Are e-signed valuations legally enforceable?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid in the United States under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided the transaction meets legal criteria for intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention.

Do valuation reports require notarization?

Valuations themselves are typically not notarized. Notarization may be required for specific attachments, affidavits, or filings depending on state or lender requirements; check the receiving party’s rules.

What authentication is recommended for signers?

Use at least email plus SMS or KBA for high-value reports. For expert testimony or regulated contexts, stronger authentication and recorded audit trails are recommended.

How long should supporting documents be retained?

Retain valuation reports and supporting data for the active period plus a minimum of three years; for tax or HIPAA-related uses, follow IRS rules (IRC §6501(a)) and HIPAA retention (45 CFR §164.530(j)).

What causes valuation rework or rejection?

Common causes include missing financial schedules, inconsistent assumptions, unsigned certifications, or discrepancies between provided data and source records.

Can I use an eSignature platform for confidential healthcare or financial valuations?

Yes, provided the vendor supports necessary compliance features such as a signed BAA for HIPAA-covered data and meets encryption and audit trail requirements; verify the plan includes required controls.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Finance
Financial Valuations

Financial Valuations

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

FINANCIAL VALUATION REPORT AND ENGAGEMENT

Report Identification

Report Reference No.: Engagement Date: Effective Valuation Date: Report Date:

Parties

Valuation Firm / Preparer Address Contact

Client Name Client Address Engagement Contact

Subject of Valuation

Subject Entity / Asset Subject Address / Location Industry / Business Description

Purpose, Standard and Premise of Value

Purpose of Report:

Standard of Value (check all that apply):

Fair Market Value Investment Value Orderly Liquidation Value Other

Premise of Value:

Valuation Methods Employed

The following approaches and procedures were employed and documented in the report:

Income Approach Market Approach Cost Approach Other

If Other, describe methodology

Summary of Valuation Results

The values below represent the preparer's concluded indications of value as of the Effective Valuation Date. Amounts are stated in the currency indicated by the client.

Description	Amount
Adjusted EBITDA (most recent 12 months)
Selected Multiple / Capitalization Rate
Enterprise Value (indicated)
Less: Net Debt / Adjustments
Indicated Equity Value
Shares Outstanding (if applicable)
Indicated Per Share Value

Assumptions, Scope and Limiting Conditions

The valuation is subject to the following material assumptions and limiting conditions. The valuation conclusions are conditional upon these assumptions being accurate and complete to the knowledge of the preparer.

Sources of Information and Reliance

The preparer relied upon financial statements, management representations, market data, and other information supplied by the Client and third-party sources. The preparer has not independently verified all information and assumes no liability for inaccuracies in third-party or client-supplied materials.

Fees, Payment Terms and Deliverables

Engagement Fee Payment Terms Late Fee Policy

Qualifications and Certifications

The preparer certifies that, to the best of its knowledge, the valuation was prepared by individuals with appropriate qualifications and that the report is impartial and independent except as disclosed to the Client. The Client acknowledges that the preparer may rely on valuation standards applicable to the jurisdiction and that no guarantee of future market prices is provided.

Preparer's Statement of Independence

Use, Distribution and Liability Limitations

This valuation report is prepared solely for the benefit of the Client for the stated purpose. Distribution to third parties is prohibited unless agreed in writing. The preparer's liability for claims arising from this engagement is limited to direct damages and shall exclude consequential or punitive damages, except as required by applicable law.

Acknowledgment and Acceptance

The Client acknowledges receipt of this engagement and accepts the terms, assumptions, and limitations set forth in this document. Acceptance authorizes the preparer to commence work in accordance with the stated terms.

Client Acceptance: I accept the terms and authorize work to proceed.

Valuer:

By:

Date:

Client:

By:

Date:

What a Financial Valuations report is and when it’s used

Financial Valuations document the estimated monetary worth of a business, asset, security, or ownership interest at a specific valuation date. Typical uses include transaction support (M&A, buy-sell), lender underwriting, tax reporting, dispute resolution, and internal planning. Reports summarize scope, data sources, applied valuation methodologies (discounted cash flow, market multiples, cost approach), key adjustments to historical financials, assumptions, and the appraiser’s conclusion of value. A well-prepared valuation explains limitations and provides reproducible calculations so recipients can understand how inputs produce the stated conclusion.

Why a clear Financial Valuations report matters

A formal valuation provides objective, documented support for price decisions, tax positions, financing and litigation. It reduces ambiguity, helps satisfy regulatory or lender requirements, and documents assumptions that affect financial statement presentation and tax compliance.

Typical users and recipients of Financial Valuations

Financial Valuations are prepared by credentialed appraisers or finance teams and shared with stakeholders who need an authoritative value determination.

Business owners and founders seeking an objective basis for sale, recapitalization, or equity allocation.
Lenders, private equity and investors using valuations for underwriting, covenant testing, and investment appraisal.
CPAs, tax advisors and counsel who require defensible valuations for tax reporting, IRS positions, or dispute resolution.

Recipients rely on the report for decision-making, regulatory review, or to support a negotiated price; the document should be auditable and reproducible.

Core sections every professional Financial Valuations should include

A complete valuation report is organized so reviewers can find scope, data, methods, calculations, and the appraiser’s certification without ambiguity.

Executive summary

Concise statement of conclusion, valuation date, intended user, and the purpose of the valuation, including any use restrictions and limitations of the analysis.

