Header Information
Employee name, ID, department, and contact details so the payment posts to the correct payroll or accounts payable record.
A well-designed form reduces processing time, improves auditability, and ensures consistent tax handling. Using a compliant e-signature and clear fields helps demonstrate employer due diligence under IRS accountable plan guidance and preserves electronic records under ESIGN and UETA.
Different roles interact with the form at distinct stages depending on company size and workflow.
Clear role separation speeds approvals and protects payroll and tax reporting accuracy.
Employee name, ID, department, and contact details so the payment posts to the correct payroll or accounts payable record.
Line-by-line entries for date, vendor, description, category, and amount to support accounting and expense policy review.
Clear subtotal, tax, and total fields with currency specified to avoid ambiguity during reconciliation.
Designated attachment fields with file-format guidance and required supporting documents for high-dollar items.
Fields for manager approval, cost center code, and optional secondary approvals for multi-level spend.
Timestamps, signer attribution, and change history to support internal audit and external review.
Ensure the chosen platform supports required authentication, attachments, and your organization’s integrations before enabling e-submission.
Commonly 30–60 days after expense date
1–5 business days for manager review
Processed on next AP run or payroll cycle
Retain for at least 3 years for tax audits
Late or undocumented claims may be taxable under IRS rules
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Routing | Sequential manager approvals by cost center |
| Authentication | Email link with optional SMS code |
| Attachments Required | Receipt upload mandatory for amounts over threshold |
| Archive | Auto-save to cloud storage or ERP |
| 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 credit card | 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 (BAA available) | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |