California accountant employment contract template

California Accountant Employment Agreement

This California Accountant Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [Date], by and between [Legal Employer Name], a [State of Incorporation] corporation with its principal place of business at [Employer Address] (“Employer”), and [Employee Full Legal Name], residing at [Employee Address] (“Employee”).

1. Position

Option A: The Employer hereby employs Employee as a [Specific Accountant Job Title, e.g., Staff Accountant].

Option B: The Employee's job title shall be [Specific Accountant Job Title, e.g., Senior Accountant].

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The Employee shall perform the following duties, as well as other duties as assigned by the Employer:

• Preparation and analysis of financial statements.
• Maintenance of general ledgers.
• Reconciliation of accounts.
• Preparation of accruals and adjusting entries.
• Payroll processing in accordance with California law.
• Fixed asset management.
• Tax preparation and compliance.
• Compliance with GAAP and California reporting standards.
• Internal auditing procedures.
• SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) compliance (if applicable).
• Handling of accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR).
• Support for external audits.
• Team collaboration and cross-departmental communication.
• Participation in audit meetings and regulatory reviews.

Option A: The Employee's direct supervisor is [Supervisor Name].

Option B: The Employee reports to [Department Head Name], [Department Head Title].

3. Qualifications

Option A: Required certifications: [List Required Certifications, e.g., CPA, CMA].

Option B: Minimum education: [List Minimum Education, e.g., Bachelor's Degree in Accounting].

Required experience: [Number] years of experience in accounting, with specific experience in California accounting rules and software ([Software Examples, e.g., QuickBooks, SAP]). Employee must maintain all necessary licensure through regular continuing education.

4. Work Location

Option A: The Employee's primary work location is the Employer's office located at [Office Address] in California.

Option B: The Employee's primary work location is [Client Site Address] in California.

Option C: Hybrid/Remote Work: Subject to Employer policy, the Employee may work remotely, provided Employee complies with Employer’s data privacy and security policies, including the use of encrypted company-provided devices and adherence to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for any personal information handled.

5. Employment Type and Hours

The Employee's employment is full-time.

Option A: The standard work schedule is [Number] hours per week, [Days of the Week], from [Start Time] to [End Time].

Option B: Overtime: All hours worked must be recorded and compensated in accordance with California law, including daily and weekly overtime wages and double-time rules. Employee shall be entitled to meal and rest breaks as required by California law.

6. Compensation

Option A: The Employee's base salary is [Dollar Amount] per year, payable [Frequency of Payment, e.g., bi-weekly].

Option B: The Employee's hourly rate is [Dollar Amount].

Method of Payment: [Method of Payment, e.g., Direct Deposit].

Eligibility for performance-related bonuses: [Bonus Details, e.g., based on SOX compliance timeliness or audit accuracy].

7. Benefits

The Employee is eligible for the following benefits, subject to the terms and conditions of the Employer's benefit plans:

• Health, vision, and dental insurance compliant with California law.
• Mandatory sick leave accrual per the California Healthy Workplace Healthy Family Act.
• State-mandated paid family leave and disability insurance.
• Paid vacation: [Number] days per year.
• Observed California state holidays.
• 401(k) or CalSavers retirement plan access.
• FSA/HSA for pre-tax health costs.
• Continuing education/certification reimbursement: [Dollar Amount or Policy Description].
• Paid professional membership dues (e.g., CalCPA).
• Option A: Commuter/parking stipends: [Dollar Amount or Policy Description].
• Option B: Ergonomic/home office reimbursement as per California labor code for remote workers: [Dollar Amount or Policy Description].

8. Ownership of Work Product and Confidentiality

All accounting work product, internal financial data, confidential client records, and intellectual property remain the property of the Employer.

The Employee shall comply with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) for all finance-related personal information. Unauthorized use or disclosure of client or company data is prohibited.

The Employee shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding sensitive company and client financials, both during and after employment.

9. Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation

The Employee agrees not to engage in outside accounting services, side consulting, or competitive employment without the Employer's written approval, subject to California Business & Professions Code §16600.

Non-Solicitation: During the term of employment and for a period of [Number] months following termination of employment, Employee shall not solicit employees, clients, or customers of the Employer.

10. Compliance with Laws and Regulations

The Employee shall comply with all internal audit standards, company accounting controls, and all federal, state, and local accounting regulations. Falsification of records, fraudulent entries, or violation of whistleblower protections (SOX 806, California Labor Code §1102.5) is strictly prohibited.

11. Professional Conduct

The Employee shall maintain professional conduct aligned with CalCPA ethical standards and the Employer's code of conduct, including anti-harassment, anti-discrimination, and conflict of interest policies as required by California law. The Employee shall complete all required California anti-harassment training.

12. Record-Keeping and Expense Reporting

The Employee shall maintain accurate records, submit timely expense reports, and properly use company-issued accounting systems/software and digital security protocols.

13. At-Will Employment

The Employee's employment is at-will, meaning that either the Employee or the Employer may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to the notice provisions below.

14. Termination

Grounds for Immediate Termination: The Employer may terminate the Employee's employment immediately for cause, including but not limited to theft, fraud, breach of confidentiality, or regulatory noncompliance.

Notice Period:

Option A: The Employee shall provide [Number] weeks' written notice of resignation.

Option B: The Employer shall provide [Number] weeks' written notice of termination, except in cases of termination for cause.

Final Wage Payment: Upon termination, the Employee shall receive a final wage payment in accordance with California law (same day if involuntary, within 72 hours if resigning).

Severance: [Severance Package Details, if applicable].

COBRA/State Continuation: Information regarding COBRA and state continuation benefits will be provided upon termination.

Return of Property: The Employee shall return all company materials and data upon termination.

15. Employee Acknowledgments

The Employee acknowledges California's strict wage theft and misclassification prohibitions, rules around off-the-clock work, and the right to review wage statements and personnel file under Labor Code §226.

16. Dispute Resolution

The Employer encourages internal grievance procedures.

Option A: Mandatory Mediation/Arbitration: Any disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be resolved through mandatory mediation, and if mediation is unsuccessful, through binding arbitration in accordance with California law. Claims under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act are excluded from mandatory arbitration.

Option B: Any disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be resolved through litigation in the courts of [County] County, California.

Governing Law and Venue: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

Waiver of Class Action: To the extent legally permissible, the Employee waives the right to bring or participate in a class action.

17. Conflicts of Interest

The Employee shall disclose and recuse from any actual or potential conflicts of interest relating to client accounts, investments, or personal financial interests, per the Employer's code of conduct and California rules.

18. Errors and Omissions

The Employee is obligated to report any errors or omissions.

Option A: The Employer maintains professional liability insurance.

Option B: The Employee is required to maintain professional liability insurance.

19. Workplace Safety and Accommodation

The Employer complies with workers' compensation, Cal/OSHA occupational health and safety, ergonomics, and confidentiality training requirements relevant to the California accounting field. Workplace accommodations are available per ADA/California FEHA.

20. Modification

All benefits, compensation, duties, work hours, and leave terms are subject to change per business needs and legal changes, with updates provided in writing.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

[Legal Employer Name]

By: [Name of Authorized Representative]

Title: [Title of Authorized Representative]

[Employee Full Legal Name]

Signature: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________