Can the Valuation Approval Form be e-signed?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA when intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are satisfied. Confirm no statutory exception applies (e.g., certain wills, court orders) and follow consumer disclosure rules when required.

Is notarization or RON required?

Notarization depends on transaction and jurisdiction. Some states accept Remote Online Notarization with identity proofing and A/V recording; others require in-person or state-specific processes. Verify state notary laws and retain any required notary records per local rules.

Which fields are essential on the form?

Essential fields include full legal names, valuation effective date (MM/DD/YYYY), valuation purpose, methodology, value conclusion, assumptions, reviewer notes, and signature block. Omitting any can delay approval, affect tax reporting, or impair auditability.

How long should records be retained?

Retention varies: keep valuation and financial records at least three years for IRS purposes (IRC §6501(a)), six years for certain tax or SEC contexts, and six years for HIPAA-covered documentation (45 CFR §164.530(j)). Check state requirements.

Who should sign the Valuation Approval Form?

The preparer/appraiser signs to attest to the valuation. An authorized approver (finance, credit, risk, or senior manager) records acceptance. Signatory authority should align with your internal approval matrix and be documented to support controls and audit trails.

How to store signed forms securely?

Store executed forms with access controls, encrypted at rest (AES-256) and in transit (TLS 1.2/1.3), retain audit trails, and apply role-based access. For cloud platforms, verify SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 certifications and HIPAA BAA where required.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Finance
Valuation Approval Form

Valuation Approval Form

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

Valuation Approval Form

Client Name: Valuation Report No.:

Valuation Date: / /

Appraiser / Preparer

Appraiser Name License / Certification No. Company / Firm Contact (address, phone, email)

Subject Asset / Assignment

Subject Description / Address Purpose of Valuation

Valuation Type (check all that apply):

Market Value Fair Value Investment Value Insurance Replacement Liquidation Value

Other Type (specify)

Valuation Summary

Estimated Value (numeric): Currency:

Estimated Range: Low High

Basis, Key Assumptions and Limiting Conditions

Documents Reviewed

The appraiser certifies review of the following documents and data (check all that apply):

Financial statements Market comparables and market data Inspection and condition reports Contracts, leases or purchase agreements Other

If Other, describe

Fees and Payment

Billing Party: Payment Due:

Payment Methods Accepted / Notes

Description	Quantity	Unit Rate	Amount



Subtotal
Tax / VAT
Total Due

Terms, Certifications and Limitations

By signing below, the approver certifies that the valuation report and supporting documentation have been reviewed in accordance with the organization's valuation policies and applicable professional standards. The approver authorizes release of the valuation to the client and any designated third parties listed in the report, subject to confidentiality provisions herein.

Limitation of Liability: The appraiser's liability for claims arising from this valuation is limited to direct damages and shall not include consequential, incidental, or punitive damages. Any reliance by third parties is permitted only with express written authorization signed by the appraiser and client. The valuation is prepared for the stated purpose and may not be suitable for other uses.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution: This approval and the valuation engagement shall be governed by the laws of the jurisdiction specified in the engagement agreement. Disputes regarding the valuation shall be subject to the dispute resolution process set out in the engagement agreement, including mediation and, if necessary, arbitration.

Additional Terms / Notes

Approval Decision

Decision (select one): Approve Approve with Conditions Reject

If Conditional or Reject, provide details

Approver Details

Approver Name Title / Department Approver Contact Email

Printed Name:

Signature:

Date:

What the Valuation Approval Form Is

The Valuation Approval Form documents authorization and acceptance of a formal property or asset valuation report. It records the appraiser or valuation provider, scope, effective date, valuation purpose, and approval signature(s). Organizations use it to ensure consistent review, maintain audit trails, and link valuation outputs to transaction or compliance records. The form can be paper or electronic; when executed electronically it must meet ESIGN/UETA requirements for validity. This template includes fields for identifying parties, valuation methodology, assumptions, value conclusion, reviewer notes, and signature blocks for authorized approvers.

Why a Standard Approval Form Matters

A Valuation Approval Form establishes formal acceptance of a valuation, documents reviewer findings, and creates an audit-ready record for internal control and regulatory review. It supports compliance with ESIGN (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and state UETA frameworks where applicable.

Who Typically Completes and Uses This Form

Use the Valuation Approval Form when internal reviewers, finance teams, compliance officers, or external underwriters need a documented approval record.

Corporate finance teams seeking sign-off for impairment, reserve, or purchase accounting workpapers.
Lenders and underwriters verifying appraisal acceptance and scope for loan closings.
Valuation reviewers and chief appraisers documenting methodology, assumptions, and reviewer conclusions.

The form standardizes approvals across projects and provides a retrievable record for audits, diligence, and regulatory examinations.

