Georgia bookkeeper employment contract template

Georgia Bookkeeper Employment Contract

This Georgia Bookkeeper Employment Contract (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [Date], by and between [Employer Name], a company registered in Georgia with its principal place of business at [Employer Registered Business Address] (the “Employer”), and [Employee Name], residing at [Employee Legal Residence] (the “Employee”).

Position and Duties

• The Employer hereby employs the Employee as a Bookkeeper. The primary reporting office, if different from the principal place of business, is [Reporting Office Address]. The Employee shall report directly to [Supervisor Name], [Supervisor Job Title].
• The Employee's duties shall include, but are not limited to:
  • Option A: Recording all financial transactions.
  • Option B: Accounts payable and receivable processing.
  • Option C: Bank and account reconciliations.
  • Option D: Maintenance of the general ledger.
  • Option E: Preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
  • Option F: Payroll data processing. (Note: Payroll tax filing is [Included/Excluded].)
  • Option G: Compliance with the Employer’s internal accounting procedures.
  • Option H: Handling sensitive client and vendor information.
  • Option I: Support for audit preparation.
  • Option J: Adherence to company expense policies.
  • Option K: Maintaining strict data confidentiality.
  • Option L: Interdepartmental liaison with [HR/Operations/Other Department].

Skills and Qualifications

• The Employee represents and warrants that they possess the following skills and qualifications:
  • Option A: Proficiency with accounting software, including [Specific Accounting Software, e.g., QuickBooks, Xero, Sage].
  • Option B: Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
  • Option C: Knowledge of professional bookkeeping standards.
  • Option D: Knowledge of relevant Georgia-based platforms, if applicable.
• Education and Experience:
  • Option A: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related field.
  • Option B: Relevant certifications (e.g., AIPB, NACPB).

Work Location and Schedule

• The Employee's primary work location will be the Employer’s principal place of business in Georgia.
• Remote work policy: [Allowed/Not Allowed].
  • If remote work is allowed, the following conditions apply:
    • Option A: The Employer will provide necessary technology.
    • Option B: The Employee is responsible for secure internet access.
    • Option C: Remote desktop security measures must be followed.
    • Option D: Paper document handling must comply with security protocols.
    • Option E: Compliance with Georgia-specific standards for remote workers is required.
• The Employee’s work schedule is: [Days of the Week], [Start Time] to [End Time], totaling [Number] hours per week.
• Break and lunch policies: [Specify Break and Lunch Policies]. (Note: Georgia law does not mandate breaks.)

Employment Status and Overtime

• The Employee is a full-time, Georgia W-2 employee.
• Overtime eligibility: [Exempt/Non-Exempt].
  • If non-exempt, overtime will be paid at a rate of not less than 1.5 times the regular hourly rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek, in accordance with Georgia and FLSA requirements.
• Payroll schedule: [Biweekly/Semi-monthly].

Compensation

• The Employee’s base salary is [Amount] per [Year/Hour].
• Overtime pay: [Specify Overtime Pay Structure].
• Bonus/Profit Sharing: [Yes/No]. If yes, details: [Bonus/Profit Sharing Details].
• Commission Eligibility: [Yes/No]. If yes, details: [Commission Details].
• Payment method: [Direct Deposit/Check].
• The Employer will provide wage statements as required by Georgia law.

Fringe Benefits

• The Employee is eligible for the following benefits:
  • Option A: Health insurance.
  • Option B: Dental insurance.
  • Option C: Vision insurance.
  • Option D: Retirement plan/401(k) matching.
  • Option E: Paid time off (PTO): [Number] days per year.
  • Option F: Vacation: [Number] days per year.
  • Option G: Personal leave: [Number] days per year.
  • Option H: Sick leave: [Number] days per year.
  • Option I: Georgia-recognized holidays.
  • Option J: Professional development (e.g., bookkeeping seminars, CPE events).
  • Option K: Reimbursement policies: [Specify Reimbursement Policies, e.g., travel, continuing education, certification renewal].

