Can an ARI be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and under UETA in most states; ensure intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are documented.

When is notarization required?

Notarization depends on the document’s legal effect and state rules. If the ARI conveys an interest in property or functions like a power of attorney, a notary or witnesses may be required.

Is remote online notarization acceptable?

Many states permit RON with identity proofing and audio‑video recording; verify the target state’s notary commission requirements and retention obligations before using RON.

How long should I retain an executed ARI?

Retain for the active term plus an extended post-termination period; follow federal rules such as IRC §6501(a) for tax-related records and HIPAA rules for health-related records where applicable.

What causes signature disputes?

Common causes include signer authority mismatch, incomplete forms, or lost audit trails. Maintain signer identity evidence, an unalterable audit trail, and clear authorization policies to reduce disputes.

How do I correct a signed ARI?

If a signed ARI contains errors, create an amendment or replacement ARI and obtain fresh signatures. Avoid manual edits to an executed copy; document the reason and retain both versions for audit purposes.

Business Services ARI

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

BUSINESS SERVICES ARI

This Business Services Agreement ("Agreement") is made effective as of between the parties identified below.

Parties

Service Provider Name Service Provider Address Client Name Client Address

Recitals

WHEREAS, Service Provider is engaged in the business of providing professional business services, including consulting, implementation, and managed services, and has the expertise and resources necessary to perform the services described in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Client desires to retain Service Provider to perform such services on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties intend that the responsibilities, payment obligations, and risk allocation be governed by this Agreement.

Scope of Work

Service Provider shall provide the services and deliverables described below (the "Services"). Service Provider shall perform the Services in a timely, professional manner in accordance with industry standards and the schedule agreed by the parties.

Description of Services and Deliverables Key Milestones / Acceptance Criteria

Payment Terms

Client shall pay Service Provider the fees set forth below in consideration for the Services. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, fees are non-refundable and due in accordance with the schedule below.

Total Fee Payment Schedule Payment Terms — Net Days Late Payment Fee

If Client fails to pay undisputed amounts when due, Service Provider may suspend performance after providing written notice and a ten (10) day opportunity to cure. Client shall be responsible for all reasonable costs of collection, including attorneys' fees.

Term and Termination

This Agreement commences on the Start Date and, unless earlier terminated as provided herein, continues until the End Date.

Start Date: End Date:

Notice Period for Termination Without Cause (Days)

Either party may terminate this Agreement for material breach by the other party if the breaching party fails to cure the breach within the notice period specified above after receiving written notice describing the breach in reasonable detail.

Confidentiality

Each party (the "Receiving Party") shall hold in confidence and not disclose or use, except for the performance of this Agreement, any Confidential Information of the other party (the "Disclosing Party"). "Confidential Information" includes non-public business and technical information disclosed in any form. Confidential Information does not include information that is already known by the Receiving Party without restriction, becomes publicly known through no fault of the Receiving Party, or is independently developed by the Receiving Party without use of the Disclosing Party's Confidential Information.

The obligations of confidentiality shall survive termination of this Agreement for a period of years.

Mutual Confidentiality Check if obligations are mutual

Indemnification and Limitation of Liability

Each party shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other party from third-party claims arising from the indemnifying party's gross negligence, willful misconduct or material breach of this Agreement. Except for liability arising from willful misconduct or indemnification obligations, neither party's aggregate liability shall exceed the total fees paid to Service Provider under this Agreement in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim.

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state specified below without regard to conflict of law principles.

Governing Law State

Entire Agreement

This Agreement, including all appendices and statements of work executed under it, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals, negotiations and representations, whether written or oral, relating to its subject matter. Any amendments must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

Miscellaneous

Assignment: Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, except to a successor by merger or sale of substantially all of its assets. Notices: Notices must be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth above. Severability: If any provision is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force.

Service Provider:

By:

Date:

Client:

By:

Date:

What the Business Services ARI Is and When it’s Used

The Business Services ARI is a standardized administrative request and authorization document companies use to request, approve, and document third-party or internal business services. Typical uses include vendor onboarding, professional service engagements, project-specific approvals, and assignments of billing or access. The form captures requester details, scope of services, pricing or payment terms, effective dates, and required authorizations so parties have a single, auditable record of permissions and responsibilities.

Why the Business Services ARI Matters for Operations

A clear ARI reduces ambiguity about scope, authorization, and payment; centralizes approvals; and creates an auditable record that supports finance, procurement, and compliance workflows without forcing in-person steps.

Who Typically Completes or Signs an ARI

Organizations of varying sizes use ARIs to document authorizations and approvals across procurement, finance, and administrative functions.

Procurement teams and contract managers who need a recorded approval trail for vendor services and budgets.
Finance staff who require accurate billing instructions and payment authorizations before issuing purchase orders or invoices.
Business unit managers who approve scope changes, resource allocations, or one-time service engagements on behalf of their department.

