{"id":37377,"date":"2026-04-08T10:47:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T09:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/?p=37377"},"modified":"2026-04-08T10:47:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T09:47:23","slug":"digital-signature-vs-electronic-signature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/digital-signature-vs-electronic-signature\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital Signature vs Electronic Signature: What&#8217;s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"37377\" class=\"elementor elementor-37377\" data-elementor-settings=\"{&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_width&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_width_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_width_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_padding&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_padding_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_padding_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_border_radius&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_border_radius_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;element_pack_global_tooltip_border_radius_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true}}\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7da9bdd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7da9bdd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10e759f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"10e759f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>You&#8217;ve probably used &#8220;digital signature&#8221; and &#8220;electronic signature&#8221; as if they mean the same thing. For most of your career, that was fine.<\/p><p>However, the distinction now has a compliance consequence. Get it wrong, and your client&#8217;s repayment claim doesn&#8217;t get processed. But to understand why, you need to know what actually separates the two: a digital signature vs an electronic signature.<\/p><p>An electronic signature is the legal umbrella term for any data in electronic form used to sign a document, from a typed name in an email to a cryptographically verified identity certificate. A digital signature is a specific subset of that. It uses Public Key Infrastructure technology to verify the signer&#8217;s identity and lock the document so that any change made after signing immediately invalidates it. In short, every digital signature is an electronic signature. However, not every electronic signature is a digital signature.<\/p><p>This Guide covers digital signature vs an electronic signature in plain terms, where the line sits, which documents fall on which side of it, and what HMRC now requires from agents.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3300b44 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3300b44\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Digital Signature vs Electronic Signature: In Plain Terms <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b30cb3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b30cb3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Digital signature vs an electronic signature isn&#8217;t just a terminology debate. It&#8217;s what happens behind it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-643dd68 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"643dd68\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"550\" src=\"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Digital-Signature-vs-Electronic-Signature-In-Plain-Terms.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-37379\" alt=\"Digital Signature vs Electronic Signature In Plain Terms\" srcset=\"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Digital-Signature-vs-Electronic-Signature-In-Plain-Terms.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Digital-Signature-vs-Electronic-Signature-In-Plain-Terms-300x165.jpg 300w, https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Digital-Signature-vs-Electronic-Signature-In-Plain-Terms-768x422.jpg 768w, https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Digital-Signature-vs-Electronic-Signature-In-Plain-Terms-650x358.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51f64fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"51f64fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The simplest way to see a digital signature vs an electronic signature is through the same document, signed two different ways.<\/p><p><strong>Your client signs an <a href=\"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/engagement-letter-vs-letter-of-intent-whats-the-difference-why-it-matters-for-accountants\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">engagement letter<\/a> through your platform.<\/strong> They receive a link, open the document on their phone, type their name, and click sign. The platform records their email address, IP address, and the exact time of signing. That&#8217;s a simple electronic signature. It&#8217;s legally valid for this document. It proves your client intended to sign.<\/p><p><strong>Now the same client signs a P87 repayment nomination as part of an HMRC submission.<\/strong> They receive a link, open the document, and before they can sign, the platform sends a one-time password to their mobile number. They enter it. That OTP is cryptographically linked to the document at the point of signing. If anything in the document changes after that moment, the signature is flagged as invalid. That&#8217;s an advanced electronic signature. It&#8217;s also a digital signature.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4f2596 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a4f2596\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Counts as an Electronic Signature Under UK Law? <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-961b16d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"961b16d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/eur\/2014\/910\/article\/3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Article 3 of the UK eIDAS Regulation<\/a>, an electronic signature is:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5ecc4f elementor-blockquote--skin-quotation elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"e5ecc4f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\tdata in electronic form, which is attached to or logically associated with other data in electronic form, and which is used by the signatory to sign. \t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49841ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"49841ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Electronic Communications Act 2000 makes it admissible as evidence in legal proceedings.<\/p><p>UK eIDAS recognises three tiers of an electronic signature.