Accounting request template

Financial statement approval signing request template

A financial statement approval is a director, trustee or client's sign-off confirming they have reviewed and accept the prepared financial statements.

Send a financial statement approval request Browse all templates

What is a financial statement approval?

A financial statement approval is the formal sign-off where a director, trustee or client confirms they have reviewed the prepared statements and accept them as correct. Financial statements summarise an entity's position and performance for a period, so an approval step records that the responsible person reviewed and accepted them before they are relied upon or distributed.

For accounting firms, documented approval is part of finalising a year's work and managing risk. It evidences that the responsible party reviewed the statements rather than assuming consent. A signing tool captures that approval and who gave it, but it does not audit or verify the statements, and it does not replace professional accounting or legal advice.

When to use a financial statement approval

A company director must approve year-end financial statements
A trustee needs to sign off statements for a trust or SMSF
A client confirms accounts before they go to a bank or third party
Finalising statements at the end of an accounting engagement

What to include in a financial statement approval

Entity and period: the entity name and the financial year the statements cover
Statements covered: which reports are included, such as profit and loss and balance sheet
Statement of approval: clear wording that the signer reviewed and accepts the statements
Reliance on supplied records: a note the statements are based on information provided
Approver and date: name, role (director, trustee or client) and the approval date

Pros and cons of sending a financial statement approval as a signing request

Pros

Director, trustee or client approval is captured with a clear timestamp
You can see when the signer opened and reviewed before approving
Reminders prompt approval near reporting deadlines automatically
A completion receipt evidences who approved the statements and when

Cons and things to watch

Approval depends on the signer genuinely reviewing the statements
Cosign does not audit, prepare or verify the statements for you
Sign-off does not change responsibility for the records supplied
Multiple directors may each need to approve, not just one

How to send a financial statement approval with Cosign

Upload the financial statements and use preview to confirm the correct entity and period before sending.
Add the director, trustee or client as the signer so they get a private approval link.
Set a 14-day expiry and add a password to protect the financial detail involved.
Send the request, track each approval, and keep the completion receipt on file.

Financial statement approval request details

Email subject

Financial statement approval

Default message

Please review and approve the attached financial statements if they are correct.

Signer setup

Director, trustee, or client

Suggested expiry

14 days

Button label

Approve statements

Best fit

Accounting teams

Financial statement approval FAQs

Is electronic approval of financial statements valid in Australia?

In general, Australian law accepts electronic approval where the signer consented and is reliably identified. This is general information only; some entities have specific signing requirements, so confirm what applies.

Can multiple directors approve the same financial statements?

Yes. You can add several signers, and each receives their own private link. Cosign tracks each director's approval separately so you know when all required sign-offs are in.

Are the financial statements kept private?

Yes. Statements are sent through private links to named signers and are not indexed by search engines. A password can be added so only intended approvers can open them.

Does Cosign check or audit the financial statements?

No. Cosign sends and tracks the document you upload. It does not prepare, audit or verify the statements. Rely on your accountant and professional advice for accuracy.

What if a director wants changes before approving?

They can decline instead of approving. You update the statements and send a new request so the approved version matches the final statements.