The person completing or signing should have delegated authority consistent with company policy and internal signing thresholds.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional ARI

A robust ARI organizes essential details so reviewers can approve quickly and auditors can trace decisions later. Include clear fields and attachments for each major element.

Requestor

Name, department, contact information for the person initiating the request.

Service Description

Concise scope of work, deliverables, service period, and any milestones.

Cost and Payment

Agreed fees, billing schedule, and expense approval limits.

Effective Dates

Start and end dates plus any renewal or termination conditions.

Authorization

Designated signer, title, signature block, and date of approval.

Attachments

Vendor quotes, SOWs, insurance certificates, and internal approvals.

Required Information and Fields at a Glance

Company Name: Full legal entity

Service Scope: Short summary

Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY

Authorized Signer: Name and title

Payment Terms: Net terms or prepaid

Supporting Docs: Quotes, SOWs, COI

Step-by-Step: Completing a Business Services ARI

Follow these sequential steps to prepare a complete, auditable ARI that reduces rework and accelerates approval.

01

Gather Details: Collect scope, pricing, vendor info, and attachments before starting.
02

Populate Form: Enter requester, service description, dates, payment terms, and attach docs.
03

Select Approvers: Assign approvers in the proper order and note required signatory authority.
04

Record Signature: Obtain signature(s) and store the executed copy in records.

Typical ARI Routing and Tracking Flow

A clear routing sequence reduces bottlenecks. The flow below shows a common approval chain for service authorizations.

Initiation: Requestor submits ARI with supporting documents.
Department Review: Functional manager reviews scope and budget impact.
Finance Review: Finance verifies payment terms and coding.
Final Authorization: Authorized signer executes and records the ARI.

Configuring a Digital ARI Workflow

When automating ARIs, map fields and triggers to match internal controls and retention rules.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Sequential or parallel routing based on thresholds
Authentication	Email link, SMS code, or stronger MFA
Notifications	Automated reminders and escalation rules
Storage	Archive to document repository with retention tags

Digital Signing and Distribution Considerations

Select platforms and settings that preserve legal validity, evidence, and secure storage for the ARI.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX supported
Integrations: CRM and cloud storage
Authentication: Email, SMS, or KBA

Typical Timelines and Processing Expectations

Processing time for an ARI depends on approvals and verification steps; plan and communicate realistic timelines to requesters.

Initial Review:

1–3 business days for document and budget check

Department Approval:

2–5 business days depending on approver availability

Finance Check:

1–3 business days for coding and payment verification

Final Signature:

Same day with eSignature; variable with manual routing

Archival:

Immediate archival after execution

Common Mistakes and Risks to Avoid

Missing Authorization: Execution without required signer

Incorrect Signer: Signer lacks delegated authority

Incomplete Scope: Vague deliverables increase disputes

Late Submission: Delays in approvals halt work

Privacy Exposure: Unredacted sensitive data in attachments

Tax Misreporting: Incorrect billing affects compliance

Pricing and Feature Snapshot for eSignature Platforms

Compare common pricing and feature dimensions for eSignature platforms that support ARI workflows. signNow is listed first as the user-focused option in this table.

	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 (Business Premium)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No envelope cap	100 envelopes/user/year limit	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Real-World ARI Scenarios

Examples show how ARIs streamline approvals in common business situations.

Vendors and Procurement

A procurement manager prepares an ARI to onboard a supplier with insurance proof

Supplier returns signed ARI with COI
The documented ARI reduced setup time and ensured correct billing coding for accounts payable, accelerating invoice payment.

One-Time Service

A business unit requests a consultant for a four-week project

Finance validates budget and issues ARI
The executed ARI clarified deliverables and payment terms, preventing later disputes about scope and invoicing.

Typical Signatory Roles

Department Head

A department head or manager who approves scope and budget. This person confirms operational need and signs only within their delegated authority; the ARI should record that authority level.

Finance Approver

A finance representative responsible for cost center validation and payment terms. Their signature certifies budget availability and correct accounting codes for subsequent invoice processing.

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about electronic execution, notarization, and retention for the Business Services ARI.

Need help? Contact support

Can an ARI be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and under UETA in most states; ensure intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are documented.
When is notarization required?
Notarization depends on the document’s legal effect and state rules. If the ARI conveys an interest in property or functions like a power of attorney, a notary or witnesses may be required.
Is remote online notarization acceptable?
Many states permit RON with identity proofing and audio‑video recording; verify the target state’s notary commission requirements and retention obligations before using RON.
How long should I retain an executed ARI?
Retain for the active term plus an extended post-termination period; follow federal rules such as IRC §6501(a) for tax-related records and HIPAA rules for health-related records where applicable.
What causes signature disputes?
Common causes include signer authority mismatch, incomplete forms, or lost audit trails. Maintain signer identity evidence, an unalterable audit trail, and clear authorization policies to reduce disputes.
How do I correct a signed ARI?
If a signed ARI contains errors, create an amendment or replacement ARI and obtain fresh signatures. Avoid manual edits to an executed copy; document the reason and retain both versions for audit purposes.

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