Is an e-signature legally binding?

Yes. Electronic signatures generally meet legal equivalence under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided the parties demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention. Certain exceptions, like wills and some court filings, remain ineligible.

Do I need notarization or witnesses?

Notarization and witness requirements depend on state law and the document type. Some states require notarized acknowledgements for deeds or POAs; others permit electronic notarization. Verify state rules and RON availability; follow identity proofing and journal retention mandates where remote notary is used.

What fields are critical to get right?

Critical fields include legal entity names, TIN/EIN, effective date (MM/DD/YYYY), payment terms, billing contact, and authorized signers with titles and emails. Errors in these fields can trigger tax reporting problems, backup withholding, or enforceability disputes.

Can I use a simple image signature?

Yes. A signature image or click-to-sign can be legally effective if accompanied by an audit trail that documents signer identity, intent, timestamp, and attribution. For higher-assurance needs or regulated records consider PKI/digital signatures or stronger signer authentication.

How should I store signed copies?

Store signed PDFs with embedded audit trails, maintain backups, and preserve metadata to enable reproduction. Follow federal and industry retention standards: IRS records three years (IRC §6501(a)), HIPAA six years (45 CFR §164.530(j)), and longer periods where state law requires.

What if a signer disputes the signature?

Retain audit evidence (timestamps, IP addresses, authentication logs) to support attribution. Where available, rely on enhanced authentication or digital certificates. If disputed, assemble the transaction record and consult counsel; remedies may include declaratory relief, damages, or arbitration per the contract's dispute clause.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Finance
Financial Ongoing Proposition

Financial Ongoing Proposition

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

FINANCIAL ONGOING PROPOSITION

Parties

Proposer Name:

Proposer Legal Entity Proposer Address

Contact Name

Phone

Email

Client Name:

Client Legal Entity Client Address

Contact Name

Phone

Email

Recitals and Effective Date

This Financial Ongoing Proposition (the "Proposition") is presented by the Proposer to the Client and describes the proposed ongoing financial services, fees and terms. The parties agree that the Proposition shall become binding upon Client acceptance as set forth below.

Effective Date:

Term: The Proposition contemplates an initial term of months, renewable automatically for successive periods of months unless terminated in accordance with the Termination section.

Scope of Services

The Proposer will provide ongoing financial services as described below. Services include advisory, reporting, cash-flow management, and periodic reconciliation. Specific deliverables, frequency and performance metrics are set forth in the Itemized Fees & Schedule.

Detailed Scope (describe core tasks and deliverables)

Itemized Fees & Schedule

The following table sets forth proposed recurring and one-time fees. Amounts are expressed in the currency agreed by the parties.

Description	Frequency	Quantity	Unit Rate	Amount


Subtotal
Applicable Tax (%)
Other Fees / Shipping
Total

Payment Terms and Methods

Payment Terms: Invoices issued in accordance with this Proposition shall be payable within days of invoice date. Late payments shall incur interest at the rate of

Accepted Payment Methods:

ACH / Bank Transfer Wire Transfer Check Card (subject to fees)

Payment Instructions / Account Details

Reporting, Review & Performance

Reporting Frequency: . Standard reports include balance summaries, reconciliation reports, and KPI dashboards as agreed.

Performance Metrics & Acceptance Criteria

Confidentiality; Data Handling

Both parties shall maintain in strict confidence all non-public information exchanged in connection with this Proposition. Confidential information shall be used only for performance under this Proposition and disclosed only to employees and permitted advisors with a need to know, subject to obligations of confidentiality no less protective than those set forth herein.

Special Data Handling Requirements

Termination; Default

Either party may terminate this Proposition for convenience upon days' prior written notice. Material breach not cured within days after notice constitutes an event of default permitting termination for cause.

Indemnification & Liability

Each party shall indemnify and hold harmless the other from claims arising out of its gross negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of representations. Except for liability arising from gross negligence, willful misconduct, or indemnification obligations, the parties' aggregate liability for direct damages shall be limited to the total fees paid under this Proposition in the prior twelve (12) months.

