Engagement Agreement Template for United States

An Engagement Agreement sets out the terms and ground rules when you hire a professional service provider in the Philippines, like a lawyer, accountant, or consultant. It spells out exactly what services they'll provide, how much they'll charge, and what each party needs to do throughout the engagement.

Under Philippine law, these agreements protect both sides by clearly defining scope, timelines, confidentiality requirements, and payment terms. Most regulated professions require written engagement agreements to comply with their governing bodies' rules - for example, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines mandates them for attorney-client relationships. Having clear terms helps prevent misunderstandings and provides a solid foundation for professional relationships.

Use an Engagement Agreement when starting any professional service relationship in the Philippines - especially for legal, accounting, consulting, or advisory work. This agreement becomes essential before the service provider begins any substantial work or when discussing sensitive business information.

The timing matters most when dealing with high-value projects, complex services, or regulated professions. For example, Philippine law firms must have signed engagement letters before representing clients in court. Similarly, accounting firms need these agreements in place before conducting audits or preparing financial statements. Getting this document signed early prevents scope creep, fee disputes, and potential regulatory issues down the line.

• Engagement Letter: Basic format used for straightforward professional services, commonly used by smaller firms and individual practitioners
• Engagement Contract: More detailed version with comprehensive terms, typically used for complex or long-term business relationships
• Consulting Engagement Letter: Specialized version for management consultants, focusing on project deliverables and milestones
• Service Engagement Letter: Tailored for ongoing service providers, emphasizing service levels and performance metrics
• Client Engagement Letter: Professional services version with enhanced client protection clauses, common in legal and financial services

• Professional Service Providers: Lawyers, accountants, consultants, and other licensed professionals who offer their expertise and need to define their scope of work
• Corporate Clients: Companies seeking professional services, from small businesses to large corporations, who need clear terms for their service arrangements
• Legal Departments: In-house lawyers who review and negotiate engagement terms to protect their organization's interests
• Regulatory Bodies: Professional organizations like the Philippine Regulatory Commission that oversee compliance with engagement requirements
• Company Executives: CEOs, CFOs, and other decision-makers who authorize and sign these agreements on behalf of their organizations

• Core Service Details: Clearly outline the scope of services, timeline, deliverables, and expected outcomes
• Party Information: Gather complete legal names, addresses, and authorized representatives of all involved parties
• Fee Structure: Document all payment terms, rates, billing schedules, and additional costs or expenses
• Professional Requirements: Check industry-specific regulations and requirements from Philippine regulatory bodies
• Confidentiality Needs: Identify sensitive information that needs protection and specific non-disclosure terms
• Template Selection: Use our platform to generate a legally-sound agreement that meets Philippine requirements and your specific needs
• Internal Review: Have key stakeholders review the draft to ensure all business terms align with expectations

• Identification of Parties: Full legal names, addresses, and authorized representatives of service provider and client
• Scope of Services: Detailed description of professional services, deliverables, and expected outcomes
• Fee Structure: Clear payment terms, rates, billing schedule, and additional cost provisions
• Duration and Termination: Agreement period, renewal terms, and conditions for ending the engagement
• Confidentiality Provisions: Protection of client information under Philippine data privacy laws
• Professional Standards: Reference to applicable Philippine regulatory requirements and professional codes
• Dispute Resolution: Local jurisdiction, governing law, and method of resolving disagreements
• Signature Block: Space for dated signatures of authorized representatives from both parties

An Engagement Agreement differs significantly from an Advisory Agreement in several key aspects, though both involve professional services. While Engagement Agreements typically cover specific, time-bound projects or services, Advisory Agreements establish ongoing relationships for strategic guidance and consultation.

• Scope and Duration: Engagement Agreements focus on defined deliverables and timelines, while Advisory Agreements often have open-ended terms with broader consultation rights
• Payment Structure: Engagement Agreements usually specify project-based fees or hourly rates, whereas Advisory Agreements commonly involve retainer fees or periodic payments
• Service Delivery: Engagement Agreements detail specific tasks and outcomes, while Advisory Agreements emphasize availability for consultation and strategic input
• Professional Liability: Engagement Agreements carry more direct liability for specific deliverables, while Advisory Agreements typically limit liability to general guidance and recommendations