Seven points of utilisation and thirteen points of recovery cost this six-person floor £125,268 a year without a single discount agreed
Utilisation and Recovery Calculator
One leak is hours that never reach a timesheet, the other is billed hours written down to keep a client happy. Put your headcount, target and realised rates in and see both in cash, so you know which one is worth fixing first.
Utilisation and Recovery Calculator
The two leaks that explain most struggling agencies: hours that never bill, and billed hours that bill below the card.
Why these two numbers run the agency
The demo team misses its utilisation target by seven points: 739 hours a year that never bill, £56,364 at the realised rate. Not one invoice was discounted; the hours simply never existed on a timesheet.
The second leak hides inside the billed hours: a £700 card realising £610 is 87 per cent recovery, and across the year the writedowns cost £68,904. Free amends, scope drift and quiet discounts all live here.
Together the two leaks pass £125,000 a year for a six-person floor, which is more than any new-business win of the season. Measure weekly, name the causes, and the Retainer Over-Servicing Calculator prices the biggest one.
Take the workbook
Both leaks in Excel, per person and per year, with the causes worth naming.
Download the workbookFAQs
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.
We provide bookkeeping, VAT returns, payroll, tax filings, annual accounts, and advisory services — tailored to freelancers, SMEs, and ecommerce businesses.
Yes. Every client works with a named accountant who knows your business inside out. You’ll never deal with call centres — just direct, personal support.
We’re certified partners with Xero and QuickBooks. Our digital-first approach means you’ll always have real-time access to your financial data.
We offer fixed monthly packages with no hidden fees. Pricing depends on your business size and the level of support you need — but you’ll always know exactly what you’re paying for.
Absolutely. We handle VAT, corporation tax, self-assessments, and payroll tax. We also manage HMRC correspondence on your behalf to ensure you never miss a deadline.
No. While many of our clients are London-based, we also support businesses across the UK and ecommerce sellers worldwide through our cloud-based systems.
RESOURCES
Fresh takes on business and accounting.
Trading profit is split on a time basis. Interest, rent, gains, donations and dividends each follow their own rule, and mixing them up misstates both accounting periods.
A long period of account needs two separate capital allowances computations, and since April 2026 they are not even calculated at the same writing down rate.
Company law allows accounts to run for 18 months; corporation tax never allows an accounting period longer than 12. Here is how the split is drawn.
CONTACT
Get in touch

