Signing an Envelope

Open the secure link in the signature-request email. A CPAAutomation account and phone verification are not required. Signed-in users may also use E-Signature > Awaiting my signature when their account email matches the recipient email.

Before you begin

The email link is a bearer credential intended only for the named recipient. Do not forward the email or share the link. If you close the browser, reopen the same email link to resume saved progress until the envelope expires.

For sequential envelopes, the inbox can show Waiting on others. The Review & sign button becomes available when all signers in earlier routing orders have finished.

Step 1: Review the disclosure

Opening an eligible request starts the signing session. Before interacting with the document, review the Electronic records and signatures disclosure.

• Click I agree to use electronic records and signatures to record your consent and continue.
• Click Decline to sign if you do not want to use the electronic process.

The documents remain unavailable for interaction until consent is recorded.

Step 2: Adopt your signature

Click Adopt signature or select a signature field. In the dialog, choose one method:

• Type - enter your name and preview it in the signature style.
• Draw - draw your signature with a mouse, trackpad, touchscreen, or pointer.
• Upload - upload a signature image and inspect its preview before adopting it.

Click Adopt and Sign. The adopted signature is applied to every signature field assigned to you in the envelope. Initials fields use initials generated from your recipient name.

Step 3: Complete your fields

Click Start, then use Next to move through required fields in document reading order. CPAAutomation centers and focuses each field automatically.

Work through the highlighted fields assigned to you:

• Signature and initials fields use the signature you adopted.
• Date signed fields are completed automatically.
• Enter a value in each required text field.
• Complete required checkboxes, radio groups, dropdowns, attachments, and editable auto-fill fields.

The action bar shows how many required fields are complete. Entries save automatically while you work. Finish Later saves once more; reopen the email link when you are ready to continue.

On phones, Start, Next, Finish Later, Finish, and Decline remain in a viewport-safe bottom bar with touch-sized controls. PDF pages scale to the available width and guided navigation centers the active field.

Step 4: Finish signing

Review the documents and click Finish signing. Your signature and field values are recorded, and you cannot revise them afterward.

If other signatures are still needed, CPAAutomation keeps the envelope active and, for sequential requests, advances to the next signing group. After the final signer submits, CPAAutomation prepares and digitally seals the completed PDF in the background. Participants receive a completion notification when that process finishes.

The completion email contains a fresh read-only link to the sealed PDF and certificate. That link remains available for 30 days.

Decline an envelope

You can click Decline at any point in the signing session. Enter a reason and confirm the decision.

Declining ends the envelope for every participant, not just for you. The sender is notified and can see the reason in the recipient timeline and audit trail. A declined envelope cannot be resumed; the sender must create a new envelope if the signing process should restart.

Note: If an envelope expires or the sender voids it before you finish, it is no longer available for signing.