Free CRM for accountants & bookkeepersFree for two months (60-day trial) · no per-user fees
Engagement letters
E-Sign Engagement Letters Online
Printing, signing and scanning is still how most practices get letters signed
Built by a practising Chartered Accountant · Unlimited users · Free for 60 days
- Premier Books Consultancy
- Cranleys Chartered Accountants
- CJM Accountants
- Towpath Accounting Solutions
- Auditax International
- RS
Quick answer
E-signing engagement letters means clients review and sign the document online through a link, without printing, physically signing or scanning anything back. It matters because paper-based signing adds days of delay and gives clients an easy excuse to put off a decision they've already made.
What does e-signing an engagement letter actually involve?
The client receives a link by email, reviews the letter on screen, and signs it electronically — the signed copy is stored automatically against their record, with no printing or posting involved.
Ask most practices how a client signs their engagement letter and the answer is still: print it, sign it, scan it, email it back — or worse, post it. Every one of those steps is an opportunity for the letter to sit untouched on a kitchen table for a week while the client means to get round to it.
E-signature removes every one of those steps except the click. The client opens a link, reads the letter, and signs on screen. It doesn't change what's in the letter or how binding it is meant to be — it just removes the friction between agreeing and confirming.
Why paper-based signing costs UK practices clients
A firm I know used to email PDFs of engagement letters and ask clients to print, sign and scan them back. One new client — busy, running her own business, genuinely intending to sign — let it sit for three weeks. In that time she mentioned to a friend she 'hadn't quite got round to' the paperwork with her new accountant, and the friend recommended a firm she'd used, who sent things 'you could sign on your phone.'
Nothing had gone wrong with the actual relationship. The letter simply asked for more effort than a busy person could easily give it, and that friction created an opening for a competitor to look more convenient — with no real difference in service.
The client did eventually sign. But the firm had come uncomfortably close to losing her over a printer, not a decision.
- Letter sent as a PDF
- Client needs to print it
- Printer isn't handy, or scanning is a hassle
- Letter sits unsigned for days or weeks
- Leak: Client's attention moves elsewhere
Signs you have this problem
- Clients are asked to print, sign and scan their engagement letter
- You've had a client mention they don't own a printer or scanner
- Signed letters come back inconsistently formatted or with pages missing
- You can't tell whether a client has opened a letter you've sent
- New clients take more than a few days to return a signed letter
How to move engagement letters to e-signature: step by step
- 1
Choose a system that supports e-signature
Make sure your proposal and letter templates can be sent with an e-signature link built in, not as a separate step.
- 2
Build your letter template
Set up your standard scope, fee and terms wording once, ready to be sent to each new client.
- 3
Send the letter with the signature link
Email it directly, rather than as a PDF attachment the client has to print.
- 4
Track who's signed and who hasn't
Use proposal filters to see status across every client rather than checking your inbox for replies.
- 5
Follow up on anything outstanding
Set a reminder for letters that haven't come back within a few days.
- 6
Store the signed copy automatically
Keep the signed letter against the client's record so it's easy to find later, without filing it manually.
How does e-signature work inside Remindoo?
Remindoo sends proposals and letters of engagement by email with an e-signature link built in, so clients review and sign online rather than printing, signing and scanning anything back. There's nothing extra to set up beyond building your letter template — sending for signature is part of the same send action. Proposal filters show you which letters are still awaiting a signature, so you can follow up on a schedule rather than checking your inbox repeatedly. Once signed, the letter is stored against the client's record automatically, and a won lead converts into an active client without you re-entering their details. It's free for 60 days, so you can move your next batch of engagement letters onto e-signature and see how much faster clients respond.
E-signatures
Clients sign online, no printing or scanning.
See featureProposals and letters of engagement
Send proposals and engagement letters by email.
See featureProposal filters
Find proposals by stage, owner and date.
See featureConvert won leads into clients
Signed leads become active clients without re-keying.
See featureCentralised client information
Services, documents and notes in one record.