Typical Signers and Their Roles

Appraiser

An independent appraiser or valuation analyst who prepares the report, states assumptions, and signs the valuation conclusion. Their role includes documenting methods, data sources, and limitations; their signature attests to the stated value as of the effective date and supports downstream approval.

Approving Officer

The approving officer (finance, credit, or risk) reviews the appraisal, confirms scope and assumptions, and records acceptance or required revisions. Their approval establishes internal control and triggers posting, loan funding, or financial reporting actions tied to the valuation.

Required Information and Key Fields

Parties: Full legal names and roles

Valuation Date: Enter as MM/DD/YYYY format

Valuation Method: Approach used and rationale

Value Conclusion: Final value and units

Assumptions: Material assumptions and limits

Signatures: Authorized signer name and date

Step-by-Step: Complete and Approve the Form

Follow these sequential steps to complete and approve the Valuation Approval Form accurately and maintain compliance.

01

Prepare Report: Attach valuation report and supporting exhibits.
02

Enter Metadata: Complete names, dates, purpose, and methodology fields.
03

Review Findings: Reviewer checks assumptions, inputs, and conflicts.
04

Approve and Sign: Authorized approver signs and dates the form.

Where to Send the Completed Form

This section describes routing and submission destinations for the completed Valuation Approval Form, including internal records and external filing destinations.

Submit to Records: File in document management system with audit trail.
Send to Finance: Notify finance or accounting for postings.
Provide to Lender: Share with lender under NDA when required.
Retain Backup: Store signed PDF and metadata securely.

Online Workflow Settings for Electronic Completion

Common online workflow settings for configuring the Valuation Approval Form in an eSignature platform securely.

Field	Configuration
Authentication	Email link or SMS code
Access	Role-based signer order or shared link
Auto-Archive	Save signed PDF to cloud storage
Notifications	Email alerts and completion receipts

Platform Capabilities to Look For

Choose a platform that supports secure e-signing, audit trails, and HIPAA-compliant workflows if handling health data.

Document Types: PDF, DOCX, XLSX support
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
Security: TLS 1.2 and 1.3; AES-256 encryption

Timelines and Processing Expectations

Key dates and processing times to set expectations for approvals, filing, and archival of valuation records.

Form Completion Deadline:

Complete approval within 30 days of valuation effective date.

Reviewer Response Time:

Reviewer has 10 business days to respond.

Escalation Window:

Escalate unresolved issues after 15 business days.

Retention Trigger:

Retention begins on approval date.

Audit Access Period:

Provide signed records on request within 3 business days.

Key Processing Milestones

Sequential milestones from report delivery to final approval that track processing stages and responsible parties.

01

Report Delivered

Appraiser submits valuation report and attachments.

02

Initial Review

Reviewer checks methodology, inputs, and assumptions.

03

Clarifications

Request additional data or corrections if needed.

04

Final Sign-off

Authorized approver signs, dates, and routes record.

Common Preparation Pitfalls to Avoid

Including incomplete valuation metadata (missing effective date, standard of value, or valuation purpose) makes approvals ambiguous and can delay regulatory reporting and financial postings.
Using inconsistent or unclear valuation methodology descriptions prevents reviewers from verifying assumptions and undermines auditability of the valuation process during due diligence.
Failing to match signer names to legal entity records or IDs risks processing errors, tax withholding issues, and may invalidate approvals for critical transactions.
Not capturing reviewer timestamps, IP addresses, or an audit trail reduces evidentiary strength of electronic approvals and complicates dispute resolution.

Consequences of Incorrect or Missing Approvals

Audit Findings: May trigger restatements or compliance actions

Financial Impact: Incorrect valuations affect reserves and earnings

Tax Exposure: Potential IRS adjustments or withholding

Contract Risk: Payment, closing delays, or breach claims

Legal Challenge: Disputes over methodology or authority

Data Privacy: Sensitive data may trigger HIPAA concerns

Key Components of a Professional Valuation Approval Form

Essential elements that make the Valuation Approval Form complete, auditable, and compliant with internal controls and regulatory expectations for financial reporting and transaction use.

Identification

Include full legal names of parties, entity types, contact information, project identifiers, and reference numbers. Accurate identification prevents misfiling and links the valuation to the correct transaction and accounting records.

Scope & Purpose

Define assignment scope, purpose of valuation, standard of value, intended users, and any limiting conditions. Clear scope aligns expectations and determines appropriate methodology and disclosures required in the report.

Methodology

Document which approaches were applied (income, market, cost), data sources, normalization adjustments, and calculation steps, including discount or capitalization rates used and justification for each assumption.

Assumptions & Limits

List material assumptions, limiting conditions, and exclusions. Explicitly note market conditions, data limitations, and any hypothetical or retroactive assumptions affecting the value conclusion and reporting implications.

