AvidXchange is a great Indie Agency News partner. Sponsoring our first-ever Indie Agency News Top 40, AvidXchange is committed to helping independent agencies better understand the opportunites to use automation for marketing campaigns and finance operations.
We spent time with Brian Frazier of AvidXchange and Vince Dong, a seasoned agency finance consultant, to explore the evolving financial landscape for independent agencies.
With insights from AvidXchange’s recent survey and real-world examples, the discussion highlights how agencies can harness automation and AI to streamline operations, improve cash flow, and unlock efficiency. Dong and Frazier emphasize the importance of technology in transforming agency operations, sharing practical advice for navigating digital transformation while addressing challenges like trust and adaptability. “Flat is the new up,” says Frazier, illustrating the growing need for smarter tools in an ever-changing industry.
Watch the full video below or click on the heading links to jump to a specific section of the conversation.
AvidXchange’s Role in Supporting Indie Agencies
AvidXchange focuses exclusively on supporting independent agencies with financial automation tools designed to streamline accounts payable processes. Their solutions reduce manual work, improve cash flow management, and enhance security, allowing agencies to focus more on growth and client relationships.
Current Financial Challenges for Indie Agencies
Key challenges include managing cash flow, revenue generation, and client acquisition. Agencies are increasingly focused on leveraging technology to address these challenges, particularly in light of rising costs and the pressure to maintain profitability. Dong highlights the importance of understanding client-level profit and loss metrics to optimize efficiency.
2025 Financial Trends for Agencies
Agencies are prioritizing automation and AI to create efficiencies and measure ROI. AvidXchange’s survey reveals that 91% of agencies are exploring or already using AI. However, many are still figuring out how to measure its effectiveness and integrate it into workflows while maintaining trust and security.
How Automation Can Transform Agency Operations
Automation tools like AvidXchange reduce manual processes, such as accounts payable, from hours to minutes. This not only improves accuracy and security but also frees up staff to focus on strategic tasks. Dong underscores how agencies can repurpose time saved through automation for data analysis and revenue-generating activities.
Why Trust Is a Concern in Automation
Agencies worry about the security of financial data and potential loss of control when transitioning to automated systems. AvidXchange addresses these concerns by ensuring robust safeguards against errors, fraud, and inefficiencies, demonstrating that automation can enhance, not compromise, financial processes.
How Agencies Should Start Their Digital Transformation
Dong and Frazier advise agencies to start small, focusing on one area of improvement, such as automating accounts payable or invoice ingestion. Building a step-by-step roadmap allows agencies to gradually adopt technology, creating measurable efficiencies without overwhelming their operations.
Opportunities Arising from Industry Shifts
The merger of major holding companies like Omnicom and IPG may lead to talent shifts, with experienced professionals opting to start their own independent agencies. Dong predicts an influx of new indie agencies driven by relationships and the desire for autonomy, creating new opportunities for growth and innovation in the space.
Why Agencies Should Embrace Financial Automation
Financial automation allows agencies to streamline processes, reduce costs, and enhance scalability. It also enables leaders to shift their focus from manual tasks to strategic decision-making, setting the foundation for long-term growth in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Like all Indie Agency News preferred partners, AvidXchange has several members as clients, which validates their impact in the independent agency community. To get in touch with AvidXchange, hit us up here. We’re happy to introduce you!
Doug Zanger is the founder and editor-in-chief of Indie Agency News. He is also the founder of the Creative Bohemian consultancy, lives in the Pacific Northwest and is insufferable about it.