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a14b81a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a14b81a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4fcd29d elementor-position-left bdt-icon-type-icon bdt-icon-effect-none elementor-widget elementor-widget-bdt-advanced-icon-box\" data-id=\"4fcd29d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"bdt-advanced-icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon-heading bdt-flex bdt-flex-middle\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon-wrap\">\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-icon-box-title-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-title ep-title-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSimple Electronic Signature \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It includes a typed name, a drawn signature, or a checkbox. The platform records who sent the document, who accessed it, and when it was signed. It&#8217;s enough for the majority of documents that accounting firms handle day to day.<\/p><p>Documents like engagement letters, proposals, fee amendments, and standard client contracts all sit here.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3817e1 elementor-position-left bdt-icon-type-icon bdt-icon-effect-none elementor-widget elementor-widget-bdt-advanced-icon-box\" data-id=\"c3817e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"bdt-advanced-icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon-heading bdt-flex bdt-flex-middle\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon-wrap\">\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-icon-box-title-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-title ep-title-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAdvanced Electronic Signature \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It must meet four conditions, as set out under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/eur\/2014\/910\/article\/26\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Article 26 of UK eIDAS<\/a>:<\/p><ul><li>uniquely linked to the signatory,<\/li><li>capable of identifying them,<\/li><li>created using data under their sole control, and<\/li><li>linked to the signed document in a way that detects any subsequent changes.<\/li><\/ul><p>In practice, that means a one-time password sent to the signatory&#8217;s mobile before they can sign. It doesn&#8217;t just record intent. It proves who signed and that the document hasn&#8217;t been touched since.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bd6cd8 elementor-position-left bdt-icon-type-icon bdt-icon-effect-none elementor-widget elementor-widget-bdt-advanced-icon-box\" data-id=\"1bd6cd8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"bdt-advanced-icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon-heading bdt-flex bdt-flex-middle\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-icon-wrap\">\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-icon-box-title-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-title ep-title-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tQualified Electronic Signature \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-advanced-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It requires a qualified electronic signature creation device and a qualified certificate issued by a qualified trust service provider, as set out in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/eur\/2014\/910\/annex\/I\/paragraph\/1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Annex I of UK eIDAS<\/a>. Identity verification happens face-to-face or via video with the QTSP (Qualified Trust Service Provider) before the certificate is issued. It&#8217;s rarely required for standard English law transactions.<\/p><p>You&#8217;ll encounter it in cross-border dealings or situations demanding the strongest possible identity assurance. For everyday accounting work, you won&#8217;t need it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e207e8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4e207e8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b69b0dd ui-e-left ui-e-align-left ui-e-align-mobile-left ui-e-align-tablet-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-uicore-icon-box\" data-id=\"b69b0dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;position&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;content_padding&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;content_padding_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true},&quot;content_padding_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;top&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;right&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;bottom&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;left&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;isLinked&quot;:true}}\" data-widget_type=\"uicore-icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n        <div class=\"ui-e-ico-box\" >\n\n            \n            <div class='ui-e-flex-wrp'>\n\n                                    <div class=\"ui-e-icon-wrp\">\n\n                        <i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ti ti-notepad\"><\/i>\n                    <\/div>\n                \n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"ui-e-box-content\">\n                <div class=\"ui-e-title-wrp\"><h4 class=\"ui-e-title\">Did You Know?  <\/h4><\/div>\n                <div class=\"ui-e-description\">\n                    <p>A signed document without a compliant audit trail leaves you exposed if a client disputes the signature. Here&#8217;s what actually makes an e-signature and an e-signature platform valid &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/what-makes-an-electronic-signature-legal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Are Electronic Signatures Legally Binding for in the UK?<\/a><\/p>                <\/div>\n\n                \n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bb3183 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3bb3183\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38af23a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"38af23a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Counts as a Digital Signature? <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1342a2e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1342a2e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A digital signature is defined as:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-745d041 elementor-blockquote--skin-quotation elementor-blockquote--align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"745d041\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\tan electronic signature that uses cryptographic technology to verify the signer's identity and seal the document against tampering.   \t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02bf237 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"02bf237\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Here&#8217;s what that means in plain terms.<\/p><p>At the moment of signing, the platform creates a unique fingerprint of the document. That fingerprint is encrypted and locked to the signer&#8217;s identity. If anything in the document changes after signing, the fingerprint no longer matches, and the signature is immediately flagged as invalid.<\/p><p>Advanced and Qualified electronic signatures are both digital signatures. A simple electronic signature is not.