Electronic signatures for tax consultants and law firms

When dealing with sensitive documents such as annual financial statements, tax agreements or customer contracts, the law prescribes certain standards for electronic signatures to ensure security and legal validity.

SES

Simple electronic signature

  • Basic security level
  • Suitable for documents without formal requirements and low liability risk
  • Ideal for internal approvals, simple contracts or declarations of consent
AES

Extended electronic signature

  • Higher level of security
  • Ensures that the signatory is clearly identifiable and linked to the document
  • Suitable for documents without formal requirements, but with a calculable liability risk
QES

Qualified electronic signature

  • Highest level of trust and security
  • Legally equivalent to a handwritten signature in accordance with EU law (eIDAS) and Swiss law (ZertES)
  • Required for documents with legal formal requirements or high liability risk
Tax consultants and law firms must comply with regulations such as eIDAS, ZertES, BGB/OR, GDPR and FADP . Choosing the right standard for electronic signatures ensures

  • Legal validity of signed documents
  • Compliance with national and EU regulations
  • Maximum data protection and customer trust
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WHAT WE SOLVE

Which signature standard should be used?

Price per signature = 0.1 points

Simple electronic signature (SES)

  • Internal notes and memos
  • Questionnaires for customer intake
  • Declarations of consent (low risk)
  • Routine correspondence
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Price per signature = 0.3 points

Advanced electronic signature (AES)

  • Annual financial statements (if no written form is required)
  • Tax calculations and agreements
  • Order confirmations with customers
  • Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
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Price per signature = 1.5 point

Qualified electronic signature (QES)

  • Customer contracts with written form requirement (BGB/OR)
  • Financial agreements with high value
  • Powers of attorney
  • Legal submissions or filings that require the written form
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FAQ

Is an electronic signature for tax and legal documents legally valid?

Is an electronic signature for tax and legal documents legally valid? Yes. Depending on the type of document, SES, AES or QES signatures are legally binding under EU law (eIDAS) and Swiss law (ZertES). QES is the only standard that has the same legal validity as a handwritten signature.

How do I know which signature standard to use?

This depends on the document. SES may be sufficient for low-risk documents. AES is often recommended for financial reports and contracts without formal requirements. QES is required for documents with formal requirements (e.g. contracts according to BGB/OR).

Can my customers sign without creating an account?

Yes, customers can sign via an invitation link sent by e-mail, even if they do not have their own e-signature account.

Where are signed documents stored? Even without your own e-signature account.

Electronically signed documents can be stored in your existing document management system, your law firm software or securely in the cloud. You can also download them and archive them locally.

Do I need special hardware such as a USB stick or a smart card?

No. The signature can be confirmed via cell phone or computer, which is easier than traditional methods.

Are electronic signatures compliant with the GDPR and Swiss data protection laws?

Yes, AES and QES meet the highest security and data protection standards according to GDPR (EU) and FADP (Switzerland).

Can I print out an electronically signed contract and keep it in paper form?

Yes, you can print out the digitally signed contract, but the legal validity always lies in the digital version with your signature certificate.