How do I create and apply an Engagement Template?
Engagement templates let you quickly build and reuse standardized proposals and letters—saving time while ensuring consistency across clients.
Why it matters
Templates streamline repetitive work, reduce errors, and help CPAs send engagement letters faster while maintaining best practices.
Table of Contents
Create an Engagement Template
Click Templates in the global navigation bar.
Select Engagement.
Click Create New.
Enter a template name.
Best practice: Name templates by service (e.g., 1040 Filing).
(Optional) Set access to Private or share with your team.
The engagement template builder opens. It mirrors the engagement builder—you’ll add details section by section.
Engagement Details
Enter an engagement name.
Use dynamic placeholders to personalize (e.g., client name, date).
(Optional) Add start and end dates.
Example: End date April 15 for tax deadlines.
Assign a role or team member.
(Optional) Add a proposal intro message.
You can insert a saved template here.
⚠️ You’ll select signers later, when applying the template to a client.
Services
Go to the Services tab.
Click Add Service.
Choose one:
Existing Service Item: Auto-populates details (name, rate, rate type, tax %, description). Select a billing frequency (weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly, or upon completion).
Custom Service: Manually enter name, rate, rate type, billing frequency, tax %, and description.
(Optional) Add multiple services or remove one with the trash icon.
Billing & Payment
Review service rates and billing frequency (pulled from services).
For recurring items:
Select invoice send day.
Choose end condition: by date, after X invoices, or never.
(Optional)
Check Auto-start recurring invoice series.
Toggle single-line invoice or add a client note.
Terms
Add general terms.
Tip: Create and reuse a letter template for consistency.
Review service item terms. These pull from your service templates.
(Optional) Refresh to update to the latest version of terms.
Add or edit as needed.
Tasks
Review auto-applied tasks from service item templates.
Click + Add Task Template to include additional tasks.
Use dropdowns to:
Select a task template.
Associate tasks with a service item.
Assign to a role or team member.
Apply the Engagement Template
Click the global + button.
Choose Create with Template.
Select your template > Next.
In the engagement builder:
Confirm auto-populated details.
Select a client or add a new one.
Assign signers.
(Optional) Make edits.
Save and send.
Bulk Apply the Engagement Template
In your client list, select multiple clients.
Click the three-dot menu > Create Engagements.
Choose Create with Template.
Confirm template selection.
Under Clients, review selected clients.
Under Signers, choose:
Primary contacts only, or
All client contacts.
Save and send. Engagements queue and you’ll be notified once complete.
⚠️ Clients without an email address won’t be included.
Troubleshooting
Saving, previewing, or downloading issues
Ensure all required fields are filled.
Check that billing/payment details include:
Service descriptions
Billing frequency
Permissions issues
If you can’t access templates, ask your admin to adjust permissions.
Summary
Engagement templates help you build, apply, and send standardized proposals quickly. Use templates to save time, reduce errors, and keep engagements consistent across clients.
Need help?
Contact Support or ask Penny, our AI Support Bot, for assistance.