Can a fee agreement be signed electronically?

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

Do consumer-facing agreements require special disclosure?

Yes. ESIGN requires a consumer disclosure of the right to paper copies and a demonstration that the consumer can access the electronic record when the agreement is consumer-facing.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is required when state law or the document type demands it, such as certain security instruments or documents recorded in land records; requirements vary by state.

What happens if a fee exceeds state limits?

Fees that violate state usury or statutory caps risk being unenforceable and may expose the provider to refunds, penalties, or administrative sanctions.

How should records be stored after signing?

Store a tamper-evident signed PDF and a complete audit trail (timestamps, IP, actions). Maintain retention schedules consistent with IRS, HIPAA, and other applicable rules.

Are witness signatures ever required?

Some states or document types require witnesses in addition to notarization. Confirm witness counts for deeds, powers of attorney, or other instrument types before finalizing.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Finance
Finance Fees Agreement

Finance Fees Agreement

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

FINANCE FEES AGREEMENT

PARTIES

Finance Provider Name Finance Provider Contact (Address, Phone, Email) Client Name Client Contact (Address, Phone, Email)

This Finance Fees Agreement (the Agreement) is entered into effective as of (Effective Date) by and between the Finance Provider identified above and the Client identified above. The parties agree as follows.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Finance Provider furnishes financial advisory, transaction support, accounting, valuation, or related financial services; and

WHEREAS, Client desires to engage Finance Provider to provide such services on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

Description of Services

FEE STRUCTURE

The Client agrees to pay Finance Provider fees in accordance with the fee basis selected below. Selected fee basis (check applicable):

Fixed fee Hourly rate Contingency/Success fee Retainer

Retainer Amount (if applicable) Hourly Rates (identify positions or personnel)

FEE SCHEDULE (ITEMIZED)

Description	Quantity / Hours	Unit Rate	Amount


Subtotal
Tax (if applicable)
Expenses / Disbursements
Total Due

INVOICING, PAYMENT & LATE FEES

Finance Provider shall render invoices in accordance with the Fee Structure above. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due within days of the invoice date.

Accepted Payment Methods

Unpaid amounts shall accrue interest at a rate of (or the maximum permitted by law if lower). Client shall be responsible for reasonable collection costs and attorneys' fees.

EXPENSES AND DISBURSEMENTS

Client shall reimburse Finance Provider for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and third-party charges incurred in performing services, including but not limited to travel, filing fees, courier charges, and reproduction costs, subject to any advance approval requirements stated in this Agreement.

RECORDS, AUDIT AND RETENTION

Finance Provider will maintain records of time and expenses reasonably sufficient to support invoiced amounts. Client or its designated auditor may audit such records upon reasonable prior notice and during normal business hours to verify fees and expenses.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party shall keep confidential and shall not disclose the other party's Confidential Information except as required by law or to its employees, agents and professional advisors on a need-to-know basis, provided such recipients are bound by confidentiality obligations no less restrictive than those set forth herein.

TERM, SUSPENSION & TERMINATION

This Agreement commences on the Effective Date and continues until the completion of the services or earlier termination by either party on days' prior written notice. Finance Provider may suspend services if Client fails to pay amounts when due, after providing at least days' written notice.

INDEMNIFICATION & LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Each party shall indemnify and hold harmless the other party from third-party claims arising from that party's breach of this Agreement or negligent acts. Finance Provider's aggregate liability to Client for any claim arising under this Agreement shall not exceed the total fees paid to Finance Provider under this Agreement, except for liability resulting from willful misconduct or gross negligence.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION & GOVERNING LAW

The parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve disputes arising out of this Agreement. If unresolved, disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration under the rules agreed by the parties. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction selected by the parties:

NOTICES

All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth above or to such other address as either party designates in writing.

Additional Terms / Special Billing Instructions

CERTIFICATIONS

Each signatory below represents and warrants that they are authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement on behalf of the party for which they sign, that they have read and understood the terms of this Agreement, and that the information provided herein is true and correct.

Finance Provider (Printed Name):

By:

Date:

Client (Printed Name):

By:

Date:

What a Finance Fees Agreement Covers

A Finance Fees Agreement is a written contract that documents fees, interest rates, billing cycles, dispute procedures, and related chargeback or collection terms between a finance provider and a borrower or client. It defines how and when fees are assessed, describes permissible fee increases or adjustments, and specifies remedies for nonpayment. The agreement may also allocate responsibility for taxes, regulatory compliance, and administrative costs. Clear definitions and an audit-ready record reduce billing disputes and establish expectations for invoicing, late fees, refunds, and termination of services.

Why a Clear Finance Fees Agreement Matters

A precise Finance Fees Agreement lowers dispute risk, supports regulatory compliance, and makes fee assessment defensible. It protects both parties by documenting consent, timing, and calculation methods, which helps with audits, tax reporting, and customer service resolution.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Agreement

The Finance Fees Agreement is used by organizations that extend credit, bill recurring services, or manage client accounts requiring formal fee schedules.

Lenders and banks that document origination fees, late charges, and servicing costs.
Receivable managers and billing teams that enforce payment terms and calculate interest.
Legal and compliance teams that ensure fee language meets state and federal rules.

Signing authorities include authorized officers, account managers, and, where required, individual consumers who must receive consumer disclosures under ESIGN.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional Agreement

A complete Finance Fees Agreement organizes fee types, calculation methods, timing, notices, and dispute resolution so charges are transparent and enforceable.

Fee Schedule

List each fee by name, exact dollar amount or rate, how it is calculated, and when it applies. Avoid ambiguous phrases such as reasonable or customary.

Billing Cycle

State billing frequency, due dates, grace periods, and how partial payments are allocated across principal, interest, and fees.

