Why is a signature required?

A signature documents approval and accountability. It links the preparer and approver to the report and creates an auditable record for internal control and external review.

Can the report be e-signed?

Yes. Under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states, electronic signatures are legally valid when intent, consent, attribution, and retention are met.

What if data changes after signing?

Treat the signed copy as final. If changes are needed, create a revised version, document the reason for amendment, and obtain fresh approvals with new signatures and timestamps.

How do I fix mismatched names?

Correct preparer or approver names to match legal records. Mismatched names can impede audits and may trigger re-signing or formal attestations.

Which authentication is recommended?

Use at least email plus an additional verification method (SMS code or SSO) for approvers. Stronger authentication improves non-repudiation and audit defensibility.

How long should I keep signed reports?

Follow your retention policy: generally retain for at least three years, longer if tax, HIPAA, or contract obligations apply; consult legal for specifics.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Monthly Report

Business Monthly Report

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

BUSINESS MONTHLY REPORT

Recitals

WHEREAS, Company Name: provides goods and/or services and requires periodic reporting of business performance and compliance; and

WHEREAS, Preparer Name: is engaged to prepare and deliver a monthly report covering operations, financial performance, project status and material risks for the Report Month: ;

WHEREAS, the parties intend this Business Monthly Report to document the information described below and to establish certain terms and certifications regarding the preparation and delivery of that information.

Scope of Work

Scope description

Monthly Report Details

Reporting period (month/year) Prepared by (name and title) Prepared on (date)

Executive Summary

Key Metrics

Revenue: $ Expenses: $ Net Profit: $

Active Customers: New Customers This Month:

Financial Summary

Income statement highlights

Project Status

Active projects (brief status per project)

Issues, Risks and Mitigations

Action Items

Planned actions and responsible parties

Attachments and Supporting Documents

Include copies of financial statements, invoices, contracts and other supporting documentation. Indicate attached items:

Financial statements Selected invoices Material contracts

Payment Terms (if applicable)

Monthly reporting fee: $ Payment schedule: Late fee:

Term and Termination

Term start date: Term end date (if any):

Either party may terminate this reporting arrangement upon written notice delivered at least days prior to the intended termination date. Termination does not relieve the terminating party of obligations accrued prior to termination.

Confidentiality

All information disclosed for the purpose of producing this Business Monthly Report that is designated as confidential or that a reasonable person would understand to be confidential shall be treated as Confidential Information. The recipient shall not disclose such Confidential Information to third parties except as required by law, and shall use the same degree of care to protect Confidential Information as it uses to protect its own confidential information, but in no event less than a reasonable standard of care.

Governing Law

This report and any dispute arising out of its preparation or delivery shall be governed by the laws of the State of without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

Entire Agreement

This Business Monthly Report, together with the Scope of Work and payment provisions set forth above, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior oral or written representations and agreements. Any amendment must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

Certification

The preparer certifies that, to the best of the preparer's knowledge and belief, the information contained in this Business Monthly Report is true, correct and complete in all material respects and fairly presents the matters described herein for the reporting period identified above.

Preparer - Print Name:

By (Signature):

Date:

Authorized Representative - Print Name:

By (Signature):

Date:

What the Business Monthly Report Is and Why It Exists

A Business Monthly Report is a recurring internal document that summarizes financial performance, key performance indicators (KPIs), operational highlights, and material variances for a single month. It typically combines an executive summary, income and expense reconciliations, cash-flow snapshots, and brief commentary on deviations from budget or prior periods. Organizations use it to inform leadership decisions, support board reporting, and provide an audit trail of month-end close activities. When shared electronically, the report should include version control and a clear sign-off section identifying preparer and approver names and dates.

Why a Consistent Monthly Report Matters

Regular Business Monthly Reports provide timely visibility into trends, surface issues early, and document management decisions. Consistent format and complete sign-off help maintain internal control, support audits, and reduce operational risk across finance, operations, and compliance teams.

Who Prepares and Reviews the Business Monthly Report

Typical creators are accounting or finance teams; reviewers include department heads and executive leadership who rely on accurate monthly metrics.

Finance teams and controllers preparing reconciliations, accruals, and variance explanations for month-end close.
Operational managers reviewing KPIs and exceptions relevant to their cost centers and service levels.
Executives and board members approving results and authorizing actions that arise from monthly findings.

The document also supports auditors and external advisors when validated and retained according to regulatory or company retention policies.

Core Sections in a Professional Business Monthly Report

A standard report groups data to make review efficient and auditable. Use consistent headings, clear tables, and a brief commentary for each major item to speed decision-making and support traceability.

Executive Summary

One-page overview of month highlights, headline variances, and recommended actions for leadership review and rapid situational awareness.

Financial Summary

Month income statement and comparison to budget and prior periods with clear presentation of revenue, cost of goods sold, gross margin, and operating expenses.

