Can the summary be electronically signed?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA laws; ensure intent, consent, attribution, and retention are documented before relying on e-signatures.

Do clients need to receive a paper copy?

Not necessarily. For consumer-facing disclosures, obtain the client's consent to receive electronic records per ESIGN requirements and confirm they can access the format provided.

What level of authentication is recommended?

Use at minimum email-based verification; apply stronger authentication (SMS, MFA, KBA) for higher-risk engagements or regulated industries to strengthen attribution.

When must I update an existing summary?

Update the summary promptly after material changes to services, fees, or conflicts and deliver the revised version per your firm policy and applicable regulations.

Is notarization required for this summary?

Typically not required. Notarization is uncommon for client relationship summaries unless state law or a specific transaction calls for notarized acknowledgements.

How long should signed summaries be kept?

Retain signed summaries for at least the applicable federal or industry period (for example IRS 3 years, HIPAA 6 years) and longer where state or regulator rules require it.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Client Relationship Summary Template

Client Relationship Summary Template

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

CLIENT RELATIONSHIP SUMMARY

This Client Relationship Summary (the Agreement) is made as of Date: by and between Client Name: and Service Provider Name: .

WHEREAS

WHEREAS Client desires to retain Provider to perform professional services described herein, and Provider is willing to provide such services pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

WHEREAS the parties intend for this document to summarize the principal terms of their business relationship, including scope, fees, confidentiality obligations, and termination rights, and to set the framework for any further detailed statements of work executed under this Agreement.

SCOPE OF WORK

Summary of Services Deliverables and Milestones (if applicable)

PAYMENT TERMS

Total Fee Amount: .

Payment Schedule

Late Payment Fee: . Overdue amounts shall accrue interest or fees as specified above until paid in full. Client is responsible for collection costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, for recovery of past due amounts.

TERM AND TERMINATION

Commencement Date: . Expected Completion Date (if any): .

Termination Notice

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon days' prior written notice. Termination for material breach is effective upon written notice if the breaching party fails to cure within days after receipt of such notice.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party (the Receiving Party) shall hold in confidence and not disclose any non-public, confidential, or proprietary information of the other party (the Disclosing Party) disclosed in connection with this Agreement. Confidential information does not include information that (i) is or becomes public other than through a breach of this Agreement, (ii) was rightfully in the Receiving Party's possession prior to disclosure, (iii) is independently developed by the Receiving Party without use of the Disclosing Party's confidential information, or (iv) is required to be disclosed by law or court order, provided the Receiving Party gives prompt written notice to the Disclosing Party to allow it to seek protective relief.

Duration of Confidentiality

Confidentiality obligations shall continue for years following termination or expiration of this Agreement.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Provider represents that, to the best of its knowledge, there are no material conflicts of interest that would impair Provider's ability to perform the services described herein, except as disclosed below.

Disclosed Conflicts (if any)

Client affirms it has provided Provider with all information relevant to the performance of services and agrees to notify Provider promptly of any material changes that may affect Provider's performance.

COMMUNICATIONS AND NOTICES

Client Primary Contact and Address Provider Primary Contact and Address

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 law principles. The parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in that State for any disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This document, together with any executed statements of work or appendices expressly referenced, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals, and communications, whether oral or written. Any amendment or modification must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By signing below, each party acknowledges that it has read this Client Relationship Summary, understands the nature of the services and payment terms set forth herein, and has authority to enter into this Agreement.

Client Name:

By:

Date:

Service Provider Name:

By:

Date:

What this Client Relationship Summary Template is

A Client Relationship Summary Template provides a concise, standardized overview of a professional relationship between a service provider and a client. It captures key points such as services offered, fees and costs, conflicts of interest, account types, and communication practices so clients can compare and understand material terms before engaging. The template is designed for clarity, consistent disclosure, and recordkeeping, and can be delivered in paper or electronic format when executed in compliance with ESIGN and UETA rules.

Why a clear Client Relationship Summary matters

A well-structured summary reduces misunderstandings, supports regulatory transparency, and creates a single reference for client expectations. It helps standardize disclosures across accounts, simplifies onboarding, and documents what was presented to the client for future reference and audits.

Typical users and who completes the template

Use the template as a standardized starting point and adapt fields to reflect firm-specific services and regulatory requirements in the client’s jurisdiction.

Registered advisors and wealth managers who must document advisory services and fee structures for clients.
Broker-dealers and investment representatives preparing standardized disclosures for retail investors.
Legal, accounting, or consulting firms that provide written summaries of scope, fees, and conflict disclosures.

Core elements to include in a professional summary

A complete Client Relationship Summary Template organizes disclosures into clear sections so clients can quickly find material information. Use plain language, consistent headings, and defined fields to reduce ambiguity and support audits.

Scope of Services

Describe precisely what services will be provided, limits on scope, exclusions, and whether advice is discretionary or non-discretionary; clarity prevents scope creep and client confusion.