See featureWhat changes when you fix it?
| Area | Spreadsheets, inbox and memory | With Remindoo |
|---|---|---|
| Signing process | Print, sign, scan, email back | Click a link and sign on screen |
| Time to return | Days to weeks | Often the same day |
| Tracking status | Waiting to see if an email reply arrives | Proposal filters show status directly |
| Storing the signed copy | Manually filing a scanned PDF | Stored automatically against the client |
| Client effort | Needs a printer and scanner | Needs a phone or laptop only |
See it working with your own clients
A 30-minute walkthrough using your leads, services and deadlines.
Is an electronically signed engagement letter valid in the UK?
Electronic signatures are generally recognised in UK law for most commercial agreements, though firms should check their own professional body's position and the wording of the letter itself. [VERIFY]
| Aspect | Paper signature | E-signature |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Days to return | Often same day |
| Client effort | Print, sign, scan or post | Click and sign online |
| Record keeping | Manual filing of scanned copy | Stored automatically |
| Tracking | Wait for a reply | Status visible immediately |
Confirm your professional body's current position on electronic signatures for engagement letters if you're unsure — this is general information, not legal advice.
“Automated reminders and task templates save countless hours each week.”
Frequently asked questions
Do clients need to install anything to e-sign a letter?
No, they open a link in their email and sign in the browser — no software or account needed on their side.
Is an e-signed letter as valid as a wet-ink signature?
Electronic signatures are widely accepted for commercial agreements in the UK, but check your professional body's specific guidance if you're unsure. [VERIFY]
Can I see when a client opens the letter?
Proposal filters show you the status of each letter, including whether it's outstanding, so you can follow up appropriately.
What happens to the signed copy?
It's stored against the client's record automatically, so you don't need to file a scanned PDF separately.
Can I still send a paper letter if a client prefers it?
Yes, e-signature is an option that speeds things up — you can still handle exceptions manually where needed.
Is e-signature free to use?
Yes, it's included as part of Remindoo, free for 60 days.
Ready to run a calmer practice?
See Remindoo with your own clients, or start free for 60 days with unlimited users.
Sources
Comparing options? Read our guide to proposal software for accountants.
Last updated: . General guidance, not regulatory advice.
Why tracking leads and proposals matters
Every enquiry a practice fails to follow up is lost fee income. A clear pipeline shows which prospects need a reply, a proposal or a follow-up.
Faster replies
Prospects often contact more than one firm, so the firm that replies first and clearly has an advantage.
Consistent proposals
Templates and a services catalogue keep scope and pricing consistent whoever writes the proposal.
Signed terms from day one
E-signed engagement letters confirm scope and responsibilities before work begins.
No re-keying
Converting a won lead into a client keeps the details you already collected.
Practical tips from UK practice
- Reply to every new enquiry within one working day.
- Use lead statuses that match your real sales stages, and review them weekly.
- Send the engagement letter with the proposal so the client signs once.
- Record why lost leads were lost, to improve pricing and messaging.
Related Remindoo features
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar ACA FCCA FMAAT, Chartered Accountant with 18+ years in practice. Founder and MD of Accotax, an ICAEW, ACCA and AAT regulated London practice that has served over 5,000 clients, and founder of Remindoo. Guidance is general; check current GOV.UK and professional body guidance for your firm.
What UK practices say about Remindoo
Read all reviews on Trustpilot“With Remindoo, everything from the first enquiry to onboarding and ongoing client management is tracked in one place… It saves us hours and gives me, as a practice owner, complete visibility of where the firm stands.”
“The biggest benefit is having clients, tasks, deadlines, workflows, proposals and communication all organised in one place.”
“During my trial, the team were absolutely amazing. They helped onboard my clients, set up my settings and made sure everything was ready for me to use… they made the whole process completely stress-free.”
“It brings client information, tasks, recurring deadlines, workflows and reminders together in one place, giving us much better visibility across the team.”