Reviewer Notes

Provide reviewer comments, identified discrepancies, recommended adjustments, and an approval rationale. Include signature, name, title, and contact information for the approving reviewer for audit reference.

Signatures & Audit

Capture signer identity, signature method (electronic or wet ink), date, and an audit trail containing timestamps, IP addresses, and a certificate of completion for e-signed records.

Exporting, Supporting Documents, and File Management

Practical file-handling features to export, package, and retain the Valuation Approval Form and its supporting documents in compliant formats for audits.

Export Formats

Save executed forms as PDF/A for long-term archiving; retain native DOCX copies when redline history is required. Ensure signatures and metadata are embedded and timestamped.

Attached Exhibits

Include appraisal report, comparables, financial schedules, data extracts, and any third-party certifications. Label exhibits clearly and reference them inside the approval form for traceability and indexing.

Backup Files

Retain original submitted files, data source exports, and audit logs separately. Use read-only archives and store copies in geographically redundant cloud storage with access logs.

Version Control

Track all revisions and approval iterations with version numbers, timestamps, and signer identities. Keep a clear history to support audits and dispute resolution and retention notes.

Real-World Examples of Use

Short examples showing how organizations use approval forms to standardize valuation sign-off and preserve audit trails.

Martin Properties

Tim Martin, Founder of Martin Properties, uses a standardized Valuation Approval Form to close property deals and retain an auditable approval record across devices.

Mobile and offline signing for field appraisals.
I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently.

BIS

Dan Rotelli, CEO of BIS, relies on standardized approval forms to maintain SOC 2-level audit readiness and clear ESIGN/UETA-compliant signature trails.

Preserves audit trail and compliance.
He noted that SOC 2 certification and strict adherence to ESIGN and UETA compliance enabled consistent approval workflows, reliable audit trails, and defensible records for valuations, which simplified internal controls and external regulatory reviews across BIS operations.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Completion

Practical tips to improve accuracy, speed, and compliance when preparing and approving valuation documents across teams.

Use standardized templates and checklists

Maintain a single, organization-wide Valuation Approval Form template that enforces required fields, prevents free-text omissions, and integrates conditional logic. Standardization reduces reviewer errors, accelerates approvals, and simplifies training and audit readiness.

Require identity and authority verification

Verify signer identity and signatory authority before final approval. Use multi-factor authentication for sensitive approvals, match names to entity records, and capture evidence of authority to reduce disputes and strengthen legal enforceability.

Attach supporting exhibits and index metadata

Include the appraisal report, data sources, comparable listings, spreadsheets, and a clear exhibit index. Embed metadata (filing date, reviewer, approver) and ensure retained files are tamper-evident with audit trails and version control.

Document reviewer rationale for audits

Require reviewers to summarize key rationale, explain material adjustments, and state why the valuation conclusion was accepted. Clear rationale shortens audits, supports financial reporting, and defends valuations in disputes or regulatory examinations.

eSignature Vendor Pricing and Feature Snapshot

A vendor comparison showing starting price, trial availability, bulk send, audit trail, HIPAA compliance, and envelope limits for common eSignature providers.

	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
Envelope Cap	No envelope cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about completing, signing, and storing the Valuation Approval Form, including eSignature and notarization concerns.

Need help? Contact support

Can the Valuation Approval Form be e-signed?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA when intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are satisfied. Confirm no statutory exception applies (e.g., certain wills, court orders) and follow consumer disclosure rules when required.
Is notarization or RON required?
Notarization depends on transaction and jurisdiction. Some states accept Remote Online Notarization with identity proofing and A/V recording; others require in-person or state-specific processes. Verify state notary laws and retain any required notary records per local rules.
Which fields are essential on the form?
Essential fields include full legal names, valuation effective date (MM/DD/YYYY), valuation purpose, methodology, value conclusion, assumptions, reviewer notes, and signature block. Omitting any can delay approval, affect tax reporting, or impair auditability.
How long should records be retained?
Retention varies: keep valuation and financial records at least three years for IRS purposes (IRC §6501(a)), six years for certain tax or SEC contexts, and six years for HIPAA-covered documentation (45 CFR §164.530(j)). Check state requirements.
Who should sign the Valuation Approval Form?
The preparer/appraiser signs to attest to the valuation. An authorized approver (finance, credit, risk, or senior manager) records acceptance. Signatory authority should align with your internal approval matrix and be documented to support controls and audit trails.
How to store signed forms securely?
Store executed forms with access controls, encrypted at rest (AES-256) and in transit (TLS 1.2/1.3), retain audit trails, and apply role-based access. For cloud platforms, verify SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 certifications and HIPAA BAA where required.

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