Fees and Costs

Disclose fee structure (fixed, hourly, percentage), recurring and one-time charges, third-party costs, and how and when fees are billed or deducted from client assets.

Conflicts

Identify material conflicts of interest, referral arrangements, or incentive relationships that could influence advice or product recommendations.

Account Types

List eligible account types, minimum balances, trading limitations, margin availability, and custody arrangements when relevant to client decisions.

Communications

Specify primary communication channels, frequency of reporting, electronic consent for notices, and instructions for updating contact preferences.

Change Notice

Explain how clients will be informed about material changes, the effective date of changes, and circumstances that trigger an updated summary.

Step-by-step: completing the summary

Follow these sequential steps to prepare and deliver a complete Client Relationship Summary with a clear audit trail.

01

Gather client data: Collect legal names, contact details, and account type information.
02

Define services: Draft concise descriptions of deliverables and exclusions.
03

Compute fees: Calculate sample fee examples and disclose billing practices.
04

Sign and deliver: Obtain signatures and provide the client with the final summary.

Online workflow configuration overview

Configure digital fields and routing so the summary is generated, reviewed, and signed with minimal manual steps.

Field	Configuration
Client Name Field	Required text input; auto-fill from CRM where available
Effective Date Field	Date picker MM/DD/YYYY; default to today
Fee Calculation Field	Read-only formula field with sample examples
Signature Field	Signer email routing with optional SMS code authentication

How electronic completion and delivery typically works

Electronic workflows follow predictable stages from template creation to signer receipt and audit logging.

Template creation: Author template with locked standard disclosures.
Pre-fill data: Merge client data from CRM or intake form.
Sign and authenticate: Signer authenticates and applies electronic signature.
Archive and deliver: Store signed copy and send client receipt.

Digital requirements and integration notes

Verify platform compliance for your industry (for example HIPAA or FINRA) and confirm encryption at rest and in transit for document security.

File formats: PDF, DOCX supported
Integrations: CRM and cloud storage connectors
Authentication: Email, SMS, or stronger MFA

Timing: when to deliver and update the summary

Establish clear delivery and update triggers so clients receive timely disclosures and your records reflect current terms.

Initial Delivery:

Provide the summary at or before the first formal recommendation or contract signing.

Material Change Updates:

Send an updated summary within a reasonable period after material changes to services or fees.

Periodic Review:

Review and confirm the summary annually or as required by firm policy.

Client Request:

Supply a current copy upon client request without undue delay.

Record Retention Start:

Retain the executed summary from its effective date for the required retention period.

Essential data fields to collect

Client ID: Unique internal identifier

Legal Name: Full legal entity or individual name

Contact Info: Street, city, state, ZIP

Service Type: Primary service category

Fee Terms: Billing method and rates

Signature Data: Signer name, method, timestamp

eSignature vendor pricing snapshot for handling templates

Compare common starting prices and key capabilities for eSignature vendors. signNow is listed first per comparative convention; feature and price models vary by plan.

	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	No	No	Yes, limited	Yes, limited
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

Omitting precise fee examples so clients cannot estimate typical annual costs creates confusion and potential disputes.
Using inconsistent legal names for parties across documents, leading to enforceability and matching problems with internal records.
Failing to record the effective date or change history, which complicates dispute resolution and audit trails.
Relying on ambiguous scope language or generic templates that do not reflect firm-specific limitations or exclusions.

Short list of legal and business risks

Regulatory Exposure: Missing required disclosures

Contractual Disputes: Ambiguous terms cause disputes

Tax Consequences: Incorrect fee reporting

Client Loss: Miscommunication harms trust

Data Breach: Inadequate security risks PHI

Record Gaps: Insufficient retention impedes defense

Frequently asked questions about the template

Answers to common implementation and compliance questions for Client Relationship Summary Templates to help avoid delays and maintain a defensible record.

Need help? Contact support

Can the summary be electronically signed?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the federal ESIGN Act and state UETA laws; ensure intent, consent, attribution, and retention are documented before relying on e-signatures.
Do clients need to receive a paper copy?
Not necessarily. For consumer-facing disclosures, obtain the client's consent to receive electronic records per ESIGN requirements and confirm they can access the format provided.
What level of authentication is recommended?
Use at minimum email-based verification; apply stronger authentication (SMS, MFA, KBA) for higher-risk engagements or regulated industries to strengthen attribution.
When must I update an existing summary?
Update the summary promptly after material changes to services, fees, or conflicts and deliver the revised version per your firm policy and applicable regulations.
Is notarization required for this summary?
Typically not required. Notarization is uncommon for client relationship summaries unless state law or a specific transaction calls for notarized acknowledgements.
How long should signed summaries be kept?
Retain signed summaries for at least the applicable federal or industry period (for example IRS 3 years, HIPAA 6 years) and longer where state or regulator rules require it.

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