Are electronic signatures legally valid for this agreement?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable in the United States under the ESIGN Act and UETA where adopted; ensure intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention are satisfied (see ESIGN Act provisions for consumer disclosures).

Do I need a notary or witnesses to make the agreement enforceable?

Not usually for commercial valuation engagements; some jurisdictions or specific uses (e.g., deeds, certain POAs) require notarization or witnesses. Check state rules if the valuation affects recordable interests.

How should I confirm the signer’s authority to bind a company?

Request a corporate resolution or board minutes, confirm signer title, and, when necessary, obtain an officer certification or signature block showing delegated authority to avoid challenges to enforceability.

What happens if assumptions used in the valuation change later?

Document all assumptions and disclaimers in the report. If facts or forecasts materially change, consider an updated engagement or supplemental report and state limitation of reliance provisions.

Can third parties rely on the valuation report?

Only if the agreement expressly permits third-party reliance. Absent explicit language, restrict distribution and include reliance limitations to manage liability exposure.

How should executed agreements be stored for compliance?

Store signed agreements and supporting workpapers in a secure, tamper-evident archive with access controls. Maintain an audit trail and retain records per applicable retention schedules and regulatory requirements.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Finance
Financial Valuation Services Agreement

Financial Valuation Services Agreement

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

FINANCIAL VALUATION SERVICES AGREEMENT

Parties and Effective Date

This Financial Valuation Services Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into by and between:

Valuation Provider (Service Provider) Address Primary Contact Client Address Primary Contact

Effective Date:

Engagement and Scope of Services

Provider shall perform valuation services as described below (the "Services") in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Services shall be performed in a professional manner consistent with industry standards for financial valuations and accepted valuation methodologies.

Scope of Services (describe scope, assets, purpose)

Methodologies to be employed (select all that apply):
Income Approach / Discounted Cash Flow Market Approach / Comparable Companies Cost / Asset-Based Approach Other (specify in scope)

Deliverables and Schedule

Provider will deliver the following written deliverables to Client:

Deliverables (reports, executive summary, workpapers)

Delivery schedule: First draft by . Final report by , subject to timely receipt of Client information.

Fees, Expenses, and Payment

Client shall pay Provider fees and reimburse reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with the Fee Schedule below. Fees are exclusive of taxes.

Fee Schedule

Description	Estimated Hours	Hourly Rate	Amount



Subtotal
Estimated Taxes
Total

Invoices will be issued to Client and are payable within days of invoice. A deposit of may be required prior to commencement. Late payments will incur interest at .

Expense Reimbursement

Standards, Assumptions, and Limitations

Provider's valuation will be prepared in accordance with recognized valuation standards and generally accepted practices. The valuation will be based on information provided by Client and on assumptions identified in the report. Provider is not responsible for independent verification of all information and Client acknowledges the limitations inherent in valuation engagements.

Assumptions and material limitations

Confidentiality and Use

Provider and Client each agree to maintain confidential all non-public information disclosed in connection with this engagement. Provider's report and supporting workpapers are prepared for the exclusive use of Client and shall not be disclosed to third parties without Provider's prior written consent, except as required by law. Client may not re-purpose the report for other transactions without Provider's written agreement.

Conflicts, Independence, and Disclosures

Provider represents that, to the best of its knowledge, no undisclosed conflicts of interest exist. Provider shall promptly disclose any relationship with third parties that could reasonably be expected to impair Provider's independence with respect to the engagement.

Indemnification; Limitation of Liability

Client agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Provider from any claims, liabilities, losses, or expenses arising out of Client's breach of representations or misuse of the valuation report. Provider's total liability to Client for any claim arising out of this Agreement shall be limited to the fees actually paid by Client to Provider under this Agreement during the twelve (12) months preceding the event giving rise to the claim. Neither party shall be liable for special, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages.

Liability cap (amount)

Termination

Either party may terminate this Agreement upon written notice if the other party materially breaches this Agreement and fails to cure within the specified cure period. Upon termination, Client shall pay Provider for Services performed and expenses incurred through the effective date of termination.

Termination notice period (days):

Intellectual Property and Workpapers

All analyses, reports, and workpapers prepared by Provider shall remain Provider's proprietary work product. Provider grants Client a limited, non-transferable license to use the final report for the stated purposes. Any broader rights must be expressly agreed in writing.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state specified below without regard to conflicts of law principles. Parties agree to first seek resolution by good faith negotiation; unresolved disputes shall be submitted to binding arbitration in the agreed jurisdiction unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Governing state

Notices

All notices required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses below by hand, overnight courier, or certified mail.

Provider Notice Address Client Notice Address

Miscellaneous

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements. Any amendment or waiver must be in writing and signed by both parties. If any provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

Additional Terms

Provider (Valuation Provider)

Print Name:

By:

Date:

Client

Print Name:

By:

Date:

What a Financial Valuation Services Agreement Is

A Financial Valuation Services Agreement is a written contract between a valuation provider and a client that defines the engagement’s scope, purpose, methodology, deliverables, timing, fees, and limitations on use. It sets responsibilities for data provision, confidentiality, reliance by third parties, liability caps, and governing law. The agreement documents assumptions and valuation approaches, identifies the intended users and permitted uses (tax, reporting, litigation, transaction), and creates a record that supports auditability and regulatory review. A clear engagement letter reduces disputes over expectations and evidence required to support the valuation conclusion.

Why a Clear Agreement Matters for Valuations

A concise engagement letter reduces legal and business risk by defining purpose, scope, timing, and fee terms; it helps ensure compliance with reporting and tax requirements and provides a documented basis for reliance by auditors, counsel, and regulators.

Who Typically Signs and Uses This Agreement

Several roles commonly prepare, review, or sign these agreements depending on the transaction and industry.

Valuation firms and analysts — Engagement teams and licensed appraisers who deliver the valuation and manage assumptions, methods, and report deliverables.
Corporate finance and CFO teams — Requesters who authorize scope, provide data, approve fees, and accept the final report for financial reporting purposes.
Tax advisors and outside counsel — Professionals who require documented valuation support for tax filings, litigation, or transaction due diligence.

Use clear role definitions to avoid execution delays and ensure the correct corporate officers or authorized representatives sign.

Stepwise process to prepare and execute the agreement

Complete the engagement in stages to ensure data accuracy and timely delivery.

01

Prepare engagement: Confirm purpose, scope, and resources before drafting terms.
02

Populate parties: Enter full legal names, addresses, and authorized signers.
03

Define scope: Specify valuation date, assumptions, and report contents.
04

Sign and deliver: Execute by authorized signers and distribute report copies.

Core clauses to include in a professional agreement

A robust agreement balances technical valuation requirements with clear legal protections; include clauses that address scope, methodology, and interaction with third parties.

Engagement Scope

Describe the precise assignment, limits, valuation date, and which assets or interests are included. Scope clarity prevents improper reliance and scope creep.

Purpose and Use

State the intended use (tax reporting, financial statements, transaction negotiation, litigation) and identify any prohibited uses or reliance by third parties.

Assumptions and Methods

List key valuation assumptions, discount rates, comparables, and the valuation approach. Identify whether management-provided forecasts are relied upon.

Deliverables

Specify report type, level of detail, electronic formats, and whether workpapers or underlying models will be provided to the client.

Fees & Expenses

Detail fee structure (fixed, hourly, or contingency), invoicing schedule, reimbursable expenses, and consequences for late payment or cancellation.

Liability & Use Restrictions

Limit liability where allowable, define indemnities, set confidentiality obligations, and restrict distribution or reliance by third parties unless expressly agreed.

Security and compliance considerations for agreements

Encryption: AES-256 at rest, TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit

Audit Trail: Timestamped logs and signer IP records

Access Controls: Role-based permissions and SSO options

HIPAA Support: BAA available for protected health data

ESIGN/UETA: Compliant with electronic signature laws

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001 compliant

Key legal and financial risks from defects

Tax Adjustments: Incorrect valuations can trigger IRS adjustments

Contract Disputes: Ambiguous scope leads to breach claims

Reliance Exposure: Unauthorized third-party reliance increases liability

Confidentiality Breach: Improper disclosures may violate agreements or law

Delay Penalties: Missed deadlines can affect transactions or filings

Reputational Harm: Flawed reports damage professional credibility

Common preparation errors to avoid

Vague purpose statements that fail to limit permitted reliance by third parties and create downstream disputes over appropriate use.
Inconsistent naming or incorrect legal entity details that complicate relying-party verification and may delay payments or filings.
Unstated assumptions or missing data sources; failing to document forecasting inputs increases the risk of challenge during audits or litigation.
Missing or informal signature blocks, omitted dates, or lack of authority to sign can render the agreement unenforceable or subject to challenge.

How to configure an online signing workflow

Configure role order, authentication, and retention settings to match the agreement’s legal and compliance requirements.

Field	Configuration
Signer Order	Sequential or parallel routing
Authentication	Email, SMS code, or KBA
Conditional Fields	Show fields based on previous answers
Retention Settings	Automatic save to secure archive

Typical electronic execution flow

The digital workflow follows a predictable sequence from upload to archived signed copy.

Upload document: Add the agreement in PDF or DOCX format
Place fields: Insert signature, date, and initial fields
Send to signers: Provide emails or generate signing links
Archive: Store final PDF with audit trail

Technical formats and integrations to support e-execution

Choose a platform that supports common file types and integrates with your document management systems.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and final signed PDF/A outputs
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, Box
Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA, or SSO options

Ensure the platform provides secure storage, an immutable audit trail, and export options for long-term retention.

Typical timelines and processing expectations

Set clear internal deadlines for data delivery, drafts, and final reports to align valuation work with transaction or filing schedules.

Engagement Effective Date:

Start date determines valuation date and statutory timelines

Client Data Due:

Often requested within 10–14 calendar days

Draft Report Window:

Provider issues draft for review in 15–30 days

Final Delivery:

Typical turnaround 30–60 days depending on complexity

Tax Reporting Deadlines:

Align delivery with any required filing schedules

Key milestones from engagement to archived report

Track these numbered milestones to ensure timely completion and audit readiness.

01

1. Agreement Execution

Signed engagement confirms scope, fees, and responsibilities.

02

2. Data Collection

Client provides financials, contracts, and supporting documents.

03

3. Draft Review

Client reviews findings and submits comments for correction.

04

4. Finalization & Archive

Deliver final report and save signed copy with workpapers.

Frequently asked questions and practical answers

Answers to common questions about validity, execution, and post-signature handling for Financial Valuation Services Agreements.

Need help? Contact support

Are electronic signatures legally valid for this agreement?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable in the United States under the ESIGN Act and UETA where adopted; ensure intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention are satisfied (see ESIGN Act provisions for consumer disclosures).
Do I need a notary or witnesses to make the agreement enforceable?
Not usually for commercial valuation engagements; some jurisdictions or specific uses (e.g., deeds, certain POAs) require notarization or witnesses. Check state rules if the valuation affects recordable interests.
How should I confirm the signer’s authority to bind a company?
Request a corporate resolution or board minutes, confirm signer title, and, when necessary, obtain an officer certification or signature block showing delegated authority to avoid challenges to enforceability.
What happens if assumptions used in the valuation change later?
Document all assumptions and disclaimers in the report. If facts or forecasts materially change, consider an updated engagement or supplemental report and state limitation of reliance provisions.
Can third parties rely on the valuation report?
Only if the agreement expressly permits third-party reliance. Absent explicit language, restrict distribution and include reliance limitations to manage liability exposure.
How should executed agreements be stored for compliance?
Store signed agreements and supporting workpapers in a secure, tamper-evident archive with access controls. Maintain an audit trail and retain records per applicable retention schedules and regulatory requirements.

eSignature provider comparison for executing valuation agreements

Basic vendor comparison for common plan features and compliance items relevant to agreement execution. Confirm current pricing and plan details with each vendor before purchase.

	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	Yes, 7-day trial	Varied	Varied	Varied	Varied
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varied	Varied	Varied

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now