Can this template be signed electronically?

Yes. Under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes, electronic signatures are valid when intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met.

Do I need a notary or witnesses?

Most fee agreements do not require notarization or witnesses, but state-specific documents like deeds or certain powers of attorney may require them. Verify with your state secretary of state.

What if the payer and payee have different names?

Ensure legal entity names match tax records. Mismatched names can trigger backup withholding, payment rejection, or tax reporting errors.

How long should I retain signed copies?

Retain signed fee agreements for at least three years for IRS purposes; retain longer for industry-specific rules (e.g., six years for HIPAA-related records).

Are electronic records admissible in court?

Yes. Electronic records and signatures are admissible if they meet ESIGN/UETA criteria and the record can be accurately reproduced for court proceedings.

Which authentication level should I use?

Choose authentication proportional to risk: email-only for low-value agreements, SMS or KBA for higher risk, and multi-factor or advanced signer authentication for sensitive or regulated transactions.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Management Fees Template

Business Management Fees Template

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT FEES AGREEMENT

This Business Management Fees Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into as of Effective Date: by and between Client Name: and Manager Name: .

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Manager provides business management, operational oversight, financial administration and related advisory services to businesses and undertakings, including but not limited to financial reporting, vendor management, and business process oversight; and

WHEREAS, Client desires to retain Manager to perform certain management services for Client's business on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties wish to define the scope of services, fee structure, terms of payment, confidentiality obligations and other material terms governing their relationship.

PARTIES' CONTACT INFORMATION

Client Address Manager Address

SCOPE OF WORK

Manager shall perform management and administrative services for Client as described below. Manager will exercise reasonable skill, care and professional judgment in the performance of such services.

Detailed Scope of Work

PAYMENT TERMS

Management Fee: Client shall pay Manager the Management Fee in consideration for the services set forth in this Agreement. The parties select the fee option and specify the amount or rate below.

Fee Structure

If Fixed Fee — Amount

If Percentage-Based — Rate

(Enter percentage as a number without the % symbol)

Payment Frequency (select all that apply)

Monthly Quarterly Annually Other:

Invoicing and Payment: Manager will submit invoices to Client. Payment shall be due within days of Client's receipt of each invoice. Late payments shall accrue interest as set forth below.

Late Fee: Any undisputed amount not paid when due shall incur a late fee of % per month (or the maximum allowed by applicable law, if lower), calculated monthly on the outstanding balance.

Reimbursable Expenses

Taxes and Withholding: All fees payable to Manager are exclusive of taxes. Client shall withhold taxes only as required by law and shall provide Manager with official documentation evidencing such withholding.

TERM AND TERMINATION

Term: This Agreement commences on Start Date: and continues until End Date: unless earlier terminated according to this Section.

Termination Without Cause: Either party may terminate this Agreement without cause by giving written notice to the other party at least days prior to the intended termination date.

Termination For Cause: Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach by the other party if such breach remains uncured thirty (30) days after written notice specifying the breach.

Effect of Termination: Upon termination, Client shall pay Manager for all services performed and expenses incurred up to the effective date of termination. Any pre-paid fees for services not yet rendered shall be refunded or credited as agreed in writing.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party acknowledges that during the performance of services it may receive Confidential Information of the other party. "Confidential Information" means non-public business, financial, technical and other proprietary information disclosed in any form. Each party shall (i) hold the other party's Confidential Information in strict confidence, (ii) not disclose it to any third party except to employees, agents or advisors who have a need to know and who are bound by confidentiality obligations at least as protective as those herein, and (iii) use Confidential Information only for purposes of performing under this Agreement. Confidential Information does not include information that (a) is or becomes generally available to the public other than by breach of this Agreement, (b) was lawfully known to the receiving party prior to disclosure, or (c) is independently developed without use of the disclosing party's Confidential Information.

INDEMNIFICATION

Each party agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other party and its officers, directors and employees from and against any claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from the indemnifying party's gross negligence or willful misconduct in performance of its obligations under this Agreement.

GOVERNING LAW; DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of , without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

Venue and Remedies: The parties agree that exclusive venue for any dispute shall be in the state and federal courts located in the governing jurisdiction referenced above, and the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals and communications, whether oral or written. Any amendment or modification of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by duly authorized representatives of both parties.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Relationship of Parties: Manager is an independent contractor. Nothing contained in this Agreement creates a partnership, joint venture or employment relationship between the parties.

Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

Client Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Manager Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Business Management Fees Template Is

A Business Management Fees Template is a standardized agreement used to record the fees, billing schedule, and scope of services between a business manager and a client or company. It defines fee types (flat, hourly, success-based), payment terms, invoicing cadence, expense reimbursements, and termination terms. Use this template to create clear, auditable fee arrangements that support accounting, tax reporting, and contract enforcement. The template can be delivered electronically, signed, and archived for regulatory and recordkeeping purposes under U.S. law.

Why a Clear Fees Template Matters

A well-constructed Business Management Fees Template reduces disputes by documenting amounts, billing triggers, and responsibilities in plain terms. It supports consistent invoicing and simplifies audits and tax reporting.