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad26852 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad26852\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Digital Signature vs Electronic Signature: What Each One Actually Proves <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5091162 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5091162\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The tier you use, digital signature vs an electronic signature, determines what you can demonstrate if a document is challenged. Not whether the signature is valid in the first place.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d4a9d8 bdt-hide-entries-on-mobile-yes elementor-widget elementor-widget-bdt-table\" data-id=\"8d4a9d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"bdt-table.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-table bdt-overflow-auto \" id=\"bdt-table-8d4a9d8\">\n\n\n\t\t\t<table>\n    <thead>\n      <tr>\n        <th>What it proves<\/th>\n        <th>Simple Electronic Signature<\/th>\n        <th>Advanced \/ Digital Signature<\/th>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/thead>\n    <tbody>\n      <tr>\n        <td>The signatory intended to sign<\/td>\n        <td>Yes<\/td>\n        <td>Yes<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>The signatory is who they claim to be<\/td>\n        <td>Partially (email address only)<\/td>\n        <td>Yes (identity verified via OTP or certificate)<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>The document has not been altered since signing<\/td>\n        <td>No<\/td>\n        <td>Yes<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Admissible audit trail<\/td>\n        <td>Basic<\/td>\n        <td>Complete<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>HMRC accepted for agent repayment nominations from April 2026<\/td>\n        <td>No<\/td>\n        <td>Yes<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa564fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fa564fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For engagement letters, <a href=\"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/create-client-winning-accounting-proposal-for-free\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">proposals<\/a>, and standard client contracts, the simple tier is sufficient. The Law Commission confirmed in its 2019 report on electronic execution of documents that what matters is whether an authenticating intention can be demonstrated, not the tier of signature used.<\/p><p>The table matters when you move into HMRC submission territory.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d6c2d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5d6c2d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Which Signature Type Does Each Document Actually Need? <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f20e16e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f20e16e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Most documents accounting firms handle day to day sit at the simple tier. Here is where each document lands.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b613abb bdt-hide-entries-on-mobile-yes elementor-widget elementor-widget-bdt-table\" data-id=\"b613abb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"bdt-table.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-table bdt-overflow-auto \" id=\"bdt-table-b613abb\">\n\n\n\t\t\t<table>\n    <thead>\n      <tr>\n        <th>Document<\/th>\n        <th>Minimum signature tier required<\/th>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/thead>\n    <tbody>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Engagement letters<\/td>\n        <td>Simple electronic signature<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Client proposals<\/td>\n        <td>Simple electronic signature<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Fee amendments<\/td>\n        <td>Simple electronic signature<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>NDAs and service agreements<\/td>\n        <td>Simple electronic signature<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>64-8 agent authorisations<\/td>\n        <td>Simple electronic signature (HMRC confirmed, Agent Update 115)<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>P87 \/ R40 \/ Marriage Allowance (agent repayment nominations)<\/td>\n        <td>Advanced electronic signature (from 6 April 2025)<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>IHT400 \/ IHT100<\/td>\n        <td>Printed signature accepted where the agent provides written confirmation all LPRs have agreed<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Lasting powers of attorney<\/td>\n        <td>Wet signature required. The Office of the Public Guardian does not accept e-signatures<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Wills<\/td>\n        <td>Wet signature required under the Wills Act 1837<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Land Registry registered dispositions<\/td>\n        <td>Mercury signing or Conveyancer-Certified Electronic Signature. QES accepted under the pilot scheme from August 2025 per GOV.UK<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ec4969 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2ec4969\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conclusion <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c965469 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c965469\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The difference between a digital signature vs an electronic signature is technical. For most documents accounting firms handle, it doesn&#8217;t matter. A simple electronic signature on an engagement letter is legally valid and has been since the Electronic Communications Act 2000.<\/p><p>The distinction starts to matter the moment you move into HMRC submissions territory. Since April 2025, agent repayment nominations on P87, R40, and Marriage Allowance forms require an Advanced Electronic Signature. A simple electronic signature no longer qualifies. And HMRC will ask for evidence that you have an AES solution in place before processing any claims.<\/p><p>Practices that have this right now have one less compliance gap to worry about when HMRC asks.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d8ee4a elementor-cta--skin-classic elementor-animated-content elementor-bg-transform elementor-bg-transform-zoom-in elementor-widget elementor-widget-call-to-action\" data-id=\"6d8ee4a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"call-to-action.