Interest & Calculations

Specify APR or periodic rate, compounding method, basis for days in year, and rounding rules used for interest calculations.

Late Fees & Penalties

Define late charge amounts or formulas, when they trigger, any maximums, and whether state usury or fee caps apply.

Adjustments & Notices

Include procedures for fee increases, notice timing, and how consumer consent is obtained for materially adverse changes.

Dispute & Collections

Describe the dispute submission process, timelines for investigation, and permissible collection actions including third-party agency use.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Finance Fees Agreement

Follow this sequence to prepare, review, and finalize the Finance Fees Agreement so it is accurate and legally sound.

01

Draft: Populate parties, fee schedule, and billing terms with precise numbers.
02

Review: Have legal and compliance review state-specific fee limits and disclosure requirements.
03

Sign: Collect signatures from authorized signers and record dates.
04

Distribute: Provide fully executed copies to all parties and retain an audit-ready record.

How to Configure an Online Fee Agreement Workflow

Set these fields when you create the online workflow to ensure correct routing, authentication, and record retention.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Sequential or parallel routing to ensure approvals occur in intended order.
Authentication Level	Choose email link, SMS code, or advanced authentication for higher assurance.
Required Fields	Mark fee amounts, effective date, and signature blocks as mandatory inputs.
Retention Policy	Set automatic retention and export settings for audit trail storage.

Where to Send or File the Executed Agreement

Routing depends on whether the agreement is internal, consumer-facing, or filed with a regulator; follow these typical destinations.

Counterparty: Deliver a fully executed copy to the borrower or client for their records.
Internal Records: Retain an executed copy in accounts receivable and contract management systems.
Audit Archive: Store a tamper-evident PDF and audit trail for compliance audits.
Regulatory Filings: Submit copies only when required by state or federal regulators or contract obligations.

Digital Signing and Distribution Considerations

Choose an eSignature platform that supports your required authentication, audit trail, and integration needs.

Document Formats: PDF, DOCX, and HTML accepted
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, MS 365, Google Workspace
Compliance: ESIGN, UETA, HIPAA capability

Ensure the platform can produce an unalterable signed PDF, a detailed audit trail, and meet any industry-specific BAA or 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.

Typical Timelines and Deadlines to Track

Track billing windows, dispute deadlines, and statutory notice periods to avoid penalties and ensure enforceability.

Billing Due Date:

Commonly Net 30 from invoice; specify exact day in the agreement.

Late Fee Grace Period:

Often 15 days; document any grace and effective charge date.

Dispute Notice Period:

Require written notice within 30 days of invoice receipt for timely resolution.

Annual Statement:

Provide an annual fee summary within 60 days of year end if required.

Record Retention Trigger:

Retention periods begin on effective date or final settlement date as specified.

Key Milestones from Draft to Enforcement

Plan and document each milestone to ensure accountability and timely billing.

01

Draft Completion

Legal and finance finalize fee language and calculations.

02

Internal Approval

Authorized officers review and approve the terms.

03

Counterparty Signature

Client or borrower signs and returns the agreement.

04

Activation

Fees begin to accrue and invoices are generated per schedule.

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

Using vague fee descriptions that create room for interpretation and disputes when billed amounts differ from expectations.
Failing to align the billing cycle with service delivery dates, leading to duplicate charges or missed revenue recognition.
Not checking state law fee caps or usury limits which can render late charges unenforceable and expose liability.
Omitting an explicit dispute process and contact method, which prolongs resolution and increases collection costs.

Penalties and Legal Risks of an Incorrect Agreement

Unenforceable Fees: Fees exceeding statutory caps may be voided by a court.

Regulatory Fines: Noncompliance with disclosure laws can trigger agency penalties.

Tax Reporting Errors: Incorrect statements can lead to IRS penalties under IRC §6721.

Consumer Claims: Inadequate disclosures may prompt consumer protection litigation.

Reputational Harm: Billing disputes can damage client relationships and referrals.

Collection Limits: Improper notice or process can bar certain collection remedies.

How eSignature Pricing and Capabilities Compare for Fee Agreements

Compare typical provider pricing and capabilities relevant to executing and storing Finance Fees Agreements; signNow is listed first per platform guidance.

	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 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

Real-World Examples of Fee Agreements in Use

These brief examples show how organizations structure fee agreements and benefit from clear terms and digital execution.

Optica Ventures

Optica implemented a standardized fee schedule for investor services to reduce disputes

Saved negotiation time per contract
The team reported faster collections and fewer reconciliations while maintaining audit-ready records for investors.

Fertility Centers of Illinois

A healthcare provider documented patient financing fees and consent language to align with billing practices

Included HIPAA BAA with the eSignature vendor
This improved patient transparency and ensured PHI protections during remote signature collection.

Frequently Asked Questions about Finance Fees Agreements

Answers to common questions that arise when drafting, executing, or enforcing Finance Fees Agreements.

Need help? Contact support

Can a fee agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states, electronic signatures are legally binding if intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met.
Do consumer-facing agreements require special disclosure?
Yes. ESIGN requires a consumer disclosure of the right to paper copies and a demonstration that the consumer can access the electronic record when the agreement is consumer-facing.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is required when state law or the document type demands it, such as certain security instruments or documents recorded in land records; requirements vary by state.
What happens if a fee exceeds state limits?
Fees that violate state usury or statutory caps risk being unenforceable and may expose the provider to refunds, penalties, or administrative sanctions.
How should records be stored after signing?
Store a tamper-evident signed PDF and a complete audit trail (timestamps, IP, actions). Maintain retention schedules consistent with IRS, HIPAA, and other applicable rules.
Are witness signatures ever required?
Some states or document types require witnesses in addition to notarization. Confirm witness counts for deeds, powers of attorney, or other instrument types before finalizing.

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