About Us
Barnridge Accountancy specialises in supporting ambitious marketing and communications agencies. Find out who we are, why we’re different and the value we can add to your business.
Finance support exclusively for agencies
Agency finances are rarely neat and predictable. Retainers fluctuate, projects overlap, scope creep is constant, and cash flow can be unsteady. That’s why agency owners need reliable, real-time financial data. At Barnridge Accountancy, we understand the pressures and can offer practical insights that make a real difference.
Who we are
- Established 2022
- Over a decade of past experience working with agencies
- An ICAEW member firm
- Chartered accountants with ACA and ACCA qualifications
- We serve agencies across the UK, with strong links to London and beyond
Our story
Our founder, Michael, noticed that too many agency owners were being let down by generalist accountants. Barnridge was founded to close that gap.
The decision was easy – agencies are amongst the most exciting businesses to support. The people are creative, ambitious, and driven, which are all values we share.
And as numbers people, we’re drawn to agency finances because they allow us to do our best work: tackling complexity, spotting opportunities and turning figures into useful commercial insight.
Our team is made up of experienced chartered accountants and bright new talent, so our clients know they are in capable hands.
Technology plays a big part in what we do because agency finances move quickly, and our clients need quick answers. As an L3 Certified Specialist Xero partner, we’re best placed to help you get the most out of this valuable software, including a live view of cash flow, invoices, bills and profit.
But Barnridge is not a faceless online firm. We value clear communication and strong, collaborative relationships. We talk to our clients regularly, get to know their agencies and are genuinely invested in their success.
Hi, I’m Michael, founder of Barnridge Accountancy
I became an accountant in 2008 and qualified as a chartered accountant in 2012. In my career, I’ve worked with and for marketing and comms agencies, both group and independent. So I know the pressures they are under and the concerns that keep agency owners up at night.
I founded Barnridge in 2022 because I could see a gap between what agencies needed from their accountants and what they were getting. We’ve had double-digit growth every year since, mainly due to strong client retention, and I’m proud of our achievements and the capable team we have become.
Why agencies? I’m a keen strategist. I enjoy getting under the skin of agencies, analysing numbers and trends, and giving advice with proper commercial context. It’s complex work, yet extremely rewarding.
My promise to you is simple: Clearer numbers. Stronger decisions. Dedicated support to help your agency grow.
Thanks for reading. If you want to know more, see my bio.
Connect with Michael on LinkedIn or email us.
Michael
Founder
How we make a difference
Most agency owners hire an accountant to handle compliance: accounts, tax returns, payroll. That’s table stakes. The real value comes from someone who can read your numbers in context — and tell you what they actually mean for your business.
You might hire an accountant to handle payroll, compliance and tax returns. But the real value comes from experts who understand your numbers in context and explain what they actually mean for your business. A specialist who can flag risks and opportunities to protect your margins and actively move your agency forward.
Because we work exclusively with agencies, we know what to look for. Which clients or projects are genuinely profitable once delivery time is factored in. Where cash flow pressure is building. Whether scope creep is quietly eroding your margin. Whether you’re in a position to hire, or whether the numbers say wait.
You won’t need to explain how your business works. We know the model and can add value from day one.
Helping agency owners ask the right questions
For many founders, the agency’s finances can feel like a moving target. Revenue looks healthy, but profit doesn’t follow. Cash is tight even when the pipeline looks full. And the cause is usually a combination of pricing, delivery costs, timing and billing that’s hard to unpick without the right data.
As your accountant, Barnridge can bring things into focus so you can begin to ask the right questions. Not “when is our tax return due”, but more commercial questions like:
- Are we charging enough?
- Which clients are most profitable?
- Are we making the most of industry tax benefits?
- Can we afford to hire?
- Why is there no cash if revenue looks good?
- What happens if we lose a major retainer?
As a Barnridge client, you’ll get regular conversations, reliable management information and an accountant who understands both the numbers and the context behind them.
Our work in action
A communications agency came to Barnridge with little visibility over its financial performance and no clear view of how much money it was owed.
Once we took over, the size of the debtor book became clear. We chased it down, rebuilt the bank balance and introduced monthly management information, forecasting and regular meetings with real agency insight.
We also moved the agency to cash accounting for VAT, so it stopped paying HMRC before clients had paid. Since then, the agency has grown significantly while protecting its margins.
“Michael has really helped transform the way we handle finances and use data to make better, more informed decisions. He’s meticulous, professional and insightful. Highly recommend!”
PJ Appleton
Co-founder, Bloxspring PR Agency
Let’s talk
Accounting and financial management for agencies is about far more than compliance. As your accountant, we can help you understand your data, protect your margins, manage cash and make commercially strong decisions.
We work with agencies across the UK, including marketing, PR, creative, communications and digital agencies. If your agency is growing, you’re facing challenges, or you just want clearer processes, get in touch.
Give us a call
020 3997 6165