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-cta__title elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tChoosing the Right E-Signature Platform for Your Practice   \t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__description elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNow you know which tier each document requires. The next question is which platform delivers it. Our Guide covers the best e-signature software for UK accountants across four categories: pure e-signature tools, e-signature plus document generation, e-signature plus client onboarding, and full practice management systems. \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-cta__button-wrapper elementor-cta__content-item elementor-content-item \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-cta__button elementor-button elementor-size-\" href=\"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/e-signature-software-for-accountants\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRead the Guide  \u2192 \t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-568642c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"568642c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4312b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-bdt-accordion\" data-id=\"d4312b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"bdt-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-container\">\n\t\t\t<div id=\"bdt-ep-accordion-d4312b5\" class=\"bdt-ep-accordion bdt-accordion\" data-bdt-accordion=\"{&quot;collapsible&quot;:true,&quot;multiple&quot;:false,&quot;transition&quot;:&quot;ease-in-out&quot;}\" \t\tdata-settings=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;bdt-ep-accordion-d4312b5&quot;,&quot;activeHash&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;activeScrollspy&quot;:null,&quot;hashTopOffset&quot;:false,&quot;hashScrollspyTime&quot;:false,&quot;closeAllItemsOnMobile&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"bdt-ep-accordion-title bdt-accordion-title bdt-flex bdt-flex-middle bdt-flex-between\" id=\"bdt-ep-accordion-digital-signature-vs-an-electronic-signature-whats-the-difference\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-accordion-index=\"0\" data-title=\"digital-signature-vs-an-electronic-signature-what-039-s-the-difference\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon bdt-flex-align-right\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-closed\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-opened\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span role=\"heading\" class=\"bdt-ep-title-text bdt-flex-inline bdt-flex-middle\" >\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDigital Signature vs an Electronic Signature: What&#039;s the Difference? \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-content bdt-accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A digital signature is a type of electronic signature, but they are not the same. An electronic signature covers any method of signing electronically, such as typing a name or clicking to agree. A digital signature uses encryption to verify identity and ensure the document has not been altered.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"bdt-ep-accordion-title bdt-accordion-title bdt-flex bdt-flex-middle bdt-flex-between\" id=\"bdt-ep-accordion-does-hmrc-accept-electronic-signatures\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-accordion-index=\"1\" data-title=\"does-hmrc-accept-electronic-signatures\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon bdt-flex-align-right\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-closed\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-opened\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span role=\"heading\" class=\"bdt-ep-title-text bdt-flex-inline bdt-flex-middle\" >\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDoes HMRC accept electronic signatures?  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-content bdt-accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Yes. HMRC now supports digital filing and electronic authentication for many tax processes. From April 2026, companies must use commercial software for Company Tax Returns, and many sole traders and landlords must file through Making Tax Digital software. Some paper forms may still have separate signature requirements.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"bdt-ep-accordion-title bdt-accordion-title bdt-flex bdt-flex-middle bdt-flex-between\" id=\"bdt-ep-accordion-do-i-need-a-digital-signature-for-engagement-letters\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-accordion-index=\"2\" data-title=\"do-i-need-a-digital-signature-for-engagement-letters\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon bdt-flex-align-right\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-closed\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-opened\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span role=\"heading\" class=\"bdt-ep-title-text bdt-flex-inline bdt-flex-middle\" >\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDo I need a digital signature for engagement letters?  \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-content bdt-accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>No. A simple electronic signature is sufficient under UK law. The Law Commission&#8217;s 2019 report confirmed that what matters is whether an authenticating intention can be demonstrated. A platform that captures the signatory&#8217;s email address, IP address, and timestamp alongside a locked PDF satisfies that requirement.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"bdt-ep-accordion-title bdt-accordion-title bdt-flex bdt-flex-middle bdt-flex-between\" id=\"bdt-ep-accordion-why-is-a-digital-signature-better-than-an-electronic-signature\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-accordion-index=\"3\" data-title=\"why-is-a-digital-signature-better-than-an-electronic-signature\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon bdt-flex-align-right\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-closed\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-icon-opened\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fa-fw e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span role=\"heading\" class=\"bdt-ep-title-text bdt-flex-inline bdt-flex-middle\" >\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy is a digital signature better than an electronic signature? \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"bdt-ep-accordion-content bdt-accordion-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Digital signatures offer higher security than standard electronic signatures. They use encryption to confirm the signer&#8217;s identity, detect any changes made after signing, and create a reliable audit trail. This makes them more suitable for sensitive documents, high-value transactions, or agreements that may need to be defended legally.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You&#8217;ve probably used &#8220;digital signature&#8221; and &#8220;electronic signature&#8221; as if they mean the same thing. For most of your career, that was [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":37406,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_tocer_settings":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[67,6],"tags":[11],"class_list":["post-37377","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-accountants","category-blog","tag-compliance"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37377","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/36"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37377"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37377\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37405,"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37377\/revisions\/37405"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37406"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}