Compliance; Taxes

Each party shall comply with applicable laws and regulations in performing its obligations. Fees are exclusive of taxes, and Client shall be responsible for all sales, value-added, use, or similar taxes unless a valid exemption certificate is provided.

Notices

Notice to Proposer Notice to Client

Acceptance & Binding Effect

Acceptance: The Client's signature below constitutes acceptance of this Proposition and agreement to the fees, schedule and terms set forth. Upon Client's signature, this Proposition constitutes a binding agreement between the parties.

Additional Terms & Conditions

Proposer:

By:

Date:

Client:

By:

Date:

What a Financial Ongoing Proposition Is

Financial Ongoing Proposition is a formal agreement that documents continuing financial terms, deliverables, billing schedules, and performance metrics between a service provider and a client. It establishes recurring payment structure, scope of services, change-order procedures, termination rights, and reporting obligations. The document serves as both contract and operational roadmap for multi‑period engagements such as subscription services, retainer arrangements, or phased financing, and includes signature and authentication provisions to enable electronic execution and recordkeeping in compliance with U.S. electronic signature law.

Why a Financial Ongoing Proposition Matters

Use a Financial Ongoing Proposition to set predictable payment terms, allocate responsibilities, reduce billing disputes, and document performance expectations. The agreement strengthens enforceability when it captures intent, consent, signer attribution, and retention practices consistent with ESIGN and applicable state law.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Document

Typical users include corporate finance teams, outsourced accounting providers, wealth managers, and legal counsel managing recurring fee arrangements and compliance.

Corporate finance: prepares budgets, approves recurring charges, and monitors covenant compliance across periods.
Outsourced accounting: issues invoices, reconciles payments, and manages collections for multiple clients.
Wealth managers and trustees: document ongoing advisory fees, performance reporting, and termination triggers.

Selecting appropriate signatories and maintaining version control are essential for enforceability and operational continuity over the contract term.

Essential Components to Include

Core elements of a Financial Ongoing Proposition define scope, payment mechanics, reporting obligations, change control, termination terms, and dispute resolution to support ongoing administration.

Scope

Describe services, deliverables, milestones, and exclusions. Specify measurable success metrics, acceptance criteria, reporting cadence, and an amendment process to limit disputes across recurring periods.

Payments

State billing frequency, invoice timing, late fees, payment methods, and automatic renewal or debit authorization. Include currency, tax treatment, and fee escalation clauses and billing contact details.

Reporting

Define required financial reports, format, frequency, responsible parties, and delivery method. Clarify reconciliations, variance explanations, and provide templates to reduce interpretation errors.

Change Control

Specify how scope changes, pricing adjustments, and schedule shifts are proposed, approved, and documented. Require written change orders and an agreed pricing model for variations.

Termination

Set termination for convenience and for cause, notice periods, wind‑down obligations, final accounting, and refund or pro‑rata billing rules to prevent disputes at contract end.

Dispute Resolution

Designate governing law and forum, escalation path, mediation or arbitration steps, and cost allocation. Consider specifying interim rights to suspend services during unresolved disputes.

Step-by-Step: Complete and Execute the Agreement

Follow these steps to prepare, review, and execute a Financial Ongoing Proposition with clarity and enforceability.

01

Prepare Draft: Assemble scope, payment schedule, and reporting templates.
02

Review Terms: Have legal and finance verify obligations and risks.
03

Obtain Approvals: Route to authorized signatories and capture consent.
04

Execute & Record: Sign electronically, store copy, and log audit trail.

How to Configure Online Signing and Workflow

Configure your online workflow to enforce approval order, authentication, and retention for recurring financial propositions.

