In working with agencies, we know how important it is to explain finance clearly and cut through the jargon. Our FAQ page brings together answers to the questions founders ask us most – from how our outsourced finance department works, to what makes us different, and why having a Virtual FD can change the way you run your agency.
An outsourced finance team is like having an accounting department and Financial Director on your team, without the hassle and cost of building one in-house.
At Rocksteady, we don’t just handle bookkeeping or payroll. We run your finance function proactively and work collaboratively with you. We become an integrated part of your agency helping you with everything from bookkeeping, credit control, supplier payments to preparing financial reports, payroll and forecasting. Ultimately, we work alongside you to make better decisions and support you in building a sustainable and profitably agency.
If you’re running an ambitious agency and you’ve outgrown a simple bookkeeper, the answer is yes.
We recommend an outsourced finance department for agencies looking for growth and bespoke financial support that caters for their agency requirements. Outsourcing is perfect for companies looking for a committed partner to help them grow and thrive.
At Rocksteady we specialise in working only with agencies and are a team of committed financial experts who understand the patterns, pressures, and pitfalls of the agency model.
We don’t just show up at year-end with a set of accounts – we’re with you every month, helping you set goals, install better processes, track performance, and make strategic decisions with the future in mind.
Business finances can be stressful and overwhelming, causing worry over monthly expenses and profitability. When you outsource, that stress goes away, along with the following benefits:
Hiring in-house sounds appealing, but it’s expensive, time-consuming, and rarely the right move for agencies under £5m turnover. To cover finance properly you’d need multiple roles – bookkeeper, credit controller, management accountant, and a Finance Director. Most agencies don’t have the scale or budget for that, but they still need the expertise.
With Rocksteady, you get access to the same level of capability – from day-to-day finance ops through to board-level financial direction – without the overheads, recruitment headaches, or risk of staff turnover. Instead of building a team in-house, you plug straight into a fully operational finance department with a Virtual FD leading the way.
It’s faster, more cost-effective, and built to scale as your agency grows – so you get the support you need now, and the strategic guidance to take you where you want to go.
Because we’re not generic accountants. We’re agency finance specialists. We’ve built our whole business around helping marketing, creative, and PR agencies grow profitably.
We are committed to helping your agency achieve your growth ambitions and we have created a four-pillar framework which we work from that consistently yields results.
We don’t just manage your numbers; we become part of your leadership team – straight-talking, proactive, and focused on results.
Don’t just take our word for it – see what other agency founders say about working with us.
We use best-in-class accounting and finance tech to keep everything streamlined, accurate, and scalable. Our stack includes:
We’re always testing and refining our toolkit. The finance world moves fast, and we make sure our clients benefit from the smartest, most efficient tools available.
It depends on the size of your agency and the scope of support, but most clients are fully up and running within 2-6 weeks.
We always start with kick-off meetings to understand your priorities and agree a plan for the first three months. As part of onboarding, we complete the necessary KYC/AML checks and then get to work setting your finance function up for success.
In those first weeks, we’ll:
You won’t be left to figure things out on your own. From day one, our team is hands-on, keeping you supported, making sure your team knows what’s changing, and showing you real progress within the first month.
Our support is tailored to your agency, so costs depend on your size, complexity, and whether you need the full outsourced finance department, a Virtual FD, or both.
Most of our clients spend less than the cost of one full-time finance hire, but get the benefit of an entire team plus a Finance Director on call. Some start with outsourced finance operations and add FD support as they grow; others come straight in at a higher level when scaling past £1m.
What we can promise is this: whatever the level, our job is to make sure your investment in finance pays back through better margins, fewer surprises, and smarter decisions.
Rocksteady’s Agency Confidential, is an invitation into the world of finance.
Each edition opens up conversations about what really drives profit, stability, and value of your business. From pricing and cash flow to the hard choices behind scaling, we share the insights that spark better decisions and more confident leadership.
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About Rocksteady
Rocksteady delivers flexible outsourced finance for ambitious agencies. We are specialised, strategic and straight-talking providing clarity and direction through the financial ups and downs.
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Rocksteady’s Agency Confidential, is an invitation into the world of finance.
Each edition opens up conversations about what really drives profit, stability, and value of your business. From pricing and cash flow to the hard choices behind scaling, we share the insights that spark better decisions and more confident leadership.
