As a member of the finance team, you’ll want to be familiar with several key contracts you’ll encounter often. These key agreements safeguard your company’s financial assets, define payment terms with vendors, establish clear obligations with partners, and support adherence to legal and regulatory standards. 

When you master the following 10 contracts, you’ll be equipped to budget more accurately, minimize financial risks, and support informed decision-making across your organization. 

10 essential contracts for finance teams 

Here are 10 types of business contracts you’ll frequently encounter on a finance team.

1. Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

Service level agreements (SLAs) are critical contracts that define the expected service quality, availability and responsiveness of vendors or service providers. Key components of SLAs include:

• Performance metrics and benchmarks

• Penalty structures for non-compliance

• Service level escalation procedures

• Renewal and termination clauses

• Communication protocols

Effective SLA management enables finance teams to ensure seamless operations, maintain customer satisfaction and mitigate financial risks associated with service disruptions.

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2. Supplier/vendor contracts

Supplier and vendor contracts govern the procurement of goods and services, outlining terms and conditions, pricing, payment schedules and delivery requirements. Key considerations include:

• Allocation of risks and liabilities

• Warranties and return policies

• Quality standards and inspection procedures

• Dispute resolution mechanisms

• Contract renewal and termination clauses

By effectively managing supplier and vendor contracts, finance teams can optimize costs, minimize supply chain disruptions and improve cash flow.

3. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) protect sensitive financial information shared with partners, vendors or contractors. Key components of NDAs include:

• Confidentiality obligations

• Duration and exceptions

• Return or destruction of confidential information

• Remedies for breach

• Governing law and jurisdiction

Effective NDA management mitigates risks associated with data breaches and unauthorized information disclosure.

4. Compliance contracts

Compliance contracts ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, industry standards and organizational policies. Key considerations include:

• Regulatory permits and licenses

• Reporting requirements and audit procedures

• Penalty structures for non-compliance

• Training and certification programs

• Compliance monitoring and reporting

Effective management of compliance contracts enables finance teams to mitigate regulatory risks, maintain reputational integrity and avoid costly fines.

5. Executive employment contracts

Executive employment contracts outline terms and conditions of senior leadership roles, including:

• Compensation and benefits

• Severance packages and change-in-control provisions

• Non-compete and non-solicitation agreements

• Performance metrics and evaluation criteria

• Termination of contract clauses

Effective management of executive employment contracts enables finance teams to manage talent costs, mitigate succession risks and ensure leadership stability.

6. Bonus and incentive agreements

Bonus and incentive agreements motivate employees to achieve performance targets, driving business growth. Key components include:

• Eligibility criteria and performance metrics

• Payout structures and payment schedules

• Vesting requirements and clawback provisions

• Plan administration and governance

• Tax implications and compliance

Effective management of bonus and incentive agreements enables finance teams to optimize talent retention, drive performance and maintain fiscal responsibility.

7. Loan agreements

Loan agreements outline terms and conditions of debt financing, including:

• Interest rates and repayment schedules

• Collateral requirements and security agreements

• Covenants and default clauses

• Prepayment penalties and refinancing options

• Governing law and jurisdiction

Effective management of loan agreements enables finance teams to optimize capital structure, manage debt servicing costs and mitigate default risks.

8. Equity agreements

Equity agreements govern ownership stakes, outlining:

• Voting rights and shareholder responsibilities

• Dividend distributions and allocation of profits

• Transfer restrictions and buy-sell agreements

• Valuation methodologies and exit strategies

• Dilution risks and anti-dilution provisions

Effective management of equity agreements enables finance teams to optimize capital structure, maintain ownership control and drive long-term growth.

9. Software licensing agreements

Software licensing agreements grant permission to use proprietary software, outlining:

• Licensing models and fees

• Usage restrictions and limitations

• Maintenance requirements and support services

• Audit provisions and compliance requirements

• Intellectual property rights and protections

Effective management of software licensing agreements enables finance teams to optimize technology costs, minimize licensing disputes and ensure compliance with intellectual property laws.

10. Data processing agreements

Data processing agreements govern the handling of sensitive data, outlining:

• Data security protocols and encryption standards

• Breach notification procedures and incident response

• Compliance requirements and regulatory standards

• Data transfer and storage restrictions

• Liability and indemnification provisions

Effective management of data processing agreements enables finance teams to mitigate data privacy risks, maintain regulatory compliance and ensure business continuity.

Contract management best practices for finance teams

Effective contract management is essential for finance teams to improve financial accuracy, compliance, and streamlined operations. Here are some key strategies to help you manage contracts efficiently:

• Centralize contract storage: Use a secure, centralized location for all contracts to make them easily accessible and organized.

• Organize your contracts: Categorize contracts by type, date, or partner to simplify tracking and retrieval.

• Automate deadline reminders: Set up automated notifications for key deadlines, such as renewal or payment dates, to avoid missing critical contract milestones.

• Use version control: Implement version control to track changes and make sure all parties are working with the latest contract version.

• Leverage CLM software: Use contract lifecycle management (CLM) software to improve contract visibility, track compliance, and streamline workflows. CLM tools help your finance team monitor contract terms and deadlines, ensuring accountability and reducing risks.

Conclusion

Understanding and managing essential contracts equips your finance team to protect company assets, reduce risks, and enhance regulatory compliance. By mastering these agreements, you can make informed financial decisions, strengthen relationships with partners, and optimize operational efficiency. Proper contract management not only supports financial stability but also empowers your team to navigate complex transactions with confidence.