An electronic signature is the broad category for signing documents electronically, such as typing a name, clicking to agree, or signatures through an online tool. A digital signature is a more secure type of electronic signature that helps verify who signed and whether the document changed post signature.

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Digital signature vs electronic signature

The easiest way to understand the difference is this:

An electronic signature describes the act of signing or approving something electronically. It could be as simple as typing your name into a form, ticking a checkbox, drawing a signature on a screen, or signing a document through an online signature platform.

A digital signature is a more secure method of electronic signature. It uses verification technology to help connect a signer to a document and show whether the document has been changed post signature.

In simple terms, an electronic signature helps show agreement. A digital signature adds stronger evidence around identity, document integrity, and signing activity.

What is an electronic signature?

An electronic signature is any electronic method used to show that someone agrees to, accepts, or approves a document.

Common electronic signature examples include:

• typing your name into a signature field

• drawing your signature on a phone, tablet, or computer

• clicking an “I agree” button

• ticking a consent checkbox

• signatures through an online signature tool

Electronic signatures are commonly used for everyday business documents because they are faster and easier than printing, signing, scanning, and emailing paperwork back and forth.

The strength of an electronic signature depends on the process behind it. A basic typed name may provide less evidence than a signature workflow that records signer details, timestamps, document activity, and completion history.

What is a digital signature?

A digital signature is a more secure type of electronic signature. It helps verify the signer’s identity and protect the signed document from being changed post signature.

Digital signatures often use encryption, audit trails, and sometimes digital certificates to help prove that the right person signed the right version of a document.

For a deeper explanation of how digital signatures work, see our guide: What is a digital signature?

For this page, the key point is that digital signatures add an extra layer of trust. They are especially useful when the signed document may need to be reviewed later by a client, firm, auditor, regulator, or internal team.

Key differences between digital and electronic signatures

A digital signature is a type of electronic signature, but it adds stronger verification and document integrity controls.

Question	Electronic signature	Digital signature
What is it?	A broad way to sign electronically	A secure type of electronic signature
Main purpose	Show agreement or approval	Verify identity and protect document integrity
Common examples	Typed name, checkbox, drawn signature, online approval	Certificate-backed signature, sealed document, audit-trail-supported signatures
Security level	Varies by method and platform	Usually stronger
Best for	Everyday approvals and agreements	Documents needing stronger evidence or compliance support

When should you use an electronic signature or digital signature?

The correct signature method depends on the document, the level of evidence needed, and the risk involved.

An electronic signature may be enough when the document is low risk, the approval is simple, and the business mainly needs a faster way to collect agreement.

A digital signature is more useful when the document needs stronger evidence. This may include situations where you need to confirm who signed, prove the signed version was not changed, or keep a reliable signature record.

Digital and electronic signature examples for accounting firms

Accounting and bookkeeping firms often need clients to review, approve, and sign important documents quickly. In these workflows, the signature is only one part of the process. Firms also need visibility, reminders, signed records, and a clear audit trail.

Common examples include:

Document	Signature example
Engagement letters	A client signs before the firm begins work
Tax documents	A client reviews and approves tax-related paperwork
Financial statements	A director or client signs off on prepared documents
Compliance forms	A client confirms required information
Client onboarding packs	A new clients signs multiple setup documents
Director or family group documents	Multiple signers complete documents in a controlled order

For accounting firms, digital signatures can help reduce printing, scanning, manual follow-up, and email-based document chasing.

Learn more about signing built for accounting firms.

What about legal validity and digital certificates?

Electronic and digital signatures can be legally valid in many jurisdictions, including Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. However, requirements can vary depending on the document type, industry, signing method, and jurisdiction.

Some documents may require specific signature processes, witnessing, identity checks, or record-keeping standards. Firms should check the requirements that apply to their documents and seek legal advice where needed.

Digital signatures may also use digital certificates to help verify signer identity and document integrity. For a fuller explanation of certificates, see what is a digital signature? or FuseSign’s legal and compliance information.

How FuseSign helps firms manage signatures

FuseSign helps accounting and bookkeeping firms send, manage, and track client documents for signature.

Instead of relying on print-scan-email workflows, firms can use FuseSign to manage document signatures in a way that is built for professional services teams and their clients.

FuseSign can help firms:

• send client documents for signing

• manage signature workflows

• reduce manual follow-up

• improve turnaround times

• give clients a simple signature experience

• keep signature activity easier to track

For more complex firm workflows, explore controlled signing workflows, tamper-evident audit trails, and integrations with accounting software.

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