We bill to estimate. It’s as simple as that. No client wants to spend valuable time comparing the agency’s estimate to the actual invoice and then having to debate the agency’s justification for the hours billed. Though bill-to-estimate is uncommon in our industry, our systems are designed so that our estimates are accurately developed, and such that client requests for variances in scope of work can be identified prior to embarking on that variance without client approval for a budget revision.

And client retainer budgets are closely monitored and managed in partnership with the client so that the client is never presented an over-budget invoice after the fact, an experience clients say is common in the industry. We believe when we respect the client’s need for cost-control and profitability, the client respects our need for the same. Since any time spent on non-billable accounting questions subtracts from our firm’s financial performance, we consider the investment in our systems a win-win for the client and the agency.