Who Typically Uses This Template

This template is used by small businesses, managers, and finance teams to document fee arrangements and billing processes.

Small business owners who outsource operations, bookkeeping, or management services and need clear invoicing rules.
Finance and accounting teams that require standardized fee language for consistent billing and audit trails.
Independent managers, consultants, and agencies who need a repeatable contract for client engagements.

Use this form when you require a repeatable, legally consistent record of fees that supports internal controls and tax compliance.

Step-by-Step: Filling the Template

Complete the template in a logical order to reduce omissions and ensure enforceability.

01

Identify Parties: Enter full legal names and contact details for each party.
02

Define Services: Outline specific deliverables, frequency, and responsibilities.
03

Set Fees: List fee types, rates, billing intervals, and tax treatment.
04

Sign and Date: Collect signatures, dates, and store the final executed copy.

Typical Routing and Approval Flow

Understanding the document flow helps ensure timely approval and payment processing.

Draft Preparation: Finance or manager drafts the template with fee details.
Internal Review: Legal or accounting reviews for compliance and tax implications.
Client Approval: Client reviews, negotiates, and signs the agreement.
Archival: Store the executed template in a secure records system.

Online Workflow Settings for Electronic Completion

Configure your digital workflow to capture required data, signatures, and an audit trail before sending for signature.

Field	Configuration
Signature Field	Set required for each signer; capture signer name and date.
Authentication	Use email link or SMS code; consider stronger KBA for high-value agreements.
Notifications	Enable reminders and completion emails to signers and internal stakeholders.
Storage	Automatically store signed copies and audit trails in your document repository.

Platform Considerations for eSigning and Distribution

Choose a platform that supports your authentication, compliance, and storage requirements.

File Formats: PDF and DOCX supported
Integrations: CRM and cloud storage connectors
Security Controls: TLS/AES encryption available

Ensure the chosen provider supports record retention, audit trails, and any industry compliance requirements such as HIPAA or 21 CFR Part 11 when applicable.

Essential Elements to Include in a Professional Template

Include these six elements to make the Business Management Fees Template complete, enforceable, and easy to audit.

Parties

Full legal names, business types, addresses, and authorized signers to ensure correct attribution and tax reporting.

Services

Precise description of services, milestones, and deliverables so fees and billing triggers are clearly justified.

Fees

Break out fee types, rates, billing cycles, and any success or incentive-based compensation with calculation examples.

Expenses

List reimbursable expenses, approval process, and supporting documentation required for reimbursement.

Billing Terms

Payment due dates, late fees, dispute process, and methods for issuing invoices and credit notes.

Termination

Termination rights, notice periods, final accounting, and any post-termination obligations or wind-up fees.

Security and Compliance Checklist

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest

Audit Trail: Detailed timestamps, IP, and action history

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 available

HIPAA: BAA required for PHI workflows

ESIGN/UETA: Compliant for legal enforceability

Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA support

Key Risks and Potential Penalties

Tax Penalties: 1099 fines (IRC §6721) possible

I-9 Violations: Paperwork fines under 8 CFR

HIPAA Breach: Civil penalties and corrective actions

Contract Dispute: Damages for ambiguous fee clauses

Invalid Signature: Enforceability risk without intent proof

Retention Failures: Regulatory fines for missing records

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Leaving payment milestones vague, which leads to disputes about when fees are owed and how they are calculated.
Failing to identify the billed party precisely, causing invoicing and tax-reporting mismatches with payer records.
Omitting expense approval procedures, which creates ambiguity on reimbursable items and triggers reimbursement conflicts.
Relying on initials or incomplete signature blocks instead of full dated signatures and signer identification, weakening enforceability.

eSignature Pricing and Feature Snapshot

A concise comparison of starting prices and key feature availability for common eSignature vendors. signNow is listed first per vendor ordering requirements.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	Yes, 7-day trial	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	No cap	No cap	No cap

Frequently Asked Questions — Practical Answers

Common user questions about completing, signing, and storing the Business Management Fees Template along with concise, compliance-focused answers.

Need help? Contact support

Can this template be signed electronically?
Yes. Under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA statutes, electronic signatures are valid when intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met.
Do I need a notary or witnesses?
Most fee agreements do not require notarization or witnesses, but state-specific documents like deeds or certain powers of attorney may require them. Verify with your state secretary of state.
What if the payer and payee have different names?
Ensure legal entity names match tax records. Mismatched names can trigger backup withholding, payment rejection, or tax reporting errors.
How long should I retain signed copies?
Retain signed fee agreements for at least three years for IRS purposes; retain longer for industry-specific rules (e.g., six years for HIPAA-related records).
Are electronic records admissible in court?
Yes. Electronic records and signatures are admissible if they meet ESIGN/UETA criteria and the record can be accurately reproduced for court proceedings.
Which authentication level should I use?
Choose authentication proportional to risk: email-only for low-value agreements, SMS or KBA for higher risk, and multi-factor or advanced signer authentication for sensitive or regulated transactions.

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