Key Performance Indicators

Selected KPIs with month-over-month and year-to-date trends that tie operational performance to financial outcomes and targets.

Variance Analysis

Concise explanations for material variances, including root cause, quantification, and proposed corrective or follow-up actions with responsible owners.

Cash and Balance Sheet Notes

Cash position, working capital movements, significant receivables or payables aging items, and short-term liquidity commentary.

Appendices and Supporting Schedules

Detailed schedules, account reconciliations, and supporting documents referenced in the main report for audit and review purposes.

Step-by-Step: From Draft to Approved Monthly Report

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, and finalize the Business Monthly Report with clear sign-offs and distribution.

01

Collect Source Data: Export general ledger, subledger, and KPI extracts for the reporting month.
02

Reconcile Accounts: Perform bank and balance reconciliations, resolving exceptions before close.
03

Draft Commentary: Prepare executive summary and variance explanations with owner attribution.
04

Review and Sign: Route for approvals and capture signatures with timestamped audit trail.

Typical Electronic Workflow for the Monthly Report

A simple electronic workflow reduces manual handoffs while preserving a complete audit trail for each approval and revision.

Upload Report: Place the PDF or DOCX master file in the signing platform or shared repository.
Place Fields: Add signature, date, and preparer fields plus any conditional reviewer fields.
Route to Signers: Specify signing order or parallel recipients depending on approval model.
Archive Signed Copy: Store the final PDF with the audit trail attached for future reference.

Recommended Platform Workflow Settings

Configure these workflow settings to match your internal approval controls and retention policies.

Field	Configuration
Routing Order	Sequential signing order to enforce approvals and accountability
Authentication	Email link plus optional SMS code for stronger signer verification
Notifications	Automated email reminders and completion notices to stakeholders
Storage	Save final PDF/A with audit trail to secure cloud storage

Distribution Channels and Platform Integrations

Decide how recipients will receive the report and which systems need integration to automate routing and storage.

Email Delivery: Send signed PDFs directly to recipients' inboxes
Cloud Storage: Archive in Google Drive, Box, or internal document management
ERP/CRM Integrations: Integrate with NetSuite or Salesforce for automated rollups

Typical Timing and Internal Deadlines

Establish firm internal deadlines to close books, obtain approvals, and distribute reports so downstream processes remain on schedule.

Close Date:

Complete month-end book close within 3 business days of month end

Internal Review:

Department reviews completed within 2 business days after close

Executive Sign-Off:

Executives approve within 5 business days of month end

Distribution:

Final report distributed to stakeholders within 6 business days

Archival:

Signed version archived immediately after final distribution

Common Preparation Errors to Watch For

Using inconsistent reporting periods or cut-off rules that create month-to-month comparability issues.
Failing to reconcile subledger totals to the general ledger, which leads to audit queries and delays.
Omitting sign-offs or leaving signature fields unsigned, leaving the report in draft status for reviewers.
Distributing multiple uncontrolled versions without version numbers or change logs, causing confusion among stakeholders.

Consequences of Inaccurate or Late Monthly Reports

Decision Risk: Poor decisions from incorrect data

Regulatory Exposure: Fines for late or inaccurate regulatory filings

Audit Findings: Increased audit scrutiny and remediation costs

Operational Delay: Project slowdowns due to missing approvals

Tax Impact: Incorrect tax estimates and penalties

Reputational Harm: Loss of stakeholder trust

Security and Compliance Considerations

Encryption: AES-256 at rest

Transport: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

Audit Trail: Complete timestamped logs

Regulatory: ESIGN and UETA compliant

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II available

HIPAA: BAA available on request

eSignature Vendor Pricing and Feature Snapshot

Comparison of starting prices and select feature footprints across common eSignature providers; signNow appears first as the initial column.

	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	7-day free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes (Premium plans)	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes (BAA available)	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Envelope Cap	No envelope cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common issues encountered when preparing, signing, and distributing the Business Monthly Report.

Need help? Contact support

Why is a signature required?
A signature documents approval and accountability. It links the preparer and approver to the report and creates an auditable record for internal control and external review.
Can the report be e-signed?
Yes. Under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states, electronic signatures are legally valid when intent, consent, attribution, and retention are met.
What if data changes after signing?
Treat the signed copy as final. If changes are needed, create a revised version, document the reason for amendment, and obtain fresh approvals with new signatures and timestamps.
How do I fix mismatched names?
Correct preparer or approver names to match legal records. Mismatched names can impede audits and may trigger re-signing or formal attestations.
Which authentication is recommended?
Use at least email plus an additional verification method (SMS code or SSO) for approvers. Stronger authentication improves non-repudiation and audit defensibility.
How long should I keep signed reports?
Follow your retention policy: generally retain for at least three years, longer if tax, HIPAA, or contract obligations apply; consult legal for specifics.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now