Engagement letters: how the Library can help

The ICAEW Library & Information Service can provide ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users with model engagement letters and clauses for a wide variety of services and entity types.

We hold many individual engagement letters and published collections of engagement letters in print and digital formats, as well as a number of articles and books containing sample clauses for insertion in engagement letters. We also subscribe to specialist third-party databases which contain model engagement letters and clauses.

In addition, we hold publications containing guidance on the use and compilation of engagement letters on those occasions when you cannot find an appropriate example.

Copies of letters, clauses and related material can be supplied within copyright law and subject to licences. See our document delivery service page for further details.

To request documents or get help with research, contact the Library enquiry team on +44 (0)20 7920 8620 or email library@icaew.com. The service is free for ICAEW members, ACA students and other permitted users. 

Please note that the Library collection also extends to other types of commonly used letters, including:

• client representation letters
• comfort letters
• disengagement letters
• hold harmless letters
• resignation letters. 

ICAEW's Technical Advisory Service (TAS) publish the helpsheet 'Engagement letters and privacy notices' which explains the importance of issuing engagement letters and provides a series of sample wordings. The helpsheet also includes suggested sources for further information and guidance on the drafting of engagement letters. It is available to download as a set of Word documents.

• TAS helpsheet: Engagement letters and privacy notices

Technical Advisory Services also publish the following related helpsheets:

• What if you have not issued an engagement letter? — provides 'information and guidance on the minimum requirements member firms must communicate to their clients in writing in the absence of an engagement letter'.
• Disengagement letters — provides a sample structure and content to help members develop effective, comprehensive disengagement letters. 

Croner-i provide numerous template engagement letters in the 'Engaging with clients' area of Navigate Practice Management. Further details of this product are available from Croner-i.

ICAEW's Technical Advisory Service publish the helpsheet Engagement letters and privacy notices which provides a series of sample wordings to help members draft engagement letters. The helpsheet also includes suggested sources for further information and guidance on the drafting of engagement letters, as well as a checklist to assist with the preparation of engagement letters.

In addition to ICAEW guidance, the Library collection includes a number of articles from the wider professional press which provide tips and suggestions of best practice on drafting engagement letters.

If you cannot find the engagement letter you need, the Library enquiry team will be pleased to help search the collection for you. Please call the team on +44 (0)207 920 8620 or email us at library@icaew.com.

Members requiring advice on specific aspects of engagement letters should contact the Technical Enquiries Service.