Professional Conduct

• The Employee agrees to:
  • Option A: Adhere to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
  • Option B: Comply with Georgia’s Accountancy Act regarding confidentiality.
  • Option C: Not commingle company/client funds.
  • Option D: Immediately report suspected fraud or financial irregularity.
  • Option E: Refrain from unauthorized disclosure or personal use of financial data.
  • Option F: Comply with the company’s conflict-of-interest and anti-fraud policies.

Ownership of Records

All company financial records, client and vendor lists, working papers, and supporting documentation prepared or accessed by the Employee are the sole property of the Employer and must be returned or securely destroyed upon separation.

Confidentiality/Non-Disclosure

The Employee agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all financial, payroll, and business information accessed during employment, both during and after termination, in accordance with Georgia’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act, if applicable.

The confidentiality obligation shall survive termination for a period of [Number] years.

Non-Solicitation

• The Employee agrees not to solicit the Employer’s clients or employees for a period of [Number] months following termination of employment.
• This non-solicitation clause applies within a [Geographic Scope, e.g., 50-mile radius of Employer's principal place of business].
• This clause covers solicitation of [Specific Clients/Vendors].
• (Note: Non-compete agreements are generally unenforceable for standard non-executive employees in Georgia. This clause is limited to non-solicitation as permitted under Georgia’s Restrictive Covenants Act.)

Outside Activities

• The Employee shall not engage in any unauthorized moonlighting, freelance, or similar outside accounting/bookkeeping activities without the Employer’s written approval.
• The Employee shall disclose any pre-existing client or business interests at the start of employment.

Data Security

• The Employee shall comply with all company data protection protocols, Georgia laws on the protection of non-public financial information, and proper disposal of paper and digital records.
• The Employee shall report any data breaches relevant to financial records in accordance with OCGA § 10-1-911 et seq.

Disciplinary Procedures

• In the event of bookkeeping errors, the Employee shall notify the Employer and follow the designated correction process.
• The Employer reserves the right to review financial transactions.
• The Employee is expected to maintain an accurate and verifiable audit trail of all bookkeeping actions and corrections.

At-Will Employment

• This is an at-will employment relationship, as permitted by Georgia law. Either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause.
• The Employer recommends a minimum notice period of [Number] days for voluntary resignation.
• Final paycheck: The Employee will receive their final wages on the next scheduled payday, in accordance with Georgia law.
• Payout of earned but unused vacation: [Specify Policy on Payout of Vacation Time, e.g., Paid Out/Not Paid Out] if promised in the company policy.

Return of Property

Upon termination, the Employee shall return all Employer-owned property, including hardware, ledgers, secure tokens, corporate credit cards, and records, including offsite records or remote work technology.

Anti-Discrimination/Equal Opportunity

• The Employer is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic under Georgia or federal law.
• This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including the handling of financial data.

Workers’ Compensation

• The Employee is covered by Georgia workers’ compensation insurance for injuries arising out of and in the course of employment.
• [Specify any unique workplace safety requirements].

Grievance and Dispute Resolution

• Any grievances or disputes shall be resolved through the following process:
  • Option A: Internal escalation to [Supervisor Name/HR Department].
  • Option B: Mediation.
  • Option C: Arbitration (governed by Georgia law, venue in [County where Employer is headquartered]).

Compliance

The Employer and Employee shall comply with all IRS, FLSA, and Georgia Department of Labor regulations applicable to employee classification, wage/hour, withholdings, and payroll record retention.

Sales/Use Tax Compliance (If Applicable)

• If the Employee’s duties include sales tax remittance, they shall comply with Georgia sales/use tax rules.
• All sales/use tax filings are subject to supervisor review.

Amendment

This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by both parties.

Severability

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Entire Agreement

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether oral or written.

Optional Tailoring Elements

• Specific performance incentives based on [Specific criteria].
• Flexibility for the employer to amend the scope of work or reporting lines on reasonable notice.

All elements of this contract are subject to adjustment based on the job role, company policy, and future changes in Georgia state or federal law.

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

[Employer Name]

By: [Employer Representative Name]

Title: [Employer Representative Title]

[Employee Name]

[Employee Signature]