Field	Configuration
Signature Method	Electronic signature with audit trail and timestamp
Authentication	Email link plus optional SMS or KBA
Template Name	Master Financial Ongoing Proposition template
Reminder Schedule	Automatic reminders at 3, 7, and 14 days

Typical Document Flow and Where to Submit Copies

This sequence shows how documents move from drafting to signed record and where to file or distribute copies.

Upload Document: Start with approved template and attach exhibits.
Assign Signers: Add roles and signer order for approvals.
Send for Signature: Send secure link or email invitation to sign.
Store Copies: Save signed PDF, audit trail, and CSV export.

Platform Capabilities to Check Before eSubmission

Ensure the signing platform supports required integrations, file formats, and security controls for financial documents.

Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace supported
File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and Excel imports/exports
Authentication: Supports SSO, SMS codes, KBA

Key Dates, Deadlines, and Filing Expectations

Key dates and deadlines clarify billing cycles, reporting windows, and statutory filing requirements tied to the Financial Ongoing Proposition.

Initial Effective Date:

Marks start of obligations and first billing cycle.

Invoice Due Dates:

Specify net terms, e.g., Net 30 or Net 45.

Renewal Notice:

State notice period for renewal or nonrenewal.

Reporting Deadlines:

Schedule monthly, quarterly, or annual financial reports.

Tax Filings:

Provide records necessary for IRS and state filings.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Using vague payment terms (for example, 'due upon receipt') that lack explicit net terms and late‑fee mechanics leads to disputes and delayed collections.
Failing to specify authorized signatory names and titles can invalidate consent attribution, complicating enforcement when parties dispute signature authority.
Not aligning invoice templates with tax reporting fields, such as TIN or EIN placement, increases risk of IRS penalties and backup withholding.
Retaining only paper originals or failing to capture a reliable audit trail for electronic signatures creates evidentiary gaps under ESIGN and UETA standards.

Penalties and Legal Risks from Errors

IRS Penalties: 1099 late penalties $60/$130/$330 per form

Backup Withholding: 24% withholding rate

I-9 Violations: Penalties $281–$2,789 per violation

Contract Disputes: Damages, attorneys' fees, injunctive relief

Data Breach Risk: Regulatory fines and reputational loss

Termination Costs: Early termination fees and wind‑down costs

Pricing and Feature Comparison Summary

Compare basic pricing and common feature availability for signNow and competing eSignature vendors to inform platform selection for recurring financial workflows.

	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	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about using, signing, and storing a Financial Ongoing Proposition with electronic execution and compliance considerations.

Need help? Contact support

Is an e-signature legally binding?
Yes. Electronic signatures generally meet legal equivalence under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided the parties demonstrate intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention. Certain exceptions, like wills and some court filings, remain ineligible.
Do I need notarization or witnesses?
Notarization and witness requirements depend on state law and the document type. Some states require notarized acknowledgements for deeds or POAs; others permit electronic notarization. Verify state rules and RON availability; follow identity proofing and journal retention mandates where remote notary is used.
What fields are critical to get right?
Critical fields include legal entity names, TIN/EIN, effective date (MM/DD/YYYY), payment terms, billing contact, and authorized signers with titles and emails. Errors in these fields can trigger tax reporting problems, backup withholding, or enforceability disputes.
Can I use a simple image signature?
Yes. A signature image or click-to-sign can be legally effective if accompanied by an audit trail that documents signer identity, intent, timestamp, and attribution. For higher-assurance needs or regulated records consider PKI/digital signatures or stronger signer authentication.
How should I store signed copies?
Store signed PDFs with embedded audit trails, maintain backups, and preserve metadata to enable reproduction. Follow federal and industry retention standards: IRS records three years (IRC §6501(a)), HIPAA six years (45 CFR §164.530(j)), and longer periods where state law requires.
What if a signer disputes the signature?
Retain audit evidence (timestamps, IP addresses, authentication logs) to support attribution. Where available, rely on enhanced authentication or digital certificates. If disputed, assemble the transaction record and consult counsel; remedies may include declaratory relief, damages, or arbitration per the contract's dispute clause.

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