Electronic Signature Overview

Electronic signatures in Tidyflow let you send documents to clients and collect legally valid signatures without printing, scanning, or chasing emails. This feature is designed for common accounting firm documents like engagement letters, consent forms, and approvals.

The process is simple: upload a PDF, add signers, place signature fields, and send. Once all parties have signed, the completed document is automatically shared and stored.

What you can use electronic signatures for

Common use cases include:

Engagement letters (to send one as part of a proposal instead, see How to send an engagement letter)
Client consent forms
Authorizations and acknowledgements
Internal approvals

At this time, PDF files are supported for electronic signatures.

How electronic signatures work

1. Upload a document

Start by uploading a PDF to a client. Once uploaded, select Request Signature to begin the signing process.

2. Add one or more signers

Choose one or more contacts to sign the document.
You can collect signatures from multiple parties on the same document without sending separate requests.

3. Place signature fields

Drag fields from the side panel onto the document itself and drop them where they belong. You are placing them on your own PDF, so a form that has to be signed exactly as it was issued stays intact. There is no need to rebuild it as a web form or collect the signature on a separate page.

Four field types are available:

Signature
Initials
Text
Date

Each field is assigned to a specific signer. Switch between signers and place the appropriate fields for each person, then drag a field to move it or use its handles to resize it.

A Date field opens prefilled with the current date, so the signer taps Save date to confirm rather than working out the format. They can pick a different date if the document needs one.

A Text field can be prefilled by you before the request goes out, so the signer only has to confirm or complete it.

4. Send for signature

Once the document is ready, send it for signature.
Each signer receives an email with a secure link to the document.

Clients do not need to log in or create an account to sign.

Before signing, each signer is asked to confirm consent to use electronic records and electronic signatures.
After consenting, they can complete their signature directly in the browser.

6. Completion and storage

Once all signers have completed the document:

The signed document is emailed to all signers and the user who sent the request
The document is locked and cannot be modified
The signed copy is stored securely in Tidyflow

Each completed document includes a clear audit trail showing when it was sent, consented to, signed, and completed.

What signers see

Signers receive:

An email with a secure signing link
A simple signing experience with no login required
A copy of the completed document once signing is finished

Reuse a document with signature templates

If you send the same document to client after client, save it once as a signature template instead of rebuilding it every time. A template stores the PDF, its signer roles, and every field placement, so sending it later is just a matter of choosing the client and filling the roles.

To create one, prepare a signature request as usual and choose Save as template. Templates live in Settings, then Signature Templates, where you can also build one from scratch.

To send a template, open it and choose Send for signature. Pick the client, fill in a name and email address for each signer role, complete any text fields you prefill as the sender, and Tidyflow prepares the request as a draft so you can review it before it goes out.

Signature templates are the only part of electronic signatures that differs by plan. Sending signature requests is unlimited on every plan. See pricing for what each plan includes.

Audit trail and records

Every signed document includes an audit trail that records:

When the document was sent
When consent was given
When each signer signed
When the document was completed

This helps firms keep clear records for their files.

Frequently asked questions

Do clients need a Tidyflow account to sign?
No. Clients sign using a secure link sent by email.

Are electronic signatures legally valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid when consent and intent are captured and recorded.

Can I download the signed document later?
Yes. Signed documents remain available in Tidyflow.

Can I put signature fields on a form I did not create?
Yes. You place fields on the PDF you upload, so official forms and authorizations can be signed exactly as issued without being rebuilt.

Do signature requests use credits or cost extra?
No. Sending signature requests is unlimited on every plan, with no per-signature credits or prepaid packs to buy.

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