Scope & purpose

Defines the assignment, intended uses, engagement limitations, identification of the subject interest, and whether minority/marketable discounts apply.

Valuation date

Exact effective date of value and description of premises (going-concern, liquidation, hypothetical conditions) that frame the opinion.

Methodologies

Detailed explanation of methods used (DCF, market, comparable transactions, asset-based), including model inputs, multipliers, and sensitivity analysis.

Financial adjustments

Adjustments to historical financials, normalized EBITDA, nonrecurring items, and working capital or debt treatments used in models.

Certification

Appraiser credentials, signature, date, statement of independence, and a declaration that the report fairly presents the analyst’s opinion of value.

Step-by-step: completing the Financial Valuations form

Follow a structured sequence to collect data, validate inputs, and produce a defensible conclusion.

01

Prepare request: Confirm scope, valuation date, and intended use with all parties.
02

Gather documents: Collect financials, contracts, cap table, and market data.
03

Select methods: Choose appropriate valuation approaches and document rationale.
04

Document report: Compile calculations, sensitivity tests, and the signed certification.

How to configure an online valuation workflow

Set templates, signer roles, authentication, and retention rules before sending a valuation for signature or review.

Field	Configuration
Document template	Upload report, lock required sections, enable reusable template.
Signers & roles	Assign preparer, reviewer, approver; set signing order if sequential.
Authentication level	Choose email, SMS code, or KBA depending on risk and regulatory needs.
Retention & access	Set storage location, retention period, and export formats (PDF, DOCX).

Where to send or file a completed Financial Valuations

Recipients and filing destinations depend on the report’s purpose; route copies to all stakeholders who require an official record.

Lender or investor: Provide signed report to underwriters to support credit decisions.
Tax advisor: Share with CPA for inclusion in tax positions or disclosures.
Legal counsel: Send certified copies when the valuation supports litigation or settlement.
Internal records: Archive signed report as the company’s official valuation record.

Digital delivery options and technical compatibility

Choose a platform that supports secure storage, audit trails, and required signer authentication levels.

File formats: PDF, DOCX, and XLSX for supporting schedules.
Integrations: Common connectors include Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, Box.
Authentication: Support for email, SMS, KBA and SSO is recommended.

Key dates and timing considerations for valuations

Track deadlines tied to tax filings, financing milestones, and contractual closing dates to ensure the valuation supports related actions.

Valuation effective date:

The date that conditions are measured; must be clearly stated.

Delivery deadline:

Set a target for draft and final delivery relative to transaction close.

Tax filing support:

Ensure valuation materials are available before relevant tax return deadlines.

Lender underwriting window:

Lenders often require reports no older than a specified period at closing.

Record retention start:

Retention begins on valuation date or report issue date, as specified.

Typical milestone sequence for producing a Financial Valuations report

A predictable milestone sequence reduces rework and helps manage stakeholder expectations during valuation engagements.

01

Request received

Engagement terms, scope and valuation date are agreed and documented.

02

Data collection

Client provides financials, contracts, and market data for analysis.

03

Draft analysis

Valuation models, sensitivity testing, and internal review are completed.

04

Final delivery

Signed report issued and distributed to identified recipients.

Common pitfalls to avoid when preparing a valuation

Using an incorrect valuation date or failing to state it clearly can invalidate comparisons and regulatory support.
Omitting or poorly documenting key assumptions—growth rates, discount rates, or market multiples—creates challenges in defending conclusions.
Relying on unaudited or incomplete financials without appropriate adjustments increases risk of material misstatement.
Failing to include a signed certification and credentials reduces report credibility in tax, lender, or court reviews.

Consequences of incorrect or inadequately supported valuations

IRS adjustments: May trigger assessment under IRC §6501(a).

Tax penalties: Understatements can lead to penalties under IRC §6721.

Loan denial: Lender may reduce credit or call for reappraisal.

Litigation exposure: Counterparties may challenge valuation in court.

Loss of tax benefits: Disallowed deductions or credits may be assessed.

Professional liability: Appraiser may face malpractice claims or sanctions.

eSignature vendor comparison for valuing and signing reports

Price and compliance features vary; the table below summarizes starting price, trial availability, bulk send, audit trail, and HIPAA compliance across common vendors.

	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 required	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Frequently asked questions about Financial Valuations and electronic handling

Answers to common questions about validity, signing, notarization, retention, and common processing issues for valuation reports.

Need help? Contact support

Are e-signed valuations legally enforceable?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid in the United States under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided the transaction meets legal criteria for intent, consent, attribution, and reliable record retention.
Do valuation reports require notarization?
Valuations themselves are typically not notarized. Notarization may be required for specific attachments, affidavits, or filings depending on state or lender requirements; check the receiving party’s rules.
What authentication is recommended for signers?
Use at least email plus SMS or KBA for high-value reports. For expert testimony or regulated contexts, stronger authentication and recorded audit trails are recommended.
How long should supporting documents be retained?
Retain valuation reports and supporting data for the active period plus a minimum of three years; for tax or HIPAA-related uses, follow IRS rules (IRC §6501(a)) and HIPAA retention (45 CFR §164.530(j)).
What causes valuation rework or rejection?
Common causes include missing financial schedules, inconsistent assumptions, unsigned certifications, or discrepancies between provided data and source records.
Can I use an eSignature platform for confidential healthcare or financial valuations?
Yes, provided the vendor supports necessary compliance features such as a signed BAA for HIPAA-covered data and meets encryption and audit trail requirements; verify the plan includes required controls.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now