above a threshold.
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Use this exampleLast